321) Lewis Ellis - The Wild Story Behind the UK's Most Disruptive Marketing Agency

Today’s conversation is with Lewis Ellis.

Lewis is the founder of Hussel, a disruptive marketing agency known for bold, raw, attention-grabbing campaigns. You may recognise him from The Apprentice in 2019, but his journey started long before reality TV. From holiday rep to headline-grabbing marketer, Lewis has carved a path that’s anything but traditional.

In this conversation, we unpack Lewis’ early mindset shifts, what he learned from travelling and meeting high-performing entrepreneurs, and how he’s turned rejection, controversy, and chaos into a profitable creative business.

Expect to learn:

• The quote Lewis posted in 2016 that still drives him today
• How travel and exposure to business owners changed his beliefs about money and success
• Behind the scenes of The Apprentice, Lord Sugar’s tweets, and that tattoo
• Why Lewis built Hussel out of necessity, and how it became the UK’s boldest agency
• What “disruptive marketing” really means in 2025
• How documenting a stolen AirPods saga in Qatar turned into a marketing lesson
• Why Lewis nearly got deported from Dubai after a protest-style stunt
• Thoughts on authenticity, personal brands, and why audiences trust people over companies
• Favourite industries and dream projects
• Stalker stories and hecklers inspired by Baby Reindeer
• Lewis’ thoughts on going on Dragons’ Den and how he sees success evolving by age 40

Today’s episode is sponsored and supported by Hussle. Hussle is the way to get access to 1000s of UK gyms, pools and spas with one simple membership.

If you're an HR professional, wellbeing specialist or small business leader, visit Hussle for companies: ⁠⁠https://bit.ly/4d5SIn7⁠⁠

Or if you're an employee, wishing your company would offer this benefit, visit Hussle for employees: ⁠⁠https://bit.ly/3X8b6po⁠

Connect with Lewis:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lewis_ellis_/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lewis-ellis/
Hussel: https://www.hussel.co.uk/

Connect with Col:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/col.cambro/
Email List: https://mailchi.mp/548e38ba5942/colincambro
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ColCampbell