I was fortunate enough to learn some simple business principles very early. From the age of about 15, I was helping my school and friends’ parents with their computer problems. It didn’t take me long to realise I could earn more, with less effort, than I was by working in peoples’ gardens! It was extremely satisfying providing a service that the customers felt was worth every penny. I recognised the value in providing a good customer service and the resulting power of word-of-mouth marketing. Word spread fast that if you had a computer issue locally, you should call me. Just as well, my first attempt at advertising my services failed miserably!
Since then, I have founded or co-founded at least 6 different companies, starting at the age of 17 and invested in many more. My first business of IT support and building computers was started with nothing other than my time and the little I earned from also working in a petrol station whilst being an A-level student. When I started, I literally had to look up how to create an invoice as I was unsure what information should go on one! Selling Web sites, Web hosting and domain names later helped me pay my way through University. Necessity is a great catalyst for learning and ensures you get off your backside!
Just after graduating (aged 23), I sold a student community Web site I founded called ‘The Junction’ in 2000 to a company that later became Stream Group Plc (today it is known as Netplay TV Plc). I was head of Stream’s ‘New Media’ division, responsible for mobile, internet and digital TV projects. Unfortunately I quickly became unhappy in a ‘big’ company environment where most decisions were out of my control. So I left, sold my car and started again despite having a large mortgage and not much more than 2 months’ cash in the bank.
My business selling content/services to mobile phones via SMS was born. Thanks to the explosion in mobile phone usage & the popularity of mobile content like ringtones, the return on investment from the advertising I had to book on my credit card was incredible. I moved to Monaco about 6-9 months after quitting my job at Stream. The year was 2003 and I was just 25.
Since then, I have built a group of businesses all related to technology and mainly focussed around the Internet, Mobile/Smart phones or ‘Green’ technologies. I advise several of them, offering an impartial ‘expert’ opinion which helps them avoid some mistakes and identify opportunities for growth. Collectively they employ ~250 people in the UK, US and India and growing rapidly despite the recession.
Today, at the grand old age of 34, I already have >15 years of hands-on start-up experience.. which makes me feel old! I’ve packed a lot into that time but I’m just getting warmed up! Helping start-up companies is my passion; I find it by far the most exciting phase of a company’s life as well as the most challenging. You learn every single day and see some great people blossom into excellent businesspeople and that is very rewarding.
I’d very much like to help you too.