Business
Gen Z Entrepreneur Surpasses the Traditional Education System to Build His Own Empire

“Believe in yourself. If you’ve got an idea behind you and enough belief in it, you’ll make it work.”
Such is the advice of 18-year-old Flynn Blackie, specialist in psychological marketing and the founder of MOD Digital Limited. Starting a business fresh out of high school isn’t exactly the kind of plan everybody shares: usually, people gun for an undergraduate degree before pursuing their dreams.
But Flynn had a different outlook on how his life should go. In fact, he left school at the tender age of sixteen before starting his own business.
An Early Start in the Business
Blackie knew for quite some time that he wanted to eventually start a business of his own.
“I was always looking at side hustles and ways to make extra money. I always felt like I was going to be successful,” Blackie explained.
But at first, like most – if not all – of us, he mapped his life out in such a way as to adhere to the traditional education system. He’d planned to get into a university, snag a degree, and then have a high-paying job.
However, it was his initial dabbling in entrepreneurship that changed his point of view. He started off simple: buying and selling chewing gum. What he did was purchase wholesale chewing gum before selling these to the other kids in school. Soon, his small business evolved to include selling rare sneakers for a profit.
All of this was second nature to him. He began to get the hang of how attracting customers and appealing to a certain niche works.
“I kind of saw my potential as an entrepreneur, leading and getting clients and selling – all of these factors that you need to build up your entrepreneurship skills,” he said. “These qualities were recognized within me when I took a step back to look [at myself]. It became very clear that one day, I wouldn’t just work for a company – I would own it. And it turns out, my first employer was myself.”
Taking That Leap of Faith
Of course, Blackie’s idea of ditching the path of traditional education wasn’t met with unanimous support at first.
“I had to make my own decision before I went to [my parents] and tried to convince them,” Blackie said. “It became pretty apparent that if I were to not leave right now, I’d just be leaving one year later anyway. I knew that, no matter what, this is what I wanted to do.”
It wasn’t about taking the easy way out for Blackie. He made the decision to abandon the traditional education system because he knew where his heart lay: in entrepreneurship. He understood early on that no matter what, he wanted to venture into this realm, and his dream would only be put on hold for as long as he stayed in school. There wasn’t exactly a need to pursue a typical education in Blackie’s eyes.
That was the logic he presented to his parents. His father understood rather immediately. However, it was his mother who took some convincing. After all, this wasn’t a typically ‘safe’ path to tread. Every entrepreneur knows all too well how risky the business is. And for someone at such a young age, Blackie had tons to lose.
However, Blackie made it clear to his mother that he simply had to start his own business. “There were going to be bad grades, or my clients were going to have a terrible experience; it was one of the two,” he said.
In 2019, Flynn Blackie decided to drop out of school.
Thus began his endeavor into the unknown. Equipped with a dream and plenty of in-depth research, Blackie took that risk.
Starting Out with One’s Priorities in Mind
When talking about his initial interest in selling gum and sneakers, Blackie compared these experiences to his current niche. “Nothing really captured me like web design. It felt fun, and it felt pretty easy to make and it came really naturally.”
It was the thrill of receiving payment for the first website he built that made him realize this was the model he wanted to base a solid portion of his business upon. Blackie and his team at MOD Digital started out selling web design services. They also branched out to dabble in social media-related projects and several other ventures. However, the team realized that all these extra services didn’t actually bring MOD Digital the results they were gunning for. They soon learned that they wanted to deliver a more results-based service.
So, they went back to basics. Currently, MOD Digital has gone from a humble start-up to a six-figure agency that has garnered over sixty clients.
When Generation Z Delves into the Realm of Entrepreneurship
Blackie credits a portion of MOD Digital’s success to a youthful mindset. “Being my age can play as a good factor,” he noted in an interview.
Any young person, particularly someone who has grown up in this current technological day and age, knows all too well the power of screentime. As an ardent lover of video games and someone who’s grown up in a tech-savvy environment, Blackie’s mind has become accustomed to the lingo of algorithms.
“The second factor [that makes MOD Digital unique] would be that we’ve niched into a specific service. We have our core service, no matter which client we’re working with. We’re more specific about our system.”
MOD Digital puts the value of its service before anything else. In focusing on how they can best help their clients, they put forth a more personal brand, one that markets authentically and attracts loyal clients. Blackie also acknowledged the pivotal role psychology plays in their marketing process. MOD Digital uses subliminal forms of psychological triggers.
Pushing Past Doubt and Breaking Barriers
Despite Blackie’s current success, he’s no stranger to backlash. Some people assumed that being young equates to inexperience.
“There have been sales pitches where they took the meeting, but as soon as you get on [the call], they stop taking you seriously. You can hear it from their tone or the way they pay attention. You feel insulted, being on the call,” Blackie recalled.
Even communicating with a bank was tough. It was difficult to find someone who would open an account for a mere 16-year-old. However, Blackie persisted.
Today, MOD Digital continues to grow. Even with its current celebrated success, Flynn Blackie has no intentions of getting comfortable. To young entrepreneurs looking to build their own businesses, Blackie actually cautions against taking the risk he took unless one is at a level where they can afford to do so.
“The fundamental thing is to make sure you’re actually in a position where you can leave [school]. Work tirelessly to get to that point. And when you’re there, that’s when it’s time to go. You can’t leave because you ‘want’ to do something, leave because you are doing it, and doing it well.”
Flynn Blackie has certainly walked the path less traveled. His story marks as a calling to other young entrepreneurs: be smart, but don’t be afraid to take calculated risks.
Business
Spynn’s PR Playbook for Startups Turning Funding into Market Leadership

Byline: Jennyfer Ann Valencia
The recent funding boom in India, where startups raised over $428 million between March 10 and March 15, 2025, reinforces the critical role of public relations (PR) in securing investor confidence and enhancing visibility. As competition intensifies, effective PR strategies help startups differentiate themselves and build a strong market presence.
Spynn, a PR agency for startups specializing in securing top-tier media coverage, enables startups to craft compelling narratives that attract investors and maintain a positive brand image.
The Role of PR in Startup Funding
A recent survey conducted by Spynn found that startups with a strong PR strategy are significantly more likely to secure funding rounds than those without. According to the research, nearly 70% of investors say media visibility and brand credibility helped their decision-making process. This highlights PR’s direct impact on a startup’s ability to attract investment.
PR helps startups articulate their value to investors by securing media coverage and highlighting their growth potential. High-profile placements lend credibility and set up startups’ potential, making them more attractive to investors. For instance, a well-publicized success story from a startup like Zolve, one of the top funding recipients, can drive further investor interest and strengthen its brand.
India’s funding surge spans sectors including Batterytech, Edtech, Gaming, Apparel, Aerospace, Manufacturing, Fintech, Energy, and Travel. While this presents opportunities, it also brings scrutiny. Startups must manage their reputations effectively, ensuring consistency in their messaging across media platforms. As a PR agency for startups, Spynn’s expertise in reputation management helps businesses navigate these challenges by maintaining a cohesive brand identity and reinforcing investor trust.
Establishing Credibility Through Media Placements
Research from Spynn also revealed that startups that get featured on Forbes, Business Insider, and other top-tier publications experience a 50% increase in inbound investor inquiries within six months. This shows the value of securing strategic media placements to reinforce credibility and market positioning.
Strong media coverage bolsters a startup’s credibility, reinforcing its market positioning and investor confidence. Spynn ensures startups secure coverage in authoritative outlets, helping them establish themselves as thought leaders. Beyond initial publicity, Spynn focuses on building long-term relationships with media, ensuring sustained visibility and brand consistency.
Spynn’s CEO, Matteo Ferretti, emphasizes the role of storytelling, “Effective PR is about coverage and creating narratives that resonate with audiences. Startups must highlight their unique value and demonstrate how they solve real-world problems.”
PR for Growth and Global Expansion
Spynn’s data indicates that startups leveraging international PR strategies are twice as likely to successfully attract foreign investors and expand into new markets. Media coverage tailored for global audiences enhances cross-border recognition and facilitates partnerships, making PR an essential tool for growth beyond domestic markets.
As Indian startups scale, a strong PR strategy facilitates global recognition. Spynn’s international media reach helps startups gain traction in new markets and attract foreign investors. This is especially crucial for sectors like Fintech and Edtech, where global expansion is key to success.
A well-executed PR strategy strengthens a startup’s digital footprint, ensuring a consistent and engaging presence across platforms. Matteo Ferretti highlights the importance of balance, “A successful PR approach integrates both digital and traditional media to maximize impact and audience engagement.“
Ethical Considerations and Future Trends
Transparency and ethical storytelling are vital in PR. Startups must ensure authenticity in their messaging to build lasting trust. Spynn upholds ethical PR practices that align with principles of sustainability and integrity.
Indian startups must adapt to evolving PR trends, including AI-driven outreach, digital media dominance, and deeper media relationships. As competition grows, startups that take advantage of PR will have a better standing for long-term success.
Spynn’s PR strategies equip Indian startups with the tools to navigate funding surges, enhance credibility, and drive growth. By securing impactful media coverage and managing reputation effectively, startups can strengthen investor confidence and expand their market presence. As India’s startup ecosystem evolves, PR remains an indispensable asset for sustained success.
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