Why It Won: Time does not equal money at Greatest Common Factory. Founders Karen Jacobs and John Trahar set up a business that bills clients by scope rather than hours, and makes sure employees have the freedom to try and to fail. The end goal is to "make things better," the company wrote in its Small Agency Awards entry, whether it's finding a more effective strategy or taking the time to let great ideas bubble to the surface.

The Work: For SafeAuto Insurance, the Austin-based shop played off the terrible quotes given by agents in the insurance space, marketing SafeAuto as an easier experience. Requests for new quotes grew nearly 60% and new sales jumped 77% year-over-year, according to the shop. Greatest Common Factory also helped Salt Lick BBQ rebrand while maintaining its heritage -- a move that it said grew social engagement by over 40%.