Keir Whitaker

About Me

I'm a marketing strategist and business consultant helping Shopify Partners, soloists, and founders of creative and digital businesses figure out what's next and build the momentum to make it happen.

I've spent more than 20 years working across the web, tech, and ecommerce worlds — starting as a web developer, moving into product marketing, and later becoming the second hire on Shopify's early Partnerships team.

For the last seven years, I've been building my own consulting practice, working closely with founders, agencies, and app companies on everything from positioning and pricing to growth, partnerships, and marketing direction.

My Back Story

I've worn a lot of hats along the way — developer, marketer, team lead, event organiser, podcast host, coach — and they've all shaped how I approach my work. Whether I'm helping an agency sharpen its positioning, supporting an app team through a launch, or planning an event that brings people together, my aim's the same: to make things simpler, more focused, and more effective.

These days, I split my time between consulting, running Craft & Work events, and sharing what I've learned through my newsletter Flying Solo. It's a varied mix, but somehow it all just works.

Some Quick Facts

• I'm a self-taught developer from the early days of the Web 1.0 era (yes, I remember the browser wars).
• With over 25 years of experience in the technology, web, ecommerce, and SaaS sectors, I've accumulated a wealth of knowledge and expertise.
• Throughout my career, I've taken on diverse roles, including development, product marketing, technical content, event curation, leadership, and partnerships.
• I was one of the first 100 employees at Shopify, where I spent seven impactful years on the Partnerships team (2012–2018).
• In 2004, I founded my first web development agency, collaborating with clients across various industries and gaining valuable insights.
• Small businesses and entrepreneurship have always held a special place in my heart. Working with passionate founders and leaders brings me immense joy.
• I've had the honour of speaking at conferences, leading workshops, and hosting industry events, sharing my knowledge and connecting with fellow professionals.
• I'm an investor in the Shopify app Smart Notifications, which reduces the overhead of manually filtering and passing orders to suppliers, vendors, staff, and customers.
• In the summer of 2022, I created We Worked at Shop to assist individuals laid off from Shopify in June 2022 and subsequently May 2023.
• In 2023 I started an intimate event series called Craft & Work to bring soloists, founders, and leaders from the Shopify ecosystem together to share and learn from each other.
• I am fascinated by the Cold War, Modernism, and advertising history. I like a strong IPA and an occasional cocktail.
• I live in Bath, England, with my wife, two teenage children and a feline companion who undoubtedly rules our household (although you won't find her on my team page).