10.7 million revenue! Sebastian Eldridge shares insights

Sebastian Eldridge linkedin

CEO/Co-Founder at Anchor Worldwide

– I know you’ve chosen this sphere because of your relatives’ advertisement business. So, did you decide to work in the industry when you were 13? Or did you have another option?

S: First experience in advertising was on the production side working for my uncle at a perfume shoot in Queens, NY. Can’t say it was the most glamorous thing I’ve ever done, but it was fun. Advertising definitely wasn’t the only option. Both of my parents, and grandparents were/are artists. I liked the fact that advertising provided a mix of art & commerce.

– Did you have the aim of starting this business when you were a student?

S: I had no idea what I wanted to do when I was a student. I interned at a magazine while still in college and thought maybe publishing could be a route. I just happened to land an internship at an ad agency out of school, so I kind of fell into the business.

– You collaborated with such companies like BMW, Under Armour, Amazon. But what is your favorite collaboration of all?

S: Hard to say. They’re all great in different ways. Some are more strategically-driven with clear goals; others are purely for entertainment purposes or trying to make some noise. I can’t point to a favorite, but I think that’s why I love this business. It keeps both sides of your brain firing at all times.

– Have you ever used some investments?

S: At my first agency Rooster, I used no investment. All bootstrapped and ended up selling that company to a major holding company 3 years after starting the shop. This round we took a small investment from a strategic partner, who is involved in the business. We still remain strongly independent, and any investment taken, in my eyes, should be made sure that the founder remains as the majority shareholder in order to execute against their vision without outside pressures.

– Tell me about the biggest problems at the very beginning. What was the hardest for you?

S: Too many to list, but I’ll name a few: finding clients, pulling favors, not sleeping, motivating teammates to keep going when the future is uncertain. My belief, however, is that if you remain strong in your belief that your company will succeed and you are willing to put in the work – you’ll get there. All the problems you face in the beginning are lessons to learn from. Problems never stop, btw. It’s a constant learning process.

– Anchor Worldwide was founded in 2016 and the 2018 revenue was already 10,6 million. What are the aims of 2020?

S: To grow bigger, smarter.

– How do you motivate your staff? Is there any secrets to hire real professionals in media?

S: No secrets. Trial, error, and cultural fit.

– Few words for young entrepreneurs. What is a must-have? And what they shouldn’t do?S: Just keep going. Believe in yourself and your dream. Keep goals and manifest them.