Tell us a bit about your role! Is there a “typical” day?
As Founder, you have tons of different roles, and as the agency has become more established, you zone in on your strengths and weaknesses. My typical day looks at new business, how we can grow the agency, coming up with ways to get the attention of decision-makers and understanding the metrics of our new business efforts.
What was the biggest challenge in getting to your current position?
Self-financing a business that’s gone from just me to more than 80 employees. It’s tough, especially in those early days when you don’t have the budget to do everything you want, whether hiring people or purchasing software to make your life easier. Getting those early clients on board, to trust us, to take a “leap of faith” was hard work, but we’ve repaid their faith as they still work with us six years on!
What is your personal background and what role did it play in your career?
Back at the dawn of social media, when I was just 17 years old, I was one of the world’s best football freestylers, which led me to begin creating and posting my own content when YouTube had just started.
I was spotted by an agent who secured commercials with brands including Nike Pepsi, and Microsoft, and with players such as Ronaldinho, Lionel Messi and Ronaldo. It exposed me to the world of entrepreneurship. I haven’t looked back, establishing numerous businesses in the sports and content industry before accidentally falling into the world of influencer marketing and social media.
What is your biggest career-related win? What is your biggest loss?
Funnily enough, the biggest loss enabled me to start my biggest win. I founded a content agency called Viral Media House, where I invested my money into hiring lots of staff, buying tons of equipment and flash offices before I had proved the business. I essentially ran before I could walk.
I lost a lot of money trying to keep the company afloat because I didn’t want to look like a failure, which was a ridiculous mindset to have. Fortunately, an enquiry came through to our inbox looking for influencers, and the rest is history. Socially Powerful was born; that’s where I have channelled my energy since that day.
Which individuals and/or agencies do you gain inspiration from? Do you have any heroes in the industry?
I wouldn’t say there is anyone in particular who’s a hero; my only heroes are my parents. As you grow up, you realise the sacrifices they made to give me the best life possible, and it’s important to recognise that.
There are people I have admired, such as Gary Vaynerchuk, simply because of how unafraid he’s been to speak his mind, pursue what he believes in and show what’s possible to a young agency founder like myself.
If you could go back to your teenage years, would you have done things differently? Do you have any regrets?
Hindsight is a beautiful thing, and a few regrets stick out.
Firstly, I wouldn’t have gone to university. Looking back, it feels like a period of stunted growth. I went there with high expectations to learn about business from great minds and be inspired; instead, I felt deflated with lecturers simply reading slides word for word, year in, year out.
There was nothing inspirational about what I was learning, and I believe there is a massive problem with how universities teach; it’s robotic. I learnt more in the first week of starting my own business than I did in three years of sitting through those lectures.
Another regret is not vlogging and documenting starting my first business. If I could rewind time, I would go back to capture my travels around the world, working with the best footballers on the planet while pioneering an industry. There would be some special times to look back on.
If you weren’t in your current industry, what would you be doing?
Without a doubt, I’d be doing something in sports, most likely football. My childhood dream was to be a professional footballer, and I spent every second with a football. I’m a season ticket holder at Brentford Football Club, which I go to every week. I considered becoming a football agent before starting Socially Powerful. I hope to one day bring an element of sports management into the business as another strand of what we offer.
What are your top tips for aspiring creative professionals?
Network with as many people as possible and maintain good relationships with people, as you never know where they might end up and how you can collaborate with them.
What are your top tips for other creative leaders?
Place more trust in others, especially junior team members. Empowering them allows them to achieve great things.
When you think about your team, what is the thing that matters to you the most?
Happiness. No question. A happy team is a team that performs, works for one another and produces great work for our clients.
Do you have any websites, books or resources you would recommend?
Anything industry news related and set up Google Alerts, so you stay on top of what’s happening in the industry and are well informed.
