Investment
Fortune

I went from side-hustling to running a $27 million-a-year marketing agency that works with MrBeast: Here’s my most important investment 

July 18, 2025
07:00 AM
7 min read
AI Enhanced
financeinvestmentmoneyfinancialtechnologydigital marketingmarket cyclesseasonal analysis

Key Takeaways

The millennial CEO's best advice for his 20-year-old self? “Don’t try to start a business with just interns.”

Article Overview

Quick insights and key information

Reading Time

7 min read

Estimated completion

Category

investment

Article classification

Published

July 18, 2025

07:00 AM

Source

Fortune

Original publisher

Key Topics
financeinvestmentmoneyfinancialtechnologydigital marketingmarket cyclesseasonal analysis

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).