Building a Category of One with Taylor McMaster

It is the start of a new era for Agency Mavericks in 2026! In this season opener, Troy Dean sits down with Taylor McMaster, founder of DOT & Company. Taylor shares her incredible journey from a frustrated agency owner to creating a "category of one" by specializing in fractional account management. We also dive deep into the recent breaking news: DOT & Company has been acquired by E2M Solutions. In this episode, you will learn the critical difference between a struggling generalist agency and a scalable specialist. Taylor reveals the math behind successful account management (hint: 80 clients is too many), how to maintain premium service standards, and why her due diligence process during the acquisition was actually a breeze. Plus, we discuss how AI is shaping the future of client services and why playing the long game is your biggest competitive advantage. In this episode you'll discover: ✅ How to position your agency as a 'Category of One' to eliminate competition and command premium pricing✅ Leverage fractional account management to remove yourself from daily operations without the risk of full-time hiring✅ Identify the critical client-to-manager ratios that prevent employee burnout and ensure high-level service✅ Streamline agency efficiency by adopting proven SOPs and frameworks used by specialized industry leaders✅ Navigate the acquisition process with insights on due diligence, valuation, and successful team integration✅ Capitalize on the AI revolution by positioning your agency as the essential bridge between new technology and client outcomes✅ Adopt a long-game entrepreneurial mindset to build a business that is inherently scalable and attractive to buyers If you’re ready to scale your agency and reclaim your time, join our new community for just $1. Every week, Troy goes live with actionable strategies to help you build a business that works - for you Handy Links: DOT & Co - https://www.dotandcompany.co/Piixel Studios - https://www.piixel.ca/studioE2M Solutions - https://www.e2msolutions.com/agency-mavericksWP Remote - https://wpremote.com Get a Personalised Game Plan to Grow Your AgencyTake this online assessment and get recommendations based on more than 10 years of experience helping 4K+ agencies. This stuff works. Reduce the overwhelm and know exactly what to do next. Gameplan.agencymavericks.com Follow us on the socials: YouTube | Facebook | FB Group | Instagram | Twitter | Linkedin

Welcome back to The Agency Hour, where we help web design and digital agency owners create abundance for themselves, their teams, and their communities. In this final episode of 2025, Troy Dean sits down with Brent Weaver, CEO of E2M and founder of Ugurus, for an in-depth conversation about the future of agencies in an AI-disrupted world. Brent shares his incredible journey to India where he met with E2M's 300+ team members, and both hosts dive deep into why traditional agency models are being challenged and what you need to do to survive and thrive in 2026. If you're wondering how to position your agency in the age of AI, why selling strategy first is non-negotiable, and how to avoid becoming just another commodity in a race to the bottom, this episode is essential listening. Troy and Brent get brutally honest about the disruption happening right now and reveal the one seat in the ecosystem that will remain valuable no matter how advanced AI becomes. What You'll Learn Why Personal Brands Built the Early Coaching Empires – How Troy and Brent accidentally built coaching businesses while running agencies. The Gratitude Wall vs. The Claw Hands – Why helping agencies felt more rewarding than serving grumpy clients. The Production Value Trap – When investing in better cameras and sets actually hurt revenue (and when it helps). Meeting 300+ Team Members in India – Brent's incredible journey leading a massive team across cultures and continents. The Fork in the Road for Agencies – Why HubSpot and Klaviyo agencies are disappearing overnight. Why AI Won't Replace You (If You Do This One Thing) – The most valuable seat between the client and the technology. Be the Journalist, Not the Genius – How to sell strategy when you don't think you're a strategist. The Vibe Coding Revolution – What you can build in hours that used to take weeks, and why you still need humans. Stop Trying to Become an "AI Agency" – Why this is a race to the bottom and what to do instead. The 2026 Agency Survival Plan – Get paid to pitch, close with strategy, deliver with AI, and scale your profit. The robots are coming for everything you can do with a keyboard and mouse. But they can't sit with a client, ask the right questions, understand their real problems, and design a plan to solve them. That's your job. That's where the value is. That's what will keep you in business. Get paid to pitch. Close with strategy. Deliver with AI. Scale your profit. 2026 is the year you become indispensable - or irrelevant. Choose wisely. If you’re ready to scale your agency and reclaim your time, join our new community for just $1. Every week, Troy goes live with actionable strategies to help you build a business that works - for you Handy Links: E2M Solutions - https://www.e2msolutions.com/agency-mavericksWP Remote - https://wpremote.com Get a Personalised Game Plan to Grow Your AgencyTake this online assessment and get recommendations based on more than 10 years of experience helping 4K+ agencies. This stuff works. Reduce the overwhelm and know exactly what to do next. Gameplan.agencymavericks.com Follow us on the socials:

Welcome back to The Agency Hour, where we help web design and digital agency owners create abundance for themselves, their teams, and their communities. In this episode, Troy Dean sits down with Simon Major, CEO of Practice Edge, for his third appearance on the podcast. As one of the most successful agencies in the Mavericks Club, Simon shares his journey from chiropractor to digital agency owner and the valuable lessons he's learned over his 15+ years in business. They dive deep into the timeless fundamentals of agency success, explore how AI is reshaping the industry landscape, and unpack the critical mindset shifts needed to build a profitable, sustainable agency. Whether you're just starting out or running a 7-figure operation, this conversation delivers actionable insights on team management, capacity planning, and maintaining excellence in your service delivery. What You'll Learn Why One-Time Projects Keep You Stuck – The hidden danger of unpredictable revenue Why Retainers Aren't the Best Solution – Stop trading time for money and sell outcomes instead How to Package & Price Recurring Revenue Services – Three proven models that work for any agency The No-Brainer Pitch for Recurring Clients – A simple way to make your offer an easy yes How to Transition Existing Clients Into Recurring Plans – Turn past clients into long-term revenue The Secret to Selling Without Resistance – A risk-reversal strategy that eliminates hesitation How to Scale Without Overworking – Automate, delegate, and systemize for profitable growth If you’re ready to scale your agency and reclaim your time, join our new community for just $1. Every week, Troy goes live with actionable strategies to help you build a business that works - for you Handy Links: Practice Edge - https://www.practiceedge.com.auE2M Solutions - https://www.e2msolutions.com/agency-mavericksWP Remote - https://wpremote.com Get a Personalised Game Plan to Grow Your AgencyTake this online assessment and get recommendations based on more than 10 years of experience helping 4K+ agencies. This stuff works. Reduce the overwhelm and know exactly what to do next. Gameplan.agencymavericks.com Follow us on the socials: YouTube |

Welcome back to The Agency Hour, where we help web design and digital agency owners create abundance for themselves, their teams, and their communities. In this episode, Troy Dean sits down with Simon Chin, CEO of Flowstate Agency, for an eye-opening discussion about how AI is revolutionizing agency operations. They explore how Simon's team built a custom AI platform that integrates project management tools, analytics, and client performance data into one powerful system. Learn how this innovation has eliminated 150+ hours of weekly administrative work, allowed for more proactive client management, and freed up customer success managers to focus on strategy rather than spreadsheets. If you're struggling with scattered data across multiple platforms or spending too much time manually updating client reports, this conversation reveals a smarter approach to managing client relationships in the AI era. What You'll Learn Why Scattered Client Data Costs You Money – The hidden time drain of managing information across multiple platforms How AI Can Eliminate 150+ Hours of Weekly Admin Work – Turn manual reporting into automated insights Why Your Project Management Tool Isn't Enough – The critical limitations of Asana, ClickUp, and other PM systems Creating a Unified Client Health Score – How to blend project progress and performance metrics for better client management Proactive vs. Reactive Client Management – Spot issues before clients do and become a more strategic partner Training AI to Think Like Your Best Team Members – Replicate expertise without replacing humans How to Free Your Team for Strategic Work – Shift from data compilation to creative problem-solving The Right Way to Approach AI Implementation – Start with the problem, not the technology If you’re ready to scale your agency and reclaim your time, join our new community for just $1. Every week, Troy goes live with actionable strategies to help you build a business that works - for you Handy Links: Flowstate Agency - https://www.flowstate.agency/E2M Solutions - https://www.e2msolutions.com/agency-mavericksWP Remote - https://wpremote.com Get a Personalised Game Plan to Grow Your AgencyTake this online assessment and get recommendations based on more than 10 years of experience helping 4K+ agencies. This stuff works. Reduce the overwhelm and know exactly what to do next. Gameplan.agencymavericks.com Follow us on the socials: YouTube | Facebook | FB Group | Instagram |

Welcome back to The Agency Hour, where we help web design and digital agency owners create abundance for themselves, their teams, and their communities. In this episode, Troy Dean sits down with digital strategist Ray Milidoni as they discuss powerful insights on finding clarity amid the chaos of our rapidly evolving digital landscape. Discover why: Strategy has become more valuable than tactics in today's AI-driven world Meaningful human connections will be our most valuable asset moving forward Critical thinking and creativity are becoming the essential skills for agency owners Community sufficiency might replace self-sufficiency as our new goal Ray explores how the "flattening" of the marketplace is transforming industries, while offering a refreshingly honest perspective on what truly matters as we navigate this technological revolution. He shares his concept of the "Bread Lady Project" - finding your community of specialists rather than trying to do everything alone. Whether you're feeling excited or terrified about AI's impact on your business, this conversation provides valuable perspective on finding meaning in a world where technology is rapidly replacing traditional work. If you’re ready to scale your agency and reclaim your time, join our new community for just $1. Every week, Troy goes live with actionable strategies to help you build a business that works - for you Handy Links: SGD - https://sgd.com.au/E2M Solutions - https://www.e2msolutions.com/agency-mavericksWP Remote - https://wpremote.com Get a Personalised Game Plan to Grow Your AgencyTake this online assessment and get recommendations based on more than 10 years of experience helping 4K+ agencies. This stuff works. Reduce the overwhelm and know exactly what to do next. Gameplan.agencymavericks.com Follow us on the socials: YouTube | Facebook | FB Group | Instagram | Twitter | Linkedin

Welcome back to The Agency Hour, where we help web design and digital agency owners create abundance for themselves, their teams, and their communities. In this episode, Troy Dean sits down with Akshat Chowdhury, owner of WP Remote, to explore the evolving landscape of digital agencies, WordPress management, and AI integration. They unpack powerful insights from both the WordPress community and the broader SaaS ecosystem, revealing how agencies can position themselves for sustainable growth in an increasingly complex technological environment. The conversation bridges the gap between WordPress solutions and enterprise platforms like HubSpot, offering a unique perspective on where the industry is heading. If you're looking to understand how to leverage technology trends to create more value for your clients while building a more sustainable agency model, this episode delivers essential strategies and thought-provoking insights. Key Takeaways Why One-Time Projects Keep You Stuck – The hidden danger of unpredictable revenue and how to break free from the project cycle Why Retainers Aren't the Best Solution – Stop trading time for money and sell outcomes instead How to Package & Price Recurring Revenue Services – Three proven models that work for any agency The No-Brainer Pitch for Recurring Clients – A simple way to make your offer an easy yes How to Transition Existing Clients Into Recurring Plans – Turn past clients into long-term revenue The Secret to Selling Without Resistance – A risk-reversal strategy that eliminates hesitation How to Scale Without Overworking – Automate, delegate, and systemize for profitable growth If you’re ready to scale your agency and reclaim your time, join our new community for just $1. Every week, Troy goes live with actionable strategies to help you build a business that works - for you Handy Links: E2M Solutions - https://www.e2msolutions.com/agency-mavericksWP Remote - https://wpremote.com Get a Personalised Game Plan to Grow Your AgencyTake this online assessment and get recommendations based on more than 10 years of experience helping 4K+ agencies. This stuff works. Reduce the overwhelm and know exactly what to do next. Gameplan.agencymavericks.com Follow us on the socials: YouTube | Facebook | FB Group |

Welcome back to The Agency Hour, where we help web design and digital agency owners create abundance for themselves, their teams, and their communities. In this episode, Troy Dean sits down with Josh Moore, CEO of Duo Plus, a thriving New Zealand-based ads and SEO agency. Josh shares his remarkable journey from freelancer with offshore contractors to leading a team of 14 people in a newly expanded office space. They dive deep into the leadership principles that transformed Josh's role from hands-on practitioner to strategic leader, exploring how accountability systems, automated reporting, and intentional relationship building have fueled Duo Plus's growth over the past decade. What You'll Learn: Why One-Time Projects Keep You Stuck – The hidden danger of unpredictable revenue. Why Retainers Aren't the Best Solution – Stop trading time for money and sell outcomes instead. How to Package & Price Recurring Revenue Services – Three proven models that work for any agency. The No-Brainer Pitch for Recurring Clients – A simple way to make your offer an easy yes. How to Transition Existing Clients Into Recurring Plans – Turn past clients into long-term revenue. The Secret to Selling Without Resistance – A risk-reversal strategy that eliminates hesitation. How to Scale Without Overworking – Automate, delegate, and systemize for profitable growth. If you’re ready to scale your agency and reclaim your time, join our new community for just $1. Every week, Troy goes live with actionable strategies to help you build a business that works - for you Handy Links:  Duo Plus - https://www.duoplus.nz/E2M Solutions - https://www.e2msolutions.com/agency-mavericksWP Remote - https://wpremote.com Get a Personalised Game Plan to Grow Your AgencyTake this online assessment and get recommendations based on more than 10 years of experience helping 4K+ agencies. This stuff works. Reduce the overwhelm and know exactly what to do next. Gameplan.agencymavericks.com Follow us on the socials: YouTube | Facebook | FB Group | Instagram | Twitter | Linkedin

Welcome back to The Agency Hour, where we help web design and digital agency owners create abundance for themselves, their teams, and their communities. Ever wonder why some agencies have prospects lining up while others struggle to close deals? The secret isn't better talent or flashier portfolios, it's how you communicate your value. In this eye-opening episode, Troy Dean reveals why your prospects don't want to buy your services; they want the transformative results those services deliver. What you'll learn: Why describing services by features creates confusion instead of excitement How to position your offerings around client outcomes rather than agency activities The framework for creating a master services list with benefits Why your team needs consistent language when discussing your services How to cut proposal creation time in half Discover why saying "we help you dominate local search so customers find you first" is infinitely more powerful than "we do SEO." Transform your sales conversations from technical explanations into compelling visions of success. If you’re ready to scale your agency and reclaim your time, join our new community for just $1. Every week, Troy goes live with actionable strategies to help you build a business that works - for you Handy Links:  E2M Solutions - https://www.e2msolutions.com/agency-mavericksWP Remote - https://wpremote.com Get a Personalised Game Plan to Grow Your AgencyTake this online assessment and get recommendations based on more than 10 years of experience helping 4K+ agencies. This stuff works. Reduce the overwhelm and know exactly what to do next. Gameplan.agencymavericks.com Follow us on the socials: YouTube | Facebook | FB Group | Instagram | Twitter | Linkedin

Welcome back to The Agency Hour, where we help web design and digital agency owners create abundance for themselves, their teams, and their communities. In this episode, Troy Dean sits down with Brent Weaver, former founder of uGurus and now CEO of E2M Solutions, for a candid conversation about career transitions and the future of AI in agencies. Brent shares his journey from building a coaching empire to its unexpected shutdown by DigitalOcean, and how he found a new path leading a 330-person agency. They explore the challenges of stepping into a CEO role, managing international teams across time zones, and how E2M is positioning agencies to thrive in the AI revolution. If you're curious about how to integrate AI into your agency operations, looking to understand the leadership transition process, or simply want to hear how two former competitors became collaborators, this episode delivers valuable insights for agency owners at any stage.  Key Takeaways The Truth About Business Transitions - How to mentally separate yourself from your business when facing major changes Leading Remote Global Teams - Practical strategies for managing teams across 12-hour time zone differences AI Implementation for Agencies - Why process documentation must come before AI automation Fractional AI Services - How to leverage specialized AI talent without the full-time cost Effective Leadership Transfer - Methods for earning trust when stepping into an existing organization Community Building - The value of in-person events for agency growth and innovation The Future of Agency Services - How AI is transforming every aspect of agency operations Vistara AI for Agencies Event - Join Brent and the E2M team in Denver, Colorado from September 28-30 for an immersive three-day event focused on implementing AI in your agency. Use code maverick200 for $200 off your ticket at JoinVistara.com If you’re ready to scale your agency and reclaim your time, join our new community for just $1. Every week, Troy goes live with actionable strategies to help you build a business that works - for you Handy Links:  Vistara AI for Agencies Event - https://joinvistara.com/E2M Solutions - https://www.e2msolutions.com/agency-mavericksWP Remote - https://wpremote.com   Get a Personalised Game Plan to Grow Your AgencyTake this online assessment and get recommendations based on more than 10 years of experience helping 4K+ agencies. This stuff works. Reduce the overwhelm and know exactly what to do next. Gameplan.agencymavericks.com Follow us on the socials: YouTube | Facebook | FB Group | Instagram |<...

Welcome back to The Agency Hour, where we help web design and digital agency owners create abundance for themselves, their teams, and their communities. In this episode, Troy Dean reveals the single biggest mistake that keeps agencies stuck in the feast-or-famine cycle: giving away their most valuable asset for free. Through compelling case studies of agency owners like Simon Kelly who tripled his revenue to $100K/month, Troy demonstrates how implementing a paid strategy model transforms not just income, but client relationships and team satisfaction. If you're tired of lengthy free consultations that lead nowhere and proposals that disappear into the void, this episode reveals the exact framework that's helping agencies convert 85% of prospects into long-term clients while working fewer hours and commanding premium rates. What You'll Learn Why Free Strategy Is Killing Your Agency – The hidden psychological damage of devaluing your expertise The Paid Strategy Model Revolution – How to get paid thousands before starting any client work Real-World Success Stories – How agencies like Simon's went from burnout to $100K+ months Client Psychology Transformation – Why paying clients show up differently and implement more Conversion Rate Secrets – How to achieve 85%+ conversion from roadmap to ongoing work Positioning as a Strategic Authority – Moving from vendor to trusted advisor status The Complete Implementation Framework – Practical steps to package, price and sell strategy If you’re ready to scale your agency and reclaim your time, join our new community for just $1. Every week, Troy goes live with actionable strategies to help you build a business that works - for you Handy Links:  E2M Solutions - https://www.e2msolutions.com/agency-mavericksWP Remote - https://wpremote.com Get a Personalised Game Plan to Grow Your AgencyTake this online assessment and get recommendations based on more than 10 years of experience helping 4K+ agencies. This stuff works. Reduce the overwhelm and know exactly what to do next. Gameplan.agencymavericks.com Follow us on the socials: YouTube | Facebook | FB Group | Instagram | Twitter | Linkedin