Tell us what you do for a living?
I own and manage a digital growth agency, Zest Digital, and we help B2B businesses to gain a competitive advantage over their competition. We consult on, design, build, and optimise end-to-end marketing funnels to help them to generate more leads than ever before, to grow their revenue.
Are you doing what you thought you’d be doing after you left school?
My first experience with the world of digital was at 12 years old, and I was practising digital marketing by the time I was 14. I sold my first website when I was 15 years old for £3,000 back in 2001! I haven’t looked back since. I was very lucky to discover my passion very early on.
What’s been your inspiration – what’s pulled you forwards and into your current role?
My inspiration is myself in 10 years’ time. I learned that from Matthew McConaughey’s 2014 Oscar acceptance speech, and it’s stuck with me since I first heard it. I set my goals each year and define my life in decades. Then I try my best to make it a reality. Years keep me hungry, and decades help me to keep things in perspective, and to take it easy on myself when I don’t hit my targets.
What would you say is your biggest achievement to date, the thing you’re most proud of? Professionally or personally!
I think I am most proud of my house purchase last year. We made our dream home a reality when we moved to the Cotswolds last April. Our house came with a separate cottage that’s bigger than the home we were moving from, so it was a big step up. We rent this out as a holiday let. I moved mountains to make it work, all whilst managing a business and a house sale, and trying to be a good friend, brother, son, and partner! It’s a big bucket list item ticked off.
Was there a particular teacher, or a moment at school that particularly inspired you?
I used to have the best English Literature teacher, Mrs Lefrere. She used to give some strong feedback out and sometimes I really disliked her. After I left school, I realised how important that feedback was, and how crucial it is to be able to take constructive criticism if you want to grow. That’s something I’ve taken with me and I remember Mrs Lefrere as one of my favourite teachers.
How important do you think your school days were in shaping who you are today?
Hugely important. School is amazing – even when it seems hard and unfair, it’s preparing you for the real world. And you get to do it in a safe environment sharing it with your best friends.
What’s your work:life balance like? How important is that to you?
I didn’t really have any for the first 4 years of my business. It’s more important to me now, and last July I moved my working week down to 4 days to give myself more time to focus on exercising, learning, and making time for family too. My parents are very recently retired, so I’d like to be able to spend more time with them too.
What advice would you give to today’s students who may be struggling to choose which path to take beyond school?
Jump into lots of things, and whatever you do, give it 100%. Otherwise you’ll never know if it was the path for you. Use your teens and early 20s to develop a broad range of experiences and to learn new cultures. Travelling is a life-changing experience. And it’s highly valued when it comes to employment.
Finally, do you have a favourite quote, expression or mantra which inspires you to keep going?
My favourite quote is, “Don’t wish it were easier, wish you were better” by Jim Rohn. It’s so important to work hard and to continue to learn and grow. One without the other is a missed opportunity. Both together are the makings of someone exceptional.
