The Surprising First Step to Starting a Design Agency

When I first decided to start my design agency, I thought I had my priorities straight:

• Design a sleek logo.

• Build a killer website.

• Create an LLC.

• Set up social media accounts and start posting.

I was pumped, and excited to get the business “looking” good. I even had business cards on my list.

When I shared this with a mentor of mine, he stopped me in my tracks with a single piece of advice that felt completely backwards.

He said: “The first step isn’t about you—it’s about building a team.”

I was skeptical at first. How could I build a team when I didn’t even have clients yet? Shouldn’t I focus on processes, marketing, or creating a portfolio?

But then he explained: “If you don’t have a team to delegate to, you don’t have a business—you have a job.”

And that’s when the light bulb went off.

Why Building a Team Comes First

If I was doing all the work, I wasn’t creating a business—I was just becoming a well-paid freelancer.

I’ve freelanced for years and always thought I was running a business, just to find out recently that I’ve been running a job.

Here’s the thing about freelancing:

• You’re still trading your time for money.

• You can only handle so many projects before you hit a ceiling.

I realized I wanted something bigger—a business that could grow and thrive without me burning out. And to achieve that, I needed to stop thinking like a freelancer and start acting like a business owner.

The Biggest Lessons I Learned From Starting With a Team

1. Thinking in Time, Not Money
At first, I made less money, but I gained something far more valuable: time. Knowing that tasks were getting done without me being the one to do them was a game-changer. It was the first time I saw someone else making money for me.

The first gig I outsourced to a freelancer earned me just $100. It wasn’t much, but it was a milestone—it was the moment I started feeling like a real business owner, not just a freelancer.

2. Hire Quality Talent
The key to repeat business is quality, so hiring the right talent is non-negotiable. If a designer or developer quotes a price and I believe their work is worth it, I never haggle to pay less. In fact, I often pay more upfront.

This approach has consistently helped me attract and retain talent who work harder, faster, and more efficiently. It’s a small investment that pays off with exceptional results and happy clients.

3. Creating Mental Space
When you’re working a full-time job and trying to build a business, protecting your mental space is crucial—not just for your work, but for your family and loved ones.

I never want to miss dinner with my family because I’m buried in work. Having a team allows me to delegate tasks so I can be fully present when it matters most. It’s the difference between burning out and thriving, both at work and at home.

Your Action Plan

If you’re dreaming of starting an agency—or scaling the one you already have—start by asking yourself:

• What tasks am I doing that someone else could handle?

• What’s stopping me from building a team, even if it’s just one person?

• How can I free up my time to focus on growing my business?

Start small. Hire one person. Automate one process. Test it out. You’ll be amazed at how quickly your capacity (and your business) begins to expand.

My Go-To Resources for Finding Great Talent

• UpWork – A reliable platform for finding skilled freelancers.

• Contra – Perfect for creative and technical roles.

• Personal Network – Honestly, this has been the best resource by far.

Even if you don’t have clients yet, that’s okay. When I first started, I didn’t either. I focused on messaging and building relationships with talented people so that when work came in, I already knew exactly who to contact.

Stay tuned—I’ll be writing a detailed newsletter soon about how I hire talent, including:

• What I look for in candidates.

• How I vet them to ensure they’re a good fit.

• My step-by-step onboarding process.

Remember: your time is your most valuable asset. Building a team isn’t just the first step—it’s the smartest step.

Stay tuned for more tips to help you build your agency.

Lo