mum…i think i did it.
The Wild Ride of Starting SociallyWithIt.
Starting an agency like SWI has been an absolute whirlwind—equal parts stressful, rewarding, and at times, actually hilarious. Picture this: one moment, you’re signing contracts for your job, and the next, you’re Googling “how to write contracts.” It’s the classic case of building the plane while flying it.
The journey kicked off with a simple (some might say overly optimistic) vision: to shake up the videography and social media game with fresh, creative content for an industry that barely has time to breathe, let alone post daily. But, despite the many bumps along the way, watching SWI grow into a full-blown agency has made every single one of those challenges worth it.
I also changed the name of the business around 3 times.
Companies House really saw the struggle first hand.
26 and Clueless (ISH)
I was 26 when I decided to take the plunge into agency life. To be honest, I’d just come out of what can only be described as a chaotic period of my life. i needed it.
because let’s face it, your twenties are like being handed the keys to a car with no idea how to drive.
Career-wise, I was at a bit of a crossroads, unsure of my next steps but certain I didn’t want to keep following someone else’s script.
Having worked in other agencies, I knew how they operated, and I also knew how many agencies there already were in London. Did I really want to compete in a saturated market? Probably not. But what I did know, from just being 26 and forever scrolling through social media, was that the demand for content was changing faster than the latest TikTok trend. Businesses and influencers needed to churn out content constantly—and let’s be real, no one has the time for that. So, SOCIALLYWITHIT. was born out of this glaring need, offering a practical yet creative approach to videography for social media that larger agencies often overlook.
There’s No Manual. sorry.
Now, if you’re imagining me with a business plan in hand, meticulously ticking off tasks—well, that’s a fantasy. There’s no roadmap for starting an agency. No handy guidebook saying “here’s how you build relationships, balance your books, and somehow find time to eat.”
I learned everything the hard way—through long hours, underpaid jobs, free jobs, REALLY FREE JOBS, stressful nights, and a healthy dose of “I’ll just figure it out as I go.”
And that is exactly what I did.
Convincing clients to trust a brand-new agency (run by a 26-year-old, no less) over more established players was like selling ice to penguins. The only way to prove ourselves was through the work. Letting our content do the talking, from campaigns that resonated to videos that wowed, was the only surefire way to show we belonged at the table.
The social media world moves faster than I can keep up with, and keeping SWI ahead of the curve has been its own challenge. The algorithms, the new platforms, the trends that go viral and die in a week—it’s enough to make anyone’s head spin. But in a weird way, that’s what keeps it exciting. Every day brings something new, and our success has relied on our ability to pivot, adapt, and yes, occasionally panic-Google whatever’s trending that week.
The Wins That Make It All Worthwhile.
For all the chaos, there have been so many rewarding moments. Seeing the business grow from a tiny idea in my head one day into a full-blown agency has been nothing short of surreal. The first time a client trusted us with a major project? I did a little victory dance (quietly, in my head). Each new opportunity, every glowing review, and the chance to work with brands and talent I admire has made every all-nighter worth it.
If I’ve learned anything, it’s this: passion and persistence are everything.
Starting an agency isn’t just about having a great idea (though that helps).
It’s about having the grit to keep going when things don’t go to plan, the creativity to solve problems on the fly, and the resilience to bounce back from setbacks (of which there are plenty).
There’s no magic formula for success, but trust me, the highs make every stumble worth it.
So, for anyone out there thinking of starting their own agency, here’s my two cents: it’s going to be hard, you’ll question your sanity more than once, but if you stick with it, the rewards will blow your mind.