The Truth About Owning a Web Design Agency

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This is The Truth About Owning a Web Design Agency.
This job can be tough. Here are the hardest parts of being a freelancer for me.
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[@bencelinski523]

This is an amazing and important video! Thanks so much for being brave to share this, should be more content about the other side of the coin for sure

[@PaytonClarkSmith]

Thanks Ben, I appreciate it! 👊🏻

[@graceongrid]

100% yes to all of this. Being intentional about connecting with other designers at a similar stage in their business has been huge for me to feel less alone. Thanks for the honesty in this one!

[@PaytonClarkSmith]

Thanks Grace!

[@papercraneca]

That lawsuit stress is wild. Had our largest client checking all the boxes along the entire content and design process, only to have the COO step in during development and essentially say, "We're just about to pull the plug, this is not what we wanted". I was already consulting lawyers to see whether or not our contract covered our ass, and whether or not we could sue if they didn't pay. A couple of sleepless nights and redesigning to get that one past the finish line, thankfully .

[@RocknRollCEO]

So true. I feel you, Payton. What I've done over the years, is force myself "offline", for at least a day, (maybe two if needed) periodically. No thinking about work or responding to anything work related AT ALL. Like a "circuit breaker" vacation. This is from someone who rarely takes lunch breaks, and anything more than 3-4 day vacations feels like torture. Lovely content.

[@DOUEKINGDOM]

Great video thanks man, not being talked enough in this industry. Been online since 2013 and have been thru all of this. I find that having people that are like minded, that you can connect with that run an agency, or a business is a great way of combating these things, having a few close friends that understand what you're dealing with is huge. Thanks for this.

[@sitthefdwn]

After watching couple of videos I figured out that every single one is banger, super quality content in every single aspect. Thank you so much. I was here before 1M subs. Keep growing.

[@sarahmassie581]

I really appreciate that you shared this, I have experienced every single one of the problems that you made since starting my own agency/business. I REALLY appreciate you opening up, especially as you said, because you often share the high points of being a business owner. Love the transparency!

[@PaytonClarkSmith]

Thanks for this comment 👆🏻 you’re not alone!

[@the.eagrone]

Im so glad I found your channel!

[@matinglis]

Good advice, Payton. Especially the idea of putting yourself before your business, and your business before your client's business. That can be a really difficult one. The answer you are missing, to 'always thinking about work' is systems and processes. SOPs for everything. Then your team knows what to do, in any case scenario. Systems save lives.

[@LorettaBangBang]

Coming at the right time. Thank you

[@jigsound]

Good points that all entrepreneurs may relate to in one way or another! 🙏

[@william_SMMA]

Loved this man. You're a brave fellow

[@azv19]

Great video! Would definitely love more videos in the future explaining what else you've figured out on how to step off the hamster wheel of driving a business and live a balanced life. The tips at the end are so key already, thanks for the open content.

[@PaytonClarkSmith]

Will keep this in mind for future videos!

[@sam-harrison]

Good stuff dude 👍 definitely sympathise with the not switching off problem.

[@PaytonClarkSmith]

Is a curse we have to live with I guess 😂

[@MurtadhaHamza1993]

Most of the things you mentioned also apply to employees as well, maybe not the employees you have in mind. For example, I work as an HR Manager at my company and I know that my job is definitely not 9 to 5, my job is result oriented and I need to make sure I deliver, the pressure that you feel is still there where I can lose my job if I don't bring in results, that includes influencing financial results, make sure that Comp/rev is efficient. And with the workload that I have I have to work weekends and holidays and work is almost always on my mind. So these are not the downsides of owning your business that's just normal pressure when you're in a responsible position. This pressure drives you forward if you handle it calmly. I can name many other employees who go through the same like sales engineers or tendering department etc. The main risk is the money you put into the business but that comes with high reward so it's definitely worth it.

[@mistermystery5197]

He actually mentioned that. somewhere half way through the video, he said that these feelings are what you're going to feel if you're a supervisor, manager, business owner etc. in other words, if you're in a position of power

[@christiansuniula2200]

Great video mate keep it up

[@marwan.ux1]

Great vid!

[@daniel_h_azimi]

Felt it! Thanks for sharing this video. 100% truth.

[@victortondee3084]

Really appreciate your authenticity

[@UrielSoto]

Great video man! Running a business is not what people make it out to be but it comes with its perks.

[@PaytonClarkSmith]

Amen to that!

[@sanskarsingh4938]

This is the video that all the small business owners should watch. Great content, extremely relatable! Thank you so for being so transparent.

[@PaytonClarkSmith]

Thank you for watching 👊🏻

[@gc_marcelli]

Very interesting video! I’m not sure of your business structure, but can you trust your employees with some of the things you worry about to at least get that off of your mind? As I’m sure you know, there are some things you mentioned that you can control and can’t control. Payroll, tasks, etc., Can you automate these better? Also you mention “at peace”, but I think it’s key to shift your way of thinking and worrying. Venting is great, but being able to view things in a different way can help. CBT really helped me in the past!

[@hodlercapitalgroup]

Definitely a good video!

[@PaytonClarkSmith]

👍🏻 thanks!

[@boutdatbikelife7]

valuable video, doing 7-11k a month at the moment with my agency and every single point applies, subbed and thumbs up

[@Bryan-od1fv]

When did you start?

[@cpayne3]

I agree with everything you said, except for the part about putting your business above your client's business. Web development is a business that works with other businesses. When someone pays for a website they are making an investment, and just like any other investment they expect returns on that. If you solely focus on the well-being of your company over your customers you will ironically end up screwing yourself. A business can't exist without customers.

[@olehansen6568]

Your second and third point are so sure. My own solution to not being able to sleep is a long walk after work. Relaxes the brain and tires the body. The third point I'm still working on...

[@PaytonClarkSmith]

Definitely going to try this!

[@tahahussain6439]

Please improve your sound loudness. It not loud enough. By the way good video with ton of experience and knowledge.

[@garamos52]

100% the thruth. Me too without my wife it would have been crazy.

[@atlasdigitalcompany8660]

A question, Payton. Have you ever been sued? Or come close?

[@PaytonClarkSmith]

I have never been sued but I do have good business insurance to make sure I am covered! Great question

[@atlasdigitalcompany8660]

@@PaytonClarkSmith Thank you for the reply. Perhaps you can do a KZbin video on business insurance(s)? Cheers 🙂

[@krishnawaske9798]

Insurance would be a great and valuable topic to cover for most agency owners and freelancers out there. It's very mind opening to see so many elements aligning for a transaction to take place. Most of us might have never thought of such intricacies, thanks to all the awesome people like you for sharing. Atlas Digital Company, great question! @@PaytonClarkSmith , waiting for your reply. Thankyou once again!

[@chawneharris2699]

Maybe you have read it, if not, "The 4 Hour Work Week" will help you with some of these feelings