Chewing The Channel – Episode With Jay Ball

From The Fairgrounds to owning an Industry Powerhouse: The Jay Ball Story

Jay Ball’s career has been anything but conventional. He’s gone from delivering newspapers and working long days at fairgrounds to owning his first business called DataKom at 21, selling it, retiring to Cyprus, and then returning to the UK to build Flotek into a thriving national brand. His journey is one of resilience, reinvention, and a determination to keep moving forward.

Learning the Value of Work Early

Raised by a single mother who worked multiple jobs, Jay understood from a young age that nothing comes without effort. As a teenager, he took on any work he could find — washing cars, delivering papers, or spending 14-hour days at the local fairground for what felt like “lottery money” at the time.

Looking back, he recognises that those fairground shifts weren’t just about earning; they were his first lessons in sales, persuading customers to play games and keeping them engaged.

Jay’s first jobs included McDonald’s, KFC and at Lloyds TSB, where he quickly rose to the top in sales and stepped into management roles while still a teenager, but left when the rewards no longer matched his ambition.

He joined Phones 4U, mastering high-pressure sales techniques, before moving to Carphone Warehouse and blending that energy with a customer-first approach. By the age of 20, he was managing the largest store in Wales and earning close to £100k a year — until a minor company rule breach saw him dismissed.

The setback was a shock but also a grounding moment that shaped how he approached future challenges.

Building DataKom

At 21, where he had a shift of careers to become an electrician, Jay spotted an opportunity to sell business mobile communications with customer service at its core. DataKom was then born.

He reinvested every penny he could back into the company whilst also working part-time in a bar to pay his own bills, and over time, built DataKom into a £5m business with 50 staff — all without outside investment.

By 34, while exploring funding for an acquisition, Jay received an attractive offer for DataKom. Though his original plan was to sell closer to 40, the timing and valuation were right. He sold to Southern Communications, where he was set to become their future CEO.

However, it was not long before differences in vision became apparent, prompting Jay to make the difficult decision to walk away, even after being offered equity to remain with the company. This pivotal moment was made with a small but meaningful encounter with a supplier, who, upon seeing Jay in a tie, jokingly remarked that the formal attire didn’t suit his character — a comment that resonated deeply. It made Jay reflect on how corporate expectations had begun to distance him from his authentic self and the values that had driven him from the very start.

Stepping away was not just about leaving a position; it was a deliberate choice to reclaim his identity and refocus on what truly mattered, building something that aligned with his principles and vision.

A Brief Retirement in Cyprus

At 35, Jay moved with his wife and two daughters to their new home in Cyprus. Life was idyllic: early morning walks, daily workouts, healthy eating, and sunshine. Yet after six months, he realised something was missing — a sense of purpose.

Determined to build something new, Jay reached out to Malcolm, a trusted former colleague. Over a beer by the sea, he invited him to join the venture. Within weeks, Malcolm had sold his house and moved to South Wales.

They started in a small borrowed office, mapping their ambitions on whiteboards. This time, Jay’s experience meant culture and values came first.

Growth Through Culture and Acquisition

Today, Flotek has over 150 staff nationwide. A strong sense of identity — from branded polo shirts to a “no ties” rule — helps unify the team. When acquiring companies, Jay’s focus is always on people and culture first, financials second. Cultural alignment is non-negotiable.

From fairgrounds to fast-growing tech companies, Jay Ball’s story is proof that setbacks can be the foundation for future success. With vision, culture, and the right people around you, building something great isn’t a one-time achievement — it’s something you can do again and again.