Name: Piperis Filippaios
Age: 25
Company name: uTargeting
What was your first Entrepreneurial venture?
At the age of 14 I started to sell website hosting to friends and family. I also started charging for (what was until then) free advice and support regarding their website.
Give us your current businesses ‘elevator pitch’
We are a carbon negative digital marketing agency based in Canterbury. We pride ourselves on delivering results with honesty and transparency.
How did you get started in business?
With a pack of business cards, a website and the need to succeed, how else can you start?
How did you come up with the idea for your current business?
Having started a number of other businesses online, I kept coming across companies that promised the world but failed to deliver when it came to digital marketing. This is when I realised I could actually do it better,
If we asked your staff what you are like to work for, what would they say?
I would like to think that they would say I am approachable and fun…
What was your biggest ever business challenge and how did you overcome it?
Graduating from University and having no business contacts to turn to for support, I quickly realised that I needed to build up my business contacts, fast. I did this by attending every networking opportunity that was thrown my way, armed with my business cards. Soon enough I was turning up to these events and knew most people there already…
What do you see as your biggest success to date?
Starting and growing uTargeting, amidst a recession.
How many hours sleep do you get on an average night?
I try and get between 6-8 hours per night… Doesn’t always happen, but this is what I aim for. I am more productive the following day if I’ve been able to achieve this.
How has the recent recession affected your business?
It hasn’t. In fact the recession could arguably be the reason why I am where I am today.
Which part of your job do you not like doing?
Hmm, haven’t got any… The bits I didn’t like doing have now been left to the professionals to do – e.g. accounts.
For Start Up success – what do you think are the three main qualities an entrepreneur(s) should display – apart from a cracking good idea?
Drive, ambition and determination. Scrap your CV altogether. You need to make your business the only option available to you. Having other jobs/careers at the back of your mind will mean that you will end up taking one of those options during one (of the many) tough times.
If you could offer a first-time entrepreneur only one piece of advice, what would it be?
Relationships are key. Build as many as possible, every day.
Looking back at your career, what’s one thing you would do differently?
There is nothing I would change, as I believe that the reason I am here is because of all the good and bad decisions I have made in the past. If any one of those decisions had not been made, I may not be as happy as I am today, so why would I change anything?
How does being Kent-based benefit your business?
Kent has a fantastic business community, full of good businesses and good business people. This makes it a fantastic place to do business.
Where do you see yourself and your business five years from now?
I would hope that uTargeting maintains its current level of growth and enables us to grow our team whilst maintaining the sense of togetherness and relaxed atmosphere we have within the business.
How important have good employees been to your success?
Working with good people – whether full time employees or freelancers – has always been important. After all, they all represent uTargeting.
Which top three skills have made you a successful entrepreneur?
Being approachable, innovative and a “good people person” have all helped.
What has been your biggest failure, and what have you learnt from it?
The biggest failure was underestimating what my time is worth during the early stages of the business. I lost a lot of time with ventures that ultimately cost me time, something that I will never be able to recoup.
Who has been your greatest inspiration?
I don’t really have a single inspiration. I admire and have a lot of respect for all entrepreneurs, especially those that started young.
What are your hobbies? What do you do in your non-work time?
My favourite hobby when not doing “actual work” is researching ways of doing things better within the business… Not sure if that qualifies as non work though… I do also enjoy free-diving and spearfishing in Greece.
Who inspires you the most (entrepreneur or not) and why?
Perhaps Peter Jones and Steve Jobs.
Which business book has inspired you the most?
Don’t have a lot of time for reading – I think doing an MSc took it all out of me, but I have enjoyed reading Fraser Doherty’s book – SuperBusiness.
What has been your most satisfying moment in business?
Receiving a new enquiry following a client recommendation.
How many hours do you work a day on average?
15 hours
Anything else you want to tell us about?
You can find out more about uTargeting at www.utargeting.co.uk or by calling them on 01227 656353.
Other Entrepreneur Interviews:
KENT ENTREPRENEUR – JASON HULOTT FROM SPEEDIE CONSULTANTS LTD
KENT ENTREPRENEUR – ANDY HARRIS FROM A1WEBSTATS
AN INSIGHT INTO BUSINESSMAN ALAN COOPER FROM DRAEAUK LTD