We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Giles Bailey a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Giles, we’re thrilled to have you sharing your thoughts and lessons with our community. So, for folks who are at a stage in their life or career where they are trying to be more resilient, can you share where you get your resilience from?
I get my resilience from a mix of personal drive and the people I surround myself with. Growing up, I was always encouraged to figure things out on my own, which taught me to problem-solve instead of panic. Later, diving into entrepreneurship and working closely with mentors like Rene Lacad really pushed me to stay focused, adapt quickly, and not let setbacks shake my vision. Every challenge has just become part of the fuel that keeps me moving forward.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
I’m the Head Consultant at SMM Dealfinder, an AI-powered software that’s changing how social media marketing agencies find and close clients. What excites me most is that we’re not just building tools—we’re solving one of the biggest pain points in the SMMA industry: lead generation.
SMM Dealfinder uses AI to scan thousands of businesses, scoring them based on how likely they are to convert into paying clients. It’s smart, fast, and removes so much of the guesswork for agencies. What’s special about what we do is the impact—it’s not just about saving time, it’s about helping businesses grow sustainably and connect with the right clients.
We recently hit $1M ARR within our first six months, and we’re continuing to scale. We’ve got new features in development to make the software even more powerful, and we’re expanding our reach globally. At the core, my focus is helping other entrepreneurs win—whether through tech, strategy, or just showing what’s possible when you combine AI with human insight.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Adaptability – The ability to pivot quickly and learn on the fly has been crucial. Whether it was dropping out of university or jumping into a completely new industry, being open to change helped me grow faster. For anyone starting out: don’t get stuck waiting for the perfect plan—start, adapt, and learn as you go.
Sales & Communication – Knowing how to communicate value and build trust is a game-changer. You can have the best product in the world, but if you can’t convey that to others, it won’t matter. I’d recommend practicing daily—whether through sales calls, public speaking, or even just asking more questions in conversations.
Understanding Human Behavior – Especially in marketing and entrepreneurship, everything comes down to people. Learning why people buy, how they think, and what motivates them makes all the difference. Study psychology, watch how people react, and never stop being curious about what makes people tick.
Alright so to wrap up, who deserves credit for helping you overcome challenges or build some of the essential skills you’ve needed?
Without a doubt, Rene Lacad has been the most influential person in my journey. Working directly with him—and learning through his mentorship—gave me both the mindset and the skillset to thrive in this space. He pushed me to level up, taught me how to think strategically, and gave me the real-world tools to succeed in sales, marketing, and client consulting. His guidance not only helped me overcome challenges but also gave me the confidence to take on a leadership role within SMM Dealfinder.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.smmdealfinder.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gilesbailey1/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100011723979861
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gileswbailey/
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.