Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Douglas Hagey, data analyst based in Singapore, Singapore.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
I design bespoke data analytics software solutions for customers across multiple industries (scientific, financial, and sports) using state-of-the-art software solutions and deployment platforms. Recent and/or current customers include Plotly, Statiskicks, Rapid Wien, and Sunderland Athletic Football Club.
Tell us about yourself
While I have on-the-job programming experience and educational exposure to statistics, I did not get involved in doing statistical analysis and data science as a job until a few years ago when I approached a local football team in Vienna about assisting them with data analytics. Football is a passion of mine, and I thought it would be a great segway into a growing industry. The team was very receptive to the idea, and we've been working together for three seasons. Publishing a limited subset of that work on Twitter has resulted in additional long-term contract customers requesting similar, albeit far more complex, custom solutions.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
Building and deploying a custom interactive data analytics dashboard solution used by multiple football teams and sports news agencies in Mexico. This was a solo effort involving numerous technologies which I had not used before. The fact that these teams and agencies use the solution that I developed to conduct their business (and win games!) is a very rewarding experience.
What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?
Generating new business initially can require lots of patience, time, and effort. It can also be difficult as a solo business owner because you have fewer options for sharing and developing ideas that exist more organically in a team environment. Therefore, developing a professional network of like-minded people in your business sector can prove invaluable.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Take the required time to develop a solid business plan and product, not rushing to market with half-baked solutions.
- Utilize your professional social network (and build one if you don't have one)
- Share your success stories on social media, and customers will start to come to you for business.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.douglashagey.com/
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/douglashagey1
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/douglas-hagey-20546b/
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
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