300. Rapid Growth Roadmap for Agencies, with Stephanie Spicer
Release Date: 06/04/2025
324. Turn Data Privacy into Profit, with Aaron Burnett
The Innovative Agency
Today on The Innovative Agency Podcast Sharon Toerek sits down with Aaron Burnett, Founder and CEO of Wheelhouse DMG, for a deep dive into one of the most pressing, and misunderstood, issues in our industry: data privacy. Aaron shares hard-earned lessons from leading an agency that serves highly regulated sectors like healthcare and medical devices, revealing how boundaries around data can actually spark innovation. Aaron explores the intersection of compliance, trust, and long-term growth showing how agencies can turn regulatory challenges into strategic advantages. If you’ve ever wondered...
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323. Today’s Social Media Playbook for Agencies, with Emeric Ernoult
The Innovative Agency
Today on The Innovative Agency Podcast Sharon Toerek welcomes Emeric Ernoult, CEO of Agorapulse, to explore what’s really working in social media right now — and what’s just noise. As both a former lawyer and agency owner, Emeric brings a rare mix of legal acumen and hands-on marketing experience to the conversation. Together, he and Sharon unpack how agencies can stay ahead as technology, algorithms, and AI continue to evolve without losing sight of what truly drives connection and results. From chasing trends to protecting your IP, this episode is a masterclass in cutting through the...
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322. Designing a Future-Ready Agency, with Nick Avaria
The Innovative Agency
This episode of The Innovative Agency Podcast tackles one of the most pivotal conversations for marketing agency owners: how do you build a business that’s not only successful today but also strategically designed for the future? Joining Sharon Toerek is Nick Avaria, Founder of Agency Acquisitions and a seasoned agency owner who’s built, scaled, and sold multiple agencies. Nick shares hard-earned lessons on navigating growth, making smart exit decisions, and even why keeping your agency “unsellable” can sometimes be the most profitable path. Get practical advice, proven systems,...
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321. AI, Your Agency & Keeping the Human Connection, with Pete Sena
The Innovative Agency
Today on The Innovative Agency Podcast Sharon Toerek sits down with Pete Sena, multi-hyphenate founder, brand experience visionary, and creative provocateur, to tackle one of the most urgent questions facing agencies today: How do you keep innovating when AI is rewriting the rules of marketing in real time? If you’ve ever wondered how AI is reshaping not just how your agency works, but how your clients’ customers feel, connect, and build trust with brands, this episode is a must-listen. Pete introduces his groundbreaking “VIBE Marketing” framework, a call to arms for agency leaders...
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320. Are Webinars Your Agency’s Secret Advantage? with Logan Lyles
The Innovative Agency
On this episode of The Innovative Agency Podcast Sharon Toerek welcomes back Logan Lyles, Founder of DemandShift and a seasoned B2B marketing strategist, for a deep dive into how agencies can reclaim webinars as a high-impact growth engine. Logan reveals how his Webinar Fast Track Framework turns webinars from passive brand awareness plays into measurable lead generation machines helping agencies attract right-fit prospects and drive real results. Sharon and Logan discuss why webinars remain one of the most underutilized tools in the agency toolkit, what most teams get wrong about engagement...
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319. Scaling Up Without Burnout, with Jesse Gilmore
The Innovative Agency
On this episode of The Innovative Agency Podcast Sharon Toerek chats with Jesse Gilmore, Founder of Niche In Control. Jesse opens up about his journey from entrepreneurial burnout to building agencies that scale sustainably, without sacrificing sanity or freedom. He shares powerful lessons on the mindset shifts that turn overwhelm into momentum and breaks down why adding more people isn’t always the answer to growth. Jesse reveals how systemizing your agency can help you reclaim your time, empower your team, and finally build the freedom-filled business you set out to create. What you will...
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318. Leveraging AI for SEO Advantage, with Carl Holden
The Innovative Agency
Today on The Innovative Agency Podcast Sharon Toerek and guest Carl Holden tackle one of the biggest shifts reshaping our industry — how AI is rewriting the rules of SEO and digital marketing. Carl, agency owner and Founder of RankBot, has been at the forefront of this transformation. He’s seen firsthand how AI is changing client expectations, lowering barriers to entry, and forcing agencies to redefine what “value” really means. Carl digs into what it takes to stay relevant and profitable in this new landscape, from redefining your agency’s value proposition to applying AI...
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317. Turn AI Disruption into Agency Opportunity, with Leslie Carruthers
The Innovative Agency
Today on The Innovative Agency Podcast, Sharon Toerek is joined by Leslie Carruthers, Founder of The Search Guru, for a conversation that every agency leader needs to hear right now. Generative AI isn’t just a shiny new tool, it’s rewriting the rules of search, visibility, and how clients find their next partner. If you’ve seen your organic traffic slide or you’re struggling with how to guide clients through this AI-driven shift, this episode is for you. Leslie brings decades of search expertise and lays out exactly what’s at stake for agencies today, along with the bold moves that...
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316. Partnerships that End Churn, with Justin Rashidi
The Innovative Agency
On this episode of The Innovative Agency Podcast Sharon Toerek chats with Justin Rashidi, co-founder of SeedX, for a no-fluff conversation about one of the toughest challenges every agency faces: client churn. Justin brings a candid, inside look at why expectations so often fall apart between agencies and clients and what to do about it before the relationship unravels. From spotting red flags early, to setting crystal-clear metrics, to redefining what true partnership really looks like, Justin shares practical lessons agencies can put to work right now. This conversation also digs into why...
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315. The Table Stakes for Agency Business Growth Now, with Dan Englander
The Innovative Agency
On this episode of The Innovative Agency Podcast Sharon Toerek welcomes Dan Englander, CEO and Founder of Sales Schema, to dig into what’s really ahead for agency business development in 2025 and beyond. Dan has spent years in the trenches with independent agencies, and he’s here to share why specialization and perspective are no longer “nice to haves” but are survival skills. This conversation delves into how the current “trust recession” is reshaping the sales landscape and what it means for the way agencies show up with prospects. If you’re ready to rethink how your...
info_outlineLeading a fast-growing agency comes with unique challenges. How do you scale at speed without losing your culture, your talent, or your edge?
This special milestone episode of The Innovative Agency Podcast (we’ve hit 300 episodes today, all!) features Stephanie Spicer, President of Luquire, an agency recognized for its rapid growth and innovative leadership.
Stephanie candidly discusses Luquire’s strategic approach to combining intentional goal-setting, transparent leadership, and a values-driven culture to fuel sustainable growth. She also shares the real-world practices behind fostering team passion, embracing “kindor” (kindness + candor), and navigating the risks and opportunities that emerge when agency growth accelerates.
Bio
Guided by instinct and driven by data, Stephanie Spicer helps clients win by developing a clear roadmap for success—and then making it happen. Before assuming the role of President at Luquire in 2020, Stephanie was responsible for establishing and developing the agency’s strategy department, integrating cross-agency disciplines including platform development and positioning, digital strategy, and qualitative and quantitative research initiatives into one cohesive service line. With a rare talent for keeping an eye on the big picture while never losing sight of the details, Stephanie has a proven track record of developing growth-driving strategies for brands large and small, including Oreo, Advil and Botox.
What you will learn in this episode:
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How to set and communicate ambitious growth goals that energize your entire agency team
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Why fast agency growth demands both luck and intentional planning, and how to strike that balance
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The critical link between transparent leadership and effective scaling in today’s agency environment
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Strategies for fostering a thriving culture that attracts, retains, and inspires top talent
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How to operationalize your agency’s core values in recruiting and daily work
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Why “organic growth” isn’t just leadership’s job and how to make client happiness a collective effort
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The keys to having difficult, honest conversations with clients
Resources:
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Website: https://luquire.com/
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LinkedIn Personal: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephaniespicerluquire/
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LinkedIn Business: https://www.linkedin.com/company/luquire/
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Facebook Business: https://www.facebook.com/luquireagency/