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You're On Your Own: A Simple Guide to Starting Your Own Agency
"If you run a services business, or are thinking about starting one, you should buy this book."
- Andrew W., Co-Founder & CEO
"I wish I’d had this book when I started my agency 25 years ago. I found myself nodding along to insights I had to learn the hard way. This guide will help any new agency founder find success faster.”
- Brian W., Co-Founder & CEO
“It’s rare to find something that’s both simple and actually useful. I read 'You’re On Your Own' over lunch, and by that evening I was already applying the advice. The most practical agency-building book I’ve come across, written by someone who’s actually done it.”
- Kelly B., Head of Retail & Business Development
"Starting a business on your own can feel overwhelming, but this ebook breaks it down in a way that feels doable, even energizing. It’s not just advice, it’s mindset, coaching, and encouragement all in one. Whether you’re building an agency or any kind of solo path, this is a resource you’ll keep coming back to. I can’t recommend it enough."
- Amber L., People & Culture Advisor
Mark Nichols fell into a job as employee #2 at what would become one of the world's biggest design agencies. Now, he wants to share the lessons he learned along the way with as many new agency owners as possible.
Today, there's a massive shift beginning to happen in the workforce. More and more people are leaving traditional 9-to-5s in favour of setting up their own agency, and selling their unique services to clients. Designers, accountants, HR professionals... regardless of what you do, odds are you've thought about what it would look like to go out on your own.
To many people, though, starting their own consulting business is an impossible task. Mark Nichols wants to tell you how to do it, and even convince you that it isn't as hard as you think to get off the ground.
In this no-nonsense handbook, you'll learn actionable advice on answering the difficult questions facing anyone thinking about going out on their own...How do I decide what my agency does?How do I stand out?How do I get my first clients?How do I charge for my work?What’s the best way to run projects?Should I hire employees? If so, who should I hire first?Am I even capable of running a company?
This book is packed with incredibly useful, hard-earned knowledge — the culmination of 20 years experience in one short read.
- Andrew W., Co-Founder & CEO
"I wish I’d had this book when I started my agency 25 years ago. I found myself nodding along to insights I had to learn the hard way. This guide will help any new agency founder find success faster.”
- Brian W., Co-Founder & CEO
“It’s rare to find something that’s both simple and actually useful. I read 'You’re On Your Own' over lunch, and by that evening I was already applying the advice. The most practical agency-building book I’ve come across, written by someone who’s actually done it.”
- Kelly B., Head of Retail & Business Development
"Starting a business on your own can feel overwhelming, but this ebook breaks it down in a way that feels doable, even energizing. It’s not just advice, it’s mindset, coaching, and encouragement all in one. Whether you’re building an agency or any kind of solo path, this is a resource you’ll keep coming back to. I can’t recommend it enough."
- Amber L., People & Culture Advisor
Mark Nichols fell into a job as employee #2 at what would become one of the world's biggest design agencies. Now, he wants to share the lessons he learned along the way with as many new agency owners as possible.
Today, there's a massive shift beginning to happen in the workforce. More and more people are leaving traditional 9-to-5s in favour of setting up their own agency, and selling their unique services to clients. Designers, accountants, HR professionals... regardless of what you do, odds are you've thought about what it would look like to go out on your own.
To many people, though, starting their own consulting business is an impossible task. Mark Nichols wants to tell you how to do it, and even convince you that it isn't as hard as you think to get off the ground.
In this no-nonsense handbook, you'll learn actionable advice on answering the difficult questions facing anyone thinking about going out on their own...How do I decide what my agency does?How do I stand out?How do I get my first clients?How do I charge for my work?What’s the best way to run projects?Should I hire employees? If so, who should I hire first?Am I even capable of running a company?
This book is packed with incredibly useful, hard-earned knowledge — the culmination of 20 years experience in one short read.
74 pages, Paperback
Published July 11, 2025
6 people are currently reading
4 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
October 15, 2025
There are plenty of nuggets in this book. The lessons in each chapter provide great reminders and affirmations about what a growing agency owner has likely thought to themself but not always acted on.
July 21, 2025
Small Short Sweat
It’s quite surface level but was a good read, overall there are many more things to each component but nice quick bite book.
It’s quite surface level but was a good read, overall there are many more things to each component but nice quick bite book.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews