In this stage the agency is taking the first steps to grow up. But this needs a change in leadership approach, and a bit more structure.

Characteristics of the step-up stage

  • You pass 10(ish) people depending on the type of agency and rate of growth
  • When you reach this stage, it feels like the start-up chaos gets too much and needs to be tamed or the agency or team members will break
  • You're doing well financially, and have moved past the hand-to-mouth existence of the start-up stage
  • The agency starts to feel more like a 'real' business

Common mistakes at the step-up stage