FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Karl Sakas helps agency owners grow profitably, lead with confidence, and plan for the future—whether that’s scaling sustainably, preparing for succession, or building toward a successful exit.
Sakas & Company offers a range of services, from one-off calls to ongoing advisory, designed to meet agencies at different stages of growth. Karl works remotely with clients worldwide—36 countries and counting.
Below are answers to frequently asked questions. Don’t see yours? Contact us and we’ll be glad to help. All inquiries are confidential.
Choosing the Right Service
How do I know which service is right for my agency?
It depends on your goals, budget, and stage of growth:
- Growth Assessment – a lighter, lower-cost engagement to benchmark where you are today and get clear recommendations.
- Growth Diagnostic – a deeper dive, including detailed analysis of your finances, operations, and strategy, with a comprehensive growth plan.
- Growth Coaching – ongoing support and accountability (at $2,000/month) to implement improvements and stay on track.
- Executive Advisory – high-touch strategic partnership (at $5,000/month) for agency owners and executives who want a thought partner at the highest level.
Not sure where to start? Contact us, and we’ll help you decide.
What’s the difference between the Growth Assessment and the Growth Diagnostic?
The Growth Assessment is a smaller investment and provides a high-level review of your agency’s strengths and challenges, plus actionable next steps. The Growth Diagnostic goes much deeper—it includes in-depth financial and operational analysis, tailored growth strategies, and a prioritized roadmap.
Not sure which is right for you? Contact us, and we’ll help you decide.
Should I choose Growth Coaching or Executive Advisory?
Both are ongoing engagements, but with different levels of intensity:
- Growth Coaching ($2,000/month): Best for agency owners who want accountability, guidance, and structured progress through regular calls.
- Executive Advisory ($5,000/month): Designed for leaders of larger or more complex agencies who want more access, strategic input, and a thought partner to help navigate high-stakes decisions.
Not sure which is the best fit? Contact us, and we’ll help.
Can I start small and upgrade later?
Yes. Many clients begin with a Growth Assessment and then decide to invest in a Diagnostic or ongoing Coaching. Similarly, Coaching clients sometimes upgrade to Executive Advisory as their needs evolve.
Do you only work with agencies?
Yes, Karl works exclusively with agencies—including marketing, digital, PR, and creative firms. Previously on a pro bono basis, Karl ran a CMO networking group for five years, and agencies benefit from those insights.
Working with Sakas & Company
Do we work directly with Karl?
Clients work directly with Karl on all coaching and consulting engagements. This ensures they receive both high-level expertise and attentive client service.
Kate St. Cyr supports the onboarding process, helping new clients get set up smoothly before their work with Karl begins.
What does working together look like in practice?
Every engagement is designed to be practical, structured, and tailored to your agency’s needs. Here’s what you can expect by service type:
- Growth Assessment (one-time):
- You’ll complete a detailed intake and provide key background information.
- Karl reviews your current operations and financials at a high level.
- You’ll discuss Karl’s findings in a call, where he’ll share your agency’s strengths, challenges, and priority recommendations.
- The goal is clarity: where you stand today and the most important next steps to move forward.
- Growth Diagnostic (one-time, deeper dive):
- Begins with a comprehensive intake, including detailed financials, team structure, services, and client mix.
- Karl conducts an in-depth analysis across multiple areas of your business—profitability, operations, leadership, positioning, and growth strategy.
- You’ll receive a thorough, prioritized roadmap that goes beyond “what” to do, into “how” and “when.”
- The goal is transformation: a clear, evidence-based plan to unlock long-term growth and profitability.
- Growth Coaching ($2,000/month):
- Monthly 1:1 call with Karl for accountability, guidance, and problem-solving.
- Monthly group coaching call with other agency leaders.
- Weekly Email check-ins to keep up the momentum and accountability.
- Focused implementation: Karl helps you move from “knowing what to do” to “actually doing it.”
- Executive Advisory ($5,000/month):
- Flexible, high-frequency access via scheduled calls, email, and as-needed check-ins.
- Karl acts as a thought partner on strategic and urgent issues—whether that’s hiring a senior leader, restructuring your services, or preparing for acquisition.
- Advisory clients get both proactive guidance and rapid response when major decisions arise.
- Access to VIP services, discounts, and other perks.
Do you customize your advice?
Can I speak with client references?
Most clients hire Karl without reference checks because they’ve already seen his case studies or followed his advice for years. For those who need extra reassurance, Karl provides references near the end of the sales process, once he’s the finalist in your decision. He limits this to protect current clients’ time, but you can always review results in his case studies.
Can Karl recommend other consultants if he’s not the right fit?
Investments & Results
What’s the financial commitment for your services?
For comprehensive support, most clients typically invest at least $30,000 USD annually. Engagements fit into two categories (project and ongoing), focused on solving your six- and seven-figure problems:
- Agency Growth Diagnostic: $10,000 to $20,000 (one-time fee) depending on the number of stakeholders.
- Agency Growth Assessment: $2,500 (one-time fee)
- Executive Coaching: $5,000 per month (6-18+ months).
- Agency Growth Coaching: $2,000 per month (3-18+ months).
Not in your budget, or trying to solve a smaller problem? Schedule permitting, we can do a one-off call for $1,000 via Calendly.
Not sure which is right for you? Contact us, and we can help.
What forms of payment do you take?
Most clients pay via ACH bank debit. We also accept PayPal, U.S. checks, and (with a convenience fee) credit cards.
Do you guarantee the results I'll get?
No consultant or coach can guarantee specific results—so much depends on implementation, market conditions, and factors outside anyone’s control.
That said, Karl’s clients consistently report strong returns—often far exceeding their investment. Outcomes include:
- Increased valuation, by seven figures or more.
- Significant revenue growth.
- Higher profit margins through smarter pricing and better operations.
- Reduced client churn and improved retention.
- Lower team turnover and stronger culture.
- More personal time back for the owner.
Karl’s approach is to give the advice he’d follow himself if he were in your situation, taking into account your values, goals, and resources (VGR). (VGR). This ensures recommendations are not only practical but also aligned with what matters most to you. For client examples, please visit our case studies.
How long does it take to see results?
It varies by service and how quickly you implement the recommendations:
- One-off Call: Immediate clarity—you’ll walk away with actionable advice you can apply right away.
- Growth Assessment: A clear snapshot and priority next steps you can begin implementing immediately. Optionally, add ongoing support post engagement.
- Growth Diagnostic: A detailed roadmap with prioritized Quick Wins and long-term strategies you can use right away to drive long-term growth. Optionally, add ongoing support post engagement.
- Growth Coaching: Most clients see meaningful improvements within 3–6 months.
- Executive Advisory: Results depend on your strategic projects, but many clients benefit from Karl’s guidance right away when facing high-stakes decisions.
See real client examples via our case studies. Have questions? Contact us.
How do you maintain confidentiality?
Confidentiality is central to every engagement. Karl regularly reviews sensitive financials, operations, and client data, and he treats that information with the highest discretion. Client details are never shared without permission. Case studies and testimonials are published only with client approval. We’re glad to sign your NDA, or use ours.
Logistics
Do you work with clients outside the US?
Yes. Karl has worked with clients in more than 30 countries across every inhabited continent. Calls are typically held via Zoom or phone, and he accommodates time zones worldwide—for example, mornings for EMEA clients and evenings for Asia-Pacific clients.
Where are you based? Do we need to meet in person?
Karl is based in the U.S. (Eastern Time). Nearly all engagements are remote, so you don’t need to be local to work with him. He occasionally travels for speaking engagements or special circumstances, but most clients find remote collaboration highly effective.
Are you available for speaking engagements?
Yes, Karl speaks 10-20 times a year at industry conferences, marketing associations, and universities—including INBOUND, 4As, the Bureau of Digital, Agency Hackers, and more. Here’s more about hiring Karl as a speaker, including for in-person and virtual events.
What if I have a unique situation?
Every agency is different, and Karl tailors his advice accordingly. If you’re not sure which service makes the most sense, contact us—we’ll help you identify the best path forward for your goals.
How do I get started?
If you’re ready to book a one-off call, you can go ahead and schedule it directly.
If you’re interested in a Growth Assessment or Growth Diagnostic—or considering ongoing services—start by contacting us. We will review your situation and connect with you to outline next steps.
Have a different Question?
Contact us! We’ll get back to you within 2-3 business days.