12: Stuck in a Niche? How Smart Design Agencies Break Into New Industries

You’ve got a strong portfolio 💼, a clear area of expertise 🎯, and a steady stream of clients 💸. But what if you want out of the category you’re known for?

Maybe you’re the go-to studio for tech brands 💻, but you dream of branding restaurants 🍽️. Or you’ve done a ton of CPG work 🧴, but want to land a hotel project 🏨. Pivoting into a new industry is something every agency faces at some point — and it’s absolutely doable.

In this episode 🎙️, I break down the classic 6-step new business strategy 📈 that helps independent agencies move into new categories intentionally — and I share some hard-earned lessons from my agency days (including a very expensive pitch trip to NYC that flopped in the first 5 minutes 😬).

What You’ll Learn:

⭐ Why betting on just one industry is a gamble—and how diversification builds creative resilience

⭐ The smartest way to “fake” experience in a new category (and why 'stepping stone' projects are your secret weapon).

⭐ How to effectively stalk your prospects on LinkedIn

⭐ How to lose a small fortune playing the New Business game

⭐ The hidden purpose of a chemistry meeting (hint: it’s not design)

⭐ Why 'working loudly' is more important than a perfect website

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