48. Curated Digital

Founder: Simon Douglass
Founded:  July 2014
Website: curated-digital.com

A former stand-up comedian, Simon Douglass’ decision to start his own business was no laughing matter.

The ex-Google employee invested his life savings of £25,000 to start a business, in the belief that his digital marketing firm could offer things that others in the industry couldn’t – and nearly three years later, it seems he was right.

Aiming to offer complete transparency to clients from the get-go, Douglass says that his business’ open and honest style of communication helps build trusting relationships between his team and clients; which drives them to work even harder.

With expertise in organic search, content marketing, paid advertising, and social media marketing, the Shoreditch-based business refuses to work in silo and insists the team come together to work towards a common goal.

With a strong emphasis on content Search Engine Optimisation (SEO), Curated Digital has more recently added a PR department and has also expanded from written content into video production – with 65% of the start-up’s revenue now coming from content.

With clients including Travis Perkins, Marie Curie, Healthspan and Ingenium Academy, Curated Digital charges a retainer fee for hours spend and media costs if needs be.

Previously taking year out to pursue his dream and tour as a stand-up comedian, Douglass expects his start-up to turnover more than £1m in 2017 – not a bad day job if you ask us!