FROM SUBWAY TO START-UP STAR
ASHLEY’ S TEESSIDE TECH JOURNEY SHOWS ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE
Imagine being 28 years old, running your own global tech company, flying to places such as Las Vegas and growing a business worth more than a million pounds – all while working out of Middlesbrough.
That’ s exactly what Ashley Wood has achieved.
Ashley is the founder of iConvert, a tech platform that helps online gaming companies improve how they work and keep their players safe. His journey to success wasn’ t straightforward – and that’ s what makes it so inspiring.
Back when he was studying, Ashley worked at Subway, making sandwiches to pay his way. Later, he took jobs in hotels in Cyprus and Tenerife.
None of those roles were“ the dream career”, but they taught him valuable skills such as problem-solving, thinking creatively and working with people.
Looking back, Ashley says every job helped prepare him for the big opportunities that came later.
When he returned to Teesside, Ashley worked his way up in a local tech company before taking a huge leap: he bought out iConvert and made it his own.
Now, from an office on Albert Road, in Middlesbrough, his six-strong team is scaling the business across the world. In just the first year of going full-time, they were on track to hit a £ 1.5m turnover.
Ashley’ s career has also taken him around the globe. He spends weeks at a time in places such as Gibraltar,
Young entrepreneur – Ashley Wood is building a fast-growing business in his 20s.
Malta and even Las Vegas, attending international events, meeting clients and showing off what Teesside tech has to offer.
This year, Ashley’ s hard work was recognised at the Tees Tech Awards, where he won the Rising Star category – an award celebrating the brightest young talent on Teesside.
So what’ s his advice? Ashley says success often comes from spotting problems and refusing to accept“ that’ s just how it is”.
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