Starting FMPay and Xiva wasn’t about launching just another company. It was about creating tools that make life easier for small business owners, people who don’t have time or resources to waste on complicated software.
FMPay helps small businesses get paid without fuss, and Xiva is an all-in-one app for solo entrepreneurs to manage bookings, payments, and their online profile from one place.
Here’s what I’ve learned along the way about building a business, why company culture matters, and how local community support can make a difference.
FMPay grew from a straightforward need. I noticed how hard it was for small businesses to set up and accept card payments. Big companies offer solutions, but their systems often aren’t designed for a new business or a small team with a limited budget.
We wanted FMPay to be a solution that feels easy and fits a small business’ needs right from the start.
With Xiva, we took on the challenges faced by freelancers and service providers, who juggle multiple apps and tools just to keep things running.
We created Xiva as a simple way for them to manage everything in one place, from booking clients to accepting payments, without breaking the bank.
When you understand what people are up against, you’re in a better position to create products that genuinely help.
We decided to bootstrap both companies instead of bringing in outside investors.
Bootstrapping means funding the business yourself and building it up slowly. It has its challenges, but it keeps you focused on what really matters—making something useful.
With limited funds, you become more aware about the type of choices you have to continuously make. You don’t have time or money to waste, so you focus on features that make the biggest difference for your customers.
When you’re not answering to outside investors, you have the freedom to shape the business in a way that aligns with your own goals.
For me, that’s building products that are simple to use and truly useful for small businesses.
At FMPay and Xiva, culture isn’t just a buzzword.
For us, it’s about building a place where everyone feels a sense of responsibility for what they do.
I want everyone to see themselves as the “owner” of their role and to take pride in what they accomplish. This sense of responsibility has made a huge difference as we’ve grown.
When the pandemic hit, many of us had to work remotely. Keeping a sense of shared purpose and trust across a virtual team was challenging, but we stuck to the basics: respect, ownership, and clear goals.
I trust my team to get things done without micromanaging, and they trust me to support them. This approach has helped us build a team that works well together, even when we’re apart.
We’re based in Cheltenham, and I’m often asked why we aren’t in London, where the big fintech companies tend to be.
The truth is, I believe in building a company that supports its community. There’s a lot of talent here, and there’s something special about working in a place where you know your neighbours and feel invested in the area.
But choosing a local base doesn’t mean we think small. We aim to offer the best service we can to small businesses, whether they’re down the street or across the country. Being rooted locally keeps us connected to what matters, while we work to help small businesses everywhere.
One of the toughest things as a founder is learning to let go. At the start, I wanted to be involved in every detail to make sure things went smoothly. But as we grew, I realised that if I wanted the team to thrive, I had to step back and let them take ownership. When people feel trusted to do their jobs, they often surprise you with what they can achieve.
Empowering your team doesn’t mean you stop caring—it means you care enough to give them the chance to make decisions and learn from them. This way, the business can grow without me needing to be everywhere at once.
One of the best parts of building FMPay and Xiva has been seeing the impact on other local businesses. We want to help small businesses succeed, and we believe in the value of supporting each other. It’s rewarding to know that by creating tools that help people get paid or book clients easily, we’re making a positive difference in their daily lives.
In closing, starting FMPay and Xiva has been a long journey, but it’s been worth every step. We’re here to provide practical solutions that make business a bit easier for those who don’t have time to waste. It’s about building tools people actually want to use and creating a work culture and community that we’re proud to be a part of.
Check out my podcast on ScaleUp Radio!
This article was written based on my appearance on the ScaleUp Radio podcast with Granger Forson from BizSmart. I’m grateful for the opportunity to share my journey! Building FMPAY and Xiva from the ground up has been a challenging but rewarding experience, especially as a bootstrapped company with a commitment to serving small businesses in the UK.
In this conversation, I dive in more detail into our team’s growth, the culture we’re building, and the importance of supporting local businesses. If you’re interested in entrepreneurship, team culture, or just want a closer look at the ups and downs of scaling a company, check it out at the following link:
