Insight that Sticks.
Strategy that Scales.
Karl Sakas delivers grounded, agency-specific programs that help agency audiences cut through complexity, make confident decisions, and lead with clarity.
talks given
Author of 4 books including Calm the Chaos and Work Less, Earn More
600+ agencies in 36 countries
Karl Sakas is a trusted advisor to agency founders navigating complex growth. He’s worked with 600+ agencies in 36 countries, helping leadership teams scale with intention, delegate without chaos, and prepare for exits on their own terms.
His talks don’t motivate—they equip. With real-world insight, pattern-matching clarity, and calm delivery, Karl helps senior audiences see the path forward—and act on it.
Whether it’s a conference keynote or a private executive offsite, Karl’s sessions cut through complexity with grounded insight leaders can act on. And event teams appreciate that he shows up prepared, delivers with precision, and makes their job easier.
Why Event Organizers Choose Karl
Agency insights based on experience
Karl doesn’t generalize from other industries. Every talk is tailored to the realities of agency life—tight margins, team dynamics, evolving client needs.
Clarity when things get complex
Even seasoned leaders get stuck. Karl breaks down messy, high-stakes decisions into manageable steps—and helps people move forward.
Tailored to your audience
Each talk is shaped around your audience’s needs. Karl draws from a deep library of proven content—but what he delivers will be specific, not stock.
Professional and approachable
Karl’s delivery is calm, confident, and never ego-driven. Think “trusted advisor at the mic,” not hype man.
Speaking Topics
Topics are always tailored to your audience. Common themes include:
- Work Less, Earn More Building an agency that doesn’t depend on your involvement.
- From Founder-Led to Leadership-Led Upgrading your #2—and redefining your own role.
- Exit Readiness Without Burnout Preparing to sell—or step back—without stress.
- Delegating Without Drama Trust-building systems and mindset shifts.
- Clarity in Chaos Leading decisively through overwhelm and urgency.
“As an event organizer and community manager, you want to attract great humans who are energized by helping your members. Karl has shared fantastic value with the Bureau of Digital since 2014, including at our flagship conference for agency owners. More recently, Karl drew record ticket sales for his Agency Growth Workshop while innovating a new event format. I’m so grateful Karl is in the Bureau—and when you give him a chance, I bet he’ll help your community, too.”
— Carl Smith, Owner, Bureau of Digital
“Karl’s presentation at our Agency Rainmaker Forum at UC San Diego was one of the highlights of the event. He delivers highly valuable content in a wonderful, magnetic way. He scored 5 out of 5 on our team’s evaluation. While attending, he also looked for ways to add value to all he interacted with. We want him back again and again.”
— Henry DeVries, Host, Agency Rainmaker Forum
@KarlSakas is crushing his AMA at #[INBOUND]. I’ve seen him speak many times before but forgot how valuable his presentations are. If you didn’t catch it live, find it on-demand later. Best session for my dollar.
— Jon Sasala, President, Morey Creative Studios
You’re not booking content. You’re shaping what happens next.
Let’s talk about what your audience needs, and how Karl can help them move forward.
Already hired Karl as a speaker and need the headshot, bio, etc.?
Books by Karl Sakas on Agency Growth
Calm the Chaos: 10 Ways to Run a Better Agency
By Karl Sakas (2025)
As an agency leader, your to-do list never ends. With constant demands on your time, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and stuck in reactive mode.
In Calm the Chaos, I’ve distilled the top 10 priorities that will help you escape the cycle of daily fires and take back control. You’ll learn how to lead proactively, delegate effectively, and communicate in ways that actually work.
Take a deep breath as you shift from firefighter to fire marshal. Let’s put out those agency fires for good.
Buy Now: Audible | Kindle Edition | Paperback | Hardcover
Work Less, Earn More: How to Escape the Daily Grind of Agency Ownership
By Karl Sakas (2023)
Agencies are complex businesses. They have humans on all sides (owners, employees, and clients). Clients are subjectively picky. And many agency owners are “reluctant” business owners who love the industry but don’t always love being a business owner. Yet they depend on their agency as their family’s #1 or #2 financial asset.
Fortunately, you don’t have to go it alone. Work Less, Earn More gives you a step-by-step process to reclaim your work-life balance and get paid what you’re worth. When you make the right decisions, you can look forward to a brighter future.
Buy Now: Audible | Kindle Edition | Paperback | Hardcover
Made to Lead: A Pocket Guide to Managing Marketing & Creative Teams
By Karl Sakas (2016)
Managing people is tough, but it doesn’t have to be so hard! Leading and managing comes more easily to some than others, but anyone can improve—agency leaders are made, not born.
In this book, you’ll learn concrete tips to make your work easier when you lead marketing and creative teams—whether you’re an agency owner, manager, or future leader.
Buy Now: Kindle Edition | Paperback via Amazon
The In-Demand Marketing Agency: How to Use Public Speaking to Become an Agency of Choice
By Karl Sakas (2015)
Want great clients coming to you at your marketing agency, instead of having to chase after them? This book is for you! When you share useful advice from on-stage, the audience sees you as a helpful, authoritative marketing expert—not as a salesperson.
In this book, you’ll learn where to find places to speak, how to create a talk that audiences will love, what you can do to stand out from other speakers, how to improve your chances of getting follow-on business, and more.
Buy Now: Kindle Edition | Paperback via Amazon