Episode Summary
Doug Logan, founder of Inovat, has spent over 20 years shaping brands for founder-led businesses. From his unconventional start as a teenage entrepreneur to balancing the worlds of digital work and burrito shops, Doug’s perspective is equal parts insightful and entertaining.
Episode Highlights
- Why imposter syndrome never fully disappears and how to handle it
- The ups and downs of pitching big-name clients without much experience
- Lessons learned from running a burrito shop alongside an agency
- Why Doug doesn’t believe in retirement, but in building work you love
Agency Info
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Company: Inovāt
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Guest: Doug Logan
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Year Started: 2006
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Employees: 1-10
That feeling of not being good enough never goes away, you just learn not to listen to it.
Doug Logan
Key Takeaways
Imposter syndrome is part of the journey
Doug emphasizes that doubt never fully disappears, but how you respond to it makes the difference. Choosing not to give that inner critic power is essential to moving forward.
Letting go of hats is critical
Early in his career, Doug held onto roles like creative director far longer than he should have. Learning to delegate not only improved the work but also gave his team space to grow.
Winning work doesn’t mean giving away everything
Doug believes agencies can stand out in pitches by offering thoughtful ideas and strategy, without crossing into free spec work. Doing just enough to show value creates an advantage without eroding boundaries.
Side ventures bring perspective
Running a burrito shop reminded Doug how important culture and leadership are, especially when you’re not the one on-site daily. It also reinforced where his real passion lies — agency work.
Retirement isn’t the endgame
For Doug, the goal isn’t to stop working, but to continue shaping a business that allows freedom, fulfillment, and flexibility well into the future.
Show Notes
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