In the inaugural episode of The Drum's "Exit Right" podcast, host Mike Silver engages in a thought-provoking dialogue with Robin Skidmore, the founder of digital marketing agencies Epiphany and Journey Further. Skidmore’s story is not merely about building successful businesses; it delves into the emotional and existential challenges that accompany such entrepreneurship, revealing a landscape often untouched by success narratives.

Skidmore's entrepreneurial journey commenced humbly, with a childhood car wash venture in a Leeds council estate. This early experience paved the way for his later achievements. He co-founded Epiphany at the age of 25, a venture that garnered significant acclaim and was sold for £18 million in 2014. This transition led him to experience what many founders face: the profound emotional upheaval of leaving behind a project born from years of dedication. Reflecting on his exit from Epiphany, Skidmore admitted, “I didn’t think beforehand that it would affect me too much, but it was really emotional. There were a few tears.” After a period of silence and introspection following the sale, where he embraced a nomadic lifestyle with family, he realised that passivity was not for him; he craved deeper involvement.

In 2017, Skidmore invested £500,000 to launch Journey Further, a digital marketing agency that sought to disrupt conventional agency structures. This innovative model involved senior analysts working directly with clients, effectively cutting out the traditional client services layer. The venture quickly flourished, growing from two staff to 22 in a short span and attracting esteemed clients such as Sky and Moët. This rapid growth can be attributed to Skidmore's strategic foresight and the advantages of operating from Leeds, noted for its talent retention and lower operating costs.

With a team now boasting 170 employees and a burgeoning presence in the United States, Journey Further has garnered attention from private equity firms. Skidmore acknowledged the growing interest, remarking, “There aren’t too many performance shops of our sort of size and capability left as independents now.” However, he is cautious about the future. “I think we’re naturally getting some interest,” he noted, indicating that he is not rushing into any decisions about a potential exit.

Unpacking the emotional complexities of his journey, Skidmore emphasises the significance of balance in professional life, a lesson underscored during his six-month global travels. He advocates for personal engagement in business, believing that the drive to grow and shape teams is fundamental to true leadership. Moreover, he expresses a desire to leave a lasting impact by establishing a digital skills academy aimed at supporting underprivileged youth—an initiative reflecting his commitment to legacy-building and community upliftment.

Skidmore’s story, steeped in risk-taking and reinvention, provides a rare insight into the often tumultuous world of agency leadership. It underscores that exits are not just final chapters but can be precursors to new beginnings, shaping a cycle of growth that many entrepreneurs must navigate. His experiences illustrate that for founders, the journey is rarely straightforward; instead, it's marked by introspection, adaptation, and an ever-present drive to innovate.

Listening to the full episode reveals not just the business acumen of a seasoned entrepreneur but also evokes the human experiences that underline every venture's success. For those contemplating their exit or merely curious about the journey of agency founders, Skidmore's narrative offers invaluable insights into the emotional and strategic dynamics at play.

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Source: Noah Wire Services