Best Startup
Follow Gaston Montenegro
How did you end up as a CEO? What was your route to this position?
My journey to becoming the founder and CEO of Helpix was a blend of entrepreneurial experiences and learning from both successes and failures.
After founding several companies, each venture brought new insights and challenges that honed my leadership skills.
This path of continuous learning and adaptation culminated in the establishment of Helpix, where I applied my accumulated knowledge and experience to lead and grow the company.
Why are you the right person to be the CEO of your company?
My fit as the CEO of Helpix stems from a blend of relevant experience, entrepreneurial spirit, and a deep understanding of our market and technology.
Having founded and navigated multiple companies, I’ve developed a keen sense for what works in business, particularly in the tech sector.
My background equips me with the skills to lead innovation, make strategic decisions, and drive our company towards success.
Additionally, my passion for customer-focused solutions aligns perfectly with Helpix’s mission, making me well-suited to lead and grow our company.
What gets you up in the morning?
The excitement of facing new challenges and the opportunity to innovate and make a positive impact in the field of customer support technology is what motivates me every morning.
Knowing that each day brings a chance to improve Helpix and help businesses communicate better with their customers is a powerful driving force.
Who helped you get to where you are today?
My journey to where I am today has been fueled by resilience, stemming from my experiences moving from Argentina to the UK.
The process of building a new network in a different country has been challenging but rewarding.
The support and insights from various mentors, peers, and team members, combined with my own determination and adaptability, have been crucial in helping me reach my current position.
What is the best or worst business advice you have received and from whom?
One of the best pieces of business advice I received came from a mentor early in my career, who said, “Focus on solving real problems for your customers, and success will follow.”
This principle has been a guiding light in shaping Helpix, emphasizing the importance of customer-centric solutions.
The worst advice came during my time with my previous startup, Pigit, where I was advised to prioritize rapid expansion into new locations over sustainable growth.
This approach quickly proved to be unsustainable, teaching me a valuable lesson about the importance of balanced and steady growth in business.
If you could go back in time to when you were a teenager, what life advice would you give yourself?
To my teenage self, I’d say: “Embrace every experience and trust in your abilities. Remember, the road to success is bumpy – kind of like your attempts at skateboarding!
What are the most important values you demonstrate as a leader?
My approach is grounded in directness, honesty, and innovation. I value clear, straightforward communication, though I recognize this can sometimes clash with the more reserved British culture.
Despite this, I ensure to maintain integrity in all dealings and continuously seek innovative solutions, adapting my style as needed to respect and fit within different cultural contexts.
How can a leader fail?
A leader can fail by poor communication, lacking vision, resisting change, failing to inspire, neglecting feedback, or not valuing team input.
A critical pitfall, from personal experience, is losing focus on the product and not listening to customers, both of which can significantly harm the business’s success and direction.
What does the next five years hold for you?
In the next five years, while not saying it outright, our goal is to elevate Helpix to a level where we’re serving millions, making a significant impact in the industry.
We’ll be honing in on customer feedback to refine our product, ensuring it’s top-notch. And while we’re at it, we’ll keep things light and enjoyable..
Mentorship is a big business in the west, do you have any experience with it?
Yes, mentorship has played a significant role in my journey. I’ve had the privilege of both receiving guidance from experienced mentors and providing mentorship to others.
These experiences have been invaluable, offering fresh perspectives, insights, and support. Mentorship is a powerful tool for growth, both personally and professionally
If people want to reach out to your or your business, what is the best way for them to go about doing that?
The best way to reach out to me or the business is through LinkedIn or my personal website, gastonmontenegro.com.
I’m active on LinkedIn for professional networking and always open to discussions and collaborations. Thanks!
