Featured Interview: Stephen Kenwright

A business leader interview with co-founder of Rise at Seven, Stephen Kenwright

In the frenetic world of digital marketing, agencies come and go, but some manage to make a lasting impact in a short span of time. One such agency was Rise at Seven, co-founded by Stephen Kenwright, a seasoned marketer with an impressive track record.

Rise at Seven took the industry by storm, hiring over 100 people, opening multiple offices across two countries, and winning numerous high-profile clients and awards—all within just three years.

Stephen discusses his journey, the lessons he's learned along the way, and what the future holds for this dynamic marketing professional.

Tell us about yourself!

I’m from a small mining town in South Yorkshire, which I still live a couple of miles away from. I’ve been married to my wonderful wife for almost 6 years and we have an amazing little boy together. And I’ve worked at a few fantastic marketing agencies, particularly digital marketing agencies Branded3 and Rise at Seven, and brilliant brands, like the UK’s largest automotive retailer Pendragon PLC. Right now, I’m on a break - more on that later.

How did you get started in business?

I got a BA in English at Sheffield Hallam University and then an MA in Shakespeare and Renaissance Literature. Honestly, I stayed on because I didn’t know what I wanted to do, but during my post-grad I was lucky enough to get some freelance copywriting work from a small full-service agency in Greater Manchester. That business got acquired just as I completed my studies, so there was a full time job for me.

Tell us about what you’re doing now?

In 2022, I exited my marketing agency Rise at Seven via an MBO. Since then I’ve been on an extended hiatus and I know how lucky I am to have had that opportunity.

I’ve studied more; got into shape; and most importantly, done about 600 more bed times with my little boy. Me and my family have traveled too, touring Scandinavia and visiting a few other places.

Tell us about your biggest successes / failures?

I’ve worked for several, very successful businesses, and I’m proud to have been part of most of them; through my time at digital marketing agency Branded3 and contributing in some small way to what it became with Kin + Carta, as we looked to integrate 9 different agencies and 1,500 people into one cohesive business; and especially Rise at Seven, which I think was one of the most consequential agencies to come out of the north of England in the last few years.

Speaking only about the numbers, we hired 110 people; opened 4 offices in 2 countries; won more than 100 contracts with incredible clients; and won 80 industry awards; all in a little under 3 years.

Along the way, what tools, software or apps helped you grow?

My career can be divided into phases: when I was focused on execution for clients (Sitebulb, Screaming Frog and Moz were my go-to tools); and then when I was focused on my businesses (Xero and a CRM system).

Special mention though should go to SISTRIX, who have been a partner through both.

Are there any influential books, podcasts, or people that helped?

2Bobs and Small Spark Theory have been two podcasts I’ve listened to for years (and sometimes relisten to). Books-wise, I’m a big fan of Blair Enns (one half of the 2Bobs podcast); Jim Collins (of Good to Great fame, but all his books have been very helpful); and Ben Horowitz.

There have been a few people who’ve really helped me along my way. Call it survivorship bias, but I’m very lucky to have worked for some incredible people and had almost exclusively brilliant managers, from Andy Parker right when I first started at Branded3; through to Branded3 CEO Tim Grice as I took on a management role; Fiona Proudler as that agency integrated into what was then St. Ives Group; J Schwan, then-CEO of Kin + Carta, which is what St. Ives Group became; and Victoria Finn, marketing director at Pendragon PLC, where I took my first proper brand-side role. Every one of them different, but all genuinely brilliant people with brilliant outlooks.

No boss is perfect, but if you’re not learning from yours, I’d advise you to go and find a better one - it’s been those managers who’ve prepared me for management myself. My Rise at Seven co-founder Carrie Rose was an inspiration through my years growing that business too.

Where is your career headed (what’s the future look like)?

I love marketing, despite finding the field accidentally, and I particularly enjoy working in agencies (it’s the people, who are a bit different).

I’ve been an entrepreneur, but I’m keen to work for a larger and older organisation where I can make a difference to a lot more people’s lives, a lot more quickly. So you might see me back in agencyland again soon.

What strategy or strategies worked best for you?

Tough question to answer, so reach for the classic: Michael Porter said in the 80s that there are only 3 generic strategies, and I’ve deployed differentiation a few times in my career, it’s my go-to, specifically when trying to grow my agencies.

There are thousands of agencies in the UK alone, and it’s very difficult to grow when you look much like any of the others… never mind all of the others.

What’s the best advice for those starting out in your sector / industry?

Find an employer who rewards hard work and then work hard. Don’t work hard for someone who doesn’t value it. But don’t think for a second that you can get anywhere meaningful without grafting. And you should work for someone else, at least for a while: you can’t be brilliant at everything, so watching someone else do the management, or the finances, or the legal, or the strategy, or whatever it might be, will help to make sure you don’t just ignore that bit later because you don’t know how. It’s all essential.

Where can we find out more about you and your company?

https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephen-kenwright/