Shaz shares the story of how design found him at age eight, being caught using his older brother's Amstrad computer, and how that early encouragement shaped everything that followed: registering Digimax at 18, working alone from a converted garage for years, and eventually building one of the most recognised marketing agencies in dentistry. We talk about the bold, almost unbelievable story of how he landed his first major client, the harsh but formative feedback that changed how he thinks about marketing forever, and the moment he turned away £400,000 of non-dental business to go all in on dentistry. Shaz also opens up about Wells on Wheels, the charity he founded almost by accident, and the parenting philosophy behind his own fearlessness. In this episode we cover: Growing up in a design household and being caught designing on his brother's computer at age eight Learning Photoshop in real time and designing for real clients from age ten Registering Digimax at 18, and the awkward trip to open a business bank account Years of working alone from a converted garage, and the burnout that followed Why his brother's simple question about hiring changed the trajectory of his business The story behind the Digimax name, drawn in a maths class at 16 The bold approach that led to his biggest early client, and the overnight scramble to deliver His first dental client, a leaflet mistake, and the two weeks that changed how he sees marketing Turning away non-dental clients to go all in on dentistry in 2017 Writing Instagram for Dentists and stepping in front of the camera How Wells on Wheels started, and its impact: over 3,000 girls now attending school since 2019 His advice on what good marketing actually looks like, and building a business around freedom Topics discussed, in order: Baby Shaz: growing up in London with two older brothers who were designers The Amstrad computer, Letraset, and being "caught" designing at age eight Learning Photoshop and designing for real clients as a child and teenager Studying e-commerce at university and registering Digimax at 18 Years working alone from a converted garage, and the toll it took His brother's advice on hiring, and bringing on his first team member at 22 The story and meaning behind the name Digimax How Digimax evolved from graphic design into a full agency The story of approaching James Caan, the overnight design sprint, and landing the client His first dental client, a red leaflet mistake, and shadowing a practice for two weeks The realisation that dentistry sells transformation, not treatment Turning away £400,000 of non-dental business to commit fully to dentistry in 2017 Writing Instagram for Dentists and learning to be visible on camera How Wells on Wheels began, and the impact it's had since 2019 His advice on marketing, freedom, and building a business that gives you your life back Connect: Follow Manrina's Mentorship Podcast for more conversations with the people shaping dentistry Learn more about Shaz and what he does here: https://shaz.co.uk/ Explore Dr Manrina's courses and mentorship programme here: https://www.drmrlondon.co.uk/dental-courses-london Or get in touch directly: academy@drmr.co.uk
