Climb & Conquer didn’t start as an agency.
It started with me freelancing for two years, working from a laptop, managing SEO and Google Ads accounts myself, responsible for every result, every invoice, every difficult conversation and every win (and loss).
There was no safety net. If performance dipped, it was on me. If cashflow tightened, it was on me. That period shaped how I see this industry and how I’ve built Climb & Conquer.
Performance wasn’t a slide in a deck. It’s survival.
The Freelance Years
When I began freelancing, I didn’t have a grand plan to build an agency. I wanted autonomy and I wanted to prove I could drive results without layers of management, bloated retainers or sales noise.
Over those two years I learned three things:
- Results are the only long-term retention strategy.
- Clients value clarity more than complexity.
- Margin matters just as much as growth.
Freelancing forced me to become commercially aware. You quickly understand the difference between revenue and profit when it’s your name on the line.
As demand increased, I reached a ceiling. I could either cap growth and stay comfortable, or build something bigger.
I chose to build.
Why I Created the Agency
I didn’t create Climb & Conquer to look impressive. I created it to scale quality.
From day one, I was clear on what I didn’t want:
- A sales-heavy model chasing volume
- Neglected staff who have no chance of performing
- Account managers sitting between strategy and execution
Instead, I built the agency around experienced specialists who work directly with clients. Fewer accounts per person. Deeper understanding. Real accountability.
We’ve grown by focusing on retention, staff development and consistent delivery.
Pressure, Responsibility and Reality
Running an agency isn’t polished LinkedIn posts and awards nights. It’s payroll. It’s cashflow forecasting. It’s making tough decisions. It’s absorbing client pressure while protecting your team.
There have been moments of stress, especially scaling from freelancer to employer. When you’re responsible for people’s livelihoods, your mindset shifts. Every hire matters. Every margin decision matters. One thing I will always be pleased to see, the results we achieve for our clients despite the operational challenges all businesses face in the UK.
Putting Down Roots in Teesside
One of the most important decisions I’ve made recently was committing to deeper roots in Teesside.
It would have been easier to stay flexible and remote. Instead, I chose to invest locally and build something long term.
I believe Teesside is full of ambitious businesses that want straight answers and measurable growth. That suits our challenger mentality.
We’re here to stay. We’re here to grow. And we’re already seeing strong success across SEO, Google Ads and performance marketing campaigns.
What Drives Me Now
Today, my ambition is super clear:
- Build a resilient agency
- Hire and retain senior talent who take ownership
- Deliver measurable growth for ambitious brands
- Scale without losing control of quality
I’m still hands on. I care deeply about performance. I care about margins. I care about culture. I care about building something that lasts.
Climb & Conquer started with me freelancing for two years, figuring it out in real time.
It’s now an agency with real momentum.
The mission hasn’t and will never change as long as I’m in control of its future:
Do great work.
Back good people.
Grow with intent.
