In this episode, Mark sits down with Russel Dubree, founder of Performance Faction and former agency owner who built and sold a multi-million dollar creative business. They talk turkey (literally), before diving into the hard-won lessons of entrepreneurship—what it means to grind, the challenges of hiring and leading a team, the highs and lows of partnerships, and what ultimately led to Russel’s decision to sell his agency and pursue business coaching.

In this conversation, Russel shares the real story of growing a business from nothing—starting with a $500 credit card charge and a dream, all the way to a $5M agency with 16 employees. He opens up about poor hiring decisions, burnout, navigating family and business, and the wake-up call that helped him redefine success. Now, as a coach, he helps agency leaders find their purpose, build resilient teams, and grow with clarity and intention.

Takeaways:

1. Early business lessons often come through trial by fire.
2. Good partnerships require alignment, clarity, and tough conversations.
3. Hiring slow (and right) is one of the most important decisions in growing an agency.
4. Don’t build to the price—price to the value.
5. Growth without process can create chaos, not success.
6. Purpose—not profit—will keep you going long term.
7. Leadership means owning your shortcomings and creating a culture that retains top talent.
8. Time with family can’t be an afterthought. Balance comes with communication.
9. Saying "no" is often more important than saying "yes."
10. Success doesn’t mean burnout—it means building something meaningful, on purpose.

Connect with Russel:

performancefaction.com

https://www.linkedin.com/in/russeldubree

Learn More:

Visit TheFridayHabit.com for show notes, resources, and to download the guide on working on your business rather than in it.

Stay Connected:

Subscribe to The Friday Habit for more real-life business lessons, candid conversations, and actionable strategies to elevate your entrepreneurial journey.

Chapters:
00:00 Intro
00:34 Welcome to The Friday Habit
01:14 Guest Introduction: Russel Dubree
01:48 Thanksgiving Turkey Talk
09:57 Balancing Business and Family
10:56 Entrepreneurial Beginnings
23:10 Starting a Web Development Company
29:34 Pricing and Early Challenges
33:15 Hiring and Growing the Business
36:58 Reflecting on Early Growth and Challenges
38:23 Learning from Industry Experts
41:20 Defining Moments and Major Projects
44:39 Improving Processes and Team Dynamics
49:18 Finding Passion and Purpose
54:40 Deciding to Sell the Business
58:53 Post-Sale Reflections and Future Plans
01:14:23 Final Advice and Closing Thoughts