Jamie Fagan

A Story of Resilience, Passion, and Purpose – The Journey of Jamie Fagan

At just 10 years old, Jamie Fagan stepped onto a stage for the first time. No training, no experience, no idea what he was doing—just a kid at his school talent show, taking a chance. What he didn’t realise then was that this moment would ignite a passion for hip hop that would change his life forever.

Hip hop wasn’t just a hobby for Jamie—it became his escape, his language, and ultimately, his purpose. But the journey to turning that passion into a thriving global movement was anything but easy.

A Childhood of Hardship & Unbreakable Resilience

Jamie’s childhood was marked by struggle, uncertainty, and resilience beyond his years. After his mum and stepdad’s abusive marriage ended in divorce, Jamie, his mother, and his brother were left with nothing—no car, no heating, no financial security.

He remembers sleeping in a sleeping bag by the fire on freezing nights because their home had no heating. Baths were filled using boiled kettles because there was no hot water. Basic necessities were a luxury, and life after the divorce was some of the hardest years of his life.

At the time, he didn’t realise it, but these struggles were shaping him. They taught him resilience, adaptability, and a hunger for change. Even as a child, he refused to accept his circumstances as his future.

He found ways to earn money wherever he could:

• Picking wildflowers and selling them to neighbours.

• Cleaning the street for pocket change.

• Teaching dance to his mum’s friends’ children for £5 a session.

• Buying out the “sweet kid” in school, marking up the prices, and creating demand to resell them at a profit.

His entrepreneurial mindset was already forming—before he even understood what entrepreneurship was.

Beyond that, Jamie’s grandfather played a silent but powerful role in his life. Every day, he would slip a few coins into Jamie’s pocket. At the time, it just felt like a kind gesture, but in reality, it was teaching him the importance of saving and reinvesting.

Of course, like many children growing up in struggle, Jamie misinterpreted money’s value. He thought having nice things meant being accepted—a trauma response that followed him into adulthood. It wasn’t until he started earning real money through his business that he finally let go of that belief.

Defying Expectations & Carving His Own Path

By 15, Jamie had a dream—to be a full-time dancer. But when he shared this dream with his careers teacher, she laughed in his face.

"Get a real job," she told him.

Those words stuck with him—but not in the way she intended. They didn’t discourage him. They fuelled him.

He spent months trying to picture himself in a traditional career. Doctor? No. Lawyer? Not a chance. Tradesperson? Absolutely not.

Nothing excited him—except dance.

The thought of dancing full-time gave him goosebumps. But there was a problem—Jamie hated being told what to do. The idea of training to become a professional dancer, spending hours in a studio under strict direction, felt suffocating. He loved dance, but he loved the freedom of it more.

That’s when he realised his future lay in teaching and business—something where he could control his own path.

But back then, no one else believed in him. Teachers, classmates, even friends—they doubted him.

Now, years later, when Jamie runs into people from his school days, the conversations go one of two ways:

1. “Still dancing?” They expect a hobbyist’s answer, but instead, Jamie smiles and says,
   “Yes. Still dancing. But now, I also run a company that teaches thousands of children every month.”

2. “I’ve seen Urban Motion everywhere—you proved us all wrong.” The very people who mocked him now congratulate him.

The old Jamie would have wanted to scream, "Told you so!"
But the man he is today simply smiles and thanks them.

Because the doubt, the disbelief, the rejection—it all made him push harder.

The Turning Point: A Dead-End Job That Paved the Way

Before Jamie could chase his dreams, he needed money.

At 17, he got his first “real” job—McDonald’s. Most people see it as a dead-end job, but Jamie disagrees.

He saw opportunity in every shift.

• Time management (everything in McDonald’s runs by the second).

• Customer service (learning how to engage people, sell to them, and build loyalty).

• Business operations (understanding how a massive organisation runs smoothly).

By 19, Jamie became one of the youngest managers in Northern Ireland. Soon after, he was promoted again—to coach business managers and customer care teams on how to bring in customers and turn them into regulars.

He worked relentlessly, absorbing every lesson he could. He studied the financials, the staffing models, the customer psychology—anything that could help him one day run his own business.

But the toll of corporate life caught up with him. He burned out, grew frustrated with the system, and started butting heads with management. He felt like a number, not a person.

Jamie knew he was meant for more—but he didn’t know how to take that leap.

Then came the panic attack that changed everything.

In the middle of a shift, his anxiety hit its peak. He ran into his business manager, Patryk, who immediately recognised what was happening.

Patryk wasn’t just a manager—he became a mentor. He saw potential in Jamie that Jamie hadn’t even fully seen in himself.

One day, after a heated argument that resulted in Jamie’s suspension, Patryk sat him down and said:

"Jamie, you always tell me what you’re going to do. But you never tell me when. Stop telling me what, and start telling me when."

That sentence changed everything.

Jamie took a moment. Then, with full conviction, he said:
"Two months from now. I’m going to leave and start my business full-time."

Patryk smiled. "About time. Good."

On December 31st, 2019, Jamie walked out of McDonald’s for the last time—ready to build Urban Motion.

Urban Motion: From an Idea to a Global Movement

With only £350 in severance pay, £8,000 in debt, and no financial backing, Jamie launched Urban Motion in early 2020.

Then, just as the business started gaining momentum, the COVID-19 pandemic hit.

For most, this would have been the end. For Jamie, it was just a pivot point.

• He moved classes online.

• He launched a clothing line.

• He created digital resources.

• He started flipping items on Amazon and eBay—selling everything from his Xbox to hot tub cleansers just to fund Urban Motion.

He refused to quit.

During this time, he also joined The King’s Trust Enterprise Program, where he gained mentorship, business strategy, and public speaking skills.

That’s when everything changed.

The Road to a Million Lives Changed

Today, Urban Motion has:

• Taught over 325,000 children across the UK, Ireland, Israel, and Palestine.

• Won CEO of the Year 2023 for Performing Arts in NI.

• Been nominated for The Prince’s Trust Enterprise Award 2024.

• Partnered with CORE Kids, AXA Insurance, YMCA, and hundreds of organisations.

• Developed the Movement Cards—an innovative dance-learning product.

• Built an inclusive program for the special needs community.

• Turned over six figures annually since 2021.

And this is just the beginning.

Jamie’s vision for 2026?
Impact 1 million children worldwide. Expand Urban Motion across multiple countries. Build a legacy that will outlive him.

Because for Jamie Fagan, this isn’t just a business—it’s a mission.

And he will never stop.