From "Accidental Agency" to CEO: Patti Meyers' Journey Through Business Transformation
In the ever-evolving world of agency ownership, few stories capture the essence of perseverance and growth quite like Patti Meyers'. When Patti first joined Agency Thrivemind in mid-2022, she described herself as running an "accidental agency" with just four team members and found herself deeply entrenched in day-to-day operations.
"I recognized that I was growing an agency even though that wasn't my intention—I was growing an accidental agency," Patti explains. "I was still very in everything, 100% in day-to-day stuff. I wasn't good at delegating. I definitely wasn't looking at myself as a CEO."
After four years in business and about two and a half years of having team members, Patti realized she needed professional guidance to take her business to the next level.
Taking the Leap into Coaching
For Patti, deciding to invest in a coaching program wasn't easy, especially with the financial commitment involved. "I was scared financially because I hadn't invested in something bigger like that before. And with the year commitment, that's terrifying," she admits. "But there was a part of me that was just sort of understanding that in order for me to actually move forward and have this be successful, this was the next step."
Before fully committing to Agency Thrivemind, Patti had built trust through smaller engagements. She had followed our content, participated in a group, completed a challenge, and even had a one-on-one session. These experiences made her comfortable with the investment, despite the financial fears.
Weathering the 2024 Storm
Like many agency owners, Patti faced significant challenges in 2024. The financial landscape shifted dramatically, affecting her once-predictable business model.
"At the very end of 2023, I started to see some clients pulling back financially," Patti recalls. "Then moving into 2024, I saw that usually I started January with a ton of consults booked, and I had almost none. And I basically watched as client after client kept pulling back or would cancel or reduce the retainers, all because of financial reasons."
The changes weren't just about losing revenue. The fundamental way clients were making decisions had transformed too. "The way that people were making their decisions and buying was changing," she notes. "Before, I would close 90% of my calls before I got off the call. And that stopped happening."
These challenging times led to moments of self-doubt and consideration of giving up. "I felt like, well, maybe I don't know what I'm doing. Maybe I'm a loser and a fraud. Maybe I should just go get a job."
Finding Strength in Community
Despite these hardships, Patti persevered. When asked what kept her going through the tough times, her answer revealed the power of both passion and community.
"The fact that I feel pretty unemployable because I like working for myself. The fact that I love what I do and I'm so passionate about it," she explains. "And also being a part of Expansive and being in community with others who are in agencies and who were having the same problem."
Seeing others face similar challenges was validating. "While I wouldn't wish others to have the same problem, seeing that others were having it made me realize it wasn't a me problem alone."
This realization transformed Patti's perspective, helping her see the industry-wide challenges as something bigger than herself. "It made me feel like I was a part of something larger, and that almost inspired me to keep moving forward. We all together kind of have to figure out how to make this work."
The Transformation: From Operator to CEO
Through her coaching journey, Patti experienced several breakthrough moments that transformed how she viewed herself and her business.
"I think the biggest lesson that I've really learned is to really look at my business as a business, to really look at myself as a CEO, and to really put systems into place to make it scalable," she reflects.
This mental shift led to practical changes in her business structure. "This past year in 2024, I moved an ops manager in which I hadn't had before. That was a big game changer for me—like unbelievable. I can't believe I didn't do this sooner."
Just as important was learning to have difficult conversations. "I stopped looking at it as me hanging out with my friends in my business, but actually me being a business owner and sort of not taking garbage."
Finding Her Voice in Pricing
One of Patti's most significant breakthroughs came in how she approached pricing her services—a common challenge for many agency owners.
"I am in a take-no-space right now, and that's because of working with you," she says with pride. "If I start to say something, I hear you. I hear now my team, because I've empowered my team to support me in that way."
This new confidence has transformed how she values her work. "That's all I hear when I try to undersell myself—I hear the voices and I'm like, 'Nope. I have too many people yelling at me.' So I have to put it the price that actually works. I have to value my services and I have to value my team's skills and expertise."
Advice for Struggling Agency Owners
For other agency owners facing similar challenges, Patti offers this advice: "Don't give up. It's not for the faint of heart. And if you're really dedicated in what you're doing and you love it, keep going because it's worth it."
She reminds fellow agency owners to recognize their accomplishments. "Anybody who's gotten to a point where they're managing a team and running a business knows what they're doing to some extent. We would not have made it this far if we didn't know what we were doing."
"It is a very isolating road at the top. Having other people who understand the type of struggles that you have in an agency is absolutely invaluable because it makes you feel sane, it makes you feel seen, it makes you feel heard, and it makes you feel held."
She emphasizes the importance of flexibility and perspective. "It does ebb and flow and you might hit a million dollar year, you might hit a $500,000 year, but that doesn't mean that you're anything less when you don't hit those the next year. That's just sort of a part of the journey."
The Value of Not Doing It Alone
Perhaps the most important lesson from Patti's journey is the critical value of having support.
"It is a very isolating road, especially when you have to step into your CEO and pull up your big girl pants," she acknowledges. "You have to create some separation between yourself and your team, and therefore it can become very isolating at the top."
This is where community becomes invaluable. "Having other people who understand that and who specifically understand the type of struggles that you have in an agency is absolutely invaluable because it makes you feel sane, it makes you feel seen, it makes you feel heard, and it makes you feel held."
Patti's journey from an "accidental agency" owner to a confident CEO shows the power of community, coaching, and perseverance through challenging times. Her story serves as inspiration for other agency owners navigating their own path to sustainable success.
Ready to Transform Your Agency?
If Patti's story resonates with you, you're not alone. Many agency owners face similar challenges on their path to building a sustainable business.
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Join our community of agency owners who understand exactly what you're going through. Get access to ongoing support, resources, and a network of peers who can help you navigate the ups and downs of agency ownership.
The Agency Thrivemind Program
Ready for a more intensive transformation? The Agency Thrivemind program provides the structure, accountability, and expertise you need to shift from operator to CEO. Just as Patti experienced, this program can help you:
Develop systems that allow your business to scale
Build confidence in your pricing and value
Create healthier boundaries in your business relationships
Implement strategic operational changes
Don't wait until you're at your breaking point. Invest in support that can help you build the agency—and life—you truly want.
Let’s Stay Connected
If you’re ready to get out of the doing in your online business, and ready to begin exploring the possibilities of an online agency model, I have lots of good resources to help you on your journey. I encourage you to check out my How She Did That podcast, and my Shop full of mini-courses and trainings!
Send me a DM on Instagram with any questions you have about agency ownership! @thetashabooth
- Tasha Booth, Agency Coach & Owner of The Launch Guild
Tasha Booth is an agency owner, podcaster, coach. She is the Founder & CEO of The Launch Guild - a full service launch support agency working with established coaches and course creators with Course & Podcast Launches. Her team works together to support their clients in being able to focus back onto their zones of genius.
She is passionate about helping women build profitable and sustainable agencies that they love, so they can fully step into the CEO role and create a life they dream of - one where naps are ALWAYS encouraged.