In every issue of our Aycliffe Today Business magazine, we take a break and sit down with a different employee or business owner to ask them 20 questions on a variety of subjects.
In our September-October issue, Pixel Media director Ian Proctor is in the Aycliffe Today chair…
PICTURE: CHRIS BOOTH
1: What do you do?
A: In a nutshell, we at Pixel Media help businesses stand out online and in the market place. We do this through the medium of graphic design, social media management and website design.
2: Who have you worked for in the past?
A: I started working at Sellafield in engineering. I was then handpicked by the directors of Thorn Lighting to aid the transfer of manufacturing lines from Germany to the UK. I left Thorn to become a house husband and look after my growing family. During this time I worked at Tesco and was active within the community, helping in a number of toddler & youth groups. This is where I met Graham, my business partner in Pixel Media and creative driving force within the business. I studied at Durham University gaining honours in primary education specialising in IT.
3: Best part of your job?
A: I love helping business owners make their businesses look amazing. It is a real buzz to see the difference our work can make.
4: Is there anything about your job that you really don’t like?
A: Business is interesting and everything you do makes a difference in some way or another. I love to see a difference being made. I don’t like it when something is not effective. It happens in business because you are always trying new things and pushing open new doors.
5: Favourite thing about working on Aycliffe Business Park?
A: The potential of Aycliffe Business Park is exciting. There are so many potential clients and a real community feel. Most businesses are open to a discussion based on the fact that you are local. There are always links between the people of the park and many I already know from past employment, school and generally living in Aycliffe my whole life.
6: Which company/individual on the park do you do the most work with?
A: We work in collaboration with many businesses on the park and too many to name here. One of our key customers is Cornforth Industrial Services, a great team to work with. We also work closely with Aycliffe Workwear Supplies, Fleet Recruitment, Horizon Projects and Capture Films.
7: Who’s your tip for future success?
A: Deliberately Different is potentially an incredible venture to businesses on the business park. Although very community focussed, I think Deliberately Different will break the mould and make a huge impact in the area.
8: Four famous people you’d love to have round for dinner and why?
A: Professor Brian Cox, Mo Gawat, Richard Branson and Gazza. What a mix! Dinner just wouldn’t be enough. I would literally be sat listening to the top guys in their field chewing the meat with Gazza mixing it up with his banter.
9: If you could do something else in business, what would it be?
A: Let’s get this one running at full tilt first! My real aim is to become a hub for business help and support. Maybe one day I will have a business in the south of Spain giving banana boat rides on speed boats. I can see me doing that!
10: Who’s your favourite Tweeter?
A: I love hearing from all the guys that I would like round for dinner. Gary Vee is also a Tweeter I love to follow – full of inspiration and energy.
11: Have you ever done anything really daring?
A: Baz Lurmann, Everybody Wear Sunscreen is one of my favourite songs. I have the lyrics framed on my wall at home. He says ‘Do something every day that scares you’, and I always try to live outside my comfort zone. It drives my wife crazy!
12: What’s the best piece of business advice you’ve been given?
A: Keep going! I hear it a lot from successful business owners. To expand a little, vision is key to any business. If you are in two minds as to keep going or not, your vision is lost.
13: If money was no object, what would be your ideal car?
A: I love cars! All my children are named after cars or rally drivers. We considered having another child just so I could call him Mcrae! To me, it’s like asking what your favourite song is. There is a one for every situation. Since I have to name one, I’m going with a Ford RS200.
14: Money no object, your dream holiday would be?
A: It’s not where you go, it’s who you take. I would take my whole family in a small mediterranean village type place and have it all paid for, for everyone.
15: Do you have a favourite band or type of music?
A: I love all kinds of music and there is a song for every moment in life. I do tend to come back to dance and trance type music when I’m driving around.
16: What is your greatest achievement?
A: I am very proud of my children and how they are growing up. As I was a house husband, I feel that the time I put in early on has helped shape them and our relationship.
17: How would you best describe yourself in four words?
A: Risible, Honest, Fair and Loyal. I know you’re all Googling risible now aren’t you?
18: Where do you see yourself in five years?
A: I see myself as the head of a successful design and marketing business which lives by the values that it began with.
19: Who’s the most famous person you’ve ever met?
A: My middle name is Hannu after Hannu Mikkola, the world rally driver. I met him in his team unit during services at Newcastle many years ago while I was spectating the RAC Rally.
20: Do you have any guilty pleasures?
A: Not sure if it is a guilty pleasure, but I love Ace Ventura. I pretty much know the film word for word. It’s a little out there.
