Morgan Witham on Agency Work Podcast: The Real Cost of Change in the Creative Agency World
The following blog post is a recap from Morgan Witham’s and Parker Plaisted’s conversation on the Agency Work podcast.
Understanding the Costs of Running a Digital Agency and the Value of Strategic Leadership
Running a successful digital agency is about far more than creativity and delivering stellar client work. It requires strategic leadership, careful financial planning, and a comprehensive understanding of what it takes to manage a sustainable business. At COLAB, we’ve embraced these challenges head-on, and our efforts to balance creativity with operational excellence were recently spotlighted in a conversation with our COO, Morgan Witham, on the Agency Work podcast.
Here’s a closer look at the key topics from that conversation, offering insights into the business side of running an agency and the importance of building a strong, sustainable foundation.
Balancing Cost and Creativity
One of the significant challenges agency owners face is understanding the hidden costs of running a business while delivering exceptional creative work. Agency founders often start their companies fueled by a passion for their craft. Eventually, though, they find themselves pulled into the operational demands of running a growing business—from managing payroll and benefits to ensuring profitability.
As Witham noted, “It’s important to think about growth not just for growth’s sake but in a way that builds a stable foundation and preserves company culture.”
Running an agency involves covering expenses such as office space, equipment, recruiting, and employee benefits like health insurance and retirement plans. These costs factor into an agency’s billing structure, ensuring long-term sustainability while offering employees an environment where they feel supported and inspired.
At COLAB, this approach allows us to invest in not only delivering excellent work but also providing a place where employees thrive and focus on doing their best.
Why Agencies Need Strategic Leadership
One of the smartest decisions COLAB’s founder, Eddie O’Leary, made was recognizing the need for complementary leadership. Bringing Morgan Witham onboard—someone with extensive experience in investment banking and business operations—allowed the agency to effectively scale without losing sight of its creative roots.
Witham’s background at Harris Williams, a mergers and acquisitions advisory firm, equipped her with invaluable expertise in strategic planning, financial modeling, and operational efficiency. While her role at COLAB differs markedly from her days in investment banking, many of the principles apply. Building a sustainable agency requires data-driven decision-making, smart resource investment, and a clear vision for growth.
“Eddie realized the importance of stepping back from the operational side of the business to focus on what he was best at—being the creative visionary,” Witham explained.
This thoughtful delegation allowed COLAB not just to survive but thrive, with Eddie focusing on his strengths while Witham applies her operational expertise to create a solid foundation for growth.
The Freelance vs. Agency Conversation
Another topic discussed on the podcast was the ongoing debate many professionals face in the creative industry—sticking with agency life or going freelance.
For many individual contributors, freelancing offers the opportunity to work on their terms, focus on projects they’re passionate about, and avoid some of the structural overhead found in larger organizations. But as Morgan explained, freelancing can come with its own set of challenges, including finding business, managing clients, and handling the operational side of the work.
“When people choose to return to an agency setting, it’s often because they realize freelancing means wearing many hats,” Witham shared. “Beyond the creative work, you need to be your own project manager, salesperson, and accountant. It’s not for everyone, and many realize they miss being part of a collaborative team.”
At COLAB, we work to offer the best of both worlds. We create an environment where our team members can focus on the work they love, while we take care of the operational complexities—from health insurance to business development. This allows our team to focus on delivering their best work without the distractions of freelancing logistics.
Building a Culture of Collaboration
When it comes to the big picture, creating an agency that prioritizes both profitability and employee satisfaction is no small feat. Morgan summed it up perfectly, saying, “We are focused on building an environment where people love coming to work, feel supported, and can do their best work every day. But achieving this balance requires careful planning, investments in the right areas, and a clear strategy for the future.”
At COLAB, our name reflects our values—collaboration at every level. From how we work with clients to how we manage our team, we strive to create a space where talent and creativity flourish.
Join Our Team
Are you passionate about digital strategy, UX design, or development? Interested in working with a team that values collaboration and strategic growth? We’re hiring!
Check out our current job openings at teamcolab.com or reach out to us to learn more about how you could be the next great addition to our team.
At COLAB, we’re always looking to meet talented, motivated individuals who want to be part of something exciting. Whether you’re coming from an agency background, freelancing, or a completely different industry, we’d love to hear from you.
Get in touch and help us shape the future of digital solutions, together.