EPISODE · Jan 6, 2025 · 1H 12M
Beyond the Business Card with Tom Otton: From Late-Night Shawarmas to Building a Digital Empire
from Beyond the Business Card · host Beyond the Business Card
In this episode of Beyond the Business Card, host Justin McGuire—entrepreneur, founder of MCG Talent, and creator of 7-Figure Recruitment, sits down with Tom Otton, founder and CEO of Create, a leading media and advertising agency in the UAE. Tom shares how losing his job during the 2010 global financial crisis became the catalyst for launching Create. From starting as a one-person consultancy to building a 175-person agency competing with global giants, Tom reveals the lessons and strategies behind his success. He also dives into how his upbringing across Oman, South Africa, and the UK shaped his resilience, and how ultra-marathons taught him the clarity and focus needed to thrive in business. Following the filming of this episode, Create was acquired by Stagwell, marking an exciting new chapter in the agency's journey. 💡 In This Episode, You’ll Discover: How to turn career setbacks into opportunities for building something extraordinary. Why a global upbringing can teach adaptability and resilience that fuel entrepreneurial success. The key to creating long-term client relationships by delivering real value—not just focusing on profits. How endurance sports like ultra-marathons can transform your mindset and sharpen decision-making in business. The importance of managing risk and “protecting the downside” to navigate volatile markets successfully. Strategies for scaling a business from a one-person consultancy to a thriving agency with 175 team members. This episode is packed with actionable insights and inspiring lessons for anyone looking to push boundaries and achieve greatness. 🔔 Subscribe to Beyond the Business Card for more inspiring stories and visionary ideas! 📲 Follow Justin McGuire: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jussiemcg/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jumcguire 📲 Follow 7-Figure Recruitment: Website: https://7figurerecruitment.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/7-figure-recruitment-scaling-systems/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/7figuresrec/ 📲 Stay Connected with MCG Talent: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mcg_talent/ LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/company/mcgtalent/mycompany/ 📲 Connect with Tom Otton: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tomotton/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tomotton/?hl=en Website: https://creategroup.me/
What this episode covers
In this episode of Beyond the Business Card, host Justin McGuire—entrepreneur, founder of MCG Talent, and creator of 7-Figure Recruitment, sits down with Tom Otton, founder and CEO of Create, a leading media and advertising agency in the UAE. Tom shares how losing his job during the 2010 global financial crisis became the catalyst for launching Create. From starting as a one-person consultancy to building a 175-person agency competing with global giants, Tom reveals the lessons and strategies behind his success. He also dives into how his upbringing across Oman, South Africa, and the UK shaped his resilience, and how ultra-marathons taught him the clarity and focus needed to thrive in business. Following the filming of this episode, Create was acquired by Stagwell, marking an exciting new chapter in the agency's journey. 💡 In This Episode, You’ll Discover: How to turn career setbacks into opportunities for building something extraordinary. Why a global upbringing can teach adaptability and resilience that fuel entrepreneurial success. The key to creating long-term client relationships by delivering real value—not just focusing on profits. How endurance sports like ultra-marathons can transform your mindset and sharpen decision-making in business. The importance of managing risk and “protecting the downside” to navigate volatile markets successfully. Strategies for scaling a business from a one-person consultancy to a thriving agency with 175 team members. This episode is packed with actionable insights and inspiring lessons for anyone looking to push boundaries and achieve greatness. 🔔 Subscribe to Beyond the Business Card for more inspiring stories and visionary ideas! 📲 Follow Justin McGuire: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jussiemcg/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jumcguire 📲 Follow 7-Figure Recruitment: Website: https://7figurerecruitment.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/7-figure-recruitment-scaling-systems/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/7figuresrec/ 📲 Stay Connected with MCG Talent: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mcg_talent/ LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/company/mcgtalent/mycompany/ 📲 Connect with Tom Otton: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tomotton/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tomotton/?hl=en Website: https://creategroup.me/
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Beyond the Business Card with Tom Otton: From Late-Night Shawarmas to Building a Digital Empire
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