In this Business Blast Podcast episode, host Tyler Wagner interviews Madeleine Duprez and Lexi Reynolds, co‑founders of Scaler Agency, a digital‑marketing firm for small‑to‑medium businesses. The conversation weaves personal origin stories—Lexi’s mentorship encounter in Europe and Madeleine’s decisive beach moment in Miami—into a broader discussion of how to build and grow a digital‑marketing agency. They stress that results require persistent, month‑to‑month optimization across multiple channels (websites, SEO, paid ads, email) and warn against reliance on a single platform. For newcomers, they advise seeking mentors, consuming relevant content, forming mastermind groups, and assembling a skilled team. Both strongly criticize the traditional college path, calling it costly and outdated, and champion a digital‑nomad, independent‑contractor lifestyle. Their views on happiness focus on presence, optimism, and the emotional boost of pets. They highlight two influential books—The Go‑Giver and How to Win Friends and Influence People—and share key takeaways about providing value and empathetic communication. Favorite quotes (“An unexamined life is not worth living,” “Risk and you shall receive”) illustrate their mindset. The episode closes with contact information for Scaler Agency (website, Instagram, LinkedIn) and a reminder of their omni‑channel availability.
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Welcome to the Business Blast Podcast. I'm your host, Tyler Wagner. This episode is brought to you by WagsMedia. WagsMedia provides you with everything you need to generate more customers and grow your brand. Head on over to wagsmedia.com, W-A-G-S-M-E-D-I-A dot com, to enter a contest where you can win a free, done-for-you custom website valued at $2,500 for a limited time only. Now let's jump into the episode.
All right everyone, welcome back to another episode of the Business Blast Podcast. I'm your host Tyler Wagner, and today I have a really special episode. We got two people on this one. We got Madeline Dupre and we got Lexi Reynolds, and they are the co-founders of Scaler Agency, which is a digital marketing agency that helps small to medium-sized businesses exceed their goals. So welcome to the show.
What is going on?
Hey Tyler, thanks for having us.
Of course, pumped to have you both on. Um, you know, we'll dive into the first question here. The first one I have for you both, um, is what is the best story from your lives that has an underlying valuable message?
So this is Lexi. Mine is about to come full circle. So last year, really after being introduced to entrepreneurship, I went to Europe and while I was there I met this awesome older entrepreneur who has kind of become a mentor to me. And I reconnected with him recently and I'm about to meet him again in Europe when I go there for a few months with Madeline, which is another story, in a few weeks. So really what it's taught me is, I guess, keep your eyes open to every opportunity. Even when you're traveling, even when you're having fun, you can make some of the best connections, like organically. And those are the people that will stick with you.
And Madeline?
Yeah.
Well, you understand this, Tyler Wagner, Miami's beauty.
Yeah.
So Lexi was living in Miami and I had just graduated with my engineering degree and I was kind of at a point where I was like, uh, that really got old real fast in college. Do I really want to do that as my job? I don't really know. So I went and I was visiting Lexi and I was on the beach and I had like my third round interview calling me back. While I was looking at the beach. And it was when I very first got out of the water and I was just like admiring how beautiful the water was. And I just looked at my phone and I just ignored the call. And I was like, nope, I'm taking control of my life. I'm coming to Miami. I'm going to stay here and I'm just going to figure it out from here.
Yes, that is awesome. And Miami, I think we can all agree, is incredible. So I agree. Frank, it— So, okay, so then the next one I have for you guys, I'm excited for your answers on this one. This one is, what is the most valuable piece of information that the audience should know that's within both of your expertises or industry?
Really, I think this applies to anyone who wants to run a business, but particularly online. Results come with persistence. So if you want a website that converts well, you need to be continuously making updates and improving the site month in and month out. The same goes with ranking on Google, running your Facebook ads, having successful email marketing campaigns, whatever it is. Everything takes time to see results. I think it's really important to stress you need to keep making changes and optimizing your strategy to see maximum ROI. We see too many people build, get one website redesign and stop there, and that's really not enough to really drive new business to you the way that you want. I know that it's getting more competitive out there and PPC is not working the same, so it's time for everyone to step it up. Yep, I agree.
You want to be successful, you can't get lazy, you know, you got to keep making changes, keep updating.
I agree, and I think something big on that is like it never ends. Like, I think something like a big illusion that a lot of people have when they first start out is they think there's like some mountaintop, like, okay, once I hit 6 figures, then it'll be easier. Once I hit 7 figures, it'll be easier. And really If you can actually just think of it as a never-ending game, if you will, of like service maybe, or however you want to think about it, but just have it be never-ending because like once you get to one mountaintop, then you're always looking at the next one anyway.
So you also don't want your business built upon just one channel, right? And Google's algorithm is always changing. You need to take advantage of that and make sure you have multiple streams, whether it's Facebook, social media, email, making sure that you're ranking or else your business isn't going to be successful. Do you know what I mean?
Totally.
You hear about people running awesome PPC campaigns, but they are done. It's not Black Friday anymore and they can't get any business. Serious issue.
Exactly. I think another big thing on that is you never really want to depend on one social channel or one channel in general because anything can happen. Facebook's cost per clicks could go double in price tomorrow or something. Who knows? Anything can happen. So you want to make sure that you are diverse and that you're maybe, maybe you're not on all platforms, but you are learning multiple platforms so that if one, something happens to one, then you still have the other ones. And then you're also growing your own database. That's why an email list is also a good thing to have. So yeah, I think that kind of goes along with it. But so the next one I have for you guys is like, you know, your expertise is like digital marketing. So if somebody were to like just start out, like whether they're starting a job in digital marketing, or they're going to start like their own digital marketing agency, let's say, what would you tell— like, what would be the first thing you tell them?
I would tell them to find somebody who's already done it and learn everything they can from them. Gather all the information they can, read as much as you can, listen to podcasts, just like the people listening to this one are right now.
Great job.
Build a team. Get someone to help you design awesome Facebook ads that's really aesthetic. You know, get someone to help you who's really good in sales with your email marketing campaign.
It's like Think and Grow Rich, your mastermind group. You don't have to be the smartest guy in the room, but if you get all of the smartest guys in the room and they're in your room, then you have the smartest room, so you're fine, you know?
Yes, I agree, and that book is a game changer, so I'm glad you brought that book up. And so if you both— then the next one I have is if you both could give your younger selves one piece of advice, what would that be?
Oh, don't go to college.
Yes, I will.
That really wasn't— oh, but that's how we really feel.
Yeah, don't go to college. Sorry, university.
It's a lot of money. No reason to pull—
don't expect college to be the way that you're going to make money. Because I think that that's the biggest illusion that everyone has. You know, you go and get some nice internship, then you get out and you're like, wait, I'm not making six figures for a while.
Especially as the world continues to monitor us, like, oh my gosh, it's only gonna get more and more so this way. Like, everyone's gonna be an independent contractor, everyone's gonna be working for themselves, everything's gonna be Uberized.
Yes, we're not gonna need offices, we're gonna be, you know, we're very digital nomad, pro that lifestyle, but I think that lifestyle is on the rise. And also your only job security is going to be in knowing your value and being able to ask for it, being able to provide that, not relying on an employer to give you your value, if that makes sense.
Totally. I could not agree more. College is a no-no. Don't do it to yourself, man. Right?
Like, I'm still paying off those loans. Let me tell you, it was not worth it.
Well, the thing is, if we were to dive even a little deeper in that, just because we can all three agree that we don't like it. So it's kind of crazy. It's crazy when you think about it. Like, it's actually brainwashed. And not to get kind of like weird or woo-woo on everybody, but it's brainwashed. Because when you think about like, what is the goal of high school? Like, the goal of high school is to get into college. But like, why would the goal of high school be to get in college? Like, the goal of high school should just be to like learn and figure out who you are and then decide from there what you want to do. Like, it shouldn't be to get $100,000 in debt, you know what I mean? Like, what? But like, we're brainwashed and we like think we need college. So it's just great, right?
It's—
could not agree more.
It's like a created, a created issue.
Yeah, yeah, it's, it's wild. So, um, so now kind of going on a different, uh, on the opposite side, right? So we don't like college, but in your opinion, what is the key to key to happiness. So like, what do we like?
What do we like? I would say key to happiness is just enjoying the moment, enjoying where you are. Because yeah, always look towards your next goal, always try to achieve more, but you have to be where you're at now. And you have to be grateful for where you are. And just enjoy the present.
I would add to that also making the choice to be happy. The key of being optimistic, being positive, staying in a positive mindset. I think that so many times we get caught in our circumstances and we look back and it's never as big of a deal, you know?
Definitely. I think being present is huge. And I think like you're kind of saying there too, is it's like taking responsibility for it. So it's not like it's outside of your control or something. Like you can choose And there's obviously circumstances like, you know, there's like a death in the family or something, then like, you know, maybe that's kind of hard to choose to be happy during something like that. But like, it is in most cases on the daily, like you can choose to be happy if something is like bothering you because you got to think about it from a world perspective. Like, yeah, if you're upset about some business stuff, like there's people out there that like are trying to find water, you know, like this is ridiculous. Like, so I think happiness is readily available if you are in the United States of America. So, um, so the next one, uh, is what is the best book that you both have read and what was the number one thing you both learned from it?
You want to take it away, Lexi?
I was— I have The Go-Giver. Um, basically To me, it says treat people as you'd want to be treated. And ways to give people value, especially in business, I think that there's like this huge myth of people who they have to be, I guess, relentless in business. But I think it's the opposite of that, right? It's coming to common ground, understanding what somebody wants and meeting them there. If you can do that, you're always going to win the sale at the end of the day. If you can give them more value. And The Go-Giver is a really good book for that, whether it's in business or life.
For me, I would say How to Win Friends and Influence People. That one just like was total game changer when it came to my communication style. And biggest takeaway from that is just noting that I get honestly, it goes back to Lexi with Go-Giver, like providing other people the value. So in conversation, knowing what other people want, like You know, just listening to them, tailoring it towards them, caring about other people, empathy, understanding. Even the crazy fact in there about people's names. Somebody, if somebody's own personal name, they care about it 10,000 times more than any other name. Yeah. So use people's name in conversation.
Absolutely.
Yeah.
I remember I actually got to re-listen to that one. I've actually read both of those books. But I, and I love them both. But I do remember the How to Win Friends and Influence People, like taking so much out of that. I remember something about, and I'm just bringing this up because it's kind of funny, but I remember something about it saying like he explains like why we love dogs so much, like the way dog greets you. So like if you can, you should like greet people like a dog greets you or something. I could be kind of— I don't think he says exactly that, right?
Obviously, you know, actually, I actually think about that a lot. Like, okay, specifically lately, because I actually just got my dog here in New York at the WeWork, and he's a smiling dog. And like, it makes everyone happy. And I've actually been thinking back to that exact quote and how like, he references how dogs just give unconditional love, and they're just always so happy to see you no matter what. Like, they don't know you, they don't expect anything from you.
Yeah.
Yeah, I know exactly what you mean.
So yeah, if you want to increase sales, get a happy dog.
There you go. Exactly.
Honestly though, you give a little snuggle to your pup, like it's always a good day.
Yeah.
Yeah. Actually, I'm changing my answer for the key to happiness. What's the key to happiness?
Animals.
Yes. Yo, I actually don't dislike— honestly, having a cute little dog, or even if it's a big dog, doesn't matter, or just any animal that you like love and it's around at your house like a house pet can definitely increase happiness dramatically.
That's what I'm saying. Even my betta fish before I had my dog here, like, okay, that's your betta.
That's your betta for your Giulia.
Okay.
Oh, I love that. That's the best. All right, so now we're down to one of the final questions, and it is, what are your favorite quotes? What are your guys' favorite quotes?
Uh, mine— it's so cheesy. Okay, but mine is— let's see— is, "An unexamined life is not worth living," from Socrates.
Hmm, okay.
And why? Um, because I've always felt like I've never been one to like want like, I don't know, the car and the big house in the suburbs. I definitely want more out of life. And to me, experience, you know, that's like what I'm after. That really sums that up.
She's an old soul.
Yeah, I like that. And what about you, Madeline?
Mine's risk and you shall receive. I actually saw this on a t-shirt. I've only ever heard for ask and you shall receive, but I saw it on the t-shirt and it was risk and you shall receive. And I was just like, Exactly, you know, because you can ask all day long, but you got to really do it. You got to take action. You got to risk it all.
And if you do, it's going to pay off.
I agree. I like that. I've never heard that either. Risk and you shall receive. I agree.
From a t-shirt.
Who knew a t-shirt could be so profound? Exactly. Well, listen, it was a lot of fun. Very cool interview with both of you. The Last question that I have for both of you before we let you go is where is the best place for people to find you both online?
Hey, that is an excellent question, Tyler.
Well, how do you prefer to reach me?
You can check out our website at scaleragency.com.
Okay. And, or you can just like, if you want to slide in the DMs, Lexi Reynolds, Madeline Dupre, Instagram. LinkedIn. I'm not on Xandra, I don't know if that's worth noting.
So you're open to the DMs and then the website as well and LinkedIn. So it could be professional, social, or like business, like to the website.
Exactly.
Exactly.
Awesome.
Omni-channel here.
Well, everybody listening, you heard it. So however you want to hit them up, whatever you guys are feeling, reach out. Sorry, go ahead.
Oh, I was just saying, hey, looking forward to hearing. Yeah, if you wanted to cut out the 'hey,' I honestly would like that to not be—
No, we definitely have to keep that in there. And I appreciate you both. I appreciate you both coming on so much. It was a lot of fun.
Thank you.
We appreciate you.
Thanks. Have a good one. The podcast you just heard was published with Anchor. Got something you want to say to the creator of this show? Send them a voice message using the Banker app, free for iOS and Android.
