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From coding to coaching — it's been quite a ride!
Hello! My name's Keir Whitaker, and I'm a UK-based coach and advisor working with Shopify-focused businesses including creative agencies, app development companies, consultants, and SasS platforms. If you'll indulge me here's a short bio.
I've earned my living in the technology, web, and SaaS sector for 25+ years. I'm a self-taught developer from the Web 1.0 days, and although I can no longer bring up a LAMP stack in under 90 seconds, I keep up to date on the latest developments. As well as the technical nuts and bolts, I'm fascinated by business and entrepreneurship.
Whilst all my experience has been in the technology sector, the roles I have held have been varied. Previous positions include development, product marketing, technical content, event curation, leadership and partnerships.
In 2012 I was made an offer I couldn't refuse — would I like to join the Partnerships team at a small Canadian company called Shopify? I had the privilege of meeting and working with the best in the business and added my mark through content, education, and events — an unforgettable experience.
Today I work closely with solo founders — many of which run Shopify focused businesses. My 1-1 coaching supports founders with everything from personal development and team building to the six P's (positioning, pricing, promotion, product, partnerships and people).
Before starting my consultancy, I worked at Shopify for seven years. I was one of the first 100 hires globally and the first in the UK. My work in the Partnerships team brought me into direct contact with freelancers, agency owners, and app developers every week — I learned their struggles, challenges, and paths to success.
I worked on educational and content-focused marketing campaigns, including the Grow series of books, technical and business webinars, online courses, and the Shopify Partner blog.
I gave away thousands of beautifully designed t-shirts, worked on conference stand designs, ran Liquid and theme building workshops, presented at conferences including Unite, and MC'd numerous conferences including Pursuit. I was also lucky enough to build and lead a team of highly motivated and talented individuals who helped bring these ideas to fruition.
After seven years at Shopify, I decided it was time to return to "doing my own thing". So at the end of 2018, I blew the dust off my old company and fired up my consultancy business aimed squarely at the Shopify ecosystem. Since then, I've helped Shopify-focused agencies and app companies with everything from product development and marketing to business strategy and team development.
After trying various ways of working over the last four years I now offer two principal services — 1-1 coaching and advisory. Both are tailored to help bring incremental positive change to Shopify-focused business who are in need of help and support.
In addition to my coaching and advisory services, I have a number of other projects I work on and/or invest in.
I live in Bath, a city in the South-West of England, with my wife, two children and cat. Don't worry — the cat won't appear on my team page even if she rules my world.
I am an avid reader and have an embarrassing stack of "to read" books by my bed. I am fascinated by the Cold War, Modernism, and advertising history. I like a strong IPA and occasional cocktail. All in all, life is good!
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Keir Whitaker