The Hands-Off CEO Blog

2025 Agency Market Trends

  The agency landscape is shifting dramatically. While many see threats, we see unprecedented opportunities for agencies willing to evolve. Here’s what’s really happening in the market and how forward-thinking agencies can position themselves for explosive growth in 2025. The Great Agency Trust Crisis Trust in traditional agencies is declining rapidly. Why? The democratization of tools and rise of AI…

Transform Your Consulting Agency: 7 Paradigm Shifts for Sustainable Scale

Let’s explore what actually creates lasting transformation… 1. Move Beyond the Time-for-Money Trap The traditional hourly rate model limits your impact and income Clients invest in outcomes, not hours Case Study: One of our clients went from selling $10,000 – $30,000 projects to $100,000 – $120,000+ growth programs Strategy: The less your pricing ties to time, the more value you…

Dream Big and Win: Creating a Billion-Dollar Business – with Liz Elting – E113

In this episode of Hands-Off CEO, Mandi Ellefson interviews Liz Elting, author of “Dream Big and Win” and founder of TransPerfect, which she built into the world’s largest language solutions company. Starting from an NYU dorm room at age 26, Liz shares her journey of scaling a business while maintaining exceptional service quality. Liz discusses how she transformed her company…

Hero vs Master Mindset to Scale Your Business

As CEOs, we often fall into the trap of being the HERO: rushing in to save the day, solving every crisis, and being the go-to person for all decisions. It feels good, doesn’t it? Like Clark Kent ducking into a phone booth to emerge as Superman, we get an addictive rush from being the one who fixes everything. But here’s…

Grateful for Growth: A Better Way to Scale Your Agency in 2025

As we gather around our Thanksgiving tables this year, I’m filled with immense gratitude for our incredible tribe of agency owners who’ve trusted us with their growth journeys. Your successes become our inspiration, and your transformations fuel our mission! But here’s the real feast for thought… While others are still stuffing their agencies with “scale at any cost” strategies, our…

Add $290k in profits (without new clients)

Here’s how an agency secures $290,000 in new profits from their existing client base – WITHOUT adding a single new customer. Looking at hundreds of consulting agencies, we’ve discovered a pattern: While most agencies chase new clients, the real profit opportunity is hiding in plain sight – your existing client base. We helped one of our agency clients analyze their…

Save 10+ hours every week on content creation with AI tools

“AI will not replace agency owners, but agency owners who strategically use AI will outperform those who don’t.” Over the past few months, we’ve hired an absolutely amazing marketing manager who’s transformed how we approach content creation and marketing automation. She’s an absolute whiz at utilizing AI tools to accelerate how quickly we can put out good, authentic marketing. I…

The CEO’s Playbook: 5 Essential Mindset Shifts for Transitioning From Doer to Bad-Ass Leader

The evolution of scaling business beyond 8 figures can feel daunting, but it’s an absolutely essential step if you want to unlock your agency’s full potential and hidden profits. By embracing these 5 key mindset shifts, you can blow up your business, transform your role, empower your team, and position your agency for exponential sustainable growth.   Let Go of…

3 Key Ingredients to Attract Higher Quality Clients Who Pay 50-200% Higher Fees

To attract higher quality clients into your world, you have to 1) attract their attention with a promise that they want, 2) confidently show them a clear path to results, and while you are doing this you 3) build trust. Lots of scammers promise the moon with just step #1. They are great at capturing our interest. But then neglect…

[Case Studies] Command Higher Fees to Scale Your Consulting Agency (Without Working More, or Hiring a Massive Team)

To scale growth without working more, you need highly SELLABLE service packages. And they must be more sustainable and profitable. Otherwise, you’ll have to work more and more with every client you sell. A LOT of the delivery work YOU will have to do because you’re the only one skilled enough to do it. Madeleine Silva had a fantastic service…