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How to Invest Smart and Win the Gift of Time

When I talk to agency owners and CEOs, I always start with the same question:


Where do you see your agency in five years?

Without fail, their answers are crystal clear. They want to scale revenue, land high-profile clients, earn industry recognition, and maybe even bag some awards along the way. It’s inspiring to hear how confident they are about where they’re going. 

But then I ask a second question:

What will it cost you to get there?

And that’s when the clarity fades.

The reality is, most leaders don’t have a concrete answer. Sure, they know it will take effort, but the specifics—the time, the money, the relationships they’ll need to build—are often left unexamined.

Why Growth Isn’t Linear

Here’s the thing about growth: it’s not a straight path. You don’t just double your revenue by doubling your effort. Scaling a business is messy, unpredictable, and full of hidden costs.
Want to land bigger clients? That means investing in:

  • Hiring top talent to meet the demands of high-value accounts.
  • Building systems and processes to ensure consistency and scalability.
  • Spending time and money pitching for those clients, nurturing relationships, and proving your worth.
These investments take years—years of hard work, trial and error, and often, frustration. And while you’re busy grinding, your competitors are gaining ground. So, what’s the solution? How do you close the gap between where you are and where you want to be without spending half a decade getting there?


The Shortcut to Growth: Acquisitions

Here’s a thought: What if, instead of building everything from scratch, you could buy timeAcquiring an agency with the right client base, talent, and systems lets you bypass the growing pains and skip straight to scaling. It’s not just about growth—it’s about accelerated growth.

Here’s why acquisitions are the smarter path:

Immediate Client AccessAcquiring an agency means inheriting their client relationships. No more months (or years) of pitching and waiting—you gain instant access to the revenue and relationships you need.

1. Proven Talent and Systems: Instead of building your dream team one hire at a time, you acquire a group of skilled professionals who already work together seamlessly. You also gain  their processes, tools, and workflows, saving you the headache of starting from scratch.

2. Stronger Market PositionA well-timed acquisition can instantly boost your reputation, giving you credibility in new markets or niches.

3. Faster Revenue GrowthBy acquiring an agency, you’re not just adding clients—you’re adding revenue. This jumpstart can put you ahead of competitors and make you a stronger      contender for even bigger clients in the future.

4. The Gift of TimeAcquisitions give you the ultimate luxury: time. Instead of grinding for years to achieve incremental growth, you can focus on scaling, innovating, and leading your    agency into the future.

The Myth of Buying Big

Now, you might be thinking: “That sounds great, but we’re a medium-sized agency. We can’t afford to buy a big agency.”
Here’s the good news: You don’t have to.

The smartest acquisitions aren’t about going after the biggest players. They’re about targeting smaller agencies that align with your vision. These acquisitions are:

  • Affordable: Smaller agencies are realistic targets for medium-sized firms, offering growth without financial overextension.
  • Strategic: They often have niche clients on the rise, giving you access to industries or markets you’ve been eyeing.
  • Scalable: You get the clients, talent, and systems you need without the bloat of a massive acquisition.
It’s not about buying big—it’s about buying smart.


The Gift of Time

At the heart of this strategy is the most valuable resource any agency leader has: time. Acquisitions give you time to focus on the things that matter most:
  • Time to Lead: Spend less time firefighting and more time steering your agency toward its vision.
  • Time to Innovate: With established clients and processes, you can focus on creative strategies and innovations that set your agency apart.
  • Time to Build Your Legacy: Instead of grinding through the years, you can focus on creating an agency that leaves a lasting impact.
This isn’t just growth—it’s accelerated, intentional, and sustainable growth.


Mergify: Your Partner in Smarter Growth

This is where Mergify comes in. We help medium-sized agencies take the smarter path to growth by connecting them with smaller agencies that align with their goals.

  • Find the Right Fit: We curate a list of agencies that complement your vision, offering the clients, talent, and expertise you need.
  • Simplify the Process: From valuations to negotiations, Mergify streamlines the acquisition process, saving you time and effort.
  • Maximize Your Investment: By focusing on opportunities that deliver high ROI, we ensure your growth strategy is both smart and sustainable.
With Mergify, you’re not just acquiring agencies—you’re acquiring the gift of time.


Your Move

So, where do you want to see your agency in five years?
Whatever your vision, remember this: growth doesn’t happen by chance. It happens when you make the right investments—of time, effort, and resources. The question isn’t whether you have a vision.

The question is: What’s your investment?
With Mergify, you don’t have to spend years building piece by piece. Let us help you fast-track your dreams, so you can focus on leading your agency into the future. 
Ready to invest smarter? Let’s make it happen—together.


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The above insights have been obtained from the valuation and trends of past M&A activity at agencies. Each of the following strategies will help you position better with market leaders and lead to higher outcomes in your sale.