Dickie: The Ultimate Hypeman
Sometimes you see problems, but its easier to walk away from them. Especially, when you perceive yourself to be a drop in the ocean. This isn’t the case with Dickie. When he arrived to Australia and saw the state of the startup ecosystem, he decided to become a hypeman over another complacent participant.
Humble Beginnings
So who is Dickie? Well, he grew up in a small village in the north of England. He came from a working-class background and was raised by a single mother. You know, the kind of place where your family lives within walking distance from one another and your business is everyone’s business. Despite these modest beginnings, Dickie always felt like the black sheep of his family, driven by a strong desire to explore the world beyond his village. His fascination with geography and travel was evident from a young age; by age six, he could name every capital city and flag, this passion was fuelled by an atlas gifted to him by his grandmother.
A Curious Mind
The most enjoyable part of our conversation was how relatable his relentless pursuit of adventure and personal growth was. Dickie's early life was a mix of academic excellence and rebellion. We were all trying to find ourselves when we were growing up, but Dickie absolutely leaned into this. Trying everything that came his way with an open mind and enthusiasm. These character traits are so evidently clear, even to this day, when you speak with Dickie.
Entrepreneur or Charlatan?
A significant milestone for Dicke was being the first in his family to attend university, where he studied law. He was also the first person to solo travel. Inspired by his Grandma’s boyfriend. An old-fashioned entrepreneur. Dickie took much delight in his unconventional ways. He frequently changed his business focus. His ventures included selling cuckoo clocks, working as a chiropodist, selling Chinese Viagra online, and producing beard oil. Despite being somewhat of a snake oil salesman, Dickie found his ability to make money from diverse and sometimes unconventional products fascinating. It seems that Dickies love of adventure and entrepreneurism stems from his Grandmother and her boyfriend’s influence.
The Journey: Challenges and Triumphs
Dickie's journey has been anything but linear. This is a common occurrence, which is becoming increasingly evident, with the more entrepreneurs I speak to. Having the drive and no fear to try new things, and gain new skills, especially in their careers. Seems to be a distinguishing factor in success.
Law Books & Combat Boots
Dickie joined the Territorial Army during his second year of law school because he was seeking a male influence in his life, having been raised by a single mother. He thought joining the army would give him structure and assist in filling a void that he was feeling at the time. However, while on sabbatical in Thailand he contracted a tropical disease called Bilharzia, which derailed his plans for a military career. The disease is a parasitic infection that systematically shuts down organs, and requires a lengthy recovery period.
Setbacks & Self-Discovery
This setback led him to London, where he worked as an immigration lawyer, helping asylum seekers. He focussed on helping asylum seekers avoiding removal from the UK to the Eurozone. The role involved interviewing asylum seekers, often through translators, and visiting prisons to meet clients. Despite the intensity of the job, this experience honed his skills in building rapport with people in difficult and vulnerable situations. It taught him the value of effective communication, even through translators.
High Noon
A pivotal moment came when Dickie moved to Australia with his then-partner. Initially planning to stay for nine months, he ended up staying for ten years. During this time, he worked in various roles, from milking cows to door-to-door solar panel sales, before landing a job at a food tech startup. This role exposed him to the emerging Australian startup ecosystem, although he didn't fully immerse himself in it at the time. He regretfully didn’t immerse himself into the startup ecosystem because he was focused on personal matters. He had recently moved to Australia and was preoccupied with making friends, navigating the visa process, and establishing a stable life. This period was marked by a lack of a stable platform, causing him to prioritise personal needs over professional ones. This part of his journey speaks to the importance of timing. The perfect thing could be right in front of you; but if you are not yet ready for it, the outcomes could have been completely different.
A Taste of the Startup World
Another significant turning point was his role at Funlab, where he helped expand the company's venues across Australia, New Zealand, and Singapore. Today Funlab is a premiere creator of competitive socialising experiences, with eight brands and over 40 locations across Australia, New Zealand and the USA. But it was not that large when Dickie joined and he was tasked with being head of growth. When he started, the company had 9 venues, when he left they had 60. This experience was akin to working in a high-growth startup, further solidifying his interest in the startup world, but not yet fully realised.
It was his role at Startup Victoria that truly changed things. This role led to the first real alignment between his professional aspirations and his mission. It was also a pivotal turning point in his career because it enabled him to immerse himself fully in the startup ecosystem. Providing the opportunity to connect with innovative minds and influential figures across the industry. The role not only honed his skills in community building and networking but also solidified his passion for fostering growth and innovation within the startup ecosystem. This alignment was crucial, as it gave him a clear sense of purpose and direction, ultimately leading him to pursue his current career path.
A Fresh Lens
During this period of exploration in the startup ecosystem, Dickie met a lecturer from Monash University who had been paid to profile startup ecosystems in six different cities. This encounter was the ‘aha’ moment he needed. It made him realise that it was possible to combine travel with his interest in startups advocacy. However, he did not quite have the confidence to pack up and dive right in.
After Startup Victoria, Dickie decided to take a role with a VC in Sydney. Knowing he wanted to take a different path he opted for stability, but soon realised it he was ready to pursue his own ventures full-time. He had been building revenue streams outside of full-time work and felt the need to focus entirely on his own projects. This led him to leave the VC role and fully commit to himself.
The Rise of the Hype Man
Fast forward, Dickie has now become the hype man for the Australian ecosystem. Over time, Dickie began to build a personal brand around his ability to connect and promote others, which led to people referring to him as the "Hype Man." He embraced this nickname and started leaning into it by launching a newsletter and engaging more actively in content creation and public speaking. His mission became clear, to promote and grow the Australian startup ecosystem while maintaining a lifestyle that allowed him to travel and meet new people globally.
Down for the Cause
I believe when Dickie decided to completely immerse himself in the startup ecosystem, it offered the perfect combination of business, fun, and impact in return. This was the balance he had been searching to find for many years. By being drawn to the dynamic and innovative environment, he was able to meet incredible people and feel comfortable in a space that aligned with his personal and professional aspirations. The startup world seems to provide him with a sense of purpose and excitement for all the possibilities that can come in the future.
Learning and Growth
One of the most valuable lessons Dickie has learned is the importance of investing in people rather than just business outcomes. His ability to build personal relationships has been a cornerstone of his success. He emphasises the need for curiosity, openness, and aligning oneself with a mission. His journey has taught him to be comfortable with change and to continually push the boundaries.
From Metrics to Meaning
Founders and entrepreneurs can become hyper-focused on a narrow set of metrics. What Dickie's experience teaches us is to shift our perspective and prioritise building strong relationships over solely chasing numbers. By investing in people, fostering a culture of collaboration, and aligning with a shared mission, we can create more sustainable and fulfilling businesses.
The Power of Human Connection
Dickie's success demonstrates that human connection is a vital component of entrepreneurial success. By building genuine relationships with colleagues, customers, and investors, we can create a more supportive and collaborative environment that fosters further innovation and growth.
Embracing Risk and Continuous Learning
Dickie also learned the importance of taking risks and being courageous. Reflecting on his past, he wishes he had started taking risks sooner. He believes that every experience, whether positive or negative, contributes to personal and professional growth. His diverse background, from law to sales to the military, has given him a unique perspective and a broad skill set that he leverages to tackle any hurdle that comes along.
Beyond the Comfort Zone
Many of us know and have heard people say they wish they trusted themselves more or leaned into risk but what does that look like in practice? Taking risks requires a combination of courage, curiosity, and a growth mindset. To embrace experimentation, entrepreneurs should step outside their comfort zones, try new approaches, and learn from both successes and failures. Cultivating a growth mindset involves believing in one's potential, viewing challenges as opportunities, and building a strong network of mentors and collaborators. Continuous learning, seeking feedback, and developing resilience are essential for navigating the entrepreneurial journey. Additionally, trusting one's intuition while remaining mindful of biases can provide valuable insights. Dickie has demonstrated the power of leaning into these strategies, and it is something that we can all aspire to do if we want to unlock our full potential as entrepreneurs and make a positive impact on the world.
The Future Unfolds
So what is next? Dickie has a bold vision and he sees himself living a life where he can work remotely while travelling, combining his love for exploration with his professional goals. He is considering launching an Asia-Pacific accelerator program to connect Australian tech with emerging markets in Asia. He sees enormous potential in countries like Vietnam, the Philippines, and India, which are currently experiencing exponential growth in their tech sectors.
Dickie's ultimate goal is to help drive the growth of the Australian startup ecosystem while living a life full of adventure and new experiences. He aims to build a lifestyle that allows him to meet interesting people, explore new cultures, and make a meaningful impact on the global stage. For Dickie, the future is about achieving a balance between professional success and personal fulfilment, all while staying true to his adventurous spirit.
