I Shut Down My Digital Marketing Agency with $110k MRR and Here’s Why

Introduction

It sounds absurd, doesn’t it? Why would anyone in their right mind shut down a digital marketing agency pulling in $110k in monthly recurring revenue (MRR)? For years, I had hustled to get to this point — this milestone should have felt like a victory. But as I learned, success on the outside doesn’t always reflect what’s going on internally. Sometimes, the very thing that looks like a dream come true can slowly drain your energy, passion, and peace of mind.

In this article, I’ll pull back the curtain and share why I made the shocking decision to shut down my successful agency. Hopefully, my story will help others who might be facing similar crossroads in their own entrepreneurial journey.

From Side Hustle to Full-Scale Agency

Like many entrepreneurs, my journey started small. It was just me, freelancing for local businesses, helping them with SEO and social media marketing. The results were good, clients were happy, and word started to spread. Before I knew it, what started as a side hustle turned into a full-scale agency.

We expanded our services to cover everything from paid ads to content marketing, and clients started coming in fast. Within a few short years, we were pulling in over $110k in MRR. I had built a team of talented marketers, project managers, and creatives. We had a roster of high-profile clients, won industry awards, and had a reputation for delivering results. From the outside looking in, we were killing it.

But internally, the cracks were starting to show.

Success Comes with a Price

While the revenue numbers and client lists made everything look like smooth sailing, the reality of running a growing agency was anything but easy. Success came with immense pressure. Clients came with sky-high expectations. Competitors were fierce, and the digital landscape was always changing. Keeping up with all of it felt like a never-ending race.

At first, I thrived under the pressure. I liked the challenge. But as the agency scaled, so did the workload, and my to-do list seemed never-ending. My inbox was always full. Every day felt like a sprint, and even when I crossed off tasks, more piled on. The thrill of landing new clients started fading as the constant need to keep them happy consumed all my time and energy.

The Weight of Expectations

It wasn’t just the clients who had high expectations. I had built a team, and with that came the responsibility of leading and managing them. Building a strong company culture, maintaining morale, handling performance issues — it all added to the stress.

But the hardest part? Balancing client satisfaction with profitability. Clients wanted more, often without considering how much time, effort, and resources their requests demanded. Keeping them happy meant stretching my team — and myself — thin.

The Reality of Burnout

I didn’t realize it at the time, but burnout was creeping in. Slowly, I found myself working longer hours just to stay afloat. I was responding to emails at midnight, scheduling client meetings for weekends, and constantly glued to my phone, worried about the next issue that would pop up.

The toll was heavy. My relationships with friends and family started to suffer because I was always “on.” My health took a hit — stress headaches, sleepless nights, and that constant feeling of being overwhelmed. What was once an exciting venture was now a burden that weighed me down every single day.

When Passion Turns into a Grind

It’s funny how something you’re passionate about can turn into a grind. I used to wake up excited about my work. I’d get a rush from helping clients grow their businesses. But over time, that passion turned into a routine — a grind that never seemed to end.

I’d spend 14 hours working, barely able to remember what I’d accomplished by the end of the day. The joy was gone. My dream had turned into a relentless cycle of tasks, deadlines, and stress.

Exploring Solutions (Before the Decision)

Before making the final decision to shut down, I considered every possible solution. I thought about hiring more staff to ease the workload. I tried delegating more tasks to my team. I even considered pivoting the business model — maybe focusing on a niche service, or reducing the number of clients.

But none of those changes addressed the core issue: I was no longer passionate about what I was doing. The agency, as successful as it was, wasn’t aligned with what I wanted out of life anymore.

The Turning Point

The turning point came after a particularly grueling 14-hour workday. I was beyond exhausted, and I realized I was no longer building something that brought me joy. I wasn’t excited about the future of the business. In that moment, I knew I had to make a drastic change.

I took a step back, spent time reflecting, and had long conversations with my family and trusted mentors. I came to the conclusion that the agency, as great as it looked on paper, was no longer the right fit for me or my life.

Making the Difficult Decision to Shut Down

Deciding to shut down wasn’t easy. I had built this agency from the ground up. Telling my team, many of whom had been with me for years, was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. These people weren’t just employees — they were like family. Informing our clients was equally tough, especially those who had been with us since day one.

The financial hit was another big challenge. I was walking away from a steady income stream — something I had worked for years to build. But in the end, I knew that my mental health, relationships, and happiness were worth more than any paycheck.

The Emotional and Financial Fallout

After making the decision, I went through waves of doubt. Was I making the right choice? Was I giving up too soon? Was I letting people down? These thoughts lingered for weeks, and even months.

But despite the doubts, I also felt an overwhelming sense of relief. It was as if a huge weight had been lifted off my shoulders. I had space to breathe again, to think clearly, and to focus on what truly mattered to me.

The Relief of Letting Go

Letting go of the agency brought an unexpected sense of freedom. For the first time in years, I wasn’t tied to client deadlines or back-to-back meetings. I had time to reflect, recharge, and think about what I wanted to do next.

That sense of relief validated my decision. Sometimes, letting go is the bravest — and smartest — thing you can do, even when it’s hard.

What I Learned from Shutting Down My Agency

Through this experience, I learned several important lessons:

• Success isn’t just about money: If financial success comes at the cost of your well-being, it’s not worth it.
• It’s okay to change course: Life changes, and it’s okay to walk away from something, even if it looks like success from the outside.
• True success is personal: Success should align with your values and personal fulfillment, not just external milestones.

Moving Forward: What’s Next?

Since shutting down the agency, I’ve had time to explore new opportunities and projects that excite me. Whether that means starting something new or simply taking time off to recharge, I’m approaching this next chapter with an open mind and renewed passion.

Advice for Entrepreneurs Facing Similar Crossroads

If you find yourself feeling trapped or burned out, don’t be afraid to reevaluate your situation. Ask yourself if what you’re building still aligns with your values and goals. It’s okay to pivot or even walk away if something no longer serves you.

Conclusion

Success isn’t one-size-fits-all. For me, chasing revenue and growth wasn’t enough — it wasn’t making me happy. Walking away from my agency was one of the hardest decisions I’ve made, but it was also one of the best. Sometimes, the bravest thing you can do is to let go of something that no longer aligns with your values and create space for something new.

Have you ever faced a difficult decision like this in your business or personal life? I’d love to hear your story — feel free to share it in the comments. If you want more insights on entrepreneurship and personal growth, follow me on LinkedIn or subscribe to my newsletter.

FAQs

Why did you decide to shut down your digital marketing agency?

• I realized that despite the financial success, running the agency was taking a toll on my mental health and no longer aligned with my personal goals.

How did you manage the emotional and financial impact of closing the agency?

• It was challenging, but after deep reflection and conversations with my family and mentors, I accepted that walking away was necessary for my well-being.

Do you regret your decision to walk away from $110k in MRR?

• No, I don’t regret it. While it was tough, the relief and clarity I gained made the decision worthwhile.

What advice would you give to other entrepreneurs facing burnout?

• Prioritize your well-being over external success. Reflect on what matters most to you and be brave enough to make changes, even if that means stepping away.

What’s next for you after closing the agency?

• I’m exploring new projects that reignite my passion and taking some time to recharge before diving into the next venture.