This Sunday, 18th August 2024, marks a milestone for us at F One as we celebrate our 10-year anniversary. As I reflect on the incredible journey that has brought us here, I am filled with immense pride and gratitude for what we have accomplished together.
The past decade has been a whirlwind of challenges, triumphs, and significant growth. From our humble beginnings in a bedroom in Chandler’s Ford to becoming one of the UK’s leading telecoms providers, our journey has been nothing short of remarkable.
When we first envisioned F One, it was just a simple idea shared between Adam, Alex, and me. We had all worked together at Peach Technologies (now Tailor Made Technologies) and saw an opportunity to create something of our own. While we had the product knowledge and the drive, we were admittedly lacking in experience when it came to running a business. We were enthusiastic, perhaps a little naive, and convinced that we had it all figured out within just six months. I vividly remember us jokingly quoting Del Boy from Only Fools and Horses: “This time next year, we’ll be millionaires!”
Reality, however, had other plans. One of our earliest and most memorable lessons came when we realised we had completely overlooked the need to pay VAT. The bill, when it came, was more than we had in the bank… a shocking wake-up call and just one of many mistakes we made in those early days. But each mistake was a valuable lesson, shaping us not just as business owners but as individuals. Running a business turned out to be far more complex than we had imagined. The intricacies of finance, operations, and compliance were daunting, but those early challenges laid the foundation for the success we enjoy today.
Our first major contract with Faversham Ships was a turning point, and it wasn’t long before we moved into our first office… a converted barn on a farm in Titchfield. Looking back, it was a rustic setup with chickens wandering in and out, and space was rather tight. But it was exactly what we needed at the time. Those early days were all about building our reputation, securing the right partnerships, and gradually expanding our team.
From that barn, we moved to the Arena Business Centre in Segensworth, a significant step up. However, it wasn’t until we relocated to our current premises in St Mary’s Place, Southampton, that the business truly began to flourish. Having our own dedicated space allowed us to establish an identity that truly reflects who we are as a company. It’s a space that our team is proud to work in, and it has made a tremendous difference in our ability to attract and retain talent.
One of the achievements I’m most proud of is the growth of our team. We’ve evolved from a small, tight-knit group to a nearly 30-strong team of dedicated professionals. The loyalty and commitment shown by our team members is nothing short of remarkable. Many have been with us for years, helping to shape the company into what it is today, and their passion for the business is evident in everything they do. We’ve also had the pleasure of working with some amazing individuals who, although they’ve moved on, have left a lasting impact on our company. Their contributions have been instrumental in our growth, and I’m deeply grateful for the role they played in our journey.
As we’ve grown, we’ve gained a deeper understanding of what it takes to thrive in a constantly changing market. A crucial part of that has been our investment in social media outreach. Staying connected with our customers and the wider community is more important than ever, and our enhanced social media presence has allowed us to engage more effectively, share valuable insights, and keep everyone informed about the latest in technology. This effort hasn’t been without its drawbacks though… I still get plenty of ribbing from friends and family about my appearances in our social media videos, with some even dubbing me ‘David Brent’… I’m still trying to figure out why!
In addition to our digital efforts, we’ve focused on researching and offering the best products available. Our commitment to quality drives us to seek out innovative solutions that can truly benefit our customers. We’ve built strong relationships with industry-leading partners, enabling us to provide cutting-edge technology that meets the needs of today’s businesses.
We’ve also invested heavily in our customer-facing team. We believe that our customers deserve the highest level of service, which is why we’ve built a team that is not only knowledgeable and experienced but also deeply committed to providing exceptional support. This investment ensures that our customers receive personalised service that exceeds their expectations, whether they’re a small business with a handful of employees or a larger organisation with complex needs.
Like many businesses, we faced significant challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic. Our existing customer base, which still required reliable broadband, phone lines, and remote working solutions, helped us weather the storm. However, the pandemic did slow our growth as we were unable to reach new customers as effectively. Despite this, we’ve emerged stronger and more resilient, and I believe we’re now better positioned than ever to capitalise on new opportunities.
Over the past few years, we’ve seen substantial growth, with turnover increasing by 50% from February 2023 to February 2024. This growth has been driven by our expanding product portfolio, particularly in areas like business-grade WiFi, which has become increasingly important for our customers. We’ve also begun to explore IT services, a sector that I believe will play a significant role in our future.
As I reflect on the past decade, which for me personally includes welcoming three children, getting married, a red Nissan Juke that made me look like Postman Pat and even surviving a hair transplant (which, I must say, turned out rather well), there have been plenty of other memorable moments that I will look back on fondly. If I have one regret, it’s that we haven’t always taken the time to look back and appreciate what we’ve achieved. The journey has been so full-on, with constant challenges and new opportunities, that we’ve often been too focused on what’s next to pause and celebrate how far we’ve come. It’s something I wish we had done more of, and as I get older, it’s a priority for me to ensure we take those moments to reflect and recognise our accomplishments. After all, it’s those milestones that remind us of the incredible journey we’re on.
As I look ahead to the next decade, I’m filled with excitement about what’s to come. We’ve built a strong foundation, and with our incredible team, trusted partners, and loyal customers, I’m confident that the best is yet to come. Thank you to everyone who has been part of our journey so far. Here’s to the next 10 years!
Lee New, Co-Founder & Sales Director
