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by andrewmcwatters 2857 days ago
Software agencies don't scale. People in software shops know this. In fact, even successful ones, for years on end, may have just months of runway. That's literally the business. It's just how it works.

The more devs you have, the more clients you need, or bigger ones.

So, OP, to be clear, software agencies are lifestyle businesses. Don't expect to scale if you're working on client solutions, because that's what agencies' bread and butter is.

There is a fundamental difference, however, between being a marketing agency, a mobile development shop, or a software company going through RFP cycles for govt. contracts and being a product or service company.

They feel different, too. There might be similar headcount, but differences in goals are just significant enough to matter.

The latter actually scales, but can still be a lifestyle company, too.

1 comments

I think they can scale, but they require expertise around managing people, scaling companies, etc. Because I've forever been involved in software development I don't have those skills. At the moment it is fair to say it's a lifestyle company, but it could probably sustain two/three people.
Sent you an email. We do workshops for our clients on how to scale, would be happy to give you some pointers. Would love to work together as well. We're a team of co-located like minded creators, even though we've got a logo.