Episode Summary
In this special 100th episode of An Agency Story, Russel reconnects with Phillip Blackmon, CEO and co-founder of Lifeblue, the digital agency they launched together nearly two decades ago. Broadcasting from the heart of Dallas, Texas, this conversation is more than a nostalgic look back, it’s a deep dive into the realities of scaling a service-based business, evolving into a SaaS model, navigating a sale, and rediscovering purpose.
Here’s what you’ll learn:
- Why grit and experimentation were the lifeblood of Lifeblue’s early years.
- What it takes to sell your agency without losing your soul or your team.
- How to balance visionary innovation with operational stability during growth.
Agency Info
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Company: Lifeblue
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Guest: Phillip Blackmon & Russel Dubree
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Year Started: 2001
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Employees: 50 – 100
If you’re not first, you’re last. That was always in the back of my mind. I didn’t want to just build something, I wanted it to be great.
Phillip Blackmon
Key Takeaways
“Just Start” — Even If You Don’t Know What You’re Doing
Phillip reflects on their impulsive start: “We just wanted to create something. I didn’t have it all figured out, but I knew I needed someone to go with me.” This partnership-first approach became foundational. You don’t need a perfect plan — just aligned vision, complementary strengths, and the courage to move.
The First Five Years: Pure Chaos and Raw Learning
From selling websites out of a car to working in an illegal office above a dinosaur spray-painting facility, the early days of Lifeblue were pure hustle. They said yes to everything and figured it out on the fly. Fail fast. Learn faster. The mistakes taught them what not to do, which ultimately shaped their strength.
Scaling Comes from Clarity, Not Just Hustle
As they matured, Lifeblue narrowed its focus to serve physical destinations — museums, nonprofits, arts orgs. The growth from $1M to $5M in revenue came from tightening positioning, refining delivery, and aligning team efforts.Your growth curve sharpens the moment you define what you stand for.
Selling the Agency: Relief, Risk, and a Return to Purpose
Selling Lifeblue was both a financial and emotional rollercoaster. From DIYing the deal to navigating due diligence, they learned that a partner aligned with your mission is critical. If you’re staying on post-sale, choose people over price.
From Service to SaaS: A Cultural Collision
Starting a product company (Turnstyle) inside an agency created friction. They underestimated how different the needs, culture, and expectations of a SaaS business are from a service business. Be mindful of the different mentality, resources, and maturity needed for success whenn dealing with multiple business units.
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