Yousaf Yunes shares his journey of agency leadership and the challenges of his first year as an entrepreneur after being laid off from his previous agency in February 2022. Here are the key takeaways:

1. Facing Unexpected Challenges:

   • Yousaf was second-in-command at a 15-person agency when the entire team, including the founders, was laid off.
   • He started his own business with his former VA, Irina, and her partner, Vaughn, forming YRV Dynamics.

2. Building from Scratch:

   • Yousaf's early days were tough with minimal infrastructure, no line of credit, and struggles to secure and retain clients.
   • He recalls losing a major client early on and working for clients paying as little as $10/hour.

3. Perseverance and Faith:

   • Despite the difficulties, Yousaf emphasizes perseverance and the surprising role faith played in his entrepreneurial journey.
   • A turning point came with a major $15,000 retainer client, which he credits as a critical moment that saved his business.

4. The Importance of Networking:

   • Yousaf advises starting networking a year before launching a business.
   • Networking, even with small clients, builds relationships that can lead to significant opportunities down the line.

5. Staffing and Specialization:

   • He highlights the value of having a specialized and well-trained team rather than relying solely on VAs for front-end work.
   • Staff should be experts in their fields to establish credibility and attract clients.

6. Incremental Growth:

   • Starting with low-paying gigs, Yousaf gradually built credibility and increased his rates, showcasing the value of proving oneself on platforms like Upwork and Fiverr.

7. Helping Small Businesses:

   • Yousaf advocates assisting small businesses, even for free, as a powerful networking tool. This approach builds goodwill and fosters long-term relationships.

8. Confidence in Value:

   • He stresses that no RFP or client is too small and encourages entrepreneurs to recognize their own value, even when dealing with larger agencies.

In summary, Yousaf’s experience underscores the importance of resilience, networking, specialization, and helping others as key components of building a successful agency from the ground up.