I've launched (and ultimately sold) two agencies in the last 20 years. Kind of different from each other. Kind of the same.2002: Ramp. This one blended content creation, brand journalism, PR/comms and insight. We avoided RFPs as much as we could, preferring to design unique opportunities with our clients. It was a fun period. Digital created new possibilities but it was also too early for overbearing metrics to dominate. We were definitely making it up as we went along. In 2006, I sold Ramp (plus partner offer, Up-Comms PR) to St Luke's Communications, the renowned creative agency.2008: Crowd DNA. Working to an ambition of creating culturally charged commercial advantage, we grew to a hugely talented global team of 100+ and £15m annual revenue. Taking the best bits of insight and strategy, ditching the stuff that bored us to death, we encouraged our clients to look beyond customers, competitors and category, exploring culture for opportunities. I sold Crowd DNA to the Horizon Capital-backed Strat7 group in 2020 and there, as at St Luke’s, I sat on the executive board, contributing in areas such as acquisitions, US expansion and proposition (including developing Strat7’s ‘winning at change’ position).Way back, aged 16, my first job was as a foot messenger (walked around Soho delivering photos to ad agencies, listening to hip-hop on my Walkman and smoking - best job ever). I didn’t go to university. Instead, I got immersed in London club culture, excited by the emergence of acid house, but also by the adjacent ideas and DIY entrepreneurialism that came with it.I ran some parties, sold tickets to parties and helped others organise parties. I worked in a record store. I had a record deal (didn’t get beyond some test pressings). I wrote for fanzines and this was the bit that stuck. I spent the next decade as a music/subculture journalist, never quite getting over the shock of being sent records for free, or flown places to interview fascinating people, and experience all kinds of things firsthand.In between the journalism and the agencies, I got involved in the first dotcom boom, working as editorial director on a chaotic but immensely exciting startup. The money soon ran out, but the experience gained stayed with me.I’ve been doing some mentoring recently, and I’m up for doing more. I’m particularly interested in helping those who, for whatever reason, didn't have the opportunity to go to university. Or those looking to launch their own venture someplace at the intersection of brands and culture. Happy to chat if you think I can help.