Episode Summary
In this episode of An Agency Story, host Russel Dubree welcomes Sean Dolan, founder of PushFire, a digital advertising agency based in Katy, Texas. From music competitions and DJ gigs to launching a viral charity campaign and landing Fortune 10 clients, Sean shares his rollercoaster journey to agency ownership.
Episode Highlights:
- How Sean’s upbringing nurtured his love for performance and later entrepreneurship.
- Behind the scenes of Fame, the NBC reality show where Sean had a brush with celebrity.
- The origin of “Pimp This Bum,” a viral campaign that raised $100K for a homeless man and launched his agency’s credibility.
- Why Sean’s agency once had 65% of its revenue tied to a single SEO client and how he pivoted when Google shifted direction.
- How standup comedy sharpened his sales skills, confidence, and personal growth.
Agency Info
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Company: PushFire
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Guest: Sean Dolan
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Year Started: 2012
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Employees: 1-10
Getting on stage felt like skydiving. But failing publicly taught me how to connect with people in a way nothing else ever had.
Sean Dolan
Key Takeaways
Your Childhood Influences Matter More Than You Think
Sean credits much of his creative drive to his parents: a musical father and a craft-loving mother who encouraged his early experiments in performance. This foundational support led him to pursue unconventional paths with full confidence.
Creativity + Execution = Unstoppable Campaigns
The Pimp This Bum initiative wasn’t just a charity stunt, it served as a blueprint in guerrilla marketing. By combining digital storytelling, livestreaming, and strategic media outreach, the campaign quickly went viral on a global scale. It culminated in the beneficiary receiving high-end rehab treatment and reuniting with his family.
Define Exit Paths, Even in Family Businesses
Sean’s early agency journey involved partnering with his father, but without a clear operating agreement, tensions arose. His advice: even family-run businesses need clarity on roles, responsibilities, and off-ramps.
Standup Comedy Is Business Training in Disguise
Standup comedy turned out to be unexpected business training for Sean. From conquering stage fright to successfully promoting and selling out shows through digital ads and word-of-mouth, his journey in comedy sharpened his storytelling and pitch delivery, reconnected him with grassroots marketing tactics, and ultimately became a niche differentiator, particularly when working with comedy-focused clients who value both creative and cultural fluency.
Show Notes
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