Stealth Mode Activated: Anonymous Alex Shares His Challenges and Victories

Alex has a vision that many doubted.

Some still doubt what he has set out to achieve in the world of data analytics, but he seems relaxed as we exchange formalities.

It's clear he has a strong knack for numbers, and the books that adorn his wall behind him are a testament to that.

He's also a huge fan of Mr. Robot and finds inspiration in its intricate portrayal of hacking, technology, and the captivating world of data.

Witnessing a crucial moment in Mr. Robot, where the protagonist tackles a challenging hacking scenario, fuelled Alex's passion and propelled him into the intricate realm of technology.

This experience not only shaped his entrepreneurial journey but also instilled confidence in his pursuits. "It was at that point I thought, I have an idea and I think that idea is good. I'm young enough to work on it and risk failure."

Admittedly Alex is unlike any other founder we've spoken to, but he's approachable and personable even if certain stereotypes suggest that this would be an awkward and clumsy conversation.

Far from it, actually, Alex articulated clearly in both technical and layman's terms what it was that he was trying to achieve.

Addressing Scepticism and Doubt

He admitted though that the journey wasn't easy. It isn't any easier actually, as Alex still faces scepticism about his unconventional approach. "Nobody believed what I was doing was better than the more traditional ways of doing the same thing. I had to quantify everything and stand my ground in meetings with people."

The struggle extended to fundraising, an ongoing battle: "Trying to get funding was (and is) a nightmare. Not sure I’ve conquered that bit yet."

A significant setback came during the transition from prototype to full product, resulting in 18 months "wasted" and a substantial financial hit. "My first attempt at moving from a prototype to full product was a disaster, wasting 18 months and a lot of money. Very frustrating."

"[It was] difficult to identify the market as most customers are secretive and very hard to contact. They’re also mainly US based. Boots on the ground at conferences and spending lots of time in the US helped."

"Firstly, there were unforeseen technical hurdles, intricacies in the product development process that weren't initially apparent. This led to a series of revisions and adjustments, extending the timeline significantly. Additionally, aligning the product with market demands posed a considerable challenge.

Feedback from potential users prompted substantial modifications to ensure the end product resonated effectively with the target audience. Fundamentally, it was through listening to users that the product is in the best shape it's ever been. So while it does feel like I've wasted a lot of time, the less cynical part of me realises how much of that 'wastage' was a learning curve."

Alex continued, "Navigating the complexities of scaling production while maintaining quality standards proved more intricate than anticipated. I struggled to do this on my own. In essence, it was a convergence of technical, market, and operational challenges that contributed to the prolonged and costly nature of this pivotal phase in the journey."

Identifying a market, particularly one with secretive and hard-to-reach customers, added another layer of complexity. Yet, Alex persevered. "[It was] difficult to identify the market as most target customers are secretive and very hard to contact. They’re also mainly US based. Boots on the ground at conferences and spending lots of time in the US helped."

Seeking Customers

"I firmly believe in the philosophy that success lies in going wherever your customers are. Easier said that found of course, but this realisation propelled me to adopt a proactive approach, with a significant emphasis on physical presence. Attending conferences and spending substantial time in the U.S., where the majority of clientele resides, proved instrumental.

"These boots-on-the-ground efforts not only facilitated direct engagement but also provided invaluable insights into the nuanced needs of our customers. It emphasised the importance of a personal touch in a digital age, underscoring the profound impact of being present in the spaces where our clients operate."

Funding challenges persisted, however, but Alex found solace in defying the naysayers. "As I touched upon earlier, funding is always one issue I don’t think we’ve fully solved. I think that comes down to my communication style really, which is something I'm always working on.

"Acceleration of sales is another issue we’ve helped by automation. People said - and took great pride in saying - it couldn’t be done, so I just didn’t listen to them."

Proving Naysayers Wrong

The business weathered storms, including potential contracts that fell through. "During focus, we lost contracts that were due to be signed and would have made us profitable instantly. It’s hard to bounce back from stuff like that, but we just kept focused on what we could control and had to forget about what we couldn’t control."

Recognising the importance of automation, Alex emphasises, "Automation of processes is very important - adding staff just doesn’t work nor make sense sometimes, especially when seeking profitability."

LinkedIn emerged as a powerful tool for prospecting, and maintaining resilience in the face of unresponsive prospects became a crucial lesson.

On mentorship, he found that sceptics were plentiful, particularly in the local scene. "From day 1 - and to this day - people have been sceptical and critical. People in the North (Northern Ireland) are real and love to put others down, which is very toxic. I just don’t listen to free advice and had quantitative evidence my way was right."

"Sometimes I do wonder though, where would I be if I weren't so damn stubborn?"

Decisions, though not singular, played a pivotal role. "I don’t think there are single decisions that make the difference, rather it’s the compounding of small decisions on a frequent basis that impacts the firm."

Amidst the romanticised perception of startups, Alex offers a stark reality: "I feel very strongly that startups are romanticised and gamified (look at all the pitching competitions). It’s a long hard slog and isn’t easy. It’s hard. Really hard. It consumes your every waking moment, and it’s terrifying having to work out how you’re going to pay bills or wages this month."

Alex concludes, reflecting on the unique support found within the entrepreneurial community: "Only other business owners and startups really understand this point. The stress is unbelievable. I’m not sure I’d do it again if I knew what I now know. No real mentors, and those that claim to be have been no help. Family being supportive has been more important."

Concerned our conversation might end on a negative note, Alex smiles, acknowledging the unintended grimness. I express gratitude for his candour, highlighting his efforts with the well-worn cliché, "Nothing worthwhile comes easy."

He chuckled, "There's some truth in that. I admit the initial stress has given way to different challenges, fortunately, more manageable and signalling we're on the right path. With profitability and growth, I anticipate unveiling more in the future."

"Sometimes I do wonder though, where would I be if I weren't so damn stubborn?"