Podcast
How to Scale an 8 Figure Agency 🚀
Hosted by Jordan Ross · EN
Welcome to How to Scale an 8-Figure Agency, the show where I break down the exact operational, financial, and AI-driven systems that today’s top marketing agencies use to scale past seven figures — without burning out or getting trapped in fulfillment.
Every week, we go deep into:
• AI consulting for marketing agencies
• Operational infrastructure that actually scales
• Building automations, workflows, and agent-based systems
• Hiring and training world-class teams
• Improving margins, capacity, and client LTV
• Turning your agency into an 8-figure operation that runs without you
If you’re a founder stuck in the weeds, capped by systems, or wondering how to integrate AI into your agency the right way… this podcast is your blueprint.
I’m Jordan Ross — founder of 8 Figure Agency and the person behind hundreds of successful agency scale-ups — and this is where we turn chaos into clarity, and CEOs into true operators.
Let’s get into it.
35episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
How to Use Arc Ads + AI UGC to Scale Ad, Seo & Tiktok Agencies
May 400:28:56Tap to summarizeFigure out what you need to use for your AI tech stack:https://value.8figureagency.co/topaiJordan sits down with Noah Friedberg, founder of Maverick Creative, to break down how marketing agencies and ecom brands are using Arc Ads and AI UGC creators to drive viral content at scale. Noah walks through a live demo of Arc Ads, shares the framework his clients use to hit eight figures on TikTok Shop, and explains where AI replaces human influencers — and where it doesn't. If you run an agency or ecom brand and want to understand the AI UGC opportunity, this one's for you.Timestamps(00:00) Intro: Why AI UGC is the fastest path to going viral(00:54) Noah's background — Maverick Creative, TikTok Shop, working with 7-8 figure ecom brands(03:14) The mindset shift: volume, shots on net, and why one $25K influencer video is a billboard, not a sales channel(04:00) The 12,000 videos = $3M framework from TikTok Shop(05:38) Case study: Launching an 8-figure Amazon brand on TikTok Shop in under 3 months(06:48) Why Arc Ads vs. other AI video platforms ("the Apple of its category")(08:51) Live Arc Ads demo: Going from nothing to a finished AI UGC video(10:25) Script strategy: Using authority figures (e.g., AI doctor) to build trust and call out your ICP(13:21) The most complex AI UGC formats: cartoons, green screens, B-roll + talking head combos(14:40) Does AI UGC work for service businesses and agencies? (Yes — credit repair, info, low-ticket offers)(15:36) Building an AI influencer for an agency from scratch (warmed-up pages, US-hosted iPhones, full funnel)(19:15) When you outgrow Arc Ads: custom workflows with Claude Code, multi-tool stacks, B-roll generation(22:44) Why workflow automation matters — content running 24/7 without human touch(23:42) Scale numbers: 50-60 accounts per brand, 10 videos per page per day, up to 550 videos/day(25:00) The biggest mistake brands make: confusing one viral video with a real system(26:21) How Noah measures data at scale (Kalodata, social one, competitor analysis)(28:20) Why "set it and forget it" AI is a myth — the human strategy layer still winsKey TakeawaysVolume beats prestige. A single $20–25K influencer video is essentially a billboard. A few thousand AI UGC videos at a few dollars each gives you orders of magnitude more shots on net.Quality at volume is the unlock. The 12K videos = $3M framework only works when each video meets a real quality bar — trash content at scale doesn't move revenue.Arc Ads is the entry point. Easy, fast, cheap, realistic talking-head videos. But for B-roll, cartoons, and custom stitched workflows, you need agentic tools like Claude Code on top.Systematize, don't celebrate. Most brands hit one viral video and assume that's the new normal. Without a system, 80% of revenue keeps coming from one creator or one format.AI doesn't replace strategy. Brands that try to "set and forget" AI workflows fail. The human guiding hand — script direction, competitor analysis, taste — is still where the edge lives.Resources & Tools MentionedArc Ads — arcads.aiWhisper Flow — for dictating scriptsClaude Code — for custom AI UGC workflowsn8n — automationKalodata, Social One — data and trend analysis toolsConnect with NoahWebsite: maverickcreative.netDMs: @NoahFriedberg on all platforms
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How To Make $70K From a Live Event Without Selling Tickets (Step-by-Step Guide)
Apr 2700:22:03Tap to summarizeFigure out the next 5 things to build using AI: https://value.8figureagency.co/constraintIn this episode, Jordan Ross breaks down exactly how he hosted a high-level live event with 100+ qualified agency owners—and made over $70,000 in profit without relying on ticket sales.If you’ve ever thought about hosting your own event but feared losing money, low turnout, or poor execution, this episode gives you the full A–Z playbook.Jordan shares the behind-the-scenes strategy that turned his event from a potential $14K loss into a profitable, repeatable system you can use in your own business.
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How to Get $100K in Emergency Business Capital for 2.5%
Apr 200:11:53Tap to summarizeWant to build a 1-person AI-powered team? Start here → https://value.8figureagency.co/1personteamHow to Access $100K in Capital for Only 2.5% | Mind VitaminMost founders panic when cash runs dry — and panic is expensive. Jordan shares the exact system he knew but forgot to use when someone stole every dollar from his business bank account, forcing him to cover payroll overnight at a brutal 22% rate.In this episode, he breaks down the two-part capital strategy he teaches other founders so you never have to make that same mistake.What's covered:Why quick capital solutions (MCAs, short-term loans) will cost you 20–30% and how to avoid themThe 0% APR credit card strategy for funding $40–60K in marketing tests with zero interestHow to consolidate unused credit limits across Chase cards to unlock six-figure availabilityZillMoney.com — the tool that lets you run payroll through a credit card for just 2.5%The auto-payment rule you must follow or the whole strategy blows up at month 12How Jordan uses the same system to travel business class and five-star for freeResources mentioned:Zill Money: https://zilmoney.com/ref/zil-AdB71k8figureagency.co
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How a 23-Year-Old Klaviyo Agency Hit $500K/Month: Talent Acquisition, Pricing Strategy & the Founder QC System That Scales
Mar 2300:29:12Tap to summarizeGrab free resource here: https://t.co/QyzZzPY7uAMax, founder of WellCopy, runs one of the fastest-growing email and SMS marketing agencies in the e-commerce space — 130+ retainer clients, 70 employees, and a jump from $30K/month to $500K/month in 24 months. He's 23.Jordan sits down with Max to break down exactly how he's doing it — before he hits eight figures — so you can steal what's working.What we cover:— The founder QC system: why Max personally reviews thousands of emails every week and why pulling back too early kills culture before it scales— Talent acquisition at the mid-seven-figure bottleneck: internal recruiters, employee referral programs with tiered incentives, and VSLs for every open role— The 10-80-10 rule for delegating without losing standards— How WellCopy grew from $3.2K to $5.8K average monthly retainer — and why every dollar of that increase is pure margin— Building roles around your people instead of forcing people into roles— Running a month-long waitlist with zero paid ads— Launching a done-with-you coaching program that sold out in 24 hoursThe bottom line: Max's unfair advantage isn't demand — it's standards. And he built those standards by never fully letting go of the work.If you're running a service agency between $1M–$5M and want to build the operational foundation to actually hit eight figures, that's exactly what we work on at 8figureagency.co.Follow Max: Twitter @maxwellcopy | Instagram @wellcopymax | wellcopy.net
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AI in Ad & SEO Agencies: The 2026 State of the Union
Mar 1300:14:56Tap to summarizelearn how to use claude code here:https://leads.8figureagency.co/ai-agency-client-deliverables-claude-codeThe AI landscape is moving fast — and most ad and SEO agencies are either overwhelmed, underinformed, or both. In this episode, Jordan Ross breaks down the real state of the union for marketing agencies navigating AI adoption in 2026.No hype. No fluff. Just an honest look at what's actually changing, what's worth your attention, and how to think about building an AI-native agency without creating chaos.What we cover:The agency fluidity problem — why most agencies are stuck with 10 people in 10 different stacks and how to fix itMCP servers — what they are and why they matter for agency operationsDIY with Claude Code — when it makes sense to build vs. buyAI agents — how they're changing the way agency workflows actually runAI marketplaces — what's emerging and how to evaluate what's worth testingY Combinator — what the latest batch signals about where the industry is headingThe cultural and managerial layer — why tool adoption alone won't save youResources & Links:🌐 Learn more: 8figureagency.co📩 Work with Jordan: jordan@8figureagency.co
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How to Generate 1,000+ Leads with Virtual Summits (Borrowing Other People’s Lists the Right Way)
Mar 500:23:02Tap to summarizeUNLOCK THE 13 SYSTEMS EVERY AGENCY OWNER NEEDS TO REACH 8 FIGURES:https://bit.ly/41Sm05NIn this episode, Jordan Ross sits down with Kevin Sanderson, founder of LGN Marketing, to break down how agency owners can generate thousands of qualified leads by hosting virtual summits — without paid ads.Kevin shares the exact playbook he used to help build an 8-figure Amazon agency and how he leveraged 15–20 influential speakers to “borrow” their email lists and audiences. The result? Nearly 1,100 targeted agency owners registered for a single event.They walk through the full strategy step-by-step — from identifying your ideal audience and recruiting high-leverage speakers, to building a follow-up funnel that converts summit attendees into long-term clients.The conversation also covers how to structure your summit for maximum list growth, how to use social proof and leaderboards to increase speaker promotion, and why the real money is made in the backend nurturing sequence.This episode is a must-listen for:Digital marketing agency owners looking to grow their email list fastFounders who want to generate qualified leads without relying on paid adsOperators exploring webinars, virtual summits, or audience partnershipsAgencies focused on building long-term list equity⏱️ Podcast Chapters– Why Virtual Summits Are a Million-Dollar Growth Lever– Choosing the Right ICP for Your Event– How to Recruit Influential Speakers– Building the Funnel, Swipe Copy & Tracking Links– Using Social Proof & Leaderboards to Drive Promotion– The Backend Strategy: VIP Offers & List Nurture– Turning Summit Attendees into Long-Term ClientsKevin’s Workbook – https://lgnmarketing.com/workbookKevin’s LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-sanderson-profile/To learn more go to 8figureagency.co
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How Tim Keen Built a High-Converting AI Sales Funnel Using Claude, Cold Email & Lead Magnets
Mar 200:36:59Tap to summarizeUNLOCK THE 13 SYSTEMS EVERY AGENCY OWNER NEEDS TO REACH 8 FIGURES:https://bit.ly/41Sm05NIn this episode, Jordan Ross sits down with Tim Keen, founder of Modern Agency Sales, to unpack the exact system behind Tim’s AI-powered funnel that generated 20,000+ leads on LinkedIn in just 12 months.Tim breaks down the full-stack system he engineered—from scraping LinkedIn profiles to auto-generating personalized lead magnets, high-performing landing pages, cold email sequences, and even 60-day content calendars. This is not theory—it's a blueprint built from code, prompts, and pure inbound/outbound mastery.They dive into the evolution of B2B lead generation, why most agency lead magnets are broken, and how to build funnels that look beautiful, deliver value, and book strategy calls on autopilot. Tim also explains how his own tools connect call transcripts to content pipelines and discusses the cold email infrastructure he's using to achieve 70%+ positive reply rates in 2024.This episode is packed with cutting-edge tactics for:Digital agency owners wanting better inbound and outbound funnelsOperators looking to productize services with AIFounders who hate sales decks but want high-ticket calls booked dailyAnyone building an AI-first client acquisition engine⏱ Podcast Chapters– How Tim Got 20,000+ Leads on LinkedIn– The Blueprint of a Modern AI Sales Funnel– Why Cold Email Still Works (and What to Avoid)– Building Personalized Lead Magnets with Claude– How to Auto-Generate 60 Days of Content– The Tech Stack: Trigger.dev, Superbase, and Beyond– Using Call Transcripts to Drive Content Creation– Building Product-Led Growth into a Service Business– Why Most Lead Magnets Suck (and How to Fix Yours)– What’s Next for Tim & Modern Agency SalesTo learn more, visit 8figureagency.coTim’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tim-keen
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Scaling Agency Teams: The People Systems Behind a 2,500-Person Operation
Feb 2600:46:08Tap to summarizeUNLOCK THE 13 SYSTEMS EVERY AGENCY OWNER NEEDS TO REACH 8 FIGURES:https://bit.ly/41Sm05NIn this episode, Jordan Ross sits down with Arman Taheri, co-founder of TalentPop, to unpack the infrastructure, hiring systems, and operational design behind one of the most scaled agency teams in the industry.From architecting org charts to tracking capacity utilization with workforce analysts, Arman breaks down how TalentPop scaled to over 2,500 employees by building two core departments: internal ops and client-facing CX, each supported by a layered management structure.If you're an agency founder stuck at $2M-$5M and struggling to scale people without breaking quality or margin, this episode is your playbook for transitioning from generalists to specialists and turning headcount into growth capacity.Whether you're searching for insights on recruiting at scale, org chart design, hiring process automation, or how to build an 85% capacity utilization model, this episode maps the exact journey to scalable ops.Chapters:1. TalentPop’s Origin Story: From Face Masks to CX Ops2. The Two Departments That Run an 8-Figure Agency3. Architecting a Layered Team: Specialist → Team Lead → Ops Manager4. How to Track Capacity Utilization With Real Math5. The Role of Workforce Management and Business Analysts6. Hiring Funnel Design: Filtering, Scoring, and Scaling7. Common Mistakes in Team Building (and How to Avoid Them)8. Why You Shouldn’t Let CSMs Own Onboarding9. Data-Driven Growth: People Ops That Actually ScaleTo learn more go to 8figureagency.coReach Arman at:TalentPop: https://www.talentpop.co/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thearmantaheri/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/armantaheri/
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How to Raise Great Humans: Parenting Wisdom from the Father of a Legislator & SPAC Founder
Feb 2300:28:25Tap to summarizeUNLOCK THE 13 SYSTEMS EVERY AGENCY OWNER NEEDS TO REACH 8 FIGURES:https://bit.ly/41Sm05NIn this special episode, Jordan Ross sits down with Jeffrey Lafazan, a Long Island father whose sons have built extraordinary careers, including co-founding a public financial firm and becoming the youngest elected legislator in New York State. But the focus isn’t on IPOs, it’s on parenting and raising high-performing kids with strong values.Jordan asks one fundamental question: How do you raise great children who grow into successful, grounded adults?Jeffrey shares practical parenting advice and story-driven insights on teaching discipline, modeling accountability, and creating emotional safety through everyday presence. From grocery store math games to early childhood education strategies that shape future learning, this conversation is part parenting masterclass, part life philosophy for modern parents.If you're a founder, operator, or parent who wants to succeed at work and at home, without sacrificing your family, this episode is a must-listen.Chapters:• Why Presence Beats Pressure in Parenting• Grocery Stores, Math Lessons & Early Autonomy• Mistakes, Tough Love, and Course Corrections• The Pre-K Advantage: How Early Education Sets a Trajectory• Raising Three Kids with Different Needs, One Core Principle• Building Good Humans in a Performance-Obsessed WorldTo learn more go to 8figureagency.coReach Jeffrey at:LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jefflafazan/Zillow - https://www.zillow.com/lender-profile/Jeff%20Lafazan/
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How Digital Marketing Agencies Use AI and M&A to Scale Profitably
Feb 1900:09:48Tap to summarizeUNLOCK THE 13 SYSTEMS EVERY AGENCY OWNER NEEDS TO REACH 8 FIGURES:https://bit.ly/45oOnu3In this episode, Jordan Ross breaks down his unexpected move into acquiring a marketing agency, despite originally focusing on accounting firms. He shares what changed his thinking after conversations with private equity firms and how those insights reshaped his long-term strategy.Jordan explains why scale matters in mergers and acquisitions (M&A) and how agencies can dramatically increase their enterprise value by improving operational efficiency and profitability. A major theme of the conversation is the role of AI in modern agencies—not as a replacement for talent, but as a powerful lever to unlock margin, streamline workflows, and drive sustainable growth.The episode also dives into Jordan’s acquisition thesis: partnering with agencies that are struggling to scale, acquiring equity, and using systems, AI, and operational improvements to turn them into highly profitable businesses. This is a must-listen for agency owners, operators, and digital marketing leaders thinking about exits, acquisitions, or scaling beyond founder-led growth.Chapters – The Unexpected Shift: Buying a Marketing Agency – Understanding M&A: Why Scale Drives Enterprise Value – Leveraging AI to Increase Profitability and EfficiencyTo learn more go to 8figureagency.co
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