When leads feel inconsistent and results do not match the spend, the problem is rarely effort. The problem is visibility, measurement, and knowing what actually drives growth.

In this episode, Jeff Greenfield, CEO of Provalytics, breaks down why so many service-based businesses feel like half their marketing budget is wasted. You hear clear explanations around marketing measurement, attribution, GA4 limits, impressions versus clicks, full-funnel marketing, privacy-driven data loss, AI-driven buyer journeys, and how attention, awareness, and timing impact revenue. The focus stays on fixing what feels broken so your marketing spend works harder.

Key takeaways:

• Clicks do not tell the full story. Last-click attribution hides the real impact of awareness, impressions, and upper-funnel marketing.
• Attention comes before conversion. You learn how marketing dollars first create attention and awareness before leads.
• GA4 shows behavior, not influence. Understanding what Google Analytics actually measures helps prevent bad budget decisions.
• Impressions matter more than most teams think. Tracking impressions over time reveals patterns that clicks alone will never show.
• Better measurement protects profit. Clear attribution helps you invest in the channels that truly move revenue.

Tune in to the full episode of ▶️Why Half Your Marketing Budget Feels Wasted (And How to Fix It) with Jeff Greenfield.

Find more podcast episodes on our website: anderscpa.com/learn/podcasts/

Episode resources:

● Anders Virtual CFO by Anders website: anderscpa.com

● Love our content? Sign up for our newsletter: https://anderscpa.com/learn/

● Check out the Virtual CFO Playbook Course:

https://anderscpa.com/virtual-cfo-services/vcfo-playbook/

Quotes

-Jeff Greenfield: "Most marketing decisions break because finance and marketing are looking at two different sets of numbers."

-Jody Grunden: "Business owners worry that focusing on one offer might hurt their brand but clarity often matters more than variety."

Jeff Greenfield is the CEO of Provalytics, a privacy-first attribution platform helping marketers prove impact in a post-cookie world. With over two decades in the industry, Jeff built one of the first multi-touch attribution (MTA) platforms, driving 15–25% ROI growth for major global brands. As shifting privacy laws upended traditional tracking, he saw the need for AI-driven, compliant solutions and launched Provalytics in 2022. Today, his team empowers marketers to make smarter budget decisions with accurate, future-proof insights.

Website: https://provalytics.com/

LI: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffgreenfield/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/provalytics/

The Creative Agency Success Show helps service-based business owners master the financial side of growth. Hosted by Jamie Nau, Director of Virtual CFO Services/ Virtual CFO, and Jody Grunden, Partner and Virtual CFO Practice Leader at Anders CPAs + Advisors, the podcast dives into essential financial strategies for scaling creative agencies.

Website:

A well-built service business creates momentum instead of pressure. With the right systems in place, you allow growth to happen without burning out.

In this episode, Steven Ness, founder of Lighting the Way Leadership, explains how business owners can stop carrying the weight alone by building leadership systems, operational structure, and clear processes. The focus stays on delegation, accountability, financial clarity, team alignment, and systems that save time, energy, and money while supporting sustainable growth.

Key takeaways:

• Systems create freedom. Documented processes and repeatable systems give you back control of your time.
• Leadership starts with you. You learn why personal accountability at the top sets the tone for results across the entire business.
• Right people in the right seats. Seat ownership helps teams perform better without constant oversight.
• Delegation without abdication. Clear expectations allow you to step back without losing quality or momentum.
• Build a business that works without you. Systems reduce owner dependency so the company can grow.

Find more podcast episodes on our website: anderscpa.com/learn/podcasts/

Episode resources:

● Anders Virtual CFO by Anders website: anderscpa.com

● Love our content? Sign up for our newsletter: https://anderscpa.com/learn/

● Check out the Virtual CFO Playbook Course:

https://anderscpa.com/virtual-cfo-services/vcfo-playbook/

Quotes

-Steven Ness: "Systems save sanity, time, energy, and money. When you use them well, you stop making desperate decisions."

-Jody Grunden: "Most leaders brush it off until they’re asked to look at the impact they’re carrying home."

Steven Ness is the founder of Lighting the Way Leadership, where he helps leaders cut through business chaos with faith, structure, and a dose of tough love. With deep expertise in operations, training, B2B, retail, and sales, Steven equips teams to lead with clarity and purpose. His approach blends practical systems with people-first values reimagining business as People to People, not Business to Business. As a seasoned consultant, Steven is known for empowering leaders to grow personally and professionally. He’s on a mission to help organizations thrive through authentic leadership and strategic alignment.

Website: https://lightingthewayleadership.com/
Email: Steven@lightingthewayleadership.com

LI: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevenness/

IG: https://www.instagram.com/steven_ness_leadership/

X: https://x.com/StevenNessCoach

FB: https://www.facebook.com/people/Lighting-the-Way-Leadership/61568990434856/

The Creative Agency Success Show helps service-based business owners master the financial side of growth. Hosted by Jamie Nau, Director of Virtual CFO Services/ Virtual CFO, and Jody Grunden, Partner and Virtual CFO Practice Leader at Anders CPAs + Advisors, the podcast div

Many service-based business owners win deals, deliver great work, and still struggle with margins.

In this episode, Albert Banks breaks down how service-based businesses can protect margins before work even starts. You get a clear look at pricing strategy, value-based pricing, project profitability, cost awareness, negotiation tactics, and sales frameworks that help agencies and professional services firms grow revenue without burning out their teams. The focus stays on setting every project up for success from day one.

Key takeaways:

• Use floor, table, and ceiling pricing. Learn how to set a pricing range that protects profit while giving flexibility in sales conversations.
• Move beyond hourly billing. Value-based and fixed-fee pricing create better alignment with clients.
• Anchor pricing with options. Offering multiple pricing options reframes the decision.
• Sell expertise, not tasks. Leading with discovery and strategy positions you as the expert.
• Know your true costs. Understanding fully loaded costs is non-negotiable if you want predictable margins.

Tune into the full episode of ▶️How to Protect Your Margins Before the Sale Begins.

Find more podcast episodes on our website: anderscpa.com/learn/podcasts/

Episode resources:

● Anders Virtual CFO by Anders website: anderscpa.com

● Love our content? Sign up for our newsletter: https://anderscpa.com/learn/

● Check out the Virtual CFO Playbook Course:

https://anderscpa.com/virtual-cfo-services/vcfo-playbook/

Quotes

-Albert Banks: "Strong margins start before the project begins. Preventative decisions in pricing and scoping protect profitability."

-Jody Grunden: "When you know your data, time, cost, and team mix, you can price consistently and still hit your margin targets."

Albert Banks is a seasoned agency founder turned consultant, helping businesses boost profitability through strategic pricing, operations, and sales frameworks. With over two decades of experience—including growing, merging, and selling his own agency—Albert now coaches leaders on setting value-based pricing and uncovering hidden risks before a deal even starts. He champions a diagnostic-first approach, ensuring clients position themselves as trusted experts rather than vendors. Albert’s practical systems help agencies increase margins and close better-fit clients.
LI: https://www.linkedin.com/in/albertbanks/

The Creative Agency Success Show helps service-based business owners master the financial side of growth. Hosted by Jamie Nau, Director of Virtual CFO Services/ Virtual CFO, and Jody Grunden, Partner and Virtual CFO Practice Leader at Anders CPAs + Advisors, the podcast dives into essential financial strategies for scaling creative agencies.

Website: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2458889

FB: https://www.facebook.com/vcfobyanders

LI: https://www.linkedin.com/company/vcfobyanders/

IG: https://www.

Run your agency with clarity, confidence, and control. Many creative and marketing agency owners are closer to real growth than they realize.

In this episode, Jesse Gilmore, CEO and founder of Niche in Control, breaks down the mindset and structure shifts that agency owners must make to achieve freedom, scalability, and financial success. He shares how to move from being the doer to being the leader, why perfectionism is holding you back, and how to build a business that thrives without you working 80-hour weeks.

Key takeaways:

• The 80/20 rule for creativity. Learn how to systemize 80% of your operations so you can focus your creativity on the 20%.
• How to overcome perfectionism. Perfectionism keeps agency owners trapped.
• Power of time audits. Discover how tracking your time for just seven days can expose hidden inefficiencies.
• Value-based pricing beats hourly billing. Learn how value-based pricing helps agencies earn more while working less.
• How to go upmarket strategically. Agencies must move toward strategy-based offers and premium clients to stay competitive.

Tune into the episode of ▶️Stop Thinking Like a Freelancer—Start Earning Like a Founder.

Find more podcast episodes on our website: anderscpa.com/learn/podcasts/

Episode resources:

● Anders Virtual CFO by Anders website: anderscpa.com

● Love our content? Sign up for our newsletter: https://anderscpa.com/learn/

● Check out the Virtual CFO Playbook Course:

https://anderscpa.com/virtual-cfo-services/vcfo-playbook/

Quotes

-Jesse Gilmore: "Tracking time reveals hidden inefficiencies. Once you see where time really goes, you can start eliminating, automating, and delegating effectively."

-Jamie Nau: "An outside perspective helps agencies see what truly sets them apart, what you think is your strength might not be what clients value most."

Jesse Gilmore is the CEO and founder of Niche in Control, where he helps full-service creative and marketing agency owners scale their businesses while reclaiming their time and freedom. Through his Leverage for Growth program, Jesse guides agency leaders from being hands-on hustlers to confident CEOs who build scalable systems, attract high-value clients, and lead empowered teams. His proven methods have helped countless agency owners double revenue, increase profit margins, and reduce work hours all without sacrificing quality or balance.

Website: https://www.nicheincontrol.com/

FB: https://www.facebook.com/NicheInControl

LI: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessepgilmore/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/niche-in-control/

IG: https://www.instagram.com/niche.in.control/

X: https://x.com/ControlNiche

TitTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nicheincontrol &

As a business owner, you may trust your team, but that trust can blind you to the quiet financial risks inside your business.

In this episode of The Creative Agency Success Show, we talk with Clay Kniepmann, manager in Forensic and Litigation at Anders, to share practical tips on balancing trust and control and how you can use simple steps to strengthen your internal processes.

Key Takeaways:

• Watch for Red Flags: Delayed reports and lifestyle mismatches are warning signs.
• Balance Trust and Controls: Small businesses need clear internal controls.
• Simple Steps Matter: You don’t need complex systems.
• Technology Has Limits: Prevention still relies on human judgment.
• Owner Involvement is Key: Owners must stay engaged.

Take practical steps to strengthen your business for lasting success. Tune into the episode of ▶️ Why Every Business Owner Should Think Like a Forensic Accountant with Clay Kniepmann.

Find more podcast episodes on our website:

anderscpa.com/learn/podcasts/

Episode resources:

● Anders Virtual CFO by Anders website: anderscpa.com

● Love our content? Sign up for our newsletter: https://anderscpa.com/learn/

● Check out the Virtual CFO Playbook Course:

anderscpa.com/virtual-cfo-services/vcfo-playbook/

Quotes

• Clay Kniepmann - "Forensic accounting is like piecing a puzzle together. Each case is unique and requires careful analysis and adaptability."
• Jamie Nau: "Understanding your operational processes helps identify potential fraud risks more effectively than generic controls."

Clay Kniepmann is a manager in Forensic and Litigation at Anders, specializing in forensic accounting, fraud investigation, and litigation services. He’s known for making intricate financial issues easy to understand, giving leaders the clarity they need to make smarter decisions.

Website: https://anderscpa.com/

FB: https://www.facebook.com/AndersCPA

LI: https://www.linkedin.com/in/claykniepmann/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/anders-cpa/

IG: https://www.instagram.com/anderscpa/

The Creative Agency Success Show helps service-based business owners master the financial side of growth. Hosted by Jamie Nau, Director of Virtual CFO Services/ Virtual CFO, and Jody Grunden, Partner and Virtual CFO Practice Leader at Anders CPAs + Advisors, the podcast dives into essential financial strategies for scaling creative agencies.

Website: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2458889

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vcfobyanders

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/vcfobyanders/

Instagram:

If you’re invisible online, you’re losing clients before they even know you exist. In today’s competitive market, your digital presence is your storefront.

In this episode, Agency Consultant & Executive Coach Karl Sakas of Sakas & Company explains why being invisible online is costing you clients and what you can do to fix it. He shares practical strategies on leadership, delegation, and long-term planning that help you attract more clients and strengthen your agency.

Key takeaways:

• Delegation done right. Learn how letting go of low-value tasks helps you focus on client growth and financial results.
• Stop being the “answer person.” Growth stalls when every decision depends on you.
• Visibility drives revenue. If you’re not visible, you’re handing over opportunities to competitors.
• Audit your meetings. Free up your time by identifying which meetings matter and can be delegated.
• Coaching and accountability matter. Having an outside advisor helps you avoid blind spots and stay accountable.

Tune into the episode of ▶️ Improve as an Agency Leader and 'Calm the Chaos' with Karl Sakas.

Find more podcast episodes on our website: anderscpa.com/learn/podcasts/

Episode resources:

● Anders Virtual CFO by Anders website: anderscpa.com

● Love our content? Sign up for our newsletter: https://anderscpa.com/learn/

● Check out the Virtual CFO Playbook Course:

anderscpa.com/virtual-cfo-services/vcfo-playbook/

Quotes

• Karl Sakas: "A meeting audit helps leaders reclaim time. Review your calendar, decide which meetings matter, and delegate or cut the rest."
• Jody Grunden: "Delegation is the cornerstone of growth. Protecting your team from failure keeps them from developing."

Karl Sakas is an agency advisor and coach who helps agency owners work less, earn more, and build stronger teams. Known as the "agency therapist," Karl has supported 600+ agencies across 36 countries in navigating growth and scaling smartly. He specializes in guiding leaders toward building lifestyle agencies or positioning for multi-million dollar exits.

Website: https://sakasandcompany.com/

FB: https://web.facebook.com/SakasAndCompany?_rdc=1&_rdr#

LI: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karlsakas/

IG: https://www.instagram.com/SakasandCompanyTeam/

X: https://x.com/KarlSakas

YT: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOyb-o2ICYgIOzBzCBarrjQ

The Creative Agency Success Show helps service-based business owners master the financial side of growth. Hosted by Jamie Nau, Director of Virtual CFO Services/ Virtual CFO, and Jody Grunden, Partner and Virtual CFO Practice Leader at Anders CPAs + Advisors, the podcast dives into essential financial strategies for scaling creative agencies.

Website:

You don’t need more hands—you need better tools. For service-based small business owners, AI can lift the burden of repetitive tasks, helping your team do more of what moves the needle

In this episode of The Creative Agency Success Show, we sit down with Ed Krystosik, Co-Founder of RAC Projects AI, to unpack the real-world strategies for integrating AI into small businesses. From streamlining workflows to navigating compliance risks, Ed shares how AI can support your people, sharpen your processes, and fuel sustainable growth.

Key Takeaways:

• Support Over Substitution: AI should enhance, not replace, your team.
• Start Small, Think ROI: Target low-friction tasks first.
• Fix the Process First: Map your workflows, then automate what makes sense.
• Win Team Buy-In: Assign a tech-savvy team member to lead the change. Make AI adoption a shared mission, not a top-down command.
• Play It Safe with Data: Learn how to protect sensitive info and avoid hallucinated outputs with smart model settings.
• Make Your Method Memorable: Create repeatable models that AI and humans can remember and recommend.

Learn how to use AI to power smarter decisions, sharper content, and stronger results. Watch the episode of ▶️ Amplifying Human Potential In Your Business with AI Support.

Find more podcast episodes on our website: http://www.summitcpa.net/podcasts

Episode resources:

● Summit Virtual CFO by Anders website: https://www.summitcpa.net/

● Love our content? Sign up for our newsletter: https://www.summitcpa.net/summit-newsletter

● Check out the Virtual CFO Playbook Course:

https://anderscpa.com/

anderscpa.com/virtual-cfo-services/vcfo-playbook/

Quotes

• "If you're using AI to amplify the people you already have—or possibly replace the need for new hires—that's where you get tremendous ROI." - Ed Krystosik
• "When AI takes over parts of everyone’s tasks, it shifts job roles. The challenge becomes getting buy-in as responsibilities evolve." - Jamie Nau

Ed Krystosik is the Co-Founder of RAC/AI, where he helps busy sales professionals amplify their impact through smart, AI-supported lead generation strategies. By automating follow-ups and systematizing referral pipelines, Ed empowers professionals to boost revenue without burning out. His approach focuses on maximizing quality leads, nurturing client relationships, and simplifying tech with practical workflows. With Ed's guidance, sales teams can focus less on chasing leads and more on closing deals. He's on a mission to help sales pros unlock human potential through strategic, AI-backed systems.

Website: https://racprojects.ai/

Facebook: https://racprojects.ai/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ed-krystosik/

The Creative Agency Success Show helps service-based business owners master the financial side of growth. Hosted by Jamie Nau, Director of VCFO Services/ Virtual CFO, and Jody Grunden, Partner and Virtual CFO Practice Leader at Anders CPAs + Advisors, the podcast dives into essential

Creative Agency Success Show (Episode 144): “A maturity model isn't a report card, it's about understanding where your decision-making capabilities are.” - Jamie Nau

In this episode of The Creative Agency Success Show, Jamie Nau and Jody Grunden pull back the curtain on how small business owners can move from just getting by to truly thriving. They’ve spent the last eight months crafting a maturity model designed to help you assess where your business stands in five key areas: cash management, forecasting, profitability, sales outlook, and financial reporting.

But here’s the thing—it’s not about being perfect. It’s about having a clear path forward.

Imagine being able to make decisions with confidence, knowing you’re moving in the right direction. That’s the power of understanding where your business currently stands and what small but impactful steps you can take next.

So, what’s your next move? Tune in now and start building a business that works for you—not the other way around.

▶️ What's a Maturity Model Anyway?

Find more podcast episodes on our website: http://www.summitcpa.net/podcasts

Episode resources:

● Summit Virtual CFO by Anders website: https://www.summitcpa.net/

● Love our content? Sign up for our newsletter: https://www.summitcpa.net/summit-newsletter

● Digital Dollars and Cents: A Virtual CFO’s Playbook to help Creative Agencies Create a Financial Roadmap to Success, is now an audiobook! Download it here: https://vcfo.summitcpa.net/ddc

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The Creative Agency Success Show helps service-based business owners master the financial side of growth. Hosted by Jamie Nau, Director of VCFO Services/ Virtual CFO, and Jody Grunden, Partner and Virtual CFO Practice Leader at Anders CPAs + Advisors, the podcast dives into essential financial strategies for scaling creative agencies. With insights from industry experts and real-world experiences, episodes explore topics like cash flow management, forecasting, and financial maturity models. Backed by Summit Virtual CFO Services by Anders, this bi-weekly show provides actionable guidance for business owners navigating financial complexity. Join the conversation to build a stronger, more financially successful agency.

Website: https://the-virtual-cpa-success-show-for-creative-agencies.simplecast.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vcfobyanders

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/vcfobyanders/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vcfobyanders

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@vcfobyanders

X: https://x.com/vcfobyanders

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Jamie Nau, CPA, Summit Virtual CF