From Startup to Sale: A Marketing Entrepreneur's Journey

What happens when your identity becomes completely wrapped up in the business you've built? For Jacob Amundsen, selling his successful marketing agency triggered an existential reckoning that changed everything about how he approaches entrepreneurship.

Jake never set out with grand ambitions to become an entrepreneur. With a creative background and an eye for design, he simply found himself questioning inefficient processes at companies where he worked. "I was probably the problem employee," he admits with a laugh. This natural instinct to improve systems eventually led him and his wife to realize they were essentially running operations at their respective companies without proper compensation. With two clients already lined up, Jake made the leap into freelance graphic design.

Recognizing Southern Utah lacked comprehensive marketing agencies, Jake founded Venture Creative Studios, which over seven years grew to a team of 15 people serving local governments, resorts, and growing businesses. Their reputation was built entirely on referrals—no advertising, no sales team—just consistent delivery of quality work with remarkable speed. While competitors might take nine months to build a website, Venture promised turnaround in 30-40 days.

But success came with unexpected costs. "Our relationship was very much defined by what we were doing with work," Jake recalls of conversations with his wife. As his family grew, burnout set in, and structural issues in the business became apparent. The decision to sell Venture in April 2023 brought both financial freedom and a profound identity crisis. "Who am I now?" he found himself wondering at family gatherings where he'd always been "the business guy."

During a summer of reflection, Jake had a profound realization: "My value doesn't come from my entrepreneurism. Work is work is work... it's way more important to just be a decent human being, serve people, help people out, build relationships."

This perspective shift changed everything. After a brief stint as marketing director for The Piano Guys (complete with tour bus adventures), and a rollercoaster experience with algorithmic Forex trading, Jake found himself drawn back to entrepreneurship—this time with clearer purpose.

When Venture unexpectedly closed its doors, former clients reached out in panic. With former colleague Sam, Jake launched Klatch, a marketing agency that differentiates itself through strategy-first approach. Before any logos are designed or websites built, Klatch conducts 30-day strategy intensives, interviewing stakeholders and developing comprehensive marketing playbooks.

Ready to rethink your marketing approach? Visit weareklatch.com to learn how strategy-first thinking could transform your business growth.

Timestamps:
[00:00:00] Intro
[00:02:11] Finding Creative Purpose Beyond Architecture
[00:05:37] Taking the Leap into Agency Ownership
[00:09:58] Building Venture Creative Studios
[00:13:45] The Emotional Journey of Selling a Business
[00:21:45] Life on Tour with The Piano Guys
[00:29:18] The Forex Trading Rollercoaster
[00:34:27] Rebuilding After Venture's Closure
[00:36:54] Klatch: Strategy-First Marketing