How I Succeeded: Pixevety’s Colin Anson


How I Succeeded is a regular series on Lifehacker where we ask business leaders for the secrets and tactics behind their success. Today: Colin Anson, CEO and co-founder at pixevety.

Current gig: CEO and co-founder at pixevety
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Location: Sydney and Brisbane, Australia
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Current mobile device: iPhone XS
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Current computer: Apple Macbook Pro i9
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One word that best describes how you work: Bold
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What apps/software/tools can’t you live without?

My iPhone, iPad, iWatch, various laptops for testing updates to Pixevety my business’ user platform, and running a national company means I cannot live without the Qantas app.

What social network do you find most useful?

LinkedIn

What were the most important lessons you learned while growing your business?

Never underestimate someone else’s opinion – everyone has an opinion, but they are not all equal, so consider if yours is the one that needs changing. If you surround yourself with those who are more capable, you will always be inspired and have opportunities to learn.

Look into the WHY – it is often far more important than the WHAT. Take the knocks that always come with growing a business BUT always get back up and learn from them.

What has been the most surprising part of your business journey?

Credentials get you on the ladder, but it’s what you do and how you do it that matters the most.

What everyday thing are you better at than anyone else?

Being able to see things for what they could be. Many people merely look at ‘what is’, the basic facts of what things are. I am always looking deeper, into what the potential of each situation is.

What’s your sleep routine like?

I am always trying different ways to unwind to improve my sleep routine!

What has been the most surprising part of your business journey?

The older I get the more passion I have for what I do. While the corporate space does not necessarily put a value on this, passion is irreplaceable. Those with passion are both rewarded and suffer for it – my grey hair is real and has been earnt. To my surprise, despite the inevitable set-backs, long hours and disappointments along the way, my passion has not wavered but become stronger – continually fuelling the fire to deliver.

What advice would you offer to other businesses on how to succeed?

Don’t be afraid to take the first step. Ensure you do your research quietly and competently and, if after acquiring this new knowledge (often good and bad), you are still positive, excited and buoyant about the potential business venture – then go for it.

When I experienced the lack of control parents have over how their children’s photos are shared and used online, I knew there was an opportunity for a business to make significant and worthwhile change.

After much research, I was passionate about getting the idea going and so pixevety was born. And because I started with a good foundation of understanding, the business is successful and the inevitable ups and downs have not thrown us.

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