MARK PRESTON - BIO
From Mechanic to Growth Partner
Before Mark ever spoke on a stage or wrote a book, he was fixing engines in small garages. Day after day, he learned that solving problems properly meant stripping things back, finding the root cause, and testing until the fix held. It was never about replacing parts - it was about getting to the truth of what was really wrong.
That way of thinking never left him. It became the foundation for everything he does today.
Because growing a business, at its heart, isn’t so different from fixing an engine. When something isn’t working, it’s rarely one big thing. It’s usually a mix of small problems quietly holding everything back. Mark’s strength has always been spotting what others miss, breaking it down, and building it back stronger.
GROWING MY FIRST BUSINESS IN 2001
The Early Days of Building from Scratch
In 2001, Mark taught himself how to build websites and started creating lead generation sites from his bedroom. What began as a way to support his family turned into a business of over a hundred websites across different industries, all driving leads without any paid ads.
That journey introduced him to SEO before most people even knew what it was. But Mark never cared about rankings for the sake of it. His goal was always simple - attract the right people, earn their trust, and help them take action.
By 2007, that approach had grown into his first digital agency. Within months, he landed a six-figure contract, opened offices, and built a team. But when the recession hit in 2009, everything changed. He lost his biggest client, closed both offices, and had to start again. It was a hard lesson - one that taught him resilience, humility, and the importance of building businesses that can survive tough times.
PUSHING FORWARD WHEN FAILURE HITS
Rebuilding, Reinventing, and Scaling Again
Mark came back stronger. He founded a digital marketing franchise network that grew to more than fifty franchisees across the UK, all without a penny spent on advertising. Each franchisee traded under their own local brand, while his team delivered the work behind the scenes. It was proof that growth doesn’t come from spending more - it comes from delivering real value.
Then came the organic growth agency that grew to six figures in two years purely through reputation and relationships. Mark’s name became known in the industry for one thing... results that spoke louder than marketing.
When he stepped away in 2016, he shifted his focus to training others. As an SEO Growth Trainer, Mark helped thousands of marketing professionals see SEO not as a technical task, but as a business growth tool.
THE TRUE GROWTH PARTNER FOR FOUNDERS
From Expert to Partner
In 2017, Mark joined a fast-growing network of local independent opticians. His mission was to bring digital growth in-house - and he did. By building a small, powerful team, he helped the group grow from sixty practices to more than five hundred, with revenue reaching nine figures. All without relying on huge budgets.
But Mark wanted more than success. He wanted purpose. He wanted to work directly with founders who were building something special but needed help growing it the right way.
That led to the creation of Founders Growth Partner - a model built on partnership, not payment. Instead of charging fees, Mark invests his time, energy, and experience in return for a minority stake. It means he only wins when the founder does. It’s personal, hands-on, and built on trust.
DIGITAL GROWTH SPEAKER AT FOUNDER -FOCUSED EVENTS AND CONFERENCES
The Speaker Who Brings Growth to Life
Mark’s honest and practical way of explaining growth soon caught the attention of event organisers. They didn’t just want another speaker... They wanted someone who could connect with founders in a real way.
Through Digital Growth Speaker, Mark has taken the stage at founder-focused events and conferences, helping audiences see growth through a new lens. Every talk is filled with stories, lessons, and moments that make people nod in recognition because they’ve lived it too.
Bookers know they can count on him to deliver sessions that run smoothly, resonate deeply, and leave founders with clear actions they can take right away.
THE JOURNEY OF MARK PRESTON CONTINUES
Living the Founder Mindset Every Day
Today, Mark wears many hats - Growth Partner, Speaker, Author, and Chief Growth Officer (director and shareholder) for several growing companies including Olilo, EndorseHQ, and The Bespoke Foil Company.
Each role connects to a single purpose... helping founders with growth without the waste. Whether he’s shaping a strategy, building a brand, or telling stories that make people think differently about growth, Mark’s focus never changes - real results through honest connection.
His best-selling book, Customer Growth Unlocked, captures 101 founder stories that reflect the ups, downs, and breakthroughs of building a business from the ground up. It’s the book every founder wishes they had when growth starts to feel uncertain, and his Connect Those Dots book is the foundation of what his £1b dot connecting growth framework is built on.
GROWING BUSINESSES THROUGH LIVED EXPERIENCE
The Truth About Mark
Mark doesn’t just talk about growth - he lives it.
He’s built, lost, rebuilt, and scaled again. He’s trained teams, led companies, and stood beside founders when things got hard. Every lesson he shares is earned. Every story is real.
If you’re a founder who wants to grow your business with clarity, confidence, and someone who’s truly in your corner, Mark’s story is proof that you don’t have to do it alone.