our next speaker we actually have a fancy little setup here we’re gonna do
fancy little setup here we’re gonna do
fancy little setup here we’re gonna do things a little bit differently we’re
things a little bit differently we’re
things a little bit differently we’re gonna have a fireside chat with someone
gonna have a fireside chat with someone
gonna have a fireside chat with someone that is putting Vancouver on the map as
that is putting Vancouver on the map as
that is putting Vancouver on the map as a hub for entrepreneurial pardon me
a hub for entrepreneurial pardon me
a hub for entrepreneurial pardon me entrepreneurship that’s a big word
entrepreneurship that’s a big word
entrepreneurship that’s a big word entrepreneurship engineer and the
entrepreneurship engineer and the
entrepreneurship engineer and the Millennial workforce he’s bringing the
Millennial workforce he’s bringing the
Millennial workforce he’s bringing the sexy back to bookkeeping and accounting
sexy back to bookkeeping and accounting
sexy back to bookkeeping and accounting with his design focused tech company
with his design focused tech company
with his design focused tech company which has raised over thirty three
which has raised over thirty three
which has raised over thirty three million dollars since 2013 they have
million dollars since 2013 they have
million dollars since 2013 they have over two hundred and twenty five
over two hundred and twenty five
over two hundred and twenty five employees and a few dogs and they
employees and a few dogs and they
employees and a few dogs and they understand that they are hiring so if
understand that they are hiring so if
understand that they are hiring so if you do have questions feel free to tweet
you do have questions feel free to tweet
you do have questions feel free to tweet him afterwards they’re hiring and
him afterwards they’re hiring and
him afterwards they’re hiring and they’re headquartered in Vancouver he
they’re headquartered in Vancouver he
they’re headquartered in Vancouver he was named one of BC businesses and
was named one of BC businesses and
was named one of BC businesses and Forbes magazine’s top 30 under 30
Forbes magazine’s top 30 under 30
Forbes magazine’s top 30 under 30 he is the CEO and co-founder of bench
he is the CEO and co-founder of bench
he is the CEO and co-founder of bench welcome Ian Crosby thank you thanks for
welcome Ian Crosby thank you thanks for
welcome Ian Crosby thank you thanks for joining today so I understand a belated
joining today so I understand a belated
joining today so I understand a belated birthday wish is in order so
birthday wish is in order so
birthday wish is in order so unfortunately you are no longer eligible
unfortunately you are no longer eligible
unfortunately you are no longer eligible for 30 under 30 next year I’m sure you
for 30 under 30 next year I’m sure you
for 30 under 30 next year I’m sure you wanted to sweeten right under the line
wanted to sweeten right under the line
wanted to sweeten right under the line happy belated birthday does that mean
happy belated birthday does that mean
happy belated birthday does that mean you’re gonna retire anytime soon I don’t
you’re gonna retire anytime soon I don’t
you’re gonna retire anytime soon I don’t have any immediate plans I enjoy what
have any immediate plans I enjoy what
have any immediate plans I enjoy what I’m doing we want you around for a
I’m doing we want you around for a
I’m doing we want you around for a little bit longer though cool glad to
little bit longer though cool glad to
little bit longer though cool glad to hear that we can we can keep you well I
hear that we can we can keep you well I
hear that we can we can keep you well I will join best to oblige okay wonderful
will join best to oblige okay wonderful
will join best to oblige okay wonderful so tell me a little bit about bench and
so tell me a little bit about bench and
so tell me a little bit about bench and what you are doing to change the way
what you are doing to change the way
what you are doing to change the way people do business sure
people do business sure
people do business sure well every small business needs
well every small business needs
well every small business needs financial statements it’s just one of
financial statements it’s just one of
financial statements it’s just one of those things you need to run a business
those things you need to run a business
those things you need to run a business I mean I guess you could try to run
I mean I guess you could try to run
I mean I guess you could try to run you’re just about doing financial
you’re just about doing financial
you’re just about doing financial statements and doing your taxes it’s
statements and doing your taxes it’s
statements and doing your taxes it’s probably just not a very good long-term
probably just not a very good long-term
probably just not a very good long-term strategy but the way that was done
strategy but the way that was done
strategy but the way that was done before bench was you know you had to
before bench was you know you had to
before bench was you know you had to hire someone you had to learn all the
hire someone you had to learn all the
hire someone you had to learn all the software and bookkeeping in County it’s
software and bookkeeping in County it’s
software and bookkeeping in County it’s got this very esoteric knowledge like if
got this very esoteric knowledge like if
got this very esoteric knowledge like if you are a photographer running a
you are a photographer running a
you are a photographer running a photography business or your Shopify
photography business or your Shopify
photography business or your Shopify store you’re selling you know things
store you’re selling you know things
store you’re selling you know things online accounting tends to be something
online accounting tends to be something
online accounting tends to be something that’s so far outside of sort of their
that’s so far outside of sort of their
that’s so far outside of sort of their previous knowledge that it’s it’s scary
previous knowledge that it’s it’s scary
previous knowledge that it’s it’s scary it’s confusing and it’s something that
it’s confusing and it’s something that
it’s confusing and it’s something that so many people need that I just didn’t
so many people need that I just didn’t
so many people need that I just didn’t why there was just an easy place where
why there was just an easy place where
why there was just an easy place where you can go and just hit a button on a
you can go and just hit a button on a
you can go and just hit a button on a website and get your sort of standard
website and get your sort of standard
website and get your sort of standard issue accounting you it was always sort
issue accounting you it was always sort
issue accounting you it was always sort of a big ordeal so we did differently
of a big ordeal so we did differently
of a big ordeal so we did differently was create sort of something where you
was create sort of something where you
was create sort of something where you can just go sign up and in 15 minutes
can just go sign up and in 15 minutes
can just go sign up and in 15 minutes you know you have your full bookkeeping
you know you have your full bookkeeping
you know you have your full bookkeeping solution you’re gonna get your financial
solution you’re gonna get your financial
solution you’re gonna get your financial statements every month you don’t have to
statements every month you don’t have to
statements every month you don’t have to learn anything you don’t have to do
learn anything you don’t have to do
learn anything you don’t have to do anything and that’s that’s what we built
anything and that’s that’s what we built
anything and that’s that’s what we built well it’s easy for the customer to
well it’s easy for the customer to
well it’s easy for the customer to actually actually do it yeah it was like
actually actually do it yeah it was like
actually actually do it yeah it was like a multi-year journey I mean I think a
a multi-year journey I mean I think a
a multi-year journey I mean I think a lot harder than what we thought it was
lot harder than what we thought it was
lot harder than what we thought it was gonna be when we started out great and
gonna be when we started out great and
gonna be when we started out great and so what are some of the lessons that you
so what are some of the lessons that you
so what are some of the lessons that you learned along the way in building bench
learned along the way in building bench
learned along the way in building bench oh man some of the lessons along the way
oh man some of the lessons along the way
oh man some of the lessons along the way I mean there’s
I’d say the biggest thing was there’s
I’d say the biggest thing was there’s just no right way it’s like when you
just no right way it’s like when you
just no right way it’s like when you start especially I’ve been haven’t run
start especially I’ve been haven’t run
start especially I’ve been haven’t run the business before there’s kind of this
the business before there’s kind of this
the business before there’s kind of this general feeling I can’t put my finger on
general feeling I can’t put my finger on
general feeling I can’t put my finger on it but that you know there’s some
it but that you know there’s some
it but that you know there’s some knowledge or some secret that everyone
knowledge or some secret that everyone
knowledge or some secret that everyone else knows that I don’t know right or
else knows that I don’t know right or
else knows that I don’t know right or that you know there’s some some
that you know there’s some some
that you know there’s some some qualification that must be out there
qualification that must be out there
qualification that must be out there somewhere were some experience cuz you
somewhere were some experience cuz you
somewhere were some experience cuz you know I look at other people running
know I look at other people running
know I look at other people running businesses and to do with so much
businesses and to do with so much
businesses and to do with so much confidence they must know something that
confidence they must know something that
confidence they must know something that I don’t know and and really everyone’s
I don’t know and and really everyone’s
I don’t know and and really everyone’s just kind of making it up as they go
just kind of making it up as they go
just kind of making it up as they go along sometimes right yeah I mean it’s
along sometimes right yeah I mean it’s
along sometimes right yeah I mean it’s it’s you know there’s no there’s no real
it’s you know there’s no there’s no real
it’s you know there’s no there’s no real secret it’s it’s just about sort of
secret it’s it’s just about sort of
secret it’s it’s just about sort of doing your best and doing what makes
doing your best and doing what makes
doing your best and doing what makes sense to you and so what would you
sense to you and so what would you
sense to you and so what would you describe as some of your core values or
describe as some of your core values or
describe as some of your core values or guiding principles in building bench or
guiding principles in building bench or
guiding principles in building bench or perhaps for yourself in life yeah I mean
perhaps for yourself in life yeah I mean
perhaps for yourself in life yeah I mean I’d say what really got it off the
I’d say what really got it off the
I’d say what really got it off the ground
ground
ground and what sort of got us over the sort of
and what sort of got us over the sort of
and what sort of got us over the sort of take that leap hump was I don’t know I
take that leap hump was I don’t know I
take that leap hump was I don’t know I don’t know if this was a great attitude
don’t know if this was a great attitude
don’t know if this was a great attitude to have but we sort of really didn’t
to have but we sort of really didn’t
to have but we sort of really didn’t like a lot of businesses and how they
like a lot of businesses and how they
like a lot of businesses and how they were run we thought they sort of were ok
were run we thought they sort of were ok
were run we thought they sort of were ok with mediocre service or you know like I
with mediocre service or you know like I
with mediocre service or you know like I would call I don’t want to like call out
would call I don’t want to like call out
would call I don’t want to like call out any particular companies because now now
any particular companies because now now
any particular companies because now now that I run a business I’m like wow
that I run a business I’m like wow
that I run a business I’m like wow that’s hard
that’s hard
that’s hard you know but you know you’re on hold for
you know but you know you’re on hold for
you know but you know you’re on hold for like 35 minutes I’m like how why like
like 35 minutes I’m like how why like
like 35 minutes I’m like how why like that’s not a good experience for me do
that’s not a good experience for me do
that’s not a good experience for me do you want my business how how are you
you want my business how how are you
you want my business how how are you making me sort of go through that so you
making me sort of go through that so you
making me sort of go through that so you know we kind of started it as a like a
know we kind of started it as a like a
know we kind of started it as a like a rebellion against mediocrity we wanted
rebellion against mediocrity we wanted
rebellion against mediocrity we wanted to be something where Google would go
to be something where Google would go
to be something where Google would go there and it would go wow that is
there and it would go wow that is
there and it would go wow that is amazing they put a lot of thought into
amazing they put a lot of thought into
amazing they put a lot of thought into from the first second that you know you
from the first second that you know you
from the first second that you know you you land on the website to every day
you land on the website to every day
you land on the website to every day you’re getting financials that
you’re getting financials that
you’re getting financials that everything’s been thoughtful and I
everything’s been thoughtful and I
everything’s been thoughtful and I couldn’t think of sort of anything
couldn’t think of sort of anything
couldn’t think of sort of anything obvious that’s you know it was a
obvious that’s you know it was a
obvious that’s you know it was a detriment to the customer experience so
detriment to the customer experience so
detriment to the customer experience so that’s that’s really just sort of been
that’s that’s really just sort of been
that’s that’s really just sort of been the guiding principle since day one now
the guiding principle since day one now
the guiding principle since day one now you know obviously since then you learn
you know obviously since then you learn
you know obviously since then you learn sort of how hard it is to sort of like
sort of how hard it is to sort of like
sort of how hard it is to sort of like okay predict the exact number of colors
okay predict the exact number of colors
okay predict the exact number of colors you’re gonna get you know at any given
you’re gonna get you know at any given
you’re gonna get you know at any given hour of the day but you know we really
hour of the day but you know we really
hour of the day but you know we really rather than saying oh well everyone else
rather than saying oh well everyone else
rather than saying oh well everyone else has 30 30-minute wait times so I guess
has 30 30-minute wait times so I guess
has 30 30-minute wait times so I guess that’s okay you just really push
that’s okay you just really push
that’s okay you just really push ourselves to to try to figure out what
ourselves to to try to figure out what
ourselves to to try to figure out what we can do that’s better because we think
we can do that’s better because we think
we can do that’s better because we think that’s kind of mediocre exactly so don’t
that’s kind of mediocre exactly so don’t
that’s kind of mediocre exactly so don’t just stick with the status quo and don’t
just stick with the status quo and don’t
just stick with the status quo and don’t stick with what’s mediocre don’t use
stick with what’s mediocre don’t use
stick with what’s mediocre don’t use that as an excuse to just do what
that as an excuse to just do what
that as an excuse to just do what everyone else is doing you know raise
everyone else is doing you know raise
everyone else is doing you know raise their expectations right yeah I mean the
their expectations right yeah I mean the
their expectations right yeah I mean the way we think about it is you know the
way we think about it is you know the
way we think about it is you know the way anyone else is doing it that’s not
way anyone else is doing it that’s not
way anyone else is doing it that’s not that’s not the way it has to be done
that’s not the way it has to be done
that’s not the way it has to be done it’s initially hypothesis like sometimes
it’s initially hypothesis like sometimes
it’s initially hypothesis like sometimes it’s sort of like oh there’s an idea
it’s sort of like oh there’s an idea
it’s sort of like oh there’s an idea that we’re doing it that way doesn’t
that we’re doing it that way doesn’t
that we’re doing it that way doesn’t mean that it’s right like we actually go
mean that it’s right like we actually go
mean that it’s right like we actually go out and we sort of maybe even to our
out and we sort of maybe even to our
out and we sort of maybe even to our detriment sometimes we sort of test
detriment sometimes we sort of test
detriment sometimes we sort of test everything like we take nothing for
everything like we take nothing for
everything like we take nothing for granted and someone will say something
granted and someone will say something
granted and someone will say something that sounds obvious we’re like yeah but
that sounds obvious we’re like yeah but
that sounds obvious we’re like yeah but really is that is that actually the way
really is that is that actually the way
really is that is that actually the way it is let’s go test it and you know 80%
it is let’s go test it and you know 80%
it is let’s go test it and you know 80% of the time oh yeah okay so we were
of the time oh yeah okay so we were
of the time oh yeah okay so we were being a little bit you know ahead of
being a little bit you know ahead of
being a little bit you know ahead of ourselves but 20% of the time you know
ourselves but 20% of the time you know
ourselves but 20% of the time you know the time when you actually test
the time when you actually test
the time when you actually test something that no one else has thought
something that no one else has thought
something that no one else has thought of her figured out and you’ve learned
of her figured out and you’ve learned
of her figured out and you’ve learned something different it’s like hugely
something different it’s like hugely
something different it’s like hugely wildly valuable and those are the things
wildly valuable and those are the things
wildly valuable and those are the things that really are gonna what’s what’s
that really are gonna what’s what’s
that really are gonna what’s what’s gonna make you successful it’s like
gonna make you successful it’s like
gonna make you successful it’s like discovering the things that went
discovering the things that went
discovering the things that went unexplored by others absolutely and you
unexplored by others absolutely and you
unexplored by others absolutely and you talk about success how would you
talk about success how would you
talk about success how would you yourself define success you know it’s
yourself define success you know it’s
yourself define success you know it’s really about choosing priorities I
really about choosing priorities I
really about choosing priorities I a long time ago had this like formative
a long time ago had this like formative
a long time ago had this like formative as formative experience when I was in
as formative experience when I was in
as formative experience when I was in martial arts I was competitive martial
martial arts I was competitive martial
martial arts I was competitive martial artists before I got old I feel I feel a
artists before I got old I feel I feel a
artists before I got old I feel I feel a lot older than 30 I’m definitely not
lot older than 30 I’m definitely not
lot older than 30 I’m definitely not doing competitive martial arts anymore
doing competitive martial arts anymore
doing competitive martial arts anymore but actually my teacher he went on this
but actually my teacher he went on this
but actually my teacher he went on this big season for the class with these big
big season for the class with these big
big season for the class with these big sort of philosophical speeches there’s
sort of philosophical speeches there’s
sort of philosophical speeches there’s one we were sort of like every
one we were sort of like every
one we were sort of like every achievement just passes you know you
achievement just passes you know you
achievement just passes you know you think of it as like oh how amazing it
think of it as like oh how amazing it
think of it as like oh how amazing it would be to you know accomplish this or
would be to you know accomplish this or
would be to you know accomplish this or achieve this and then you know two weeks
achieve this and then you know two weeks
achieve this and then you know two weeks later it’s just on to the next thing
later it’s just on to the next thing
later it’s just on to the next thing like it’s not satisfying to just
like it’s not satisfying to just
like it’s not satisfying to just constantly be chasing this image of what
constantly be chasing this image of what
constantly be chasing this image of what your future life is gonna be like and
your future life is gonna be like and
your future life is gonna be like and that you know it’s really about do I
that you know it’s really about do I
that you know it’s really about do I enjoy what I’m doing in the moment like
enjoy what I’m doing in the moment like
enjoy what I’m doing in the moment like is this is this really what I want to be
is this is this really what I want to be
is this is this really what I want to be doing with my life and focusing on that
doing with my life and focusing on that
doing with my life and focusing on that and it’s just a very different headspace
and it’s just a very different headspace
and it’s just a very different headspace I think it almost goes back to like oh
I think it almost goes back to like oh
I think it almost goes back to like oh everyone else has figured out a thing
everyone else has figured out a thing
everyone else has figured out a thing that I haven’t figured out yet right
that I haven’t figured out yet right
that I haven’t figured out yet right it’s like and then you know someday I’m
it’s like and then you know someday I’m
it’s like and then you know someday I’m gonna figure it out or you know someday
gonna figure it out or you know someday
gonna figure it out or you know someday I will get the mass for achievement and
I will get the mass for achievement and
I will get the mass for achievement and then that will be gratifying and then
then that will be gratifying and then
then that will be gratifying and then like my life is kind of done and just
like my life is kind of done and just
like my life is kind of done and just you know the satisfaction doesn’t really
you know the satisfaction doesn’t really
you know the satisfaction doesn’t really work that way and I think I saw it in
work that way and I think I saw it in
work that way and I think I saw it in high resolution too when when I was
high resolution too when when I was
high resolution too when when I was building the company he was sort of like
building the company he was sort of like
building the company he was sort of like oh yeah the first million dollars in
oh yeah the first million dollars in
oh yeah the first million dollars in revenue you know it was like oh well be
revenue you know it was like oh well be
revenue you know it was like oh well be a real company or you know we’ll be
a real company or you know we’ll be
a real company or you know we’ll be successful when you got our first
successful when you got our first
successful when you got our first million dollar in revenue and you get
million dollar in revenue and you get
million dollar in revenue and you get there and you’re like wow there’s more
there and you’re like wow there’s more
there and you’re like wow there’s more problems than there have ever been no
problems than there have ever been no
problems than there have ever been no there’s more stress than it’s ever been
there’s more stress than it’s ever been
there’s more stress than it’s ever been you know like this doesn’t feel
you know like this doesn’t feel
you know like this doesn’t feel gratifying if anything I’m like more
gratifying if anything I’m like more
gratifying if anything I’m like more worried about everything right and and
worried about everything right and and
worried about everything right and and then you know the next million dollars
then you know the next million dollars
then you know the next million dollars are getting this big investor or you
are getting this big investor or you
are getting this big investor or you know getting and you know it turns out
know getting and you know it turns out
know getting and you know it turns out that you know what you’re actually doing
that you know what you’re actually doing
that you know what you’re actually doing is not any of those things that matter
is not any of those things that matter
is not any of those things that matter like those kind of just fade into the
like those kind of just fade into the
like those kind of just fade into the background and it’s it’s really about do
background and it’s it’s really about do
background and it’s it’s really about do you believe in what you’re doing every
you believe in what you’re doing every
you believe in what you’re doing every day and I understand that people are a
day and I understand that people are a
day and I understand that people are a big part of you know what you do and you
big part of you know what you do and you
big part of you know what you do and you know what you’re focused on it where can
know what you’re focused on it where can
know what you’re focused on it where can you tell us a little bit about what it’s
you tell us a little bit about what it’s
you tell us a little bit about what it’s like to be working at bench and my
like to be working at bench and my
like to be working at bench and my understanding also is there’s actually
understanding also is there’s actually
understanding also is there’s actually been a lot of news coverage as well
been a lot of news coverage as well
been a lot of news coverage as well around your corporate culture I have a
around your corporate culture I have a
around your corporate culture I have a bit of a culture crush on you guys as
bit of a culture crush on you guys as
bit of a culture crush on you guys as well I’ve looked on their website
well I’ve looked on their website
well I’ve looked on their website they’ve got a really cool like wellness
they’ve got a really cool like wellness
they’ve got a really cool like wellness guide you better
guide you better
guide you better you new hire got as well tell me a
you new hire got as well tell me a
you new hire got as well tell me a little bit about that and how that comes
little bit about that and how that comes
little bit about that and how that comes into play and what it would be like if
into play and what it would be like if
into play and what it would be like if we were to work at bench yeah now I’ll
we were to work at bench yeah now I’ll
we were to work at bench yeah now I’ll get my answer with full knowledge that I
get my answer with full knowledge that I
get my answer with full knowledge that I might not be representative answer
might not be representative answer
might not be representative answer because obviously one one directional
because obviously one one directional
because obviously one one directional view and you know maybe that sounds
view and you know maybe that sounds
view and you know maybe that sounds really like but I’ll see what I observe
really like but I’ll see what I observe
really like but I’ll see what I observe it to be like it when I think its life
it to be like it when I think its life
it to be like it when I think its life we are again coming going back to you
we are again coming going back to you
we are again coming going back to you know we don’t really take anything for
know we don’t really take anything for
know we don’t really take anything for granted
granted
granted we’re really just investigating you know
we’re really just investigating you know
we’re really just investigating you know what is the best way that we would like
what is the best way that we would like
what is the best way that we would like to run our company there’s no sort of
to run our company there’s no sort of
to run our company there’s no sort of right from the get-go it was K we’re not
right from the get-go it was K we’re not
right from the get-go it was K we’re not gonna take cookie cutter what other
gonna take cookie cutter what other
gonna take cookie cutter what other companies do just because that’s the way
companies do just because that’s the way
companies do just because that’s the way it should be done now sometimes you
it should be done now sometimes you
it should be done now sometimes you learn you know you test out you’re like
learn you know you test out you’re like
learn you know you test out you’re like oh there’s a really good reason that you
oh there’s a really good reason that you
oh there’s a really good reason that you know people do do things that way
know people do do things that way
know people do do things that way but for the most part it’s sort of like
but for the most part it’s sort of like
but for the most part it’s sort of like yeah why don’t most companies have like
yeah why don’t most companies have like
yeah why don’t most companies have like mental health guides or help you know
mental health guides or help you know
mental health guides or help you know they’re people really deal with stress I
they’re people really deal with stress I
they’re people really deal with stress I mean if stretches is gonna be a thing
mean if stretches is gonna be a thing
mean if stretches is gonna be a thing that comes up in your job I mean even if
that comes up in your job I mean even if
that comes up in your job I mean even if you were like just sort of like the most
you were like just sort of like the most
you were like just sort of like the most like stereotypical evil Grinch like like
like stereotypical evil Grinch like like
like stereotypical evil Grinch like like organization they want their people to
organization they want their people to
organization they want their people to be the most effective like why are they
be the most effective like why are they
be the most effective like why are they not helping people sort of be the best
not helping people sort of be the best
not helping people sort of be the best people they can be
people they can be
people they can be so that’s thing we focus on a lot in in
so that’s thing we focus on a lot in in
so that’s thing we focus on a lot in in you know we just were like well I don’t
you know we just were like well I don’t
you know we just were like well I don’t know if it’s gonna work was not gonna
know if it’s gonna work was not gonna
know if it’s gonna work was not gonna work let’s just try it can we even come
work let’s just try it can we even come
work let’s just try it can we even come up with a mental you know wellness guide
up with a mental you know wellness guide
up with a mental you know wellness guide I don’t know we’ve never done it before
I don’t know we’ve never done it before
I don’t know we’ve never done it before right but no one else has done it either
right but no one else has done it either
right but no one else has done it either so so so there’s a lot of things like
so so so there’s a lot of things like
so so so there’s a lot of things like that like you know things like so we
that like you know things like so we
that like you know things like so we have beer on tap sort of unlimited beer
have beer on tap sort of unlimited beer
have beer on tap sort of unlimited beer on tap and you know in a lot of
on tap and you know in a lot of
on tap and you know in a lot of companies you would be like oh were
companies you would be like oh were
companies you would be like oh were people just gonna be drunk all the time
people just gonna be drunk all the time
people just gonna be drunk all the time well no I mean if it turns out if you
well no I mean if it turns out if you
well no I mean if it turns out if you hire really good committed people that
hire really good committed people that
hire really good committed people that people aren’t just gonna dike they’re
people aren’t just gonna dike they’re
people aren’t just gonna dike they’re not there for the beer just sort of a
not there for the beer just sort of a
not there for the beer just sort of a nice you know baby maybe with lunch or
nice you know baby maybe with lunch or
nice you know baby maybe with lunch or after work or something and you know you
after work or something and you know you
after work or something and you know you can generally trust people to be
can generally trust people to be
can generally trust people to be responsible you don’t have to try to
responsible you don’t have to try to
responsible you don’t have to try to like predict all the bad things that
like predict all the bad things that
like predict all the bad things that people are gonna do so there’s just a
people are gonna do so there’s just a
people are gonna do so there’s just a lot of places where you know it got dogs
lot of places where you know it got dogs
lot of places where you know it got dogs in the office right where we’re like
in the office right where we’re like
in the office right where we’re like well I mean I can’t really think of a
well I mean I can’t really think of a
well I mean I can’t really think of a good
good
good to not have one in the office I mean not
to not have one in the office I mean not
to not have one in the office I mean not in the sales area because they’re gonna
in the sales area because they’re gonna
in the sales area because they’re gonna be barking and there’s customers on the
be barking and there’s customers on the
be barking and there’s customers on the phone okay so there’s a very good reason
phone okay so there’s a very good reason
phone okay so there’s a very good reason I have dogs in the sales area we learned
I have dogs in the sales area we learned
I have dogs in the sales area we learned that one you know firsthand but you know
that one you know firsthand but you know
that one you know firsthand but you know in general it’s sort of like yeah why
in general it’s sort of like yeah why
in general it’s sort of like yeah why why can’t you bring dogs Rick I mean if
why can’t you bring dogs Rick I mean if
why can’t you bring dogs Rick I mean if they’re you know well-behaved dogs etc
they’re you know well-behaved dogs etc
they’re you know well-behaved dogs etc and and so you know it’s again another
and and so you know it’s again another
and and so you know it’s again another one of those things were like well we
one of those things were like well we
one of those things were like well we like it and we have a founder forget a
like it and we have a founder forget a
like it and we have a founder forget a good reason not to do it I mean everyone
good reason not to do it I mean everyone
good reason not to do it I mean everyone else is not doing it but seems to work
else is not doing it but seems to work
else is not doing it but seems to work for us so you know in general I guess we
for us so you know in general I guess we
for us so you know in general I guess we do things that we like and make sense to
do things that we like and make sense to
do things that we like and make sense to us rather than sort of I know I think a
us rather than sort of I know I think a
us rather than sort of I know I think a lot of the time also companies feel like
lot of the time also companies feel like
lot of the time also companies feel like they have to play like grown-up business
they have to play like grown-up business
they have to play like grown-up business theater you know there’s a way that sort
theater you know there’s a way that sort
theater you know there’s a way that sort of like businesspeople are supposed to
of like businesspeople are supposed to
of like businesspeople are supposed to act and look and and that almost takes
act and look and and that almost takes
act and look and and that almost takes priority and maybe it’s that they’re
priority and maybe it’s that they’re
priority and maybe it’s that they’re like well you know I don’t know why we
like well you know I don’t know why we
like well you know I don’t know why we do it this way but everyone else is
do it this way but everyone else is
do it this way but everyone else is doing it that way so there must be
doing it that way so there must be
doing it that way so there must be something they figured out so I have to
something they figured out so I have to
something they figured out so I have to do it that way and you know we gave that
do it that way and you know we gave that
do it that way and you know we gave that up and I don’t we’ve really really
up and I don’t we’ve really really
up and I don’t we’ve really really enjoyed the results and my understanding
enjoyed the results and my understanding
enjoyed the results and my understanding also is that you vow to never have any
also is that you vow to never have any
also is that you vow to never have any offshore employees and you’re
offshore employees and you’re
offshore employees and you’re headquartered in Vancouver why Vancouver
headquartered in Vancouver why Vancouver
headquartered in Vancouver why Vancouver yeah and you know again there’s nothing
yeah and you know again there’s nothing
yeah and you know again there’s nothing against offshore employees but you know
against offshore employees but you know
against offshore employees but you know when we were thinking about what is the
when we were thinking about what is the
when we were thinking about what is the best customer experience and what’s
best customer experience and what’s
best customer experience and what’s going to be you know the best that was
going to be you know the best that was
going to be you know the best that was just one of the things sort of early
just one of the things sort of early
just one of the things sort of early upfront that we decided that’s just
upfront that we decided that’s just
upfront that we decided that’s just that’s gonna be a lot better for our
that’s gonna be a lot better for our
that’s gonna be a lot better for our customers why Vancouver
customers why Vancouver
customers why Vancouver I live in Coober I’m from Vancouver
I live in Coober I’m from Vancouver
I live in Coober I’m from Vancouver originally this is where I want to live
originally this is where I want to live
originally this is where I want to live elephant rhino I lived in New York I
elephant rhino I lived in New York I
elephant rhino I lived in New York I spent a lot of time in the San Francisco
spent a lot of time in the San Francisco
spent a lot of time in the San Francisco area but thank you Bruce palm and
area but thank you Bruce palm and
area but thank you Bruce palm and actually it’s funny sort of I a lot of
actually it’s funny sort of I a lot of
actually it’s funny sort of I a lot of people in Vancouver you know I’m not
people in Vancouver you know I’m not
people in Vancouver you know I’m not sure where it is but there’s people who
sure where it is but there’s people who
sure where it is but there’s people who like sort of complaining about Vancouver
like sort of complaining about Vancouver
like sort of complaining about Vancouver and I’m kind of like I mean I I want to
and I’m kind of like I mean I I want to
and I’m kind of like I mean I I want to respect your opinion but I totally don’t
respect your opinion but I totally don’t
respect your opinion but I totally don’t agree I love that Cooper like maybe just
agree I love that Cooper like maybe just
agree I love that Cooper like maybe just a social thing that we’re supposed to
a social thing that we’re supposed to
a social thing that we’re supposed to like complain about things so we can
like complain about things so we can
like complain about things so we can sort of like oh yeah you too oh yeah
sort of like oh yeah you too oh yeah
sort of like oh yeah you too oh yeah yeah I don’t like that either
around things that they don’t enjoy
around things that they don’t enjoy their heat yeah well they could rally
their heat yeah well they could rally
their heat yeah well they could rally against things they do enjoy too but you
against things they do enjoy too but you
against things they do enjoy too but you know I love Vancouver and I you know I
know I love Vancouver and I you know I
know I love Vancouver and I you know I actually put a lot of effort into
actually put a lot of effort into
actually put a lot of effort into getting the business back here we
getting the business back here we
getting the business back here we actually started it in New York it was I
actually started it in New York it was I
actually started it in New York it was I was not very popular with my investors
was not very popular with my investors
was not very popular with my investors for about three weeks there when when I
for about three weeks there when when I
for about three weeks there when when I was like you know we’re going back to
was like you know we’re going back to
was like you know we’re going back to Vancouver on the other side of the
Vancouver on the other side of the
Vancouver on the other side of the continent from you but all worked out
continent from you but all worked out
continent from you but all worked out for the best so they’re happy you took a
for the best so they’re happy you took a
for the best so they’re happy you took a big leap by focusing on an industry that
big leap by focusing on an industry that
big leap by focusing on an industry that isn’t traditionally something that part
isn’t traditionally something that part
isn’t traditionally something that part of me an industry that you know people
of me an industry that you know people
of me an industry that you know people would think about you know building a
would think about you know building a
would think about you know building a new technology and it’s kinda it’s not
new technology and it’s kinda it’s not
new technology and it’s kinda it’s not particularly like sexy we talked about
particularly like sexy we talked about
particularly like sexy we talked about bringing the sexy back to bookkeeping
bringing the sexy back to bookkeeping
bringing the sexy back to bookkeeping and accounting how did you decide to
and accounting how did you decide to
and accounting how did you decide to take the leap in that industry you know
take the leap in that industry you know
take the leap in that industry you know I don’t really think there are any
I don’t really think there are any
I don’t really think there are any boring industries just boring companies
boring industries just boring companies
boring industries just boring companies like if you just you know if you see an
like if you just you know if you see an
like if you just you know if you see an industry where you know things are room
industry where you know things are room
industry where you know things are room for the customer or it’s boring or not
for the customer or it’s boring or not
for the customer or it’s boring or not done well that just shows you there’s an
done well that just shows you there’s an
done well that just shows you there’s an opportunity I mean that’s really where
opportunity I mean that’s really where
opportunity I mean that’s really where there’s opportunity I mean do you think
there’s opportunity I mean do you think
there’s opportunity I mean do you think the people would buy the better thing
the people would buy the better thing
the people would buy the better thing yes well then you know that should be a
yes well then you know that should be a
yes well then you know that should be a huge opportunity right so we actually
huge opportunity right so we actually
huge opportunity right so we actually saw that as a massive opportunity to
saw that as a massive opportunity to
saw that as a massive opportunity to actually envision and build something a
actually envision and build something a
actually envision and build something a lot better than existed before and so I
lot better than existed before and so I
lot better than existed before and so I have to ask also we have a crowd here a
have to ask also we have a crowd here a
have to ask also we have a crowd here a field of mostly Millennials and you’re
field of mostly Millennials and you’re
field of mostly Millennials and you’re also Maleny on and there’s a lot of talk
also Maleny on and there’s a lot of talk
also Maleny on and there’s a lot of talk around no idea was this Millennials that
around no idea was this Millennials that
around no idea was this Millennials that I love Gleneagles and Ella Vancouver
I love Gleneagles and Ella Vancouver
I love Gleneagles and Ella Vancouver record here right here at TEDx SFU 2016
record here right here at TEDx SFU 2016
record here right here at TEDx SFU 2016 so what are what do you see the future
so what are what do you see the future
so what are what do you see the future looking like for Millennials in the
looking like for Millennials in the
looking like for Millennials in the workplace where’s the workplace you know
workplace where’s the workplace you know
workplace where’s the workplace you know it’s interesting because I have
it’s interesting because I have
it’s interesting because I have obviously I have such an air of you I
obviously I have such an air of you I
obviously I have such an air of you I only see sort of what’s in front of my
only see sort of what’s in front of my
only see sort of what’s in front of my face my day-to-day basis right but I
face my day-to-day basis right but I
face my day-to-day basis right but I think there’s really an opportunity to
think there’s really an opportunity to
think there’s really an opportunity to chart our own course in what work is
chart our own course in what work is
chart our own course in what work is going to be like that there’s sort of
going to be like that there’s sort of
going to be like that there’s sort of these default ways of operating that you
these default ways of operating that you
these default ways of operating that you know they might have worked or had a
know they might have worked or had a
know they might have worked or had a really good reason for being that way 30
really good reason for being that way 30
really good reason for being that way 30 or 50 years ago that now you know we’re
or 50 years ago that now you know we’re
or 50 years ago that now you know we’re gonna question
gonna question
gonna question one principals for example that we we
one principals for example that we we
one principals for example that we we have a bench is minimum viable hierarchy
have a bench is minimum viable hierarchy
have a bench is minimum viable hierarchy not no hierarchy we’ve we’ve tried that
not no hierarchy we’ve we’ve tried that
not no hierarchy we’ve we’ve tried that and that was chaos so that’s me you know
and that was chaos so that’s me you know
and that was chaos so that’s me you know it turns out that hierarchy is a very
it turns out that hierarchy is a very
it turns out that hierarchy is a very important tool for for you know making
important tool for for you know making
important tool for for you know making sure that a team is operating
sure that a team is operating
sure that a team is operating effectively together but you know beyond
effectively together but you know beyond
effectively together but you know beyond a certain point it really becomes an
a certain point it really becomes an
a certain point it really becomes an impediment to people’s creativity to
impediment to people’s creativity to
impediment to people’s creativity to actually you know accomplishing what we
actually you know accomplishing what we
actually you know accomplishing what we really want to accomplish together and
really want to accomplish together and
really want to accomplish together and you know we’ve kinda just figured that
you know we’ve kinda just figured that
you know we’ve kinda just figured that out in charge our own course as well and
out in charge our own course as well and
out in charge our own course as well and I think you know for a lot of millenials
I think you know for a lot of millenials
I think you know for a lot of millenials we’re gonna be figuring out you know how
we’re gonna be figuring out you know how
we’re gonna be figuring out you know how we want to work together and and that
we want to work together and and that
we want to work together and and that you know that isn’t written we can we
you know that isn’t written we can we
you know that isn’t written we can we can choose what we want to want that to
can choose what we want to want that to
can choose what we want to want that to look like we want working together to
look like we want working together to
look like we want working together to look like absolutely well thank you so
look like absolutely well thank you so
look like absolutely well thank you so much Ian and we wish you all the best
much Ian and we wish you all the best
much Ian and we wish you all the best and happy belated birthday let’s give in
and happy belated birthday let’s give in
and happy belated birthday let’s give in Crosby a round of applause
Crosby a round of applause
Crosby a round of applause [Applause]
”
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