Each week, we ask small businesses key questions. Here we speak to Barnaby Mercer, founder and director of Lerwick-based software firm Mesomorphic
How and why did you start in business?
After more than 20 years developing software for the oil and gas industry I’d run out of enthusiasm for helping multinationals become more profitable and my job had mutated to sales.
I was miserable and wanted out, ideally to start a company for which profit was not the leading indicator of success but a happy side-effect of doing the right things correctly.
How did you get to where you are today?
With a lot of luck and support. I quit my job without knowing what I was going to do next and 10 minutes later my wife told me she was pregnant.
The very next day I received a phone call from someone I’d met at MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology), looking for a reference. I discovered she had started a new business tracking down counterfeit products on the internet and leapt at the opportunity to pitch a potential automated solution.
That was the birth of my relationship with SnapDragon and we’ve worked together ever since, both of our companies growing through time.
Who helped you?
It quickly became apparent I didn’t have the skills or time to do everything the business required.
I’d worked with Maria Bell (now Mesomorphic’s managing director) in my previous job and stayed in touch with her.
I was delighted when she agreed to join me. I knew she’d be a great fit and I made her managing director so I could focus on technical aspects. She’s much more organised and people-oriented than me.
Of course, I couldn’t do any of this without the support and encouragement of my wife Fiona and family. Fiona puts up with my late nights, grumpiness and stress and my children distract and amuse me.
Federation of Small Businesses membership was a must – its networking opportunities, legal advice, document hub and access to general support just a few of the benefits.
What has been your biggest mistake?
Not starting sooner. I’d felt trapped for a long time. Looking back I should have been braver and taken the plunge sooner.
What is your greatest achievement?
Creating Mesomorphic. We’ve grown from me working solo in my bedroom into a great business, with a strong team, wonderful customers and interesting projects.
We’re also supporting and building the next generation of software developers in Shetland and hope to develop this further.
If you were in power in government, what would you change?
I’d implement a universal basic income, make sure corporations and the wealthy are taxed appropriately and emphasise Stem (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) education.
What do you still hope to achieve?
Immortality. It’s going well so far – I haven’t even died once.
What do you do to relax?
Playing with my children on the beach or around the house is great for my physical and mental health.
I’m trying to teach them a little software development and we have coding projects on the go using Scratch and Arduino. We often read together, too, which is a great way to spend time.
What do you waste your money on?
Computer games, though I only buy older or cheaper games and support indie games developers.
As a kid I paid £1.99 for games on cassette tapes; now it’s less than £2 for a game that will give hours of entertainment – phenomenal value.
How would your friends describe you?
Who? Oh yeah, I remember someone by that name ages ago… maybe?
What would your enemies say about you?
Some might be jealous of my lifestyle – I’m very lucky to live where I do, with the family I have, doing what I enjoy.
What do you drive and dream of driving?
I’m not particularly a car person and drive a boring Kia Karens to get the family around – it does the business.
I drove a Tesla a few years ago and loved it, so my ideal would be a fully automated, self-driving electric car that would let me use my time more safely and productively.