PROFILE
TEES UP !
Name : Age : 31 Born : Lives :
Dan Kitchen
Peterlee Wynyard
Organisation & Job title : CEO , razorblue Group
When I was at school , I wanted to be ... a business owner . I don ’ t think I knew what type , or what size business , but that was the ambition . I was lucky enough to go to Red House , here in Teesside , and being surrounded by successful people was hugely motivational .
The best business decision I ever made was … buying out my previous business partner . I didn ’ t realise how much our difference in opinion was holding the business back . It allowed me to make the decisions I wanted to .
The worst business decision I ever made was … back in the early days I gave someone a job who was completely incapable of it . We sent them to a customer site and they had no idea how to even install Microsoft Office – it was a total disaster . Suffice to say I have learned better interview techniques and our recruitment process is very rigorous today .
The best part of my job is … the daily rollercoaster ride of running a business that moves at a crazy pace . The highs of new customer wins and great feedback , mixed with kicking yourself and striving to do better when you get something wrong . Not knowing what challenge each day is going to throw at you is what makes it so enjoyable .
The biggest downside of my working life is … the hours . We are open 24 / 7 and I have to be prepared for anything that gets landed with me . Everyone has an expectation that IT should just work 100 per cent of the time too . People rarely say thanks when that does happen , but they complain a lot when it doesn ’ t – and that can be disheartening sometimes .
If I could change one thing about myself it would be … becoming more of a morning person ! Sometimes I work too late ( like now , writing this piece !), and struggle to get up early enough the next day .
Four words to describe me are … ambitious , opinionated , loyal , caring . My business mantra is … employ great people and have confidence in them .
My greatest achievement is … being named in the 42 under 42 , Megabuyte 25 and more recently , the Ward Hadaway Fastest 50 .
The advice I ’ d give to business start-ups is … build your entire business around customer service . Look at all the successful businesses you see – from Amazon to your local tradesperson who is booked out for six months . What do they all have in common ? Great customer service .
The biggest mistake the owners of new businesses make is … over-investing on day one before you know if the business is going to work . Build it up gradually , keep your overheads down , but keep reviewing and investing when the time is right . I have seen so many businesses go under without having made a single sale .
The Tees region ’ s a great place for business because … there are a surprising number of large and successful businesses based here . There ’ s such a huge pool of talent in a relatively small area .
My biggest frustration about the Tees region is … the deprivation . Although there is so much success here , there is also too much poverty . I think great strides are being made , but so much more can be done .
My favourite local charity is … the Great North Air Ambulance Service . Although a larger charity they save a phenomenal number of lives every year and we are extremely lucky to have them .
76 | Tees Business