Alex is a co-founder of Teddle, a London-based startup growing services locally and matching trustworthy providers to busy customers.

A migrant from up ‘north, Alex forged a career in US politics. She just likes to get things done and channels this energy into taking care of Teddle’s marketing and operations.

Q: Who inspires you?

A: I always struggle with this question, as there isn’t really anyone well known who springs to mind. I am often inspired by the incredible people that I meet on a day-to-day basis. I learn a lot from people-watching!

Q: Why are you an entrepreneur? 

A: I like marching to my own beat and I find solving problems completely absorbing.

Q: What was a defining moment in your career?

A: Having to take 3 months off work due to stress & exhaustion. It was the wake up call I needed to make a big change and break out on my own.

Q: How is your company different from your competitors?

A: Our purpose: We focus on providing value to local service providers rather than traditional lead-gen businesses of old. We do this by giving them a simple online business platform through which to manage their business. www.teddle.com as well as helping them grow their business through our marketing.

Q: Where do you see your company in the next five years?

A: As a hub of local community – like the local coffee shop but online.

Q: What’s next for your company?

A: Focus on user experience on both sides of our marketplace.

Q: How did you finance your business when it was at the early stage? (Self-funded, crowd-funded, Angel Investor, VC)

A: Self-funded and then seed investment from an incubator.

Q: Tell me something about yourself that we don’t know already.

A: I worked on Obama’s campaign for Illinois Senate.

Q: What is your guilty pleasure?

A: An empty house, bottle of white wine, Chinese and US dramas like The Good Wife.

Q: Describe a time you failed. What did you learn from that experience?

A: I repeatedly failed to get into the MI5! I learnt that you need to be suited to your job i.e. if it calls for discretion, its probably best you are not loud and opinionated!

Q: What is your favourite mobile app?

A: I think I am rather boring as it would either be a travel app like National Rail so I can get real-time train times or Pulse, all my news in one place!

Q: What do you do to help focus?

A: Get on a train – it’s where I write and do my best thinking, as I can’t be distracted. There is something soothing about motion!

Q: Any words of advice for entrepreneurs who are trying to get their ventures launched?

A: Think small. Of course it has to have potential but so many people start far too big and fail to get it working. Solve a tiny problem and it is bound to grow. Oh and don’t build for VCs.