We know that running an agency is hard. Keeping clients and the team happy is a full-time job. Finding quality time to even think strategically about how to maintain revenue performance, let alone growing it, can be a challenge. But we also know that every agency, no matter its size or resources, has the ability to thrive. 

Lucy Mann is the founder of Gunpowder Consulting and the creator and host of the Small Spark Theory® new business podcast. Our courses distil Lucy's expertise - gained from observing patterns of success and failure across a broad range of agency sizes and disciplines for thirty years - to provide the guidance and practical tools that small agency owners need to take control of their new business performance.

All of our courses are designed to:

  • Create bespoke strategies and workable plans
  • Bake achievable implementation into daily routine
  • Make marginal gains improvements in each area
  • Track progress and measure performance

  • Courses designed for you

    Created to meet the unique challenges of small agency owners & leaders

  • Achievable daily action

    Guided tasks that fit into your busy day and establish good habits & routines

  • One-to-one mentoring

    Regular video check-in sessions with your mentor to keep you on track with bespoke advice

  • Tools & templates

    Everything you need to implement new processes effectively & efficiently

  • Marginal gains theory

    We focus on small, manageable changes that create meaningful new business impact

  • Membership - coming soon!

    Year-round access to exclusive content, events, advice, toolkits & more

Lucy Mann

Lucy Mann has worked in agency new business and marketing for 30 years, generating, qualifying and winning new clients, as well as recruiting, managing and mentoring teams. Since launching her consultancy, Gunpowder, in 2012 and by utilising a mixture of auditing, strategic planning, training and mentoring processes, Lucy supports agencies to maximise the return on their new business, marketing and client development efforts. Lucy is a Design Business Association Expert Advisor, a consultant for creative network YCN, a Future Factory training partner and a regular speaker at industry events on the subject of agency growth. In January 2017, Lucy created the Small Spark Theory® podcast to explore how taking a marginal gains approach can help agencies improve their new business performance.

Want to find out more?

Book an introductory call with Lucy to see if our courses are right for you

BOOK YOUR CALL

What our clients say

“I can totally recommend this amazing course as we are in the process of doing it at Special Projects. It's really ideal for small, specialised creative studios like us. Lucy Mann is an incredible teacher / mentor, just listen to her podcasts and see for yourself!”

Adrian Westaway, Principal, Special Projects

“As always it's incredibly helpful to have your wise words as a sounding board. I'm really glad I've got the opportunity to work through the rest of the course without the distraction of the office and I'm optimistic about managing to navigate a path out of lockdown for a stronger WDC Creative.”

Helen West, Director, WDC Creative

“We’ve been implementing Lucy’s new business strategy since 2013. Lucy’s recommendations had a very big impact on how we operate, on how we plan ahead and, of course, on how our business is growing.”

Joanna Brassett. Founder intO

“We have worked with Lucy across our business for a number of years. The strategy she applies to tackling new business challenges is always insightful and delivered in effective digestible segments.”

Sarah Turner, Managing Director, Carter Wong Design

“I looked at the spreadsheet and did an air punch. I’m so excited to see a plan broken down like this. I like this because I can learn along the way while playing to our strengths. And we have your support and advice. Its like a big hug in spreadsheet form. ”

Oliver Dyer, Founder, Skew Studio

“Lucy has made a great and lasting change to my business. She did her homework diligently, found our competition, discovered our ambitions, explored our potential and delivered a bespoke set of stepping stones for us to follow to achieve fantastic results and long lasting consistency towards accountable new business.”

David Chiverton-Bulstrode, Founder & Creative Director, Tinker&Finch

“I worked with Lucy across a number of 1-1 sessions. At the time, I was embarking on a new challenge by taking on a business development role which was something I hadn’t done before so naturally, I had a lot of questions! Lucy has a way about her that can put anyone at ease. I felt instantly connected to her and she was the perfect sounding board for me. She’s approachable, a fantastic listener and has an armoury of useful tools and will carefully help you figure out a way forward that works based on your individual personality and skills. I can’t recommend Lucy enough!”

Heather Williams, Business Development Director

New from the podcast

Listen to the latest episode of Small Spark Theory


Lucy is joined by Steve Parks of Convivio to explore the challenges of agency leadership. Are you working on the business or in the business? Listen in as Steve shares practical advice for how to thrive.