What’s it really like to build a successful agency while handling the pressure of leadership and mental health?
Tom Jauncey, co-owner of Nautilus Marketing, didn’t follow the traditional path. He started freelancing at 16, turned a side hustle into a thriving agency, and learned firsthand that success isn’t just about strategy, it’s about people, culture, and well-being.
In this episode, Tom gets real about the highs and lows of running a business. He opens up about the mental toll of leadership, why therapy became a game-changer, and how he’s built a company that actually supports its employees.
From hiring the right team to navigating the fast-changing world of marketing, he breaks down what worked, what hasn’t, and what he wishes he knew earlier.
If you’re an entrepreneur, marketer, or just trying to grow without burning out, this one’s for you.
Episode Topics:
00:00 - 01:41 Introduction
01:42 - 03:15: How Tom got started in business at 16
03:15 - 07:50: Challenges of starting a business from scratch
07:50 - 12:40: Turning passion into a profitable business
12:40 - 17:25: Creating a company culture that feels like family
17:25 - 21:55: Why mental health matters in entrepreneurship
21:55 - 26:30: Bouncing back from setbacks and failures
26:30 - 30:45: The hardest and most rewarding parts of running an agency
30:45 - 34:10: The different ways to build a career without a degree
34:10 Advice for aspiring entrepreneurs
🔗 CONNECT WITH Tom
💻 https://nautilusmarketing.co.uk/
🎧 https://nautinerds.com/
ASK Anything on The Aspiring CMO show and get your questions answered right on the show!
https://forms.gle/jswoQq8dy8u2oisT6
Subscribe to The Aspiring CMO
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theaspiringcmo
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theaspiringcmo/