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CHRIS
CHRIS
HYLAND
HYLAND
HYLAND
sharing the real, behind-the-scenes journey of building Underestimated Collective. The wins, the lessons, and everything in between
sharing the real, behind-the-scenes journey of building Underestimated Collective. The wins, the lessons, and everything in between
ABOUT ME
ABOUT ME
ABOUT ME
I have been an entrepreneur since founding my first company at the age of 26 in 2008, but I was not "born" an entrepreneur, I didn't even know what it meant, but I always liked the thought of being in control of my own destiny and building something that was mine. This has led me down the path to who I am today.
Now, I'm focused on my next mission: empowering solo founders and SMEs to build the business of their dreams. I’ve created a powerful two-part solution to help you get there.
Hi, I'm Chris Hyland. I'm a seasoned entrepreneur who has founded and scaled two successful businesses, from a digital marketing agency to a global SaaS company.
Entrepreneur
I have co-founded not one, but two successful businesses from nothing into serious market players on a global level.
Entrepreneur
I have co-founded not one, but two successful businesses from nothing into serious market players on a global level.
Entrepreneur
I have co-founded not one, but two successful businesses from nothing into serious market players on a global level.
Advisor
I love helping ambitious entrepreneurs try to achieve their goals, and I do this through a company I founded, Underestimated Collective.
Advisor
I love helping ambitious entrepreneurs try to achieve their goals, and I do this through a company I founded, Underestimated Collective.
Advisor
I love helping ambitious entrepreneurs try to achieve their goals, and I do this through a company I founded, Underestimated Collective.
Methodology
Every business is unique, however I have learnt that the same method can be applied to almost any industry with great success, and this is why I created the Scale-Up Lab.
Methodology
Every business is unique, however I have learnt that the same method can be applied to almost any industry with great success, and this is why I created the Scale-Up Lab.
Methodology
Every business is unique, however I have learnt that the same method can be applied to almost any industry with great success, and this is why I created the Scale-Up Lab.
MY BUSINESSES
MY BUSINESSES
MY BUSINESSES
4 Ps Marketing
4Ps Marketing was a performance-driven digital marketing agency founded in 2008, dedicated to delivering strategic insight, data-led decision-making, and measurable growth for premium and global brands. Built with a strong emphasis on people, culture, and innovation, the agency developed a reputation for combining technical expertise with creative thinking.
From its roots as a two-person startup in London, the business grew rapidly to a 150-strong team in the UK, working with a roster of high-profile clients including Selfridges, Vivienne Westwood, Gymshark, The White Company, Hertz, Nissan, and Audi. Known for its holistic approach to digital strategy — spanning SEO, paid media, content, and analytics — 4Ps helped brands connect with audiences and scale results across international markets.
In 2016, the company was acquired by French-listed technology and marketing group Artefact SA in a multi-million-pound deal. Post-acquisition, the team played a key role in supporting Artefact’s global growth, helping expand the group from 600 to over 1,000 employees. As co-founders we exited 4Ps in 2018 following a decade of impact and industry contribution.
The Happiness Index
As our agency expanded rapidly, we recognised a growing disconnect between our people, customers, and core culture. To address this, we began regularly asking both employees and clients a simple question: How happy are you? The resulting feedback was a game-changer—delivering real, actionable insights that powered some of the agency’s most successful growth years.
From this, The Happiness Index was born. We created a Saas platform that could turn workplace happiness from a fluffy metric into something measurable with actionable data. Our platform offers over 20 neuroscience-based surveys across eight core themes such as safety, purpose, autonomy, and relationships all mapped to the brain’s head-and-heart systems. Delivering real-time insights, heatmaps, sentiment analysis, and benchmarking, this tool empowers leaders with timely, science-grounded intelligence to nurture thriving cultures .
Over the past decade, The Happiness Index has seen remarkable growth reaching a milestone of 1 million responses per month by 2024, and earning a valuation in the eight-figure millions range. Though I’ve stepped back from daily operations, I remain closely involved as a joint-largest shareholder, championing our mission of making organisations happier, healthier, and more human-centric.
The Happiness Index
As our agency expanded rapidly, we recognised a growing disconnect between our people, customers, and core culture. To address this, we began regularly asking both employees and clients a simple question: How happy are you? The resulting feedback was a game-changer—delivering real, actionable insights that powered some of the agency’s most successful growth years.
From this, The Happiness Index was born. We created a Saas platform that could turn workplace happiness from a fluffy metric into something measurable with actionable data. Our platform offers over 20 neuroscience-based surveys across eight core themes such as safety, purpose, autonomy, and relationships all mapped to the brain’s head-and-heart systems. Delivering real-time insights, heatmaps, sentiment analysis, and benchmarking, this tool empowers leaders with timely, science-grounded intelligence to nurture thriving cultures .
Over the past decade, The Happiness Index has seen remarkable growth reaching a milestone of 1 million responses per month by 2024, and earning a valuation in the eight-figure millions range. Though I’ve stepped back from daily operations, I remain closely involved as a joint-largest shareholder, championing our mission of making organisations happier, healthier, and more human-centric.
The Launch Of Underestimated
Collective
It was time to take all my experience, knowledge and learnings from founding and scaling two different businesses in two different industries (agency and tech) and create something to help other entrepreneurs. Here is why Underestimated Collective exists.
SITUATION:
As an entrepreneur, I want to:
● Accelerate the growth of my business
● Access strategic advice from "been there and done it" entrepreneurs. PROBLEM:
The problem with achieving this is:
● HOW do I accelerate the growth of my business? Is there a proven framework or path to follow that maximises my efforts?
● WHERE can I get access to strategic advice from "been there and done it" entrepreneurs who truly understand my journey, without the traditional barriers of time, cost, or equity?
SOLUTION:
The Underestimated Collective delivers The Scale-Up Lab – your proven path to scale, providing unparalleled access to the frameworks and expertise you need, within a globally connected community.
The Launch Of Underestimated
Collective
It was time to take all my experience, knowledge and learnings from founding and scaling two different businesses in two different industries (agency and tech) and create something to help other entrepreneurs. Here is why Underestimated Collective exists.
SITUATION:
As an entrepreneur, I want to:
● Accelerate the growth of my business
● Access strategic advice from "been there and done it" entrepreneurs. PROBLEM:
The problem with achieving this is:
● HOW do I accelerate the growth of my business? Is there a proven framework or path to follow that maximises my efforts?
● WHERE can I get access to strategic advice from "been there and done it" entrepreneurs who truly understand my journey, without the traditional barriers of time, cost, or equity?
SOLUTION:
The Underestimated Collective delivers The Scale-Up Lab – your proven path to scale, providing unparalleled access to the frameworks and expertise you need, within a globally connected community.
4 Ps Marketing
4Ps Marketing was a performance-driven digital marketing agency founded in 2008, dedicated to delivering strategic insight, data-led decision-making, and measurable growth for premium and global brands. Built with a strong emphasis on people, culture, and innovation, the agency developed a reputation for combining technical expertise with creative thinking.From its roots as a two-person startup in London, the business grew rapidly to a 150-strong team in the UK, working with a roster of high-profile clients including Selfridges, Vivienne Westwood, Gymshark, The White Company, Hertz, Nissan, and Audi. Known for its holistic approach to digital strategy — spanning SEO, paid media, content, and analytics — 4Ps helped brands connect with audiences and scale results across international markets.In 2016, the company was acquired by French-listed technology and marketing group Artefact SA in a multi-million-pound deal. Post-acquisition, the team played a key role in supporting Artefact’s global growth, helping expand the group from 600 to over 1,000 employees. As co-founders we exited 4Ps in 2018 following a decade of impact and industry contribution.
The Happiness Index
As our agency expanded rapidly, we recognised a growing disconnect between our people, customers, and core culture. To address this, we began regularly asking both employees and clients a simple question: How happy are you? The resulting feedback was a game-changer—delivering real, actionable insights that powered some of the agency’s most successful growth years.
From this, The Happiness Index was born. We created a Saas platform that could turn workplace happiness from a fluffy metric into something measurable with actionable data. Our platform offers over 20 neuroscience-based surveys across eight core themes such as safety, purpose, autonomy, and relationships all mapped to the brain’s head-and-heart systems. Delivering real-time insights, heatmaps, sentiment analysis, and benchmarking, this tool empowers leaders with timely, science-grounded intelligence to nurture thriving cultures .
Over the past decade, The Happiness Index has seen remarkable growth reaching a milestone of 1 million responses per month by 2024, and earning a valuation in the eight-figure millions range. Though I’ve stepped back from daily operations, I remain closely involved as a joint-largest shareholder, championing our mission of making organisations happier, healthier, and more human-centric.
The Launch Of
Underestimated Collective
It was time to take all my experience, knowledge and learnings from founding and scaling two different businesses in two different industries (agency and tech) and create something to help other entrepreneurs. Here is why Underestimated Collective exists. SITUATION:
As an entrepreneur, I want to:
● Accelerate the growth of my business
● Access strategic advice from "been there and done it" entrepreneurs.
PROBLEM:
The problem with achieving this is:
● HOW do I accelerate the growth of my business? Is there a proven framework or path to follow that maximises my efforts?
● WHERE can I get access to strategic advice from "been there and done it" entrepreneurs who truly understand my journey, without the traditional barriers of time, cost, or equity?
SOLUTION:
The Underestimated Collective delivers The Scale-Up Lab – your proven path to scale, providing unparalleled access to the frameworks and expertise you need, within a globally connected community.
MY STORY
MY STORY
MY STORY
My journey from a young entrepreneur with £30,000 in debt to co-founding two successful, multi-million-pound businesses—4Ps Marketing and The Happiness Index—has taught me invaluable lessons. Now, I'm taking all of that experience and knowledge to help you build your own success story.
My journey from a young entrepreneur with £30,000 in debt to co-founding two successful, multi-million-pound businesses—4Ps Marketing and The Happiness Index—has taught me invaluable lessons. Now, I'm taking all of that experience and knowledge to help you build your own success story.
My journey from a young entrepreneur with £30,000 in debt to co-founding two successful, multi-million-pound businesses—4Ps Marketing and The Happiness Index—has taught me invaluable lessons. Now, I'm taking all of that experience and knowledge to help you build your own success story.
2007
THE START
THE START
2007: Landed a marketing role at a fast-growing FinTech company in the City. This was my first introduction to digital marketing and the immense power of Google. Initial ideas for striking out on my own began to spark here. I observed:
A lack of understanding on how to achieve top rankings on Google.
A widespread underestimation of the impact that a number one Google ranking could have, leading to tens of thousands of searches and subsequent leads.
Poor performance from the agencies I was using – they lacked education, offered poor customer service, and didn't feel like true partners.
Following these observations, I quit my job. At this point, I had no money in the bank and had accumulated over £30,000 in debt (excluding student loans). I secured a new credit card with a £5,000 limit and fully committed to making it work.
2007: Landed a marketing role at a fast-growing FinTech company in the City. This was my first introduction to digital marketing and the immense power of Google. Initial ideas for striking out on my own began to spark here. I observed:
A lack of understanding on how to achieve top rankings on Google.
A widespread underestimation of the impact that a number one Google ranking could have, leading to tens of thousands of searches and subsequent leads.
Poor performance from the agencies I was using – they lacked education, offered poor customer service, and didn't feel like true partners.
Following these observations, I quit my job. At this point, I had no money in the bank and had accumulated over £30,000 in debt (excluding student loans). I secured a new credit card with a £5,000 limit and fully committed to making it work.
2008
THE FIRST BUSINESS
THE FIRST BUSINESS
In 2008 at the age of 26, I set up my first company, 4Ps Marketing Ltd, with the hopes and dreams of being regarded as one of the best digital agencies in the world. My business partner and I threw our life and soul into building a company we could feel proud of, where we empowered people to bring their best selves to work who could produce world-class results for global brands. I am proud to say we achieved this and more, working with household names such as Selfridges, Vivienne Westwood, Gymshark, The White Company, Hertz, Nissan and Audi to name a few.
In 2008 at the age of 26, I set up my first company, 4Ps Marketing Ltd, with the hopes and dreams of being regarded as one of the best digital agencies in the world. My business partner and I threw our life and soul into building a company we could feel proud of, where we empowered people to bring their best selves to work who could produce world-class results for global brands. I am proud to say we achieved this and more, working with household names such as Selfridges, Vivienne Westwood, Gymshark, The White Company, Hertz, Nissan and Audi to name a few.
2014
THE BEGINNING OF THE HAPPINESS INDEX
The Beginning of
The Happiness Index
In 2014, I was proud to be part of the founding journey of The Happiness Index, a bold idea built on the belief that happier employees lead to better business outcomes. From day one, we set out to change the way organisations measure culture, focusing not just on how people think, but how they feel. Rooted in neuroscience and real-time feedback, we began building a platform that could truly put people first.
In 2014, I was proud to be part of the founding journey of The Happiness Index, a bold idea built on the belief that happier employees lead to better business outcomes. From day one, we set out to change the way organisations measure culture, focusing not just on how people think, but how they feel. Rooted in neuroscience and real-time feedback, we began building a platform that could truly put people first.
2016
4P'S ACQUISTION
4P'S ACQUISTION
After an incredible 8 years of growth, we were acquired by a French PLC, now trading as Artefact SA in 2016 in a multi-million-pound deal. After starting from humble beginnings in a 2 man office with no windows, we scaled to 150 people in the UK before helping drive the global business from 600 to 1,000 employees from 2016 to 2018. In June 2018 it was time to say goodbye and close this chapter after completing a 10-year journey.
After an incredible 8 years of growth, we were acquired by a French PLC, now trading as Artefact SA in 2016 in a multi-million-pound deal. After starting from humble beginnings in a 2 man office with no windows, we scaled to 150 people in the UK before helping drive the global business from 600 to 1,000 employees from 2016 to 2018. In June 2018 it was time to say goodbye and close this chapter after completing a 10-year journey.
2024
Now
A DECADE OF GROWTH AND IMPACT
A DECADE OF GROWTH AND IMPACT
By 2024, The Happiness Index had grown into a platform trusted by global brands like Fuller’s, M&C Saatchi, and Prostate Cancer UK. Ten years on, we weren’t just running surveys, we were transforming workplace cultures. With AI-driven dashboards, expert support, and measurable results like 78% less absenteeism and 23% higher profitability, we had proven what we always believed: when you prioritise happiness, performance follows.
By 2024, The Happiness Index had grown into a platform trusted by global brands like Fuller’s, M&C Saatchi, and Prostate Cancer UK. Ten years on, we weren’t just running surveys, we were transforming workplace cultures. With AI-driven dashboards, expert support, and measurable results like 78% less absenteeism and 23% higher profitability, we had proven what we always believed: when you prioritise happiness, performance follows.
BUILDING IN PUBLIC WITH UNDERESTIMATED COLLECTIVE
BUILDING IN PUBLIC WITH UNDERESTIMATED COLLECTIVE
Have you ever wondered what it's actually like to build a business from scratch? Well Chris decided to show the unvarnished truth from the inside, capturing the highs, the lows and the many more ups and downs to come. See below Chris’s YouTube channel to hear more below.
Have you ever wondered what it's actually like to build a business from scratch? Well Chris decided to show the unvarnished truth from the inside, capturing the highs, the lows and the many more ups and downs to come. See below Chris’s YouTube channel to hear more below.
This is not just my story, it's the foundation for your success
This is not just my story, it's the foundation for your success
This is not just my story, it's the foundation for your success
Ready to start building? Get in touch
Ready to start building? Get in touch
Ready to start building?
Get in touch
Your Path to Growth
Your Path to Growth
Your Path to Growth
Every founder needs two things to succeed: a clear strategy and a powerful way to execute it. My new ventures are designed to deliver exactly that.
Every founder needs two things to succeed: a clear strategy and a powerful way to execute it. My new ventures are designed to deliver exactly that.
Every founder needs two things to succeed: a clear strategy and a powerful way to execute it. My new ventures are designed to deliver exactly that.
Underestimated Collective: Your Strategic Blueprint
Underestimated Collective: Your Strategic Blueprint
Underestimated Collective: Your Strategic Blueprint
Underestimated Collective is where we start. My programme provides you with a lean, effective digital marketing strategy—your proven blueprint for growth. We move past the busywork and focus on what truly drives results, giving you a clear roadmap to consistent leads.
Underestimated Collective is where we start. My programme provides you with a lean, effective digital marketing strategy—your proven blueprint for growth. We move past the busywork and focus on what truly drives results, giving you a clear roadmap to consistent leads.
PondHop Digital: Your Lead Generation Machine
PondHop Digital: Your Lead Generation Machine
PondHop Digital: Your Lead Generation Machine
Once you have your strategy, you need to execute it. PondHop Digital is the machine that takes your blueprint and brings it to life. My co-founded agency handles all your performance marketing, turning your strategy into a stream of new leads and accelerating your business's growth.
Once you have your strategy, you need to execute it. PondHop Digital is the machine that takes your blueprint and brings it to life. My co-founded agency handles all your performance marketing, turning your strategy into a stream of new leads and accelerating your business's growth.
FOLLOW MY JOURNEY
FOLLOW MY JOURNEY
FOLLOW MY JOURNEY
CONTACT
CONTACT
CONTACT
Want to get in touch with me? If so contact me through the following form or send me a message using my details below!
Whether we work together or not, I’m always keen to connect with entrepreneurs and leaders shaping their own path. Schedule a call with me and let's explore possibilities.
London, United Kingdom