In May 2005, Warren Albutt did something a little mad: he turned his garage into a marketing agency. No clients. No experience. No money coming in. Just one big idea, a co-founder called Steve Jolliffe, and a lot of borrowed equipment.
20 years later… Start 2 Finish Marketing (S2F) is still here, not just surviving but thriving. And while the garage may have been swapped for glass-walled offices and a growing team, the heartbeat of the business hasn’t changed a bit.
“We started with the ethos that if you look after your customers, success will look after itself. I’m proud to say that’s still the ethos today – only now, the whole team believes in it.”
Like many startups, the early days of S2F were a lot of hassle. A makeshift agency in a converted garage, cobbled-together kit, and a lot of crossed fingers.
“It was scary,” Warren recalls. “No clients. No money coming in. We begged, borrowed, and did whatever we had to.”
Even after momentum started to build, year two delivered a painful lesson: two major clients folded, taking a big chunk of turnover with them. But rather than fold too, they learnt. And they learnt fast.
“That’s when we understood the value of the right client. It wasn’t about numbers anymore. It was about partnership.”
Ask Warren what makes S2F different; he won’t reel off services or metrics; he’ll talk about the team.
“We hire for attitude, then train for skill. That’s what makes this team special; not just what they do, but who they are.”
That people-first approach radiates through every part of the business, from the way the team collaborates to the fact that dogs are not just welcomed but encouraged to join the team in the office.
“A client once told me ours was the calmest, loveliest office they’d ever worked in. That’s when I knew we’d built something special.”
S2F has always been wired differently: client results come first, and success follows. For Warren, it’s not just a slogan: it’s baked into the company’s DNA.
“Every little win a client has? We get to celebrate it. Their success is our success.”
Sometimes, the stories aren’t about ROI, but about real growth. One of Warren’s favourites is a client who once showed him a modest new office on Christmas Eve and said, “We’ll never need more space than this.”
15 years on? They’ve taken over the entire trading estate!
Marketing has changed dramatically since 2005. From print to digital, from mailers to automation, and now, the unpredictable frontier of AI.
But Warren’s ability to have an eye on today and an eye on tomorrow has meant that S2F is not just keeping up, but paving and leading the way.
With innovations like S2F Central (our very own management system), S2F Connect (LinkedIn automation), and S2F Blueprint (affordable websites for smaller businesses), the focus is always on adding value.
“Everything we build is designed to make life easier for the client. That’s what drives our innovation: we don’t want to be flashy; we want to be useful.”
As S2F grows after 20 years, Warren’s role is evolving. He has decided to step back slightly, not because he’s losing steam (believe us, he is not), but because he trusts the team to run further than he ever could alone.
“What excites me now? Their ideas, their creativity, and their vision. It’s not about me anymore, and that’s exactly how it should be.”
Looking ahead, Warren sees a business that’s still growing, still innovating, and still filled with people who genuinely look forward to coming to work.
“I want this place to feel safe, calm, and energising like somewhere people want to be.”
On S2F’s 20th anniversary, Warren has one big wish: to finally pause and reflect on the journey.
“I’ve never looked in the mirror and said, ‘well done’. I want to change that. I want the team to celebrate this, too. We’ve built something real.”
His advice to his younger self? Simple.
“Be the best version of yourself. Keep learning. And for goodness’ sake, appreciate the wins.”
Here’s to 20 years of S2F – and to every win, big or small, still to come. You can keep up with our 20 year celebrations by following us on LinkedIn.