Best Startup Scotland
Mike Callachan of Snappy Shopper.
Where in Scotland are you located?
Dundee
Tell us about yourself?
Have always been passionate about the Internet. My first company, mtc.co.uk, is Scotland’s largest ecommerce consultancy.
I have also built and exited a business with Sir Peter Vardy called SilverBullet a SaaS product to sell cars online. Snappy Shopper is my latest venture and is the biggest yet!
What lessons has being an entrepreneur taught you?
It is a privilege to get up out of bed and go to work in the morning. If you believe in your business and are willing to work hard and make sacrifices you can achieve anything.
If you could go back in time to when you first started your business, what piece of advice would you give yourself?
Enjoy the journey, do not focus on the destination.
A lot of entrepreneurs find it difficult to balance their work and personal lives. How have you found that?
As a father of three boys, I have always found this hard. My youngest is only 11 months old and so making time for them allows me to live in the moment and relax.
What is the inspiration behind your business?
Supporting local businesses.
What do you think is your magic sauce? What sets you apart from the competitors?
A business that plays into two massive trends. Shopping online, and shopping locally to support local shops.
How have you found sales so far? Do you have any lessons you could pass on to other founders in the same market as you just starting out?
We have grown very quickly now approaching £150M of annual platform sales. Advice would be, it is not for the faint hearted!
What is the biggest challenge you have faced so far in your business, and how did you overcome it?
Finance, I successfully delivered a £20M Series A Fundraise with some very high profile investors such as Justin King (ex CEO of Sainsburys), Lord Irvine Laidlaw (self made billionaire) and PayPoint PLC (listed business).
What do you consider are the main strengths of operating your business in Scotland?
Talent.
What if any are weaknesses of operating your business within Scotland?
Not enough of it!
What influence does being part of the UK have on your business?
We are UK wide business.
What do you want to accomplish in the next 5 years with your business?
£1bn of platform sales and going global.
How has Brexit impacted your business (if at all)?
No.
And finally, if people want to get involved and learn more about your business, how should they do that?
Visit our website or follow us on social media.
Follow Snappy Shopper on Twitter or Linkedin.
