Steven Bartlett biography, quotes and net worth

Article by: Lars Weijers

Last update: September 28, 2025

Steven Bartlett is a British entrepreneur, author, speaker and investor who has quickly become a recognizable face within the European entrepreneurial landscape. He broke through at a young age by founding Social Chain, a marketing agency that quickly grew into an international success. Bartlett is now best known for his popular podcast The Diary of a CEO, in which he interviews leading thinkers and entrepreneurs about success, failure and personal growth.

With his distinct style, insights and inspiring life story, Bartlett knows how to touch a wide audience: from young start-ups to established, experienced entrepreneurs. In this biography, we dive deeper into his life and career, his path to success, his personal background and his influence as an entrepreneur and media figure. Happy reading!

Who is Steven Bartlett? His biography

Early years and background

Steven Bartlett was born Aug. 26, 1992, in Botswana, and grew up in Plymouth, a coastal town in southwest England. His childhood was marked by contrasts: a loving family on the one hand, and the challenges of growing up as a child of dark skin color in a traditional environment on the other. His mother, from Nigeria, and his British father always encouraged him to learn and do his best, but Bartlett rarely felt understood or motivated at school.

He left Manchester Metropolitan University at the age of 18 without completing his studies. He deliberately did not climb the traditional route of degrees and career ladder. Instead, he chose to follow his own path, driven by a deep sense of independence and entrepreneurial drive. This decision would prove to be the beginning of a remarkable journey that centered on self-development, guts and taking advantage of (digital) opportunities.

Bartlett frequently indicated in later interviews that his outsider position in his youth ultimately helped him think differently, shift gears faster and observe keenly. The feeling of “not quite belonging” became the fuel for his creativity and perseverance, he says.

First steps as an entrepreneur

Steven Bartlett took his first steps as an entrepreneur in the world of online marketing and social media, long before it became as incredibly big as it is today. He started his career by creating small digital projects, using his knowledge of platforms such as Facebook, Twitter (now X) and YouTube to capture the attention of young people. Instead of traditional ads, he focused on content that matched his generation’s perceptions: authentic, fast and impactful.

His first real venture was Wallpark, an online platform where students could connect with each other to exchange ideas, events or services. Although this project did not end up being a huge success, it was an important learning moment for Bartlett. He learned how to develop an idea, manage a team, and – perhaps more importantly – how to fail and move on. Important life lessons for any entrepreneur, so too for Bartlett.

This experience gave him the insights and network that would later lead to his big breakthrough. Bartlett saw the power of online communities and knew better than anyone how to use smart digital strategies to move a target audience. It was this combination of vision, timing and guts that soon brought him into contact with his later partner and marked the beginning of Social Chain: the company with which he definitively established his name in the entrepreneurial world.

Foundation and growth of Social Chain

Social Chain was founded in 2014 by Steven Bartlett and his associate Dominic McGregor. What started as a small agency with a clear mission – helping brands reach young people in an authentic way – grew into one of Europe’s most influential social media agencies in just a few years. What set Social Chain apart was the way it used its own social media channels to reach millions of young people with content that touched, inspired and conveyed a brand’s message in a credible way.

Under Bartlett’s leadership, the company grew explosively. Within a few years, Social Chain had offices in Manchester, London, Berlin and New York, working with international brands such as Apple, Amazon and Coca-Cola. The company’s strength lay not just in its technology or strategy, but more importantly in its culture. From the beginning, Bartlett was committed to a young, creative work environment where employees felt free to experiment and innovate.

In 2019, Social Chain went public as part of a merger that led to The Social Chain AG. Steven Bartlett, still only 27 years old at the time, thus became one of the youngest board members of a publicly traded company in Europe. Despite this business success, over time he decided to retire from the day-to-day management of the company to focus on new projects, including his now immensely popular podcast The Diary of a CEO.

The Diary of a CEO and Steven Bartlett ‘s role as a media figure

After leaving Social Chain, Steven Bartlett shifted his focus from agency leader to speaker, author and media creator. His podcast The Diary of a CEO, originally started as a personal project to share his thoughts and lessons, grew into one of Europe’s most listened-to business podcasts. With guests like Simon Sinek, Mo Gawdat, Mel Robbins, Deepak Chopra and big names from the entertainment world, Bartlett strikes a unique balance between depth, vulnerability and strategic thinking.

What sets the podcast apart is the openness with which topics such as mental health, leadership, failure and personal growth are discussed. Bartlett poses not only as an interviewer, but also as an expert by experience. His style can be characterized as empathetic and sharp. He dares to ask profound questions that others avoid, and that is appreciated by his millions of listeners worldwide.

In addition to the podcast, he appeared regularly on television, including as a judge on the BBC program Dragons’ Den (the British version of Dragons’ Den / Shark Tank). In doing so, he became not only a familiar face in the business world, but also a role model for a new generation of entrepreneurs who recognize themselves in his story.

With The Diary of a CEO, Steven Bartlett has proven that his influence extends beyond just building companies. He knows how to touch people, spark conversations and create space for real stories: something that is no longer obvious in today’s media landscape.

Personal life and net worth of Steven Bartlett

Behind the scenes of his public success, Steven Bartlett keeps his personal life largely private. His girlfriend is French influencer and podcast host Melanie Vaz Lopez, with whom he occasionally appears in public. In interviews, he regularly stresses the importance of rest, reflection and healthy relationships as a foundation for sustainable success. His focus on mental health and personal development is evident not only in his podcast, but also in his lifestyle.

Bartlett has since become one of the most successful young entrepreneurs in the United Kingdom. His exact wealth has not been publicly confirmed, but is estimated at tens of millions of euros. This is partly due to Social Chain’s IPO, his investments in other start-ups, book sales and sponsorship deals around his podcast. Yet he invariably emphasizes in his communications that success for him is not measured primarily in money, but in the freedom to follow his creativity, grow as a human being and help others in the process.

With his combination of business acumen, personal vulnerability and civic engagement, Bartlett shows that a new generation of leaders is steering not just by numbers, but by meaning. And that is precisely what makes Barlett unique.

Conclusion

Steven Bartlett is proof that you don’t have to take a traditional route to achieve something great. His story – from college dropout to founder of a publicly traded company and influential media maker – inspires people worldwide to follow their own path. He combines keen business acumen with a genuine focus on personal growth and mental health. In doing so, he represents a new generation of leaders who not only excel at strategy, but also dare to build a meaningful future. And that combination makes him a fascinating, inspiring figure right now.

Steven Bartlett quotes

“I never wanted to build a business, I wanted to build a life.”
“Your mindset will determine your future far more than your skillset.”
“If you don’t build your dream, someone will hire you to build theirs.”
“Comfort is the enemy of progress.”
“Being underestimated is the biggest competitive advantage you can have.”
“I’ve always believed that the best marketing doesn’t feel like marketing.”
“We live in a time where building an audience is the most valuable asset anyone can have.”

Publications and books

2024. Bartlett, S. The Diary of a CEO – The 33 Laws of Business and Life. HarperCollins.

How to cite this article:
Weijers, L. (2025). Steven Bartlett. Retrieved [insert date] from Toolshero: https://www.toolshero.com/toolsheroes/steven-bartlett/

Original publication date: 05/12/2025 | Last update: 09/28/2025

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Article by:

Lars Weijers

Lars Weijers is an experienced copywriter with an extensive marketing communications background. His specialisms lie in creative and active writing, combined with good search engine findability. Lars also works as an event and account manager with a commercial focus.