This week at 1 Million Cups we’re hearing from a man who gave up the beaches of Australia to run a software development company in Fargo. Martin Olsen, a native Aussie, is the owner and co-founder of eOne Solutions which now has offices in Sydney and Fargo. They’re currently working with over 22,000 companies to provide software solutions. A huge part of their company, is company culture, Olsen said.

We sat down to ask him a few questions about Australian life, travel, entrepreneurship, and Vegemite. Check it out, and come see Martin speak this Wednesday at 9:15 am at the Stage at Island Park!

Martin Olsen: Australia > Fargo

1. What brought you to the Red River Valley from Australia?

We must be the only company in the world that ended up with a business card that reads Sydney, Fargo. eOne began in Sydney but realized our biggest market was North America. Ten years ago we employed someone from Microsoft in Fargo to head up our US team. He employed a friend, who employed someone from Church and we had a Fargo team.

Two years ago we were on a rapid growth path and I finally decided to  give up Bondi Beach for the joys of Fargo and to run our U.S. operations. I am very big on business culture and I wanted to set that culture as we grew our team.

2. What is something you miss about Australia?

Australians. While Aussies and Americans…are 95% alike and we have great American friends there is something relaxing about hanging out with other Aussies. We have found a very small group of 4-5 Australian in Fargo and recently all got together for a night out. At the end of the night around 2am  – I was trying to work out why that night was so relaxing and I realized that it was the first time in a long time I had not had to “explain anything,” or be careful about words and stories I used – they just understood. When I say “Did you watch the Origin, fair dinkum the cane toads were lucky to win”  or “did you hear Barnsey had a new album out – sounded like Cold Chisel” they just understood!

3. What is something you enjoy about Fargo?

It is an easy place to live. I can be in the office in 4 minutes or 6 minutes in Peak Hour. My Sydney commute was at least an hour each way.

4. What motivated you to start eOne solutions? 

I was bad at working for other people. I never saw myself as a salary guy forever and had to start something on my own. It was a huge gamble. A colleague introduced me to my now business partner and we met for a coffee for 45 minutes and decided to start a business together. We have not looked back (very often).

5. Tell us a bit about eOne – what makes it unique, what makes it different?

We are a software development company that pay its developers a commission on sales. It came about primarily because we did not have enough money to pay big salaries when we started  – but also that we wanted anyone who works for us to be engaged in the business. So we ended up with software developers that were interested in Demos and making our software sell.

When employing now we look for “eOne People first” being people that will be engaged and care about the success of our business.

We also work on a philosophy of “Do well and let them talk.” This means we just get heads down and do a great job. We don’t really look at trends or what other people thing we should be doing. We don’t copy other peoples ideas. We come up with our own, do a great job and it seems people like it.

6. Where is one of the most interesting places you’ve ever traveled, and why?

I lived in Nepal for 6 months in 1997 with my wife Kylie. It was the most amazing experience. Life was difficult with no luxuries and we desperately wanted to get out after six months. The moment we landed in Thailand we were desperate to get back. We have never made it. The fact that some of the world’s poorest people were so happy and generous still amazes me.

In 2012 I did a 8 day dirt bike ride in South Africa – which was also unbelievable. From hippos and giraffes to seeing shanty towns nestled up against Porsche dealerships. The word is a strange place.

7. Do you surf? And if so, what’s the best place to surf (that you know of)?

Weirdly I now wake surf on Minnesota lakes. I love the Australian beach but was never a surfer. I never had the patience to wait for the right day, with the right wind and the right tide that makes surfing a joy. I did take our entire office out for a surfing lesson once as part of our Christmas party (see it is 100 degrees at Christmas). We booked the instructor for 2 hours, but we were all entirely exhausted in about 15 minutes!   

8. If you could give one piece of advice to entrepreneurs today, what would you say?

Do not be greedy. Expect that everything will take 6 times longer that you expect! Add value everywhere you go.

9. Lastly, because I have to ask. Do you like Vegemite?

I love Vegemite on hot toast with avocado for breakfast. That is golden. We have 3 tubs at home in West Fargo right now!

 

Thanks Martin! See you this Thursday at 9:15 AM at the Stage at Island Park.