ABOUT BEN BARNES
Independent thinking. Commercial impact.
After building and selling my own agency, I chose a different path. Today, I work directly with a small number of founder-led eCommerce businesses, helping them make better decisions through independent thinking, honest challenge and commercial experience.
MY STORY
From building businesses to advising them.
I spent more than six years building and growing a digital marketing agency, working alongside founder-led eCommerce brands across a wide range of industries.
During that time, I reviewed millions of pounds in advertising investment, helped launch new products, improved customer acquisition strategies and supported businesses through periods of rapid growth. But what interested me most wasn't marketing. It was decision-making.
The businesses that grew consistently weren't always the ones with the biggest budgets or the best agencies. They were the ones making better decisions. After selling my share of the agency, I decided to focus entirely on helping founders do exactly that.
Today, I work independently with a small number of ambitious businesses, bringing experienced commercial judgement without an agency agenda or internal politics.
Built & Sold
Built and sold a successful digital marketing agency supporting founder-led eCommerce brands across multiple sectors.
Millions in advertising reviewed
Reviewed millions of pounds in advertising investment across Meta and other acquisition channels.
Deep commercial understanding
Experience across customer acquisition, product launches, conversion optimisation, UX and commercial growth.
Independent perspective
No products to sell. No services to push. Just honest advice focused on helping founders make better decisions.
Principles that guide every conversation.
WHAT I BELIEVE
Clarity over noise
I focus on what actually moves the needle and ignore the distractions.
Commercial first
Every recommendation is rooted in commercial impact, not vanity metrics.
Honesty always
You'll get the truth, even when it's not what you want to hear.
EXPERIENCE THAT COUNTS
6.5+
Years building and growing an agency from the ground up.
Millions
of Advertising investment reviewed across Meta and other paid acquisition channels.
100+
Founder-led eCommerce businesses worked with across multiple industries.
1
Independent advisor. No team. No layers. Just direct access.
Built on experience. Not theory.
WHY FOUNDERS WORK WITH ME
Better decisions build better businesses.
Founders don't need another supplier. They need someone who can step back, ask better questions and challenge important decisions before they're made. If that's the kind of relationship you're looking for, I'd love to hear about your business.