Why 2026 is the Best Time to Run a Digital Agency with René Spijker

with René Spijker

Episode 167

Summary

In this episode, Troy Dean sits down with René Spijker, a veteran agency owner from the Netherlands who has successfully navigated over 30 years of technological disruption. From the early days of desktop publishing to the current AI revolution, René shares his journey of adaptation and why he believes now is the most exciting time to run an agency.

You will learn how to shift your focus from low-value production tasks to high-value strategy, effectively “training” AI tools to act as productive interns, and why the human element remains the most critical part of the client relationship. We also dive deep into “vibe coding,” the future of WordPress, and how to confidently serve mid-market clients.

What You'll Learn:

Technology changes, but the need for client strategy remains constant.
Treat AI tools like new interns: invest time in training them for consistent quality output.
The most valuable role in the ecosystem is sitting between the client and the technology.
Don't just sell deliverables; sell paid discovery and planning upfront to secure better clients.
“Vibe coding” with AI allows agencies to prototype and build faster than traditional methods.
Avoiding burnout requires intentional downtime and hobbies outside of the digital space.

If you’re ready to scale your agency and reclaim your time, join our new community for just $1. Every week, Troy goes live with actionable strategies to help you build a business that works – for you.

To find out about working together, 1. Follow us on instagram 2. Send me the message MAVERICK, and I’ll send you all the details.

Handy Links:

E2M Solutions – https://www.e2msolutions.com/agency-mavericks
WP Remote – https://wpremote.com
Spijker en Co – https://www.spijkerenco.nl/

Watch Now:

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Troy Dean

I am the Founder of Agency Mavericks. The reason I get out of bed every day is because I love helping people to grow their web design or digital marketing businesses. I do this through coaching, creating courses, speaking, consulting and heading up our awesome community.