Callum Stuart's entrepreneurial journey as presented at SIE Glasgow - November 2013.

1. Callum Stuart
COO - Mallzee
@mullac42
mallzee.com

2. Me 13 Years Ago…
•
•
•
•
18 years old
Gap Year
Working in McDonalds
Met my Co-Founder - Jamie
Even shitty jobs matter!
mallzee.com

3. My University…
• Heriot Watt University
• BSc Hons Computer Science
• Learned first principles to understanding
technology then and now
Technology changes - First principles are key
mallzee.com

4. My Corporate World…
Research
Management
Corporate experience isn’t all bad
mallzee.com

5. Me Taking the leap…
• Software development
• Product focused company
• Co-Founded with Jamie & Al
• Kept alive by consultancy
• Wrong product
• Little market validation
• Few customers
• No passion
Use your skills to survive
mallzee.com

6. My Network is critical…
• LOADS of events, organisations, accelerators, co-working spaces
• Plugged in FAR too late >18 months
• Life changed overnight
Plug in to the network early
mallzee.com

7. Mallzee…
• Amazing well rounded team of 7, recruiting for more :)
• Interesting, game changing technical challenge
• Recognised my weaknesses to put us in the right place
Lose the ego, build the best team
mallzee.com

8. My Lessons Learned…
• Find AMAZING Co-Founders who complement and push you.
• Understand customers
• Build something - give yourself a decent shot by building
something that solves a pain point!
• Understand customer acquisition early.
• Mentors, mentors, mentors / Network, network, network.
• Embrace serendipity and enjoy the wild ride! :)
Have no regrets!
mallzee.com

9. Thanks and good luck!
add me on Twitter
@mullac42
mallzee.com