Fairfax NZ
AMBITIOUS TARGETS: Simon Barton, founder and owner of Mighty Ape online store.
Online retailer Mighty Ape has come a long way since Simon Barton started the company from his lounge in 2004.
Barton would certainly struggle to fit in his lounge the over 230,000 games, books, movies, music, toys, computers and electronic items which reside in his 5800 square metre Auckland warehouse - not to mention the company's 50 staff.
Still New Zealand owned - by Barton, of course - and operated, Mighty Ape's success is built on customer service including guaranteed overnight delivery, Barton says. The company has a mission to create the best online shopping experience for Kiwis. Oh, and grow to a $100 million business.
Why did you become an entrepreneur?
I ultimately became an entrepreneur because I wanted to be in control of my own destiny and I wanted to build something big. But I never dreamt it would be this big.
What have been the biggest obstacles in running your company?
Most obstacles have been external obstacles. In the early days it was definitely funding. In more recent times the biggest obstacles are breaking down old business networks (models). Some people don't like the fact that the world is changing.
Name one thing you've learnt while in business and from who?
One of my favourite learnings was "reinforce success, starve failure", which is a military doctrine from Sun Tzu's Art of War. The basic idea is if it's working, keep doing it, if it isn't, don't invest more in something that's failing. Back the winners.
What are your business and personal goals?
My short-term business goal is to build Mighty Ape into a $100 million company - most people would be surprised at how achievable this is.
On a personal level, it's challenging to make sure business does not dominate life.
My personal goals are to grab every opportunity of quality time I can. It's been fun to interweave Mighty Ape into our family's identity.
Life is about memories and most of those come from outside the workplace.
Do you have any tips for budding entrepreneurs?
Get started. Just accept that your ducks are never going to line up. They won't and there will never be a perfect time. So, why not start on a small scale. Read books like The Lean Startup by Eric Ries (for sale on Mighty Ape). Get started, find out what works and what doesn't quickly. It's all about learning what works and what doesn't. Get in the game.
What have you sacrificed to be an entrepreneur?
Feeding my video game addiction. But seriously, you do sacrifice a lot of mental time that could have been spent relaxing, doing hobbies, having fun etc. I don't know many - any - entrepreneurs who work nine-to-five and are successful.
Are you prepared for failure?
Not at all. This has never been considered as an option. My idea of failure is not fulfilling potential. This is what I'm most afraid of.
Who is your "business guru", or who do you admire, and why?
I'm an admirer of Jeff Bezos (from Amazon.com). I appreciate his vision and ability to execute game-changing strategies on a massive scale. Amazon is constantly changing the way the world works. We have learnt a lot from their business.
What do you do in your downtime?
I spend a lot of time coaching our boys with their cricket or football.
I also love watching cricket or any sport and playing the odd video game.
If you were an employee rather than running your own business, which company would you want to work for?
New Zealand Cricket.
Do you think businesses should "give back" to the community?
I do, and I think it starts with paying our share of taxes. It annoys me that companies like Apple, Google, Facebook and Microsoft are ripping off taxpayers all around the world for the benefit of their mostly rich shareholders. It's disappointing that large companies are able to get away with this.
In the past we've supported Starship hospital, Make-a-Wish, and are currently helping out (brain cancer sufferer) Angus Little via sponsorship of Black Cap Grant Elliot in the one-day series against England.
What would readers be surprised to learn about you?
I played the bagpipes as a youngster. Our staff may not be so surprised.
- ? Fairfax NZ News
Source: http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/small-business/8437183/Commitment-to-service-boosts-retailer
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