"Embrace networking failures as stepping stones to success; play big, make mistakes, and grow."
Welcome to ValiantCEO Magazine’s exclusive interview with Sabri Suby, the visionary founder and head of growth at King Kong, a trailblazing full-service digital marketing agency.
From its humble beginnings as a $50 venture launched from Sabri’s bedroom in 2014, King Kong has burgeoned into a 90-person-strong team, establishing itself as the fastest-growing digital marketing agency in Australia, with a staggering valuation of $72 million in 2023.
Sabri’s entrepreneurial journey is nothing short of inspiring, and his multifaceted role as an international bestselling author and a distinguished investor on the 2023 season of Shark Tank Australia adds layers of expertise to his insightful perspectives.
In this exclusive interview, Sabri Suby shares candid insights into the shifting dynamics of networking in the digital era. Dispelling the myth that networking has waned post-COVID, Sabri highlights how it has transformed, embracing virtual platforms like Twitter, YouTube, and Instagram.
He emphasizes the expanded reach and limitless possibilities of online networking, transcending geographical constraints and fostering connections worldwide.
Sabri Suby’s narrative takes an intriguing turn as he recounts a personal story that underscores the ripple effect of networking. A single tweet about a business podcast episode led to a meal in LA with the podcast host, illustrating the unexpected doors that can swing open through a seemingly casual online interaction.
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Table of Contents
We are thrilled to have you join us today, welcome to ValiantCEO Magazine’s exclusive interview! Let’s start off with a little introduction. Tell our readers a bit about yourself and your company.
Sabri Suby: I’m the founder and head of growth at full-service digital marketing agency King Kong, the author of international bestseller Sell Like Crazy and one of five investors on the 2023 season of Shark Tank Australia.
I launched King Kong in 2014 as a $50 venture from my bedroom. Today, we’re a 90-person-strong team and the fastest-growing full-service digital marketing agency in Australia, valued at $72m in 2023.
How has the significance of networking evolved over the past decade?
Sabri Suby: It’s a myth that networking has died since COVID, it’s just changed. Networking is not always about standing in a room with a bottle of beer awkwardly making small talk. It’s far more commonly done online, whether it’s Twitter, YouTube, or Instagram.
I get so many people messaging me or leaving comments, which then starts up a dialogue. They slide into the DMS and then all of a sudden, you’re networking with this person online in a virtual way.
Because there are so many more people online, putting out content, it’s opening up the net 1000 times wider than it was in the past. Now, there are no geographical constraints around networking, you can network with people all over the world.
Can you share a personal story where one networking interaction led to unexpected doors opening, and how it highlights the ripple effect of networking?
Sabri Suby: I recently tweeted about an episode of a business podcast saying something along the lines of ‘this was fire and it should have gotten more attention.’
Off the back of that, the host messaged me and we ended up going out for a meal together in LA. And it’s all thanks to a single tweet.
What are some common networking mistakes people make, and how can they pivot to turn potential missteps into learning experiences?
Sabri Suby: The first mistake is letting yourself be intimidated by the idea of networking and avoiding it. Don’t think of networking as some big scary conversation that’s going to make or break your career. Instead, embrace getting to know new people, have fun, and don’t take things too seriously.
If you’re new to networking, don’t be afraid to fail. If you haven’t failed (a lot) you’re playing too small – so get out there, make some mistakes, and learn from them.
Also, remember that good networking isn’t just a ‘what can I get out of this?’. It’s about finding connections that will add real value to both people and organisations and using those connections to do better work.
Just because you help someone, you shouldn’t expect something back in return – that’s not how human relationships (should) work. Instead, just give unconditionally, and it will come back in spades.
How do you see the future of networking evolving with the rise of AI, VR, and other technologies?
Sabri Suby: VR will overcome geographical barriers, allowing us to network with professionals from around the world without the need to physically travel. We’ll be able to attend conferences, trade shows, or meetings virtually without having to leave our homes.
The chat between Zuckerberg and Lex Friedman where they were sitting in a room together in the metaverse – that certainly got me paying attention.
Once that kind of technology becomes fully realised, it’s going to change the way that people naturally network online. Instead of doing a Zoom meeting, VR is going to take networking virtually to the next level.
Jerome Knyszewski, VIP Contributor to ValiantCEO and the host of this interview would like to thank Sabri Suby for taking the time to do this interview and share his knowledge and experience with our readers.
If you would like to get in touch with Sabri Suby or his company, you can do it through his – Linkedin Page
Disclaimer: The ValiantCEO Community welcomes voices from many spheres on our open platform. We publish pieces as written by outside contributors with a wide range of opinions, which don’t necessarily reflect our own. Community stories are not commissioned by our editorial team and must meet our guidelines prior to being published.
