Why Specialization Multiplies Your Agency’s Value


Most founders resist narrowing their focus.

It feels like saying no to opportunity.

But what actually happens when you specialize is the opposite, you create leverage.

In this week’s AgencyHabits Podcast, we dig into why specialization is the quiet multiplier behind growth, profitability, and long-term value.

Here’s what we cover:

  • The difference between specialization and positioning, and why both matter.
  • Why saying “no” to work outside your niche can actually increase retention and margin.
  • How specialization shapes valuations, and why buyers pay more for focused agencies.
  • How Barrel, Vaulted Oak, and BX Studio each found their lane (and what changed after they did).

If you’re running a generalist agency and feeling stretched thin, this episode might shift how you see growth.

And if you haven’t yet, subscribe to The AgencyHabits Podcast, each week we share frameworks and decisions that keep agencies healthy as they grow.

P.S.

If you found value in today’s insights, join us for the first AgencyHabits Knowledge Share on November 19th, 12:30 - 1:30 PM. It will be a live, open conversation for agency founders and leaders who want to learn, share, and grow together.

Who are we?

Hi, we're Peter and Sei-Wook, co-founders of Barrel Holdings, a portfolio of agency businesses. We also run AgencyHabits, a resource for agency operators featuring lessons learned from our various agency businesses.

Thanks for being a subscriber. If you or anyone you know is interested in selling their agency business, please check out what types of agencies we're looking for and email hi@barrel-holdings.com.

Also: Peter posts a lot of agency content on LinkedIn, give him a follow!

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AgencyHabits

AgencyHabits provides learnings, ideas, and templates for agency operators drawn from Barrel Holdings companies. Barrel Holdings incubates, acquires, and grows agency businesses.

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