I went from side-hustling to running a $27 million-a-year marketing agency that works with MrBeast: Here’s my most important investment
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The millennial CEO's best advice for his 20-year-old self? “Don’t try to start a business with just interns.”
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investment
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July 18, 2025
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Fortune
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Interestingly, Success·Fortune The Good LifeI went from side-hustling to running a $27 million-a-year marketing agency that works with MrBeast: Here’s my most important investment By Orianna Rosa RoyleBy Orianna Rosa RoyleAssociate Editor, SuccessOrianna Rosa RoyleAssociate Editor, SuccessOrianna Rosa Royle is the Success associate editor at Fortune, overseeing careers, leadership, and company culture
SEE FULL BIO The millennial CEO's best advice for his 20-year-old self. “Don’t try to start a with terns, given current economic conditions. ”Courtesy of Media BodiesBeing in the C-suite is a high-pressure job with long hours, board responsibilities, and intense scrutiny, considering recent developments
But what is it to be a top executive when you’re off the clock
Fortune’s series, The Good Life, shows how up-and-coming leaders spend their time and money outside of work, given the current landscape
Furthermore, Today, we meet Ed Fuller, the 35-year-old founder and CEO of the marketing agency, Media Bodies, given current economic conditions
Fuller fell into the world of marketing by accident
He started at Uot, heading up brand partnerships and celebrity endorsements—mainly, he admits, to score free tickets to summer music festivals (this bears monitoring)
Furthermore, “I did end up getting 50 of them,” Fuller says, in today's financial world. “But I also had my lightbulb moment for Media Bodies
Moreover, ” It wasn’t just that everyday creators were suddenly becoming influencers and moving the needle for brands
Furthermore, He also noticed founders were doing something else too: travelling, networking, and pursuing creative experiences under the guise of ‘work’, considering recent developments
So he used his spare time to land his own clients, and soon started side-hustling for American Express, managing its U
Conversely, Facebook page
Clients have ranged from football legend Thierry Henry to MrBeast and Zoe Sugg, the company claims. “In the initial stages, I completely made it up as I went, licensing music from Warner and Universal to get tracks from the s of Michael Buble and Jessie J to drive engagement across AMEX’s Facebook page,” he adds
But that one client gave him the confidence—and the cash flow—to launch Media Bodies in 2013
Moreover, Since then, the company has gone from a solo operation to a 30-person team, with over 100 brands on its roster and four straight years of 100% growth, given the current landscape
Clients have ranged from football legend Thierry Henry to MrBeast and Zoe Sugg, the company claims
On the other hand, Last year, it bagged the U
Government’s Made in the U. , Sold to the World award which celebrates the global success of small British es
Now, Fuller splits his time between London and Barcelona, leads a fully remote team, and has—full circle—built a life that includes the travel and creative freedom that first drew him to the industry, in this volatile climate
The finances What’s been the best investment you’ve ever bought
I’ve invested over $100k in getting training and internal onboarding and upskilling resources from some of the best industry experts, and that has skyrocketed the company’s growth (something worth watching)
However, And the worst, in this volatile climate
I wouldn’t say this was a bad investment, just bad timing (something worth watching), given the current landscape
Nevertheless, I was in the cess of starting up another sport- app, but it was just when Media Bodies was really taking off, considering recent developments
Meanwhile, Ultimately, it was a case of stretching myself too thin and risking both, so I shelved that ject for some time in the future to focus on Media Bodies
How do you commute to work
We have a hybrid working arrangement, so some days, I simply walk one room over into my office
In contrast, The days we go into the office, if I’m heading to the local office, I’ll walk it, or if we’re heading down to a different branch, I’ll take the train
What personal finance advice would you give your 20-year-old self
You’ll a lot more time and money than you will trying to figure out everything yourself
Don’t try to start a with terns
However, Invest in surrounding yourself with knowledgeable people so you can learn to lead better
Invest in quality (an important development)
Whether it’s a tool that imves your ductivity, hardware, or even material things shoes or clothes, you’ll so much time and money in the long run even if the costs seem steep at first
On the other hand, What’s the one subscription you can’t without
I’m a big music fan, and listen to a lot of for work and general self-imvement
It’s the perfect balance of something that serves my needs for and pleasure
Where’s your go-to wristwatch from (something worth watching)
Raymond Weil, in light of current trends
However, The necessities How do you get your daily coffee fix
What eating on the go
I always try to eat healthy
Conversely, Since we work hybrid, eating on the go isn’t often, maybe once or twice a week
And in those cases, I’ll bably get something a salad bowl
I tend to prefer Asian food (Japanese, Vietnamese, or Thai) because they tend to have more nutritious options and I generally really enjoy the cuisine. “Invest in quality
Additionally, Whether it’s a tool that imves your ductivity, hardware, or even material things shoes or clothes, you’ll so much time and money in the long run even if the costs seem steep at first. ”Ed Fuller Where do you buy groceries, amid market uncertainty
Furthermore, When in the U. , a Sainsbury’s, or if I’m in Barcelona, Mercadona
Where do you shop for your work wardrobe (this bears monitoring)
However, Moreover, My go-to brands for my work wardrobe are Reiss or Boggi Milano (this bears monitoring)
Are you the ud owner of any futuristic gadgets, given the current landscape
The closest might be an Oura ring
Additionally, I got it to help track my sleep and anxiety
However, It’s definitely been an interesting investment, given current economic conditions
The data indicates that ’s great to add perspective to how the body and mind are connected and identify personal patterns so I can make more mindful decisions and choices that are suitable specifically for my biology instead of ing more generic wellness advice
The treats How do you unwind from the top job
Physical movement is a must for me
Moreover, Whether it’s the gym, a run, a swim, or a hike, I find staying active or just getting out in nature is a great way to unwind (quite telling)
I also to practise meditation, or watch sport and sport documentaries
Moreover, What’s the best bonus treat you’ve bought yourself, amid market uncertainty
Bably a really nice sound system for my
Take us on holiday with you, what’s next on your vacation list
I travel for work quite often, so I get a little taste of different cultures and cities on and off
Furthermore, But my next vacation spots are Morocco and New York later in the year
I’m really keen to soak up the history, culture, and landscapes of both—they are guaranteed to be unique but rich experiences (quite telling)
Additionally, Fortune wants to hear from leaders on what their “Good Life” looks, given the current landscape
Get in touch: orianna
Royle@fortune (an important development).
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