“These mistakes almost ended my agency…”
Not exactly the words you’d expect from a successful founder—but for Grace Gumala, CEO and Creative Director of Content Hearts, honesty is part of the brand.
After scaling her organic social media agency to multiple six figures, Grace took a bold step: she shared the mistakes that nearly broke her business. In an ecosystem where most only showcase polished wins, Grace’s candor is refreshing—and deeply instructive.
This is the story behind Grace’s honest and important reflection—a message that quietly resonated with many business owners.
Highlights
The Hard Truths Behind a Glamorous Growth Story
Building a business is one thing. Sustaining it is another.
While Content Hearts quickly grew into a go-to agency for high-impact, organic content, the path wasn’t without its bumps. In her own words, Grace breaks down five hard-hitting lessons from last year—each one costing time, money, and a piece of her peace.
Mistake 1: Bad Hires
“One wrong hire cost us 5-figures in lost revenue and damaged team morale.”
Hiring isn’t just about resumes—it’s about alignment. Grace admits she held on too long, hoping things would improve. “Reality: Some people don’t need time to adjust. They weren’t supposed to be there in the first place.”
Mistake 2: No Boundaries
“Being too flexible destroyed our margins.”
The agency tried to be everything for everyone. That meant free work, endless revisions, and scope creep that spiraled out of control. “I thought being accommodating would help us grow. Instead, it nearly broke us.”
Mistake 3: Red Flag Clients
“I ignored the signs because I wanted the revenue.”
Late-night revisions, haggling over costs, constant pushback—Grace saw the red flags but didn’t act fast enough. The cost? More energy drained than dollars gained.
Mistake 4: No SOPs
“Without clear processes, the team got confused, deliverables got delayed, and clients lost trust.”
As the agency scaled, so did the complexity. But without standard operating procedures, the chaos became costly.
Mistake 5: Overspending
“Office rental, unnecessary subscriptions, overhiring freelancers… every ‘small expense’ added up.”
The lack of financial discipline tightened the runway. Grace realized: profitability doesn’t always come from growth—it comes from focus.
The Turning Point: Smarter, Leaner, and More Aligned
Grace didn’t let those mistakes define her—she used them as fuel for reinvention. By hiring fast and letting go faster, setting firm boundaries, saying no to misaligned clients, and tightening her processes and spending, she rebuilt a leaner, more profitable agency. But beyond the tactical changes, the real transformation was internal—Grace learned that growth doesn’t always mean bigger teams or flashier clients. Sometimes, it means clearer values, sharper focus, and the courage to do things your way. In sharing her lessons, Grace offers a quiet kind of leadership—one rooted in honesty, humility, and the belief that setbacks can be the best strategy of all.
Highlights
Editor’s note: The original article was written by Grace Gumala in a LinkedIn post, titled “These mistakes almost ended my agency… Here’s what went wrong last year and what I learned”
Read the article in Chinese here.
