Risky Business – Why His Biggest Fear Became His Best Decision – LFG Media Group

Text: Risky Business - Why His Biggest Fear Became His Best Decision - An Agency Story - Hosted by Russel Dubree - with guest Jonathan Daniele - picture of Jonathan in lower left hand corner, middle aged Caucasian with short brown hair, smiling in black polo shirt.
What happens when you stop playing it safe and go all-in on performance? In this episode, Jonathan Daniele, founder of LFG Media Group, shares how he built a $2M+ agency in under two years by shifting from monthly retainers to a bold pay-per-call model. From call center grit to entrepreneurial growth, Jonathan opens up about the risks, rewards, and mindset shifts that come with putting your money where your mouth is.

Company: LFG Media Group

Owners: Jonathan Daniele

Year Started: 2022

Employees: 1-10

What happens when an agency founder trades predictable retainers for the risk—and reward—of pay-per-call performance marketing?

In the latest episode of An Agency Story, we talk to Jonathan Daniele, founder of LFG Media Group, about how he rapidly scaled his agency and why the future of digital marketing lies in ownership, accountability, and results.

If you’re tired of clients questioning your value or chasing monthly invoices, this episode will challenge your thinking and provide a bold blueprint for building a high-impact, scalable business.

 

 

 

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Episode Summary

In this episode of An Agency Story, host Russel Dubree sits down with Jonathan Daniele, founder of LFG Media Group, to discuss the evolution of his agency from a traditional client service model to a high-growth, performance-based business. With a background in call centers and a passion for making phones ring, Jonathan shares how he turned that energy into a fast-growing agency that’s on track to hit eight figures.

Here’s what you’ll learn:

  • Why building your own branded lead generation assets gives you more control and higher margins
  • The emotional and financial leap it takes to shift into a performance model
  • How to apply your own marketing advice to grow your business faster

Key Takeaways & Lessons

Performance Marketing Demands Ownership

Jonathan emphasizes that moving to a pay-per-call model means you stop managing someone else’s risk—and start managing your own. This change in mindset transformed his agency from a service provider to a lead generation engine.

“You have to spend the money to get the data. And if you’re not willing to do that, performance marketing isn’t for you.”

Scaling Fast Means Getting Uncomfortable

LFG Media Group didn’t grow to $2M+ in two years by playing it safe. Jonathan shares the raw truth about putting his own money on the line to build brand assets and test new verticals.

Bold investments = Bold returns. That’s the mantra behind his growth, and it’s a key lesson for any founder eyeing bigger numbers.

Quality is the Ultimate Differentiator

Jonathan got tired of seeing businesses burned by underwhelming marketing agencies. His solution? Build lead generation systems that prove value upfront, with no fluff or filler.

“We use our own dollars, build our own brands, and then promote the hell out of them. That’s where the leverage is.”

Take Your Own Advice

One of the most powerful insights from this episode is how Jonathan forced himself to live by the same rules he set for clients—be patient, invest early, and trust the data.

When the pressure’s on, “Would I advise my client to hit pause right now?” became his internal gut check.

Enjoyed This Episode?

If you’re a marketing agency owner looking to scale smarter—not just bigger—this episode is a must-listen. Subscribe to An Agency Story on Apple Podcasts and Spotify, and let us know your favorite insight from Jonathan’s journey.

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