Andy Strote, Author of How to Start a Successful Creative AgencyI have been a copywriter, creative director, and founder of three creative agencies in Toronto.Before I started my a...mehr sehenAndy Strote, Author of How to Start a Successful Creative AgencyI have been a copywriter, creative director, and founder of three creative agencies in Toronto.Before I started my agencies, I wrote for six Toronto ad agencies, large and small.In my first agency, I was a solopreneur working with other freelancers. I knew I needed more resources and decided to start a larger creative agency. I found a compatible graphic designer who became my business partner. Together, we founded Fireworks Creative, one of Canada’s first truly integrated creative agencies.In five years, we grew Fireworks Creative from two to 30 people. We were on the radar of two companies interested in buying our firm—a global advertising network and Cognicase, a multi-national IT company. We chose to sell to Cognicase for $3 million.Six months later, I started the next agency, Context Creative, with one partner and one employee. We grew that company to 28 people. After 15 years, I sold my shares to my partners.Today, I write for a select group of clients and I wrote this book. I’ve been lucky to work with great designers, art directors, photographers, filmmakers, animators, illustrators, and programmers. I’ve also been fortunate to have had the guidance of two incredibly helpful accountants—you’ll read about it in the book.I’ve hired people, fired people, and had to let go of good people during a business downturn.Through all of this, I’ve learned the nitty-gritty of running a business, how to find the best clients, and the most practical ways to work with staff and partners. Some of this I learned the easy way, and some the painful way.How Will This Book Help You?Many creatives, whether individual freelancers or small agencies, run into problems. Often, it’s not because of their creative output but because they don’t know enough about running a business.This book is for you if you want to start your own agency providing content and creative services to marketing and advertising clients.I will help you build a solid business foundation for your company. With this knowledge, you’ll be able to focus your creativity on what you really love doing.What This Book Won’t Do for YouThis book will not teach you creative skills. I’m assuming that you are either learning your craft or are already delivering your services at a professional level.What this book will do is guide you on the business side so that running your agency doesn’t overwhelm your creativity.As a business owner, you have to excel at both your craft and your business. It may not come naturally to you, but you can learn. I did, and so can you.weniger sehen