Winning ‘The Apprentice’ and Beyond: Mark Wright’s entrepreneurial journey.

At Riva Offices, we are privileged to host some of the most inspiring entrepreneurs who continually push the boundaries of innovation and success. In our recent podcast episode, we had the pleasure of sitting down with Mark Wright, founder of Wrighton Group, to discuss his remarkable entrepreneurial journey. From his humble beginnings in Armidale, New South Wales, to winning BBC's The Apprentice, Mark's story is a testament to resilience, determination, and the power of staying true to oneself.

The Spark of Entrepreneurship

Mark’s journey into the world of business began early. Growing up in Armidale, a small town five hours south of Brisbane, Mark was surrounded by the entrepreneurial spirit of his parents. "My dad owned a car garage and my mom's a hairdresser," he shared. "Kids are products of their environment. When I was sitting at the dinner table, the conversation was not about uni degrees; it was about small business problems."

Despite his entrepreneurial aspirations, Mark faced significant challenges. "I finished school with no grades. I went from job to job, either being really bad at it or not enjoying it." His candidness about his struggles was both refreshing and inspiring.

Finding His Path

Mark's breakthrough came when he moved to Brisbane and started working as a personal trainer. This job led to a pivotal moment in his life when he was a personal trainer, training the CEO of Energex. "I asked him how to get rich, and he said, 'The people who get rich work in sales or marketing.'" Taking this advice to heart, Mark dove into the world of digital marketing, a decision that would change his life.

He joined a company that offered online personal training certifications but was on the brink of bankruptcy. "They were only getting $2,000 a month in sales. I taught myself SEO and Google Ads, made the company a website, and in three months, we went from $2,000 to $240,000 a month in sales." This success ignited his passion for marketing and set the stage for his future endeavours.

The Apprentice Experience

One of the most notable chapters in Mark's journey was his participation in BBC’s, The Apprentice, in 2014. Encouraged by a friend, Mark tried out for the show despite the daunting odds. "There were 75,000 people trying out. How do you, in a stadium of people, show that you're the best? It was like a gut feeling that this was the right opportunity for me."

His approach was simple yet profound: be himself. "I decided to be 100% me and tell 100% of the truth. You can't pretend to be anyone but yourself for over 12 weeks." This authenticity not only got him onto the show but also helped him win it. "I go on the biggest TV show at the time in the country, and I win it."

Alan Sugar (left) and Mark Wright (right)

Post-Apprentice Success

Winning The Apprentice was a pivotal moment that propelled Mark into the limelight. "After winning, life was a whirlwind. I used the prize money to start Climb Online, a digital marketing agency that grew rapidly." Mark’s approach to business is rooted in authenticity and a genuine passion for what he does. "Your business is a representation of you. If it's authentic, you actually do better than if you try to be something that serves everyone."

Starting Climb Online was a significant milestone in Mark's career. "We started the company on the 5th of January 2015, and by the end of the first year, we turned over £1.9 million pounds," he recalled. This made him the first Apprentice winner to achieve such a feat. "The most important thing about making a business is making a profit, and we made money, which was crucial because if I failed, the media would have hung me out to dry."

However, success didn't come without challenges. "We got to three million pounds in turnover, and the growth stagnated. We struggled to scale up and figure out who we were as a company." Mark attributed his continued growth and learning to the invaluable support from his board of directors.

The Power of Mentorship

Mark emphasised the importance of surrounding oneself with the right people. "For any business owner that's stagnating in their growth, it's probably because they don't have the right people around them." His move back to Australia was driven by a desire to be closer to his family and continue his journey with the right community. "That's why I'm at Riva Offices. I knew if I got here, I'd be around the right people."

Mark's insights into mentorship reflect his belief in its transformative power. "If you offered me £250,000 in money or mentorship, I would have picked the money. But now, I know that being around the right people, having a mentor, your network, your community is what makes you successful in business.”

Staying ahead and expanding horizons

In the ever-evolving landscape of digital marketing, staying ahead requires continuous learning. "To be a successful business in any industry, you need to be an expert. I'm constantly reading blogs, books about digital marketing, and going to seminars." But he also learned the importance of hiring great people. "If I'm going to be successful, going on my own is impossible. The answer is hiring great people."

Mark's entrepreneurial spirit doesn't stop at digital marketing. His portfolio spans several industries, from investment to aviation. "I don't care about the industry. I'm interested in people. You show me a good business, I'll show you a good business leader.”

Mark also launched ClimbCon, a business conference aimed at providing genuine value to attendees. Mark's frustration with existing business seminars, which often turned into sales pitches, inspired him to create a different kind of conference. "Every time I went to business events, speakers would just try to sell me stuff. So, I created my own conferences where speakers are not allowed to sell anything. The information is all for free, and the reviews were insane."

ClimCon featured high-profile speakers like Piers Morgan and Alan Sugar. Mark's promise to attendees was simple: "You pay your ticket at the door, and that's the last time you get your wallet out of your pocket all day. Everything else is free, and the information is all for free."

Mark's dedication to providing valuable content without ulterior motives resonated deeply with attendees. "When I do ClimbCon, when I do podcasts, when I mentor at the Princess Trust, the feedback I get from helping others is more rewarding than any financial gain."

A Legacy of motivation and inspiration

Despite his success, Mark remains deeply motivated by helping others. "Once you have a certain amount of money, money isn't motivational at all. It becomes about building things, a legacy, being better than the competition, helping other people." This drive to inspire and uplift others keeps him going even after achieving significant milestones.

As we wrapped up the interview, I asked Mark what advice he would give his younger self. His response was profound. "Don't worry. Things are just happening to you all the time, and they're just happening. A lot of the worrying I've done has been pointless."

Mark's journey from a small-town boy with big dreams to a successful entrepreneur and motivational speaker is a powerful reminder of the importance of perseverance, authenticity, and continuous learning. His story continues to inspire many, and we are honoured to have him as part of the Riva Offices community.