in Profiles by Real Business. Permalink.
Base79's Ashley Mackenzie on relocating to the US, negotiating his first salary and EasyCabs being the next big thing.
Name: Ashley Mackenzie
Age: 39
Company: Base79
First job: My first real job was as a media planner\buyer at TMD Carat after university. They were innovating hard, winning business left, right and centre and had a genuine rockstar management team – they were the hottest shop in London. They offered me a graduate starting salary of £10,500 but I negotiated them up to a better title and £13,000. It feels like I've been doing deals ever since.
Dream job: No3 for England cricket team or VP sales and marketing at YouTube ...watch out Lucas!
Car: Volvo XC90
Economy, business or first class: Economy normally, but business if flying overnight/long-haul and going straight to a partner from the plane.
Most extravagant purchase: $1900 on a Samsung, 55" LED, connected-TV. "Watching TV" is not an adequate description of my relationship with that screen.
Most played song on iPod: The Climb by Miley Cyrus (but I also like the Joe McElderry version!).
Best business book: Only the Paranoid Survive by Andy Grove.
Worst business moment: Not being able to persuade a former boss to structure a partnership in the way being offered to us. We lost the deal, 10 people lost their jobs.
Proudest business moment: Relocating to the US for Base79 and at the same time seeing our UK business take-off. We have created a great business full of amazingly-talented people that genuinely adds value.
Business mentor: I listen to my external partners and team most but if I wanted to name one, it would have to be my Dad.
Next big thing: EasyCabs, watch this space.