Curriculum Vitae: Steve Teague
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Name: Steve Teague
Age: 48
Company: Click
Job title: Managing director
Where do you live? Farnham
Describe your current job:
It's varied. I have loads of ideas but discipline myself to focus on a couple of things at a time.
What were your first and last jobs?
I was employed as an analyst and programmer at Racal straight out of Birmingham University. Now I run Click, a secured loans and life cover brokerage which I founded in 2001.
What have you done in between?
I've climbed the ladder in IT management, first as a consultant and then jumping on the web bandwagon.
How does your career to date compare with your aspirations when you were younger?
I always knew I had a business in me as opposed to a book, but only found myself motivated to do something about it in my 40s for some reason. I guess it was a case of last chance saloon. I am proud of what my company has achieved, so better late than never.
What has been the defining point of your career and why?
Finding Google before anyone else and striking an exclusive deal for my firm in 2001. Sadly, the rates on offer then weren't anywhere near what they are today. What a surprise.
And the most embarrassing?
Turning down the chance of making a fortune investing in internet domain names in 1997 when such a thing was pretty much unknown in the UK. Hindsight is a wonderful thing.
What work ambition would you like to achieve by retirement?
Seeing my firm become a national finance brand. We are well on the way to achieving this objective but for now we have our heads down and are working hard.
How many mortgage payments do you have left?
Not many. I'm still in a discount period, otherwise I'd get rid of it.
What's your Favourite holiday destination?
The Caribbean, but ask me again when I get back from Las Vegas.
What would you take to a desert island and why?
My family, despite the temptation to keep it a hassle-free zone. I have two active kids who stress me out more than the business does.
Who is your secret celebrity crush?
Kate Bush. She was stunning in her younger days. I was even in her fan club and one of the handful of people who saw her only tour in 1979.
What's your mobile ringtone?
Phoenix Nights, but I change it quite often.
What's the most expensive gadget you've ever bought?
I'm a real sucker for gadgets and my kids get the cast-offs. I guess the movie room complete with PS3 would come close.
What's the craziest hobby you've ever attempted?
Triathlons and marathons. Stupidly, I am running the London Marathon again this year.
