Partner Article

Getting to know... David Porter

We know you as the founder of Surge and a member of the Entrepreneurs’ Forum, but who is the person behind the title? Tell us a little about what makes you tick…

At heart, I’m someone who enjoys building things, whether that’s a business, a team, or a solution that helps a client finally crack a problem. I get a real buzz from seeing progress and I’m not one for standing still; I like learning, tweaking, and finding better ways of doing things. Running a business is full of challenges to solve, and I genuinely enjoy that process. Helping clients overcome their hurdles and watching our team grow is what keeps me motivated. Outside of work, life is a little less complicated. I’m a dad to Sienna, who turns two in October, and most of my spare time is spent with family and friends, or making the most of holidays together.

Did you always want to work in your industry?

Not at all. As a kid I wanted to be all sorts of things, an actor, a history teacher, maybe even an astronaut. I kind of fell into this industry later on. Early in my career I worked in new business roles and found I had a knack for consultative sales, which is really just problem solving. At 25 I set up a restaurant, and one of the biggest challenges was finding genuine marketing advice rather than being sold to. When the business closed during the 2008 recession, I moved into marketing. I gained experience in press, radio and eventually digital, and quickly found I was good at it. After a year in an agency I saw a better way of delivering the service, so I set up my own business. Once clients started seeing results and giving feedback, I knew this was the right path.
 
What’s the best bit about your job? And the worst?

The best bit is simple: people. I get to work with a brilliant team who genuinely care, and with clients who trust us to make a difference. Seeing the work pay off in real terms, more enquiries, better sales, smoother systems, is hugely rewarding. After many years of graft, I now also have more flexibility to spend time with my family, but that only came after a lot of hard work over the past three years to get the business into that position.

The worst part is the constant juggle. Running a business means wearing a lot of hats, and at times it can feel like you’re spinning plates. But that’s part of the challenge. Over the years I’ve built a strong team around me, and being able to delegate to people I trust has made those hats much easier to hand over.

What do you consider to be your greatest achievement?

Honestly, still being here. Only around 10% of start-ups make it to 10 years, and we’ve now been going for over 11. There have been plenty of ups and downs and a fair few “oh sh*t” moments along the way, but those challenges are where the best lessons come from.

What I’m most proud of is the team. We’ve built a fantastic culture at Surge, and that isn’t something you can force. It has to be nurtured, and when you get it right you attract and retain the kind of people who align with your values. That makes all the difference.

The exciting part is that some of our biggest achievements are still ahead of us. We’re currently developing new products to take to market that will help clients across a range of industries. Watch this space.

How do you relax outside of work?

Does any business owner really switch off? I’m not so sure. But over the years I’ve got much better at compartmentalising work and personal life, even if the lines still blur occasionally. For me, relaxation is all about spending time with my wife and daughter, eating good food, cooking, and making the most of holidays with family and friends.

I’m also a big film fan. In fact, I built my own cinema room just before Covid hit, which turned out to be perfect timing when we couldn’t leave the house. Watching a good film is still one of the best ways for me to unwind, especially when life is busy.
 
What makes the North East such a great place to live and work?

For me it comes down to the people and the opportunities. The North East has a straight-talking, collaborative culture that makes it a brilliant place to do business. There are so many great companies here doing amazing work, not just locally but with clients all over the world, and it is inspiring to be part of that community.

It is also a fantastic place to live. You are close to everything, countryside, seaside and cities are all within easy reach, which gives you the best of all worlds. It is a region that combines ambition with a great quality of life, and that balance makes it a special place to build a business and raise a family.

Tell us something about you we didn’t know…

About 15 years ago I auditioned for the TV show Come Dine With Me. I got down to the final few, with the producers even coming to my house to go through my menu options — naturally, a homemade parmo was on there. I didn’t make the initial cut, but a few months later they got back in touch and invited me to join a future series. By that point I’d seen the chaos of the local episode that was filmed and decided to politely decline. Probably the right decision, but it still makes a good story.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Entrepreneurs' Forum .