From Passion to Profit: The Entrepreneur’s Creative Journey

Dave Benton, founder of Metajive, shares his journey from an accidental entrepreneur to leading a top-tier digital agency working with brands like Nike, Red Bull, and Google. He discusses the challenges of scaling a creative business, the importance of relationships in securing major clients, and the mindset shifts required to sustain long-term success. Through personal setbacks, industry changes, and pivotal moments of reinvention, Dave emphasizes adaptability, accountability, and the willingness to keep moving forward—even when things get tough.

Key Takeaways & Notes:

1️⃣ Accidental Beginnings → Intentional Growth

• Dave never intended to start a company; Metajive was initially just a placeholder website for his portfolio.
• He moved to San Francisco intending to find a job but kept landing contract work, which organically evolved into a business.

2️⃣ Overcoming Challenges & Pivotal Moments

• Made every mistake in the book but kept pushing forward with the mindset of making “the next right decision.”
• 2008 & 2015 were tough years with major setbacks, including losing Metajive’s largest client, which forced him to rebuild the business.
• 2020 was another major test, losing 75% of revenue in three weeks, but he worked 100-hour weeks to turn things around.

📌 Memorable Quote:

"Every major transformation in my business started as a crisis. The key was deciding to rebuild, not retreat."

3️⃣ The Turning Point: Building Long-Term Relationships

• The real shift happened when Metajive secured its first long-term retainer client—moving from project-to-project work to sustainable business relationships.
• Most of Metajive’s biggest clients, including HP, Bank of America, and T-Mobile, came from relationships built years earlier.
• Lesson: Good work and strong relationships create future opportunities, often when you least expect them.

📌 Memorable Quote:

"The best clients aren’t found—they’re earned through years of great work and trust."

4️⃣ Landing Major Clients: Relationships Over Cold Outreach

• Two main paths to working with big brands:

1. Direct networking and outreach (not the route Dave took).
2. Long-term relationship building—working with great people early in your career who later bring you opportunities.

• Every major deal Metajive has landed came from past relationships rather than cold calls.

📌 Memorable Quote:

"Big brands don’t just hire agencies—they hire people they trust."

5️⃣ Scaling While Maintaining Creativity

• Balancing business growth with creative integrity is difficult but essential.
• Key to success: Having a team deeply committed to the craft and strong project management to keep things running smoothly.
• AI and digital transformation are forcing businesses to rethink how they add value—Metajive constantly adapts to stay ahead.

📌 Memorable Quote:

"Innovation isn’t about keeping up—it’s about leading the way."

6️⃣ Surviving Hard Times & Rebuilding from the Ground Up

• 2015 setback: Lost over 50% of business, down to just Dave, his wife (COO), and one project manager. Considered mergers and job opportunities but ultimately rebuilt from scratch.
• 2020 crash: Lost 75% of revenue, but hard work and persistence led to new opportunities, including a major project for New York Fashion Week, which helped Metajive bounce...