World Entrepreneurs Day

Today is World Entrepreneurs Day. A day where we celebrate those who dive headfirst into the world of startups, innovations, and big dreams.

What better way to celebrate than by catching up with our Managing Director, Nick! Nick’s journey, filled with ups, downs, and everything in between, has shaped Platform81 into the company it is today.

We sat down with Nick and asked him everything from why the name Platform81 to where he sees the company in the future.

How did you come up with the name for Platform81?

Not overly imaginative – wanting to build platforms for success – and I was born in 1981….

Can you share a memorable story from the P81’s early days?

I remember getting our first payment in from a client – it was a cheque for £600….as a milestone celebration, we spent most of it in the pub!

What challenges did you face in the initial years had how did you overcome them?

The biggest challenge was time and resources. I completely underestimated how difficult running a micro business was…every single decision needed my input so working 18hr days was a regular occurrence….I loved it though! Moving forward, the key to our growth has been the team and giving them the freedom to do what they are good at. Delegation is key, even though I’m still not great at it today!!

How has the agency adapted to the ever-changing digital landscape?

Investment in people and technology. We have seen a significant shift in the way we work even in the last 6 months, we need to be willing to change, adapt and challenge the norm!

How do we ensure we stay ahead of industry trends and remain competitive?

As per above, constantly looking to improve and adapt. We learn from every project we deliver, and we ensure these learnings are filtered through the business.

What advice would you give to budding entrepreneurs just starting out?

Have confidence (even if internally you’re really petrified) and surround yourself with great people.

Are there books, mentors, or resources that have significantly influenced your journey in building a business?

There are numerous resources available for businesses/business owners, but the most valuable insight is from those who have ‘been there and done it’. Sport and business are very closely aligned and I tend to listen to a lot of podcasts that merge the two. The High Performance Podcast is really good as I always have a nugget or two that I try and use in my personal or business life.

Where do you see our agency in the next 5-10 years?

Growth is very much the plan, so I’m looking forward to developing the team, our client base and our brand across the UK and overseas.