Tom Lewis leads a thriving ad agency that has generated over £75 million in revenue for clients and operates in the seven figures. Just a few years ago, he was a 15-year-old starting his entrepreneurial journey from his bedroom in Worcester.
Early Days in Freelancing
When Tom’s aspiration to become a pilot faltered due to the high cost of training, he sought alternative paths to financial independence. Inspired by his father’s use of freelance platforms, Tom decided to offer writing services focused on travel content. He crafted articles for boutique hotels and custom itineraries for tourists, charging £50 per project.
During the summer of 2018, Tom immersed himself in work, often shutting his bedroom door for hours. His mother would comment on the stuffy heat, but he remained intensely focused. At school, he maximized every free moment, chatting with the librarian, Mrs. Jeffrey, while using the computer during lunch breaks. Classmates viewed him as studious, unaware of his budding business.
By 2020, while in sixth form, Tom had scaled his operations dramatically, raising prices by 500% in a year and earning £20,000 per month. As peers explored university options, Tom rejected the traditional route. He questioned the value of accumulating £70,000 in debt for a standard job, having already glimpsed greater possibilities through freelancing.
Launching an E-commerce Venture
After college, Tom invested his savings in an online confectionery business, importing American sweets. The arrival of his first massive order on a lorry that partially mounted the pavement stunned his father, who asked how much he had ordered. Storing inventory in his parents’ garage, Tom handled deliveries himself, braving all weather on an electric scooter to transport 50-60 parcels daily in multiple trips.
Not every product succeeded; a portable dog water bottle flopped so badly that his mother bought the last unit out of sympathy. Success came with Bluetooth earbuds, which generated around £200 in daily sales. Through these efforts, Tom gained expertise in social media advertising on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Messenger.
Transition to Ad Consultancy
In 2023, using an inheritance from his grandmother, Tom completed a specialized course in advertising. Returning to freelance platforms as an ad consultant, he connected with a colleague of entrepreneur Steven Bartlett at a networking event. This led to Diary of a CEO becoming a client, and the two soon co-founded MetaStat, an agency specializing in ad development.
Tom explains that Steven invests in people rather than just businesses and provides guidance when required. The partnership accelerated Tom’s growth, positioning him as CEO of a company now valued over £1 million.
Expansion and Life in Dubai
Tom relocated to Dubai, viewing it as the ideal hub for business expansion. He compares the move to starting university but notes it was straightforward, given his small, focused circle of friends. His current network consists of individuals in their late 20s and early 30s, aligning better with his ambitions than school acquaintances.
The team has expanded from three to 15 employees in the past 18 months, with plans for further growth. Tom prioritizes a mix of young talent and experienced professionals. The company experiences exponential growth that shows no signs of slowing.
Tom works 12 to 14 hours on weekdays and most weekends, leaving little room for leisure beyond early-morning paddleball sessions to escape notifications. He remains deeply committed to scaling the business, which dominates his thoughts.
Tom believes anyone can launch a venture but recommends starting with freelancing in a niche skill. He advises taking courses to master monetizable abilities, noting that income often follows quickly.
