Everything Tech is a Manchester-based IT support provider which also has locations in London, Glasgow and Cannock, Staffordshire.
To get involved in a future edition of What I’ve Learnt, please email charlies@prolificnorth.co.uk.
Alongside Ruth Hall and Anthony Hautin, Director Lee Wrall is one of the co-owners of Everything Tech, which made its first acquisition, of Unite Manchester, in October, taking the first step in its upcoming ambitious growth strategy.
The company supports SMEs with a wide range of their IT infrastructure requirements, including support, security, communications, cloud services, disaster recovery and more, preventing and solving problems across the board.
We found out what lessons Lee has learnt in his career.
Which single daily habit or practice could you not do without?
Exercise. I usually cycle or go for a run before work – I find it really sets me up for the day.
What’s been your luckiest break?
When I was looking to start up the business, it just so happened my next door neighbour was also starting a business and he became my first client, which gave me the cash to get going – and he is still my client today.
I would also have to say meeting Ruth Hall – we have a very complementary set of skills that work well together.
What’s your best failure?
I started my first IT company when I was 25 years old and, to be frank, made a right pig’s ear of it.
But you live and learn – this experience taught me how important it is to find people on the journey with different skillsets, which is why Everything Tech has been, and continues to be, so successful.
I am surrounded by a wealth of experience and knowledge that ensures we deliver the best, most proactive service to our customers while continuing to develop and grow the business.
What is the best investment you’ve ever made, either financial or time?
I think for me, it’s just going for that morning exercise. It helps me focus. Making that time for yourself before the day gets away with you is important.
Which book would you recommend others to read and why?
‘How to Win Friends and Influence People’ by Dale Carnegie. It teaches you a lot about how to interact with other people; in particular, the key theme running through it is that we have two ears and one mouth, and we should use them proportionately!
What one piece of advice would you give your 21-year-old self?
I’d tell myself to have the confidence to start a business even earlier than I did – aged 25. I think this would have empowered me to learn from my mistakes at a younger age, and help ensure I didn’t fail in business again.
Who or what has had the single biggest influence on your working life?
Probably my Mum and Dad; they were real grafters, working really hard come rain or shine.
That discipline was ingrained in me from an early age – it taught me the importance of hard work. This is the ethos that drives my ambition, especially here at Everything Tech.
How will the COVID crisis change work for the better?
The COVID crisis has moved technology adoption on by a decade, which I think will continue to change the workplace for the better. People and businesses have had to change and use systems and technology that they probably wouldn’t have considered two years ago.
They have also had to invest in business continuity plans in order to adapt to a more flexible and hybrid working model.
What does success look like to you?
Success changes as you go through life. I used to think success was the ability to pay the bills, and not needing to worry.
But success for me now is about building a business that people want to work for and becoming the best in what we do.
