Episode Summary
In this episode of An Agency Story, Russel Dubree interviews Amanda Garcia, founder of ColorWord Creative, a full-service marketing agency rooted in brand identity and messaging. From her early days in nonprofit storytelling to her leap into entrepreneurship, Amanda shares the triumphs and trials of growing an agency that blends creativity, strategy, and empathy.
What you’ll learn in this episode:
- How Amanda’s StoryBrand certification transformed her business model and community.
- Why she uses the Profit First framework for sustainable financial health and bonuses.
- The unique cultural rituals she created to bond a remote team and celebrate wins.
Agency Info
-
Company: ColorWord Creative
-
Guest: Amanda Garcia
-
Year Started: 2016
-
Employees: 1-10
There’s nothing like lived experience. No degree or framework can replace what you learn by actually building something from nothing.
Amanda Garcia
Key Takeaways
Clarity Is the New Currency
Amanda built ColorWord Creative to help clients cut through the noise. With a background in fundraising and storytelling, she recognized that most organizations suffer from a messaging problem – and she made it her mission to solve it.
Say Yes to Learn, Then Learn to Say No
Like many founders, Amanda said yes to everything at the beginning. From social media to event planning, she did it all until she could afford to focus on what she did best: storytelling through strategic messaging.
StoryBrand as a Strategic Catalyst
Getting certified as a StoryBrand Guide in 2022 was a pivotal move. It increased client trust, elevated her positioning, and gave her access to a generous, high-level marketing community that constantly sharpens her skills.
Profit First Changed the Game
Reading Mike Michalowicz’s Profit First helped Amanda finally pay herself consistently, implement bonuses, and build a cashflow system that worked for her team and her goals.
Culture Isn’t Casual — It’s Intentional
Amanda instills a sense of celebration in everything from birthday parties for the business to curated “Things We Love” shares on team calls. Small rituals, big culture wins.
Enjoy this Episode?
Subscribe to An Agency Story on your favorite podcast app for more real stories from agency owners. Loved what you heard? Leave a review or share this episode with someone building their agency from the ground up.
