Six channel entrepreneurs who quit to pursue their passions

‘The highlight is riding some of the tracks that my MotoGP heroes ride'

Name: Mike Bienvenu

Best known in the channel for…Technical director at IT security distributor Softek

Where is he now? Owner of motorcycle tuning and parts firm Bienvenu MotorSports

What was the trigger for you leaving the IT security industry and starting your new venture?

That is a long story of betrayal best left for another time. As it happens I had a software developer I had been nurturing for a number of years that had a great piece of software but not a good idea of how to bring it to market. When I left the IT industry it was to work as their European distributor and to help them with marketing and technical support of the product full time.

How is your new venture faring and what's been the highlight so far in your new career?

Because we had the business as a hobby first it was easy once I put in my full attention to ramp the business up to a healthy level of income, first building a network of resellers throughout Europe, Asia and Africa and then into Australia and the USA. Then we took on more products to feed into our established reseller channel. The big side benefit of working in the motorcycle industry is the connections you make to not just your dealers but race teams, so I have been blessed to be invited not only to attend race events as a guest but as paid trackside support for several teams. But the highlight is riding some of the tracks that my MotoGP heroes ride. With a business in motorcycle tuning and parts, what better way to promote your products than on trackdays with a captive audience of like-minded bikers?

Is the idea of pursuing your passion all it's cracked up to be?

I am a firm believer in karma. I would never have taken the plunge if it wasn't for the betrayal [mentioned above], but everything happens for a reason and I couldn't be happier or wish for a better job. In a weird way I owe him a big thank you for giving me the push I needed to turn my hobby into my new career. I spend most days talking to like-minded individuals about something I am passionate about: bikes.

Would you ever go back into IT security?

I still keep my finger in the IT and IT security field. I do some freelance work from time to time and never say never as there are certainly aspects of the career I left behind that I miss. And then on the other hand I could just book another trackday and enjoy my bike!

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