We sat down with Jackie Studor from Make Model Marketing to talk about the absolute grind of running a niche digital agency in the automotive industry.
The automotive niche isn't built for standard agency plays. Jackie explained how her team navigates massive manufacturer compliance rules and co-op dollar systems where a simple error can cost a client thousands. Because of this intense nuance, they strictly hire account managers who have actual dealership experience.
They also do something most remote agencies avoid: visiting every single client in person every month. It's a high-touch model that drives an impressive 48-month retention rate but creates distinct operational bottlenecks. We dug into those hurdles, from calculating service margins without billable hours to managing team capacity as the business scales.
If you have ever thought about breaking into the car business, this episode is a realistic look at the industry. Car dealers do not buy from cold calls; they buy from industry peer groups and trusted referrals. It is a heavy, unsexy operation, but there is a lot to learn from how they structure their business.
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MENTIONS IN THE EPISODE:
Follow Jackie:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jackie-studor/
Make & Model Advertising:
https://makemodelmarketing.com/
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