Adapt or Fall Behind: The New Rules of Business Growth with Rachel Ody Artwork

Creative Agency Success Show

Has your business scaled beyond $1 million in annual revenue? Do you employ a staff of 20 or more people? If so, you've likely experienced a whirlwind of highs and lows that come with growth. You're not alone in your journey. Since 2002, Summit CPA Group, now Summit Virtual CFO Services by Anders, has helped businesses and creative agencies across America and the globe by providing Virtual CFO Services, cash flow management, business tax planning, financial forecasting, and much more. We've also performed hundreds of 401(k) audits and provided CPA firms with accounting outsourcing services and Virtual CFO consulting. This podcast seeks to help service-based business owners dive deep into the financial side of their business to achieve growth and financial success. Tune in bi-weekly as our hosts—Jamie Nau, Director + Virtual CFO, and Jody Grunden, Partner at Anders CPAs + Advisors—interview special guests to share knowledge in the digital and creative agency industry, as well as Jody’s experience as a service-based business owner and entrepreneur.

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Creative Agency Success Show

Adapt or Fall Behind: The New Rules of Business Growth with Rachel Ody

June 30, 2026 • Summit Virtual CFO by Anders

0:00 | 33:22

The rules of business growth are changing faster than ever. The businesses that adapt will find new opportunities. The ones that resist change risk falling behind.

In this episode, Rachel Ody, Project Management Operations Consultant and Coach at Hello Rachel, talks about what it takes to grow a service-based business in today’s rapidly shifting environment. You’ll hear why the project management role is evolving beyond task execution, how AI and automation are squeezing project budgets and timelines, why value-based pricing, niching, and strategy are now the three non-negotiables for agency growth, and how businesses can close the growing talent gap when the traditional path to developing senior-level expertise no longer exists.

Key takeaways:

Project management is no longer just about getting tasks done. PMs now need to think and operate strategically.
There is a real counter-argument to the strategy-first approach. Some clients are overwhelmed by strategy and just need someone to execute well.
Simplicity may be the next competitive edge. a return to simplicity — and businesses that can offer clarity, connection.
AI needs a human operating system. Project managers are becoming the connective tissue of the business.
Value-based pricing, niching, and strategy. The three things separating growing agencies from struggling ones.

Your business is not going to grow by waiting for the market to stabilize. Tune in the full episode of ▶️Adapt or Fall Behind: The New Rules of Business Growth with Rachel Ody.

Find more podcast episodes on our website: anderscpa.com/learn/podcasts/

Episode resources:

● Anders Virtual CFO website: anderscpa.com

● Love our content? Sign up for our newsletter: https://anderscpa.com/learn/

● Check out the Virtual CFO Playbook Course:

https://anderscpa.com/virtual-cfo-services/vcfo-playbook/

Quotes

-Rachel Ody: “You have to be able to read underneath the surface, not just the logical way to solve a business problem, but what you actually know to be true.”

-Jamie Nau: “The three things that are going to separate you right now are value-based pricing, niching, and strategy.”

Rachel Ody is a Project Management Operations Consultant and Coach at Hello Rachel. She is the co-founder of Louder Than Ten, a respected project management training company, and has spent years helping agencies and small businesses build operational systems that actually work. Rachel now focuses on supporting business owners through strategic change, operational clarity, and the kind of honest leadership thinking that drives real, sustainable growth.

Website: https://hellorachel.ca/
LI: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachel-ody-coach/?isSelfProfile=false

IG: https://www.instagram.com/thestraymuse

The Creative Agency Success Show helps service-based business owners master the financial side of growth. Hosted by Jamie Nau, Director of Virtual CFO Services/ Virtual CFO, and Jody Grunden, Partner and Virtual CFO Practice Leader at Anders, the podcast dives into essential financial strategies for scaling creative agencies.

Website: https://anderscpa.com/learn/podcasts/the-creative-agency-success-show/

FB: https://www.facebook.com/vcfobyanders

LI: https://www.linkedin.com/company/vcfobyanders/

IG: https://www.instagram.com/vcfobyanders

YT: https://www.youtube.com/@vcfobyanders

Jamie Nau, CPA, Director of Virtual CFO Services/ Virtual CFO, is a seasoned financial expert with a deep understanding of business growth stages. Jamie has worked extensively with middle-market and large companies, providing key financial insights.

Website: https://anderscpa.com/

FB: https://www.facebook.com/vcfobyanders

LI: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamienau/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/vcfobyanders/

IG: https://www.instagram.com/vcfobyanders/

YT: https://www.youtube.com/@vcfobyanders