It’s amazing where life takes you.
When I left University, I thought I’d end up working for a large established and rather ordinary business somewhere in the UK. Luck it would seem had different plans for me. By chance I was introduced to a successful Yorkshire Entrepreneur who was busy growing his innovative technology business; Masternaut. The company specialises in GPS vehicle tracking systems that help companies to increase productivity and lower carbon emissions.
The business was only 5 years old when I joined and by that point had just over 100 people. The most amazing thing is that this company started in 2002 with just 3 people working out of a small serviced office. It quickly grew at an astonishing rate, acquiring an amazing portfolio of clients including brands such as Harrods, Ann Summers, British Airways, Tarmac, Carillion and even fellow entrepreneur Duncan Bannatyne.
One of the UK’s fastest growing businesses
Masternaut was featured in the Sunday Times Tech Track 100 in 2007, 2008 and 2009 which is a league table that profiles the UK’s 100 fastest growing technology firms. Masternaut’s founder Martin Port was the 2008 Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year for Technology and Communications.
It might look like the baddies lair from a James Bond Movie, but this is actually Masternaut’s Head Office in Leeds, set in the wonderful Yorkshire countryside. Many a happy hour was spent here.
My time at Masternaut was an absolutely incredible experience, working in a dynamic, innovative, motivational and endlessly changing environment. It was a perfect place for my bold and adventurous ideas – it was also a fantastic opportunity to learn quickly from a top UK businessman and entrepreneur. As a Brand and PR consultant, I now work with clients to share some of the insights and secrets of that incredible growth and success to help nurture their own business and brand aspirations.
Why am I sharing this with you?
There is much to learn from businesses like Masternaut. Entrepreneurs like Martin are a unique breed and they often use weird and wonderful means to make their vision a reality. They see opportunity where others can’t and they have an incredible energy which carries them forward through unthinkable challenges. Martin’s motto was always ‘refuse to lose’ and he certainly stood by this in everything he did.