What’s your story? #6: Chris Barton

What’s your current position and what do you do?

CEO of StartHere Pty Ltd, incorporating Rewardshere.com.au, PricePal.com.au and soon to be released folo.world.  We are a shopping technology business that allows consumers to receive a cash discount when they shop online and for companies and charities to use our white labelled solution as a fundraising and loyalty tool.

What other activities are you involved in?

I love spending the little spare time I have today with my kids and am involved in their sports activities such as Tae Kwon Do and Athletics and also playing sport myself, my latest interest is distance walking and trekking.

I also like to assist Not for Profits with business and marketing assistance as a way of giving back.

Is this what you expected to be doing when you were at school?               

I had no ideas what I wanted to do when I was at school, although I did go to Uni and get a teaching degree. I am not a believer in having clear career paths as I believe it boxes people in.  I think that most successful and happy contributors in our workforce understand what skills, strengths and weaknesses they have and find ways to make use of those skills by filling needs. I am more a believer in individuals building their ongoing skills and then understanding how to best market these to employers or through starting your own business.

What was your first job?

I stacked shelves at Franklins supermarkets!

Can you tell us about a significant turning point in your career/life?

The biggest turning point I had in my career/life was the day that I stopped working for money and started following my Purpose. I strongly believe if you follow your purpose and are successful at what you do other rewards like the money will follow.

Who do you admire? Who has inspired you?

I admire my parents, as they created the foundations and moral compass that I base my life on. I am inspired by my wife every day and particularly by those in our society who aren’t afraid to carve out their own path.

If there were no limitations, what would be in the future for you?

I am a strong believer that we all should live every day as if we have no limitations and I attempt to follow this consistently. Most limitations are self-imposed and can be easily removed. As soon as we remove these barriers from our thinking anything is possible. I think we should all get up every day with the belief that nothing can stop us achieving what we set after.

Finally, what would you tell your younger self about work and careers?

Understand your purpose, follow your own path, don’t replicate others and most of all have fun.