Go Phrasee, it's your birthday!

Two years ago today, we phounded a little company called Phrasee. And the past 731 days (2016 was a leap year, right?) have been a wild ride.

Hi. My name’s Parry Malm. You may remember me from such jobs as “CEO of Phrasee” or “Interpretive Dance Therapist”.

Here’s a pet peeve of mine: there’s nothing I hate more than when companies write long, self-congratulatory emails about how awesome they are.

See, I reckon we must be doing something right, as we’re going stronger than ever 2 years into our baby’s life.

But that’s not because of me. In fact, it’s likely despite me (and if you aren’t sure about that, just ask my awesome co-phounders Vic and Neil - they’ll back me up).

Instead, today I woke up full of gratitude for the awesome people who have helped us along the way.

What we do is new. It’s innovative. It’s awesome.

And if people hadn’t believed in us from the start, well, I’d probably have had to go back to interpretive dance therapy, which doesn’t pay well, but really does help your flexibility.

So hey, here are some broad groups of people who have REALLY helped us in the last two years, for whom we are eternally grateful.

1. Our investors & advisors

OK, so I should first mention that it’s baked into investment terms that we are legally obligated to mention them. So thank you, Next 15, Galvanise Capital, and our other angels.

Jokes aside, all of our investment partners, and our wide network of advisers, have brought huge value to Phrasee. They offer us sage advice on our business model… and, interestingly, how we, at times, under-sell ourselves. Who knew? (Well, they did, so that’s cool).

And a special shout out to our two board members who joined in the last year - Dan Kersh from Next 15, and Devina Paul from Galvanise Capital. Your outlook on Phrasee, and importantly when you challenge our perceptions, is invaluable. So thank you.

2. Our suppliers & partners

Obviously, our vendor contracts ensure that we are entitled to take 100% credit for everything that goes right, and shift 100% of blame to our suppliers for anything that goes wrong.

But, most of the time, things go right, and that’s because we’ve got ourselves an awesome roster of suppliers, from lawyers, to accountants, to landlords, right through to our weekly fruit deliveries, and everything in between.

Much of our days are filled with exciting things like negotiating T&Cs (urghhhh), going through management accounts (urghhhh) or eating delicious fruit (yummmm). But these are all things that are critical to make a business happen.

So thanks, you handsome devils, for your diligence. I will not, however, thank you for your invoices. As a birthday gift, please stop sending them, k?

3. Our Phrasee team

One thing I’ve learned, as a founder, is relinquishing control of your business is hard. See, Phrasee is our baby. We nurtured it from being just an idea, through to being an actual business - and, in fact, one of the fastest growing A.I. companies in the world.

So to bring in people to take on job roles that we had previously been doing ourselves… is hard!

Fortunately, my two co-founders, Vic and Neil, are two of the awesomest people on the planet. And the team we’ve amassed is on point. Each of them continue to amaze us on a daily basis.

The work isn’t always glamorous (I mean, how glamorous can subject lines be?) but what we’re building together is something special.

Phrasee will only ever be as strong as the people behind it.

Not all heroes wear capes… but our team sure knows their way around an awesome subject line.

4. Our awesome customers

So here’s a tricky one. I can’t write this and just go, “Oh customers, I love you,” for fear of being pandering.

But also - and take notes here kids - it’s not a business until you have customers actually paying you cash money.

“Wait, what? I thought tech was all about the ping pong, and the endless VC money, and the instant billions. Are you saying you need to actually generate revenue?”

Yes, yes kids. I hate to be that voice of reason. Indeed, a viable business needs customers.

And - BTW here comes the pandering part - we are so fortunate to have such an amazing roster of customers.

Our client roster is a who’s who of global retailers, publishers, travel & holiday companies, and other thought leaders who know a good thing when they see it.

But, ultimately, those are just logos on the wall. What matters more is the people we work with.

Much like Phrasee, our customers are people too, and their companies’ success is a reflection on them.

So - and you know who you are - thank you.

Without you, Phrasee wouldn’t exist. And that’s a fact.

5. Our family & friends

Lastly, a MASSIVE shout out to our family and friends.

I grew up in an entrepreneurial household. My father ran a tech company for years. As a young kid, I used to wonder why he was always working. And now I understand why. Because it was his passion. And he was doing it for us.

Vic and Neil both have young families, and the sacrifices they’ve made for Phrasee are incredible. Why? Because it’s their passion. And they’re doing it for their families.

I have 3 cacti, and nothing I do is for those ungrateful, prickly b*stards. But whatever. Enough about that.

Anyway, you know who you are. For me, an extra big shout out to my mum and dad. Thank you for all you have done, and continue to do for me, on a daily basis. (BTW mum - quick one, if I mix whites and darks but wash in cold water and hang dry, will that be OK?)

Here’s the deal, y’all.

Here’s some quick stats about what Phrasee’s achieved in the last year:

1. Winner: UK New Business of the Year, 2016

2. Winner: UK Tech Entrepreneur of the Year, 2016

3. Shortlisted: WISE award for Women in Technology, 2016

4. 20 amazing team members, as of February 2017

5. Estimated growth of 458% year-on-year, as of February 2017

6. Over 82,000 subject lines generated

7. Nearly 1,200 bottles of beer drunk on Fridays in last 12 months

8. 1 lists of things we’ve achieved… so far

I often get asked what’s next for Phrasee. “What about this, what about that?” people suggest.

I won't reveal too much. But some of the things we’re working on will blow your mind.

What I will say is this. We are unwavering in our desire to be the best… yet remain humble enough to be teachable.

Tonight, we party.

But tomorrow - it’s back to building the fastest growing A.I. company in Putney, southwest London.

On behalf of Vic, Neil, and the entire Phrasee phamily:

We can’t wait for tomorrow!