Mark Hancock is managing director and owner at ZUT, a global content agency based in Liverpool.
He went from being one of ZUT’s clients to working at the agency 12 years ago, rising through the ranks to director before becoming sole owner of the business in 2023.
Under his leadership, ZUT hit £4.1m turnover last year and recently opened the ZUT Studio as part of the company’s commitment to investing in the North West.
From lucky breaks to best failures, he shares all the lessons he’s learnt across his life and career so far…
If you’d like to take part in future editions of What I’ve Learnt, please email rachael@prolificnorth.co.uk
Which single daily habit or practice could you not do without?
Making lists! Anyone who knows me will tell you that I live by a daily list. We’re a busy agency working on anywhere between 20 to 30 shoots a month. To achieve this at a high standard we need to run a really tight ship, and I find a daily list is the best way to get the most out of a busy day.
What’s been your luckiest break?
You need plenty of luck to make it in business but I’m a firm believer you will make your own luck if you are determined and work hard enough. I did have a real sliding doors moment with Zut when I used them as a client. At the time, internet speeds were increasing, particularly mobile usage, and I could see clearly a demand for video usage would follow. To cut a long story short, I ended up joining the team. Now, twelve years later, I’m the MD and owner.
What’s your best failure?
There have been a few – failures and slip ups are a vital part of growing a business. The more mistakes you make the quicker you learn. The key is owning them and being honest with yourself over what went wrong so that you don’t make that same mistake twice.
I’m from a family of entrepreneurs so business is in my blood. I always wanted to run my own business but my first venture only lasted 12 months. Looking back, I was too impatient, I wanted to run before I could walk! I was in my late 20’s and lost £20k of savings (all savings we had at the time) following a fad that wasn’t a long-term sustainable business.
But without those 12 months and taking that leap of faith, I wouldn’t have achieved what I have done in business today. I learnt so much about cash flow, managing people and decision-making, you could say that £20k was the best money I ever spent – although it didn’t feel like that at the time!
What is the best investment you’ve ever made, either financial or time?
Investing in our own studio was a big decision. It’s a 1.6-acre site, so when we started to develop it there were massive risks, but 18 months on, it’s been such a positive move for the business.
Being able to shoot content in our own studio has meant we can offer even more services and better value to our clients. It’s also been exciting to welcome some big-hitting drama productions, the BBC’s Time and The Responder have been highlights so far, and we’re really proud to have hosted Hollywood stars such as Bella Ramsey and Martin Freeman to shoot at a studio in Knowsley!
Which podcast or book would you recommend others to read and why?
It’s got to be the book Shoe Dog – about how Nike founder, Phil Knight started the company from scratch.
If you haven’t read it, I’d recommend it, it’s a revealing, inspirational memoir. It proves that everything is possible.
We have the privilege of working with some of the world’s best-known sports brands – including Nike – so it was a story that struck home on lots of levels.
What one piece of advice would you give your 21-year-old self?
There’s no rush to do it all now! Do things properly, take your time, don’t try and run before you can walk. And always be prepared to listen.
Who or what has had the single biggest influence on your working life?
My family – my dad, my nan and my grandad – but especially my nan.
They all had their own businesses, my dad had a building firm, my nan had a shop and my granddad had a garage so I saw it all up close.
Watching them taught me a lot, especially about the need to keep a positive outlook and to be ready for the ups and downs that business can bring. It’s very easy to get carried away when times are good but it’s important to stay grounded too. I am proud of the things we achieve but I hope I’m never arrogant or complacent. Things can shift very quickly – you need to build resilience so you can weather any storms.
Tell us something about you that would surprise people.
That I really like classical music – especially film scores! I find them really inspiring and relaxing but it catches people by surprise.
I’ll have it on in the office when people come in and I can tell they’re thinking, ‘what’s going on here?’ But I listen to it all the time.
If there was one thing you could change about your career, what would it be and why?
I’ve loved my career so far but looking back, I would have started my own business sooner. I was 29 by the time I launched my first business. I was busy working for other people before that, but I wish I’d made that leap when I was a bit younger.
Like a lot of people, I knew that I wanted to do it, and I knew I always would do it, but it was just a case of when. Then one day I woke up and realised time was ticking and there was an opportunity I couldn’t miss.
What does success look like to you?
It’s pretty simple – happy clients and a happy team.
If you’ve got happy clients, it’s because you’re doing things well and producing good work and you’ll grow. A happy team is a valued team and doing great work.
