Andy Strote, Author
How to Start a Successful Creative Agency and How to Become a Successful Creative Freelancer
I have been an agency copywriter, associate creative director, freelance copywriter, and founder of two creative agencies in Toronto.
As an agency copywriter, I wrote for six different companies, starting at a small agency and working my way up to multi-national firms.
My clients included Tridel, Canon Canada, Colgate, Canadian Tire, Fairmont Hotels, Delta Hotels, and New Brunswick Tourism. I worked mainly in TV, radio, and print.
Freelance Copywriter for Six Years
When I started freelancing, I incorporated a company and found an accountant for business advice and to take care of the taxes.
I had many clients, but my most important client for six years was Canada’s largest electric utility, Ontario Hydro. I created many multi-media campaigns for their residential, commercial, and industrial clients.
At that point, I worked solo and partnered with freelance designers. When my billing was peaking at about $120k a year (this was in 1994 dollars, about $255k in 2025), I decided to form a larger agency.
Co-founder of Fireworks Creative
When I started Fireworks Creative, I looked for a co-founder. As an agency copywriter, I always worked closely with an art director/designer, so having a partner in the business was natural for me.
I placed an ad in an industry publication. I got 30 responses, met with five, and proceeded with Simon Burn, now of SDB Creative. Simon and I both brought our freelance clients to Fireworks Creative. We were busy from day one.
Fireworks Creative was one of Canada’s first truly integrated creative agencies. We built websites for some of Canada’s leading utilities.
We also created major campaigns in print and video for some of Canada’s most prominent financial and government clients.
In five years, we grew Fireworks Creative from two to 30 people. We were on the radar of two companies interested in buying our firm. We had offers from a global advertising network and Cognicase, a multi-national IT company. We chose to sell to Cognicase for $3 million.
Co-founder of Context Creative
Six months after being acquired, I left Fireworks.
After a summer of thinking about the next steps, I started the next agency, Context Creative, with one partner, Lionel Gadoury, and one employee.
Like Fireworks, we provided integrated creative services to corporate and government clients.
After 15 years, with Context at about 30 staff, I retired, selling my shares to my partners. Context still prospers today.
Author: How to Start a Successful Creative Agency and How to Become a Successful Creative Freelancer
After I retired, I still wrote for a select group of clients. But then I thought that my experiences might be helpful to others. (Teach what you know, right?)
I’ve been fortunate to work with great designers, art directors, photographers, filmmakers, animators, illustrators, and programmers.
I’ve also had the guidance of two helpful accountants—you’ll read about it in the books.
I’ve learned the nitty-gritty of running a business, both as a freelancer and agency principal. Some of this I learned the easy way, and some the painful way. I’ll tell you everything.
How Will the Agency Book Help You?
Many creatives, whether working as freelancers or in small agencies, run into problems. Often, it’s not because of their creative output but because they don’t know enough about managing a business.
This book is for you if you want to start an agency or grow your existing one.
I will help you build a solid foundation for your business. With this knowledge, you’ll be able to focus your creativity on what you love doing.
How to Start a Successful Creative Agency is available at Amazon (Paperback & Kindle ebook), Kobo (ebook), Apple Books (ebook), and Gumroad (PDF).
How Will the Freelancer Book Help You?
This book is for those who want to go freelance or improve their freelancing business. Working solo freelance isn’t easy. My goal is to help you with the business part of the job. That’s where many freelancers need the most help—how to run their business, get more clients, get the right clients, etc.
How to Become a Successful Creative Freelancer is available on Amazon in Paperback and Kindle ebook.
What These Books Won’t Do for You
These books will not teach you creative skills. I’m assuming that you are either learning your craft or are already delivering your services at a professional level.
What the books will do is guide you on the business side. Whether you’re a solo freelancer or an agency owner, you’re a business owner. That means you have to excel at your craft and your business.
It may not come naturally to you, but you can learn. I did, and so can you.
Useful Blog Posts
Freelancing? Create a virtual agency. Don’t go it alone.
How do you bill clients? Here are the best pricing models for creative services.
Want to grow your freelance business faster? Get some agency clients to accelerate your growth.
Are you knocking on doors of big companies, but getting nowhere? Learn how to get on Preferred Vendor Lists.
Scope creep can kill your profitability. How do you prevent scope creep and get paid what you’re worth?
What do clients value most in a freelancer? It’s not low price. Not even talent. What then?
You’re a happy freelancer (copywriter, designer, programmer). Why start an agency now? Here are 7 reasons why…
Should employees freelance? I’d say yes to employees freelancing…
You’re a senior employee. Should you stay an employee forever? Hmm…
Should you work for equity or shares? You might get asked. I did it twice. How did it turn out? (Clue: 50/50)
Before you start your own agency, get a job in someone else’s. Think of it as on-the-job training.
Is this the best time to start your creative agency? I give you 5 yes’s and 5 no’s. You decide. (Of course I think it is.)