From Side Hustle to Success: Lessons from My Agency Journey

Let me take you back to where it all started—just me, a hand-me-down laptop, and a dream. Like many of you, 5Four Digital began as a side hustle. I was working a full-time job by day and building websites late into the night, fueled by the belief that I could create something bigger.

Fast forward to today, and that small side project has grown into a thriving, seven-figure agency powered by a talented global team. The journey wasn’t easy, but every late night, tough decision, and unexpected detour taught me valuable lessons about entrepreneurship, growth, and resilience.

Here are the lessons that helped me turn my side hustle into a thriving business—and that I hope can inspire your journey, too.

1. Start Before You’re Ready

If I had waited for the perfect moment to launch 5Four Digital, I’d still be waiting. Perfection is the enemy of progress. I didn’t have a flawless portfolio, an all-star team, or even the perfect elevator pitch when I began. What I did have was a single skill, a strong work ethic, and the willingness to figure things out as I went.

Getting started is half the battle. Your first project might be messy, your processes might be clunky, but those early efforts are what teach you the most. Action creates clarity. By starting now, even if you feel unprepared, you’ll build the momentum you need to grow.

2. Build Systems Early

One of the biggest lessons I learned on my journey was that hustle alone wouldn’t scale my business. No matter how hard I worked, there were only so many hours in a day. That’s when I realized the power of systems.

Creating SOPs for repetitive tasks—like onboarding clients, managing revisions, or delivering final projects—was a game-changer. It wasn’t just about saving time; it was about creating consistency. Systems allowed me to focus on strategy and growth while ensuring my team delivered a high-quality experience every time. Even if you’re a solo operator now, start documenting your processes. It’s an investment in your future scalability.

3. Invest in Relationships, Not Just Projects

Early in my career, I made the mistake of focusing solely on the work. I believed that delivering great websites or branding would speak for itself. While quality work is critical, I soon learned that relationships are the real foundation of long-term success.

Clients want to feel valued. Take the time to understand their goals, communicate proactively, and go the extra mile to make their experience seamless. At 5Four Digital, our strongest source of growth has been referrals, and those came from clients who felt supported, understood, and impressed by the level of care we provided. Relationships turn one-off projects into ongoing partnerships.

4. Don’t Be Afraid to Niche Down

At the beginning, I tried to be everything to everyone. We offered branding, SEO, web design, PPC, and more. But the more services we offered, the more stretched I became. It felt like I was saying “yes” to everything but excelling at nothing.

The breakthrough came when I decided to focus solely on branding and conversion-focused web design. By niching down, I positioned myself as an expert in a specific area, which made it easier to attract the right clients, deliver better results, and charge premium rates. Remember, niching isn’t about turning away opportunities—it’s about creating clarity and becoming the go-to expert for your ideal client.

5. Scale with the Right Team

One of the most transformative moments in my journey was hiring my first team member. Letting go of control wasn’t easy, but it was necessary. Running everything alone had its limits, and bringing on the right talent allowed me to scale without burning out.

Today, 5Four Digital is powered by a diverse, borderless team that handles everything from design to development. Building this team didn’t happen overnight—it took time to find people who aligned with my values and vision. But once I let go and trusted my team, it opened the door to growth I couldn’t have achieved alone. Remember, scaling isn’t about doing more—it’s about multiplying your impact by empowering others.

The Bottom Line

Turning a side hustle into a successful agency isn’t about luck—it’s about taking intentional steps, embracing the challenges, and staying committed to your vision. Start before you’re ready, invest in relationships, and don’t be afraid to scale when the time is right.

Every great success story starts small. It’s not about having everything figured out from the beginning—it’s about learning as you go, building systems that scale, and trusting yourself to take that next step. Your side hustle has the potential to become something extraordinary, one action at a time.

P.S. Want more insights and actionable strategies for growing your agency? Grab a copy of my book, Borderless, where I share my journey and the systems that helped me scale to seven figures.

Let’s build something amazing!