The Evolution of Building a Highly Successful Agency

Jackson Corey and Lucas DiPietrantonio are our guests today – Lucas is the co-founder and CEO. He currently oversees global strategic initiatives for the agency, and has personally worked with brands like Crate&Barrel, Olipop, Neccesaire, Dwayne Johnson, and more.

Jackson is cofounder and Chief Creative Officer. He oversees creative efforts for client leadership and internal ventures.

Episode highlights from Lucas and Jackson’s episode

• How the agency got started
• What the agency looks like now
• Why Darkroom focuses on servicing B2C businesses
• What critical points and plateaus they’ve experienced in growing
• What happened when they allowed friends to join their team
• On hiring a team with network connections
  

Lightning Round with Lucas

• Best advice: If you’re gonna do anything, make sure you do it well
• Habit that contributes to success: fixated and obsessed
• Recommended tool: notion
• Recommended books: Dedicated by Pete Davis

Lightning Round with Jackson

• Best advice: when in doubt zoom out to the big picture when facing a challenge
• Habit that contributes to success: when I have an idea, I just do it – no creating barriers 
• Recommended tool: notion
• Recommended books: The Great CEO Within by Matt Mochary

Resources, plus connect with Lucas and Jackson

• Lucas LinkedIn
• Jackson LinkedIn
• Darkroom’s website
• Monthly office hours and nightschool events – and check out the Darkroom newsletter 

Quotes from Lucas and Jackson’s episode

• What does a good margin look like? What is accurate capacity?”
• “Jackson being really good at design – that’s where it started.”
• “We’re focused on building an exceptional business.”
• “You have to be highly critical of who is on your team.”
• “We can’t just be founders who are checking out.”

Takeaways from Lucas and Jackson’s episode

• It’s all about who you know and keeping a solid network
• You can build systems and culture, but founders also need to make sure direction is maintained

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