Episode Summary
This episode features David Nordyke, founder of Simply Design Group, a boutique WordPress agency that’s been serving clients since 2003. David shares the honest truth behind building a lifestyle business, the challenges of resisting expansion just for the sake of growth, and the unique lessons he learned from running a coffee shop while keeping his agency thriving.
Here’s what you’ll take away:
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Why staying small was the best decision for long-term sustainability
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How David kept his first big client for over 15 years
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The hidden dangers of overextending your services too early
Agency Info
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Company: Simply Design Group
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Guest: David Nordyke
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Year Started: 2003
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Employees: 1-10
If I spend all my time trying to be like everyone else, then it’s gonna fail because we have no identity and people are gonna be confused about what we do.
David Nordyke
Key Takeaways
Growth Doesn’t Always Mean Bigger
David made a conscious decision not to chase scale. Instead, he focused on deep client relationships and operational simplicity.Just because you can add services doesn’t mean you should. By avoiding distractions and sticking to his core offerings—custom WordPress websites—David built a brand known for trust, not trendiness.
The Reality of Lifestyle Business Success
Creating a business that supports a balanced lifestyle didn’t happen overnight. It came after years of long nights, trial and error, and learning how to delegate.You can’t do it all and when you try, you just limit the impact you can actually make.
The Coffee Shop That Taught Him to Let Go
When David bought a local coffee shop, he expected it to be a passion project. Instead, it was a crash course in leadership, delegation, and operational chaos.
Imposter Syndrome Isn’t the Enemy—It’s a Compass
David’s early fear of not being “techy enough” didn’t paralyze him. Instead, it pushed him to master the areas that mattered most to his clients—and helped him define his niche with clarity.
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