Doberman Technologies is more than just IT support for businesses. Founded by Ian Richardson, their mission is to not only offer support, but also provide the tools a business needs to be successful.
After a successful five years (of being a full-time) Doberman is not only hitting consistent growth goals, but they are also moving into a new office.
Founded:
Ian Richardson
The Problem Being Solved:
Doberman Technologies wants to help businesses use IT to keep their data secure, offer reliable IT systems and have a solid plan in place in case of disaster. They work to stand out by focusing on a relationship with the client that will not only meet their IT needs but also add significant value. “Learning about their organization as a whole lets us propose the right solution instead of an easy one.”
Where the Idea Came From:
Ian has been in the IT industry for 12 years and founded the firm as a way to provide after-hours support to others while still working a full-time job. He jumped in full-time in 2010 when he was tired of working for other people but still needed to pay the bills. He gave himself a five-year-plan and then planned to re-evaluate. Now, it’s the 5th year and Ian says everything is going great.
Opportunities and Worries:
Ian is excited about the opportunities that cloud computing presents for the small business space. “There are a lot of exciting opportunities to get stuff out in the cloud in a highly reliable fashion, and doesn’t risk losing data” says Ian.
While the cloud is exciting technology, the security landscape of IT can be scary, says Ian. “Anti-virus just doesn’t cut it. You need a more holistic approach to secure the entire network.” The thought, he says, keeps him up at night.
Target Customer:
Doberman Technologies is a B2B company, focusing on businesses that specialize in 6 areas; healthcare, legal, trades, financial, professional services and manufacturing. “We want to help businesses that develop products, those who may lose costs if they are down. We keep them up when they need to be up.”
Biggest Challenge:
Ian says that those working at Doberman need to have a specific mindset. “You need to be able to not only explain things clearly to people, but to relate to them.” While trying to meet these staffing needs, they’ve met challenges when trying to hire. “But so far,” says Ian, “We’ve had great luck.”
Along with staffing challenges, comes an educational challenge. “There are a lot of complex threats out there,” says Ian. They need to make sure their employees can educate clients on those threats but also that clients understand and are committed to staying up to date and protected against emerging threats. “We don’t just fix it and leave it.”
Surprises:
Ian has been surprised by the diversity in the marketplace. “You can enter two similar businesses, but they approach care in such different ways.”
Funding:
Because of a productive partnership with CASE Credit Union, their funding process has been successful. “Through them, we’ve achieved growth and there’s no sign of slowing down.”
The Future:
Doberman hopes to continue their growth strategy of 40% growth year over year. “Our five-year-plan is to have 5 times the current revenue and client base.”
Advice:
Ian’s advice to new entrepreneurs is to not only set business goals, but also personal goals as well, as long as they are well-defined. “Create numerical values, vision statements and a plan for success. List specific areas where you want to grow and hold yourself accountable.”
He also adds, in regards to clients and business, “Don’t be afraid to end a client relationship if it’s not working. You can’t be a proper fit for everyone and that’s ok.”
Upcoming:
Doberman Technologies is moving, expanding, and celebrating their growth. They will be holding a Grand-Opening at their new headquarters in Mason on June 25th at 5:30pm. There will be a ribbon-cutting, tours, and 5-10 minute welcome. Those interested in attending can contact Jaime Hardesty at M3 Group.
517-203-3333
Connect with Them:
