Pete Mills is co-founder and Director at Yorkshire tech company Crysp.
The online property and health and safety platform, which is used by businesses and schools across the UK, has offices in Saltaire, York and London.
As well as co-founding Crysp with Stuart Harlow, he has helped to grow a number of entrepreneurial businesses over the last 15 years.
He is also a Strategic Advisor for Leeds-based Slingshot Simulations, where he works with the team to build out the sales and marketing process.
He shared all the lessons he has learnt…
Which single daily habit or practice could you not do without?
Morning coffee before emails or anything work related.
What’s been your luckiest break?
Ha, I have had quite a few lucky breaks in my career so far, but a recent and very lucky one was being introduced to what has become one of our largest clients in the education sector. The introduction was based on us providing some support with work experience and it led to us being engaged to help the group!
What’s your best failure?
When I was exiting my last business I was tempted to actually join a scale-up, working with the founding CEO and the rest of the executive board. Although I have a lot of respect for what he has achieved and there are some great people within the business, I was a square peg for a round hole. However, it reinvigorated me to hit the start-up world again and I would not be here now if it was not for that period of time shortly before the pandemic began.
What is the best investment you’ve ever made, either financial or time?
It has to be property in my personal life. Very fortunate to live in Bradford where we have moved three times and doubled our property value each time. I think this is due in part to the close proximity to Leeds (where they have seen some sky rocketing house prices) and its pushed a lot of people to look at other areas including Bradford – and as the new City of Culture and a Bradfordian I love the resurgence of my City.
Which book would you recommend others to read and why?
I am a prolific reader and especially love the autobiographies and biographies of other business founders and owners. Last book was Ride of a Lifetime by Bob Iger. If you are leading an organisation or you have aspirations to, read this book. Another good was Shoe Dog, founder of Nike by Phil Knight. Years and years of literally wearing shoe leather until Nike finally took off.
What one piece of advice would you give your 21-year-old self?
Enjoy yourself more, it will come.
Who or what has had the single biggest influence on your working life?
My parents and grandparents who ran a fantastic family business for many years teaching my brother and I in the process that its only through hard work comes reward.
Tell us something about you that would surprise people.
I have a beehive in my garden.
How will the COVID crisis change work for the better?
The crisis has given many people the opportunity to shine a light on why and how they work. I’m not just talking about the working from home vs the office debate either, there are many things from mental health to the climate (how and again why we travel to work) that have been up for discussion that really a two year disruption the pandemic caused has given us.
If we can look to something positive out of that whole experience one of them would be the re-evaluation of work for sure.
What does success look like to you?
With Crysp we want to continue growing the business and hiring great people that will drive us on. With my non executive positions with Slingshot Simulations and Temp Rewards its about the next steps of the growth with the fantastic founding teams that are driving those businesses.
I am very fortunate to be working with great people who are focused on building things that solve real world problems fairly and sustainably. So I enjoy success every day!
