From Solo PR Consultant to Leading a 36-Person Global Team: Julia Linehan Shares How She Scaled The Digital Voice 6x, Doubled Profits, Embraced Remote Work Early & Built a Business Where People Always Come Before Profits. (Episode 687 - Julia Linehan)

In this episode of Grow a Small Business, host Troy Trewin interviews Julia Linehan, founder of The Digital Voice, a UK-based PR and marketing agency specializing in ad tech and martech. Julia shares her journey from a solo consultant to leading a remote team of 36, including 28 full-time equivalents. Over the past six years, she has grown the agency’s revenue sixfold and doubled profits, driven by her people-first approach. Julia discusses the challenges of letting go, the power of consistent company culture, and the value of tools like Trello and Slack. She also highlights the importance of work-life balance and strong client relationships in building a sustainable, scalable business.

Other Resources:

• When should a growing small business have a Board of Directors or Advisors?

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• An easy way to measure if your customers love you in 21 minutes – use the Net Promoter Score (NPS). And it’s FREE.

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Troy delves into our guest's startup journey, their perception of success, industry reconsideration, and the pivotal stress point during business expansion. They discuss the joys of small business growth, vital entrepreneurial habits, and strategies for team building, encompassing wins, blunders, and invaluable advice.

And a snapshot of the final five Grow A Small Business Questions:

1. What do you think is the hardest thing in growing a small business?
   
   According to Julia Linehan, the hardest thing in growing a small business is managing stress. She explains that without effectively handling stress, it can quickly become overwhelming and negatively impact both the individual and the business. She also highlights cash flow management as a significant challenge, noting the delicate balance required between growth, maintaining profitability, and ensuring financial stability.
   
   

2. What's your favorite business book that has helped you the most?
   
   Julia Linehan’s favorite business books that have helped her the most are "Big Impact Without Burnout" by Bianca Best and "Radical Candor" by Kim Scott. She also recommends "The One Minute Manager" and "Monkey Management" for their practical insights on leadership and team communication.
   
   

3. Are there any great podcasts or online learning resources you'd recommend to help grow a small business?
   
   Julia Linehan recommends several valuable podcasts and online learning resources for small business growth, including her agency’s own shows Off Record On Point and Legends of Adtech. She also highlights podcasts by Tamara Littleton and Paul Gubbins with Wayne Blodwell for insights into the ad tech and marketing industries. For ongoing learning, she suggests platforms like Skillshare and Coursera and encourages dedicating regular time, such as a weekly “Boost Your Power Hour,” to continuous professional development.
   
   

4. What tool or resource would you recommend to grow a small business?
   
   Julia Linehan recommends using the right tools to support remote collaboration and project management when growing a small business. Her top picks are Trello, for organizing tasks and workflows with transparency, and Slack, for maintaining strong team communication and connection. She emphasizes that investing in effective software tailored to your business needs is essential for sustainable growth.
   
   

5. What advice would you give yourself on day one of starting out in business?
   
   Julia Linehan’s advice to herself on day one of starting out in business would be to be present, enjoy the journey, and smile through it. She believes that the more you enjoy what you're doing, the more others around you will too, creating a positive ripple effect in both team culture and client relationships.

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Quotable quotes from our special Grow A Small Business podcast guest:

People over profits—invest in your team, and the returns will follow – Julia Linehan

Let go, trust your team, and watch them fly – Julia Linehan

You don’t need to chase every opportunity – protect your culture first – Julia Linehan

 

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