Virr’s sociable tech coaching business, Ignite IT, brings a much-needed accessible dimension to the mystified platform of professional tech. Making clear and comprehensive training the core principle of his enterprise, he has worked flexibly within a variety of different sectors, from consultations within Fin Tech and SMEs in general to giving community classes and creating online content which are open to the public.
“I have always wanted to help people live a better life,” the contemporary entrepreneur told us. “Some people want to be doctors. Others volunteers – this was a good middle ground. Since I didn’t go down my initial preferred path of medicine, and still love working with others, and am innately good with tech, it only seemed right to combine my passions to create a business.” Virr recently started blogging and making videos to explain tech services and tell interesting stories of his own experiences on the job.
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Ignite IT offers effective digital solutions that streamline the use of technology for business to help improve their organisational models. “It’s about productivity: what your current IT can offer you, how it extensively works, what could be added, and what you don’t need to waste your brain space on! For example, using Zoom could mean you don’t have to leave your office for meetings.” Ignite IT also introduces a basic level of instructive clarity for the individuals who might need it. “We want to boost the tech literacy in the UK: in schools we’re taught how to read and write, and in the age that we live in it’s also vital to understand how to use the devices that exist around us.” Following this ethos, the company specifically offers two separate levels of consultation: “for those who are complete beginners, and others who might want to use tech professionally and for their livelihoods. Either way, it’s possible to make interaction with the digital medium more efficient.”
Virr also offers two types of packages: full ones which help navigate whole office systems, including ones that have evolved from a network of already existing services, “having become clunky or hard to maintain,” and basic packages which simply best utilise the internal system in place. “Sometimes clients don’t realise they already have access to the solutions! It’s human nature to be distracted by shiny objects, but it’s more cost-effective to rely on what you’ve got e.g. a person might be using the online storage app, Dropbox, when a lot of computer software such as Microsoft Office comes with an adequate storage option. Similarly, with bigger systems, once you learn how to read or understand them, you find them to be more helpful! I also tailor the approach to whatever the customer wants so I’ll not push a certain strategy onto them.” Rather Virr talks through any confusion, and lets clients know their options.
The end goal is to achieve a whole new, elevated experience where people and tech are emotionally in sync. “We help kick-start businesses digitally.” Rather than having modern tools be secondary, Virr helps integrate them into the everyday: “Research and problem-solving are naturally key skills”. In this way, Virr’s role also runs parallel with product development and management. Indeed, he has considerable experience in software development as well as holding a degree in Computer Science. He elaborated: “tech coaching is very similar in terms of making tech easier and better for the end-user, but interestingly does so in an inverse way. User Interface (UI) development, or how people intuitively engage with apps and services, is prominent so you are enhancing people’s handling of a product rather than boosting the product – technical features etc. – itself.”
In short, Ignite IT forms an intermediate social architecture between the physical world of digital manufacturing and the psychological landscape of human understanding to strengthen this fundamental relationship. “Life is about adapting to the surroundings to be the best or better. This is a rule applied to all organisms in the world so it makes sense that we should follow it daily.” This motto even extends to Virr’s own organic journey within his technological trade:
“I was initially going to train as a programmer or web developer after finishing university, but this would not have had the same level of interpersonal contact. I actually made the decision to go travelling instead. I found myself helping out at the hostels where I stayed. Initially, I was helping owners operate laptops and phones and giving them tips on their website. It then got to a point where I was exchanging my room for tech services. I ended up staying abroad for 3-4 months helping a business in Australia maximise good business: boosting social media, managing various accounts and suggesting new alternatives!”
A few years on, and Virr enjoys business from a diversity of companies across the UK. Here, he made sure to thank his like-minded brother, Shiv, who gave Virr sound direction at a crucial time. “Older than me, he runs a property development company, where I’ve also worked as part of my portfolio for Ignite IT. He asked what I would do if I didn’t get paid, or alternatively, what I already did that could be valuable. That was it – starting my own business was a clear path after that.” Not only then does Virr’s journey demonstrate the benign connective power of technology, but also the inspiring, failsafe code to having a prolific life: doing what really resonates, which, in turn, creates a far-reaching connection with the outside world.
Abdicating from a typical career path, the entrepreneur has created a constructive and novel profession. “Don’t be afraid to learn on the job,” he advised on beginning a small business. “Don’t be a perfectionist – people always make mistakes. Whether it is on pricing or entering into a new challenge altogether. That’s normal. As long as you have patience – you’ll do well.” And so, part of a generation who are gradually fixing the gaps of prior tradition from a new, progressive space that is also emerging, the uniquely philanthropic Virr doesn’t just speak but lives his bold advice.
What has been a highlight moment?
Getting the first official client. You know you’re doing a good job. Definitely running workshops from last Dec too. I actually moved into doing weekly classes at a community centre. I’ve been able to speak with a group of about 6-10 adults, answering questions and working together with them to better understand the disconnect they might be feeling. You learn more within a collective.
How much did your degree help you with your current business?
Actually, not as much as the hands-on learning I’ve had travelling! What you learn when doing Computer Science is very much about what happens behind the scenes. With Ignite IT I focus on the interaction with the end product, and dealing with professional dynamics. It's definitely useful to have in the background to draw from not only when I look into softwares, but also in being able to adapt to something I haven't encountered before without panic, especially errors because I know fundamentally what makes it tick."
I wanted to highlight the idea that because I know how things work, I have a calmer and less frustrated approach when dealing with technology, and this perspective is something I want to share through my work.
Finally, what’s some more advice you can give to up and coming entrepreneurs?
It might be a cliché, but keep going! Make sure your name is out there – think about marketing. It’s important to be known for a particular service. Figure out the flaws while you are doing that: experiment.
