From Basement Hustles to Boardroom Wins: How Craig Myers Built a Marketing Empire
In the fast-paced world of digital marketing, Craig Myers stands out as a remarkable example of how resilience, hard work, and continuous learning can transform even the most desperate circumstances into a flourishing business empire. Today, he is the force behind a successful agency and coaching consultancy, but the journey to this point was anything but easy.
The Humble Beginnings: From Living in a Basement to Breaking into Advertising
Craig Myers’ story starts in a basement — specifically, his girlfriend’s parents’ basement. Fresh out of film school and scraping by on a meager $800 a month, he made a grueling three-hour commute into Toronto daily, hoping to make ends meet. His income barely covered essentials, and there were days when he couldn’t even afford a cup of coffee or a subway ride.
“I remember my accountant asking how I was even living,” Myers reflects. “The truth is, I hardly was.”
While working in film, Myers realized he needed a financial breakthrough. His curiosity led him to explore the world of advertising, and soon, he found himself bombarded with online ads promoting courses in digital marketing. Seizing what little opportunity he could, he invested in a Facebook ads course by Ashton Shanks and a copywriting program by Dan Henry. With his background in door-to-door sales and a few other sales gigs, Myers leveraged his newfound skills to begin managing ad budgets for small clients and writing email copy for agencies.
Then came COVID-19. Like many, Myers found himself jobless and relying on government assistance. But fate had other plans: he landed a job with a fitness coaching company that catapulted him into the big leagues. Within months, he went from being broke to earning $5,000 a month. His mentor? None other than Ashton Shanks, the same expert behind one of the courses that had initially inspired him.
Learning the Craft: From $300 to $100,000 Daily Ad Spends
Under Shanks’ mentorship, Myers sharpened his skills, managing ad spends ranging from $100 to $300 a day before eventually scaling accounts to $10,000 or more per day. He quickly gained recognition, and a year later, he joined Hemon Media (now BAD Marketing), ascending from junior media buyer to a board member. There, he managed campaigns with budgets exceeding $50 million for prominent brands like ClickFunnels, LadyBoss, and Legendary Marketer.
Scaling ad campaigns to $100,000 a day became the norm, especially during peak seasons like Q4. Reflecting on his growth, Myers says:
“I went from barely scraping by to managing some of the most significant ad budgets in the industry. The journey taught me that even during times of immense failure, there’s always a lesson if you’re willing to learn.”
Overcoming Obstacles: The Psychological and Emotional Toll
The path to success was littered with challenges, including intense psychological pressure. Myers explains:
“Advertising is inherently about failing forward. When you’re spending tens of thousands daily and nothing is working, it can be soul-crushing. It’s easy to feel like a failure, especially if you tie your self-worth to a client’s results.”
There was also the fear of putting himself out there. “When I launched my agency, I had to grapple with thoughts like, ‘What will people think of me?’ and ‘What if they judge me?’” Myers candidly shares. He overcame these limiting beliefs by tackling tasks one day at a time and journaling to process his emotions. Reading motivational books, like What to Say When You Talk to Yourself, became an essential part of his mental toolkit.
Pivotal Decisions and a Leap into Entrepreneurship
One of the pivotal moments in Myers’ career came not from a single event but from consistent encouragement.
“Over the years, clients would ask me when I was going to start my own thing. That was a massive confidence boost,” he recalls.
Eventually, Myers launched his own agency, securing high-profile clients almost immediately, thanks to his vast network and proven expertise.
Sage Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs
For those just starting out, Myers emphasizes the importance of learning from the right people. “I had to stop listening to traditional advice and focus on experts who had what I wanted,” he says. His advice is simple yet profound: never stop learning.
“Read, listen, take courses, and never give up. It’ll be hard, but the key is to keep going.”
Balancing Work and Life
Despite his success, Myers admits that achieving work-life balance is an ongoing struggle.
“Sometimes I don’t. There are seasons where I’m working nonstop and others where I can enjoy the fruits of my labor. It’s about recognizing what season you’re in,” he explains.
Managing stress, for him, involves embracing the ebb and flow of entrepreneurship and making time for reflection.
Looking Ahead: The Future of Scaling Smart
Currently, Myers is channeling his energy into his latest venture, Scaling Smart, a coaching and consulting business that empowers impact-driven experts to scale profitably. His five-phase method, E.C.A.O.S, helps clients take control of their marketing or build internal teams, avoiding the pitfalls of traditional agency models.
He’s not just helping businesses grow; he’s redefining how they think about scaling and advertising.
“It’s ironic that I run an agency but teach others to take charge of their own marketing,” Myers laughs. But for him, empowering others is part of the legacy he’s building.
Conclusion Craig Myers’ journey from basement hustles to boardroom victories is a testament to the power of resilience and adaptability. For aspiring entrepreneurs, his story is a reminder that every setback has the potential to become a stepping stone if approached with the right mindset.
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