6 YEARS. 6 LESSONS.
BY KEVIN MEAD, OWNER & EXECUTIVE PRODUCER
I truly can’t believe it’s been 6 years since Nor’easter Digital came into the world. Starting a new business is a risky endeavor under any circumstances, but these past few years definitely threw some curveballs. In 2019 I was a first-time freelancer figuring out how to pay the rent. Now in 2025 – after a wedding, a global pandemic, two moves, and years of new business experiences – I’m taking stock of lessons learned along the way.
So for anyone looking to start an agency or a business of any kind, heed the advice of an older and wiser me:
Lesson 1: Lean On Personal Support Systems
Before we touch the business itself, let’s start with the most basic of rules. No one truly does it alone. I certainly didn’t. Without the encouragement of friends and family, in particular my incredible wife, Maggie, I would’ve closed up shop years ago. Not every day is going to be perfect, but having her moral (and sometimes literal) support on projects and marketing ventures has allowed me to keep my head in the game. Knowing that we’re working together and for each other keeps me focused even on days when I feel like throwing in the towel.
My advice:
Whether it's your spouse, partner, or just friends and family, be open with your loved ones about your achievements and your struggles. These are some crazy times we’re living in, and no one should go it alone.
Lesson 2: Network to Get Work
I try to stay away from corporate jargon as much as I can, but this phrase really is true. The simple act of meeting new people, making an impression, and shaking their hand goes such a long way toward building new business relationships. For the first few years, I didn’t heed this rule. I was very fortunate to have former advertising colleagues recommend Nor’easter for projects and provide word-of-mouth referrals. For a while, that felt like enough. But as the company enters a more mature stage, I’ve felt the importance of in-person networking more and more. Local Chambers of Commerce, volunteer organizations, and even pure social events have yielded business partners and customers alike.
My advice:
Don’t wait for clients to come kick down your door. Get out there and say “hello!”
Lesson 3: Find People Smarter Than You
I’ve been benefitting from this rule since I first started producing digital activations. Find people who are experts in their craft and learn from them. In my case, it’s meant absorbing all the knowledge I can from the developers and designers I work with. More recently, it’s also meant spending time with other agency owners to trade ideas, share best practices, and see what I can learn about business operations from how they run theirs.
My advice:
The moment you stop learning, your work and your offerings become stale. Keep an eye on the horizon for what’s next.
Lesson 4: Everything is an Opportunity
You should be saying “yes” to as many opportunities as you can, especially early on. Most agency folks I’ve met have a preferred partnership approach or a dream project, and that’s certainly allowed. But don’t limit your capabilities, especially when you’re trying to grow. Say yes to the microsite that makes a fraction of a ground-up rebuild. Say yes to simply advising on projects rather than leading them full-bore. Every interaction with a client, no matter how big or small the budget, no matter how excited you personally feel about the execution, is an opportunity to build your reputation.
My advice:
People remember a job well done. You never know where that pleased client might take you next, or who they might refer you to. So say “yes” and see where it takes you.
Lesson 5: Take Care of Your People
This one should go without saying. We are nothing without the employees and contractors who contribute their talents and services to bring our clients’ projects to life. Treat them like the partners they are. As the agency owner and executive producer, that means shielding them from unnecessary work or hassle. It means paying their worth and giving credit where credit is due. It means involving them in the planning of projects to avoid headaches down the line.
My advice:
We’ve all had a bad boss or superior at one point in our lives. Don’t be that guy. Respect, transparency, and kindness are rewarded with the same.
Lesson 6: Be GRATEFUL for the Ride
This job allows me to work with some of the smartest, most creative people and organizations out there. I am incredibly blessed to be celebrating 6 years as an agency owner, and it’s thanks entirely to the amazing clients who have trusted us with handling their brands and stories. Delivering the best possible service and experiences for those clients is the least we can do to say thank you. I’m immensely grateful for the opportunities that have brought us to this point, and look forward to seeing what the next 6 years have in store.
My advice:
No job is 100% perfect. There will be bad days. But remember that things can change on a dime. Take pride in your work, and be grateful for the ability to keep doing what you do.
If you made it this far, thank you!
I hope these ramblings are helpful for any new business owners getting off the ground.