smallbusiness-about-itian
Meet the Instructor
Learn from practical experience across trades, business, technology, photography, systems, and problem-solving.
Meet Ian D. Findlay
The ITIAN Small Business Academy is created by Ian D. Findlay, founder of ITIAN Knowledge Hub and the photographer behind NZTHRILLVIBES. Ian brings together a wide range of hands-on experience from electrical work, inspection, farming, beekeeping, water treatment, SCADA systems, photography, web design, computer troubleshooting, and software configuration.
Practical Working Background
⚡ Electrical Trade
Trained as an electrician at a cement factory and later worked as an electrician at a freezing works, gaining strong industrial experience.
🔍 Electrical Inspection
Worked as a registered electrical inspector and completed thousands of inspections for the EWRB.
🛠️ Self-Employment
Operated a self-employed electrical business, gaining first-hand experience with customers, responsibility, pricing, problem solving, and business operation.
🐝 Farming & Beekeeping
Has farming experience, trained as a beekeeper, and operated a small beekeeping business.
💧 Water Treatment
Trained as a water treatment operator and worked as an operator/fitter in water treatment and wastewater treatment.
🖥️ SCADA Systems
Managed SCADA computer systems, connecting practical plant operation with technology, monitoring, control, and data systems.
📸 Photography
Works as a photographer and photography technician, creating visual content through NZTHRILLVIBES.
🌐 Web Design
Builds websites and digital learning pages, including the ITIAN Knowledge Hub academies.
💻 Computer Support
Has experience with computer troubleshooting, software setup, and configuration.
Why This Matters for Small Business
Small business is not just theory. It involves planning, tools, money, customers, compliance, technology, communication, risk, and daily problem solving. Ian’s background brings together many of these areas in a practical way.
Real Business Experience
Running a self-employed electrical business and a small beekeeping business provides real insight into the challenges of working for yourself.
Technical Problem Solving
Electrical work, inspections, SCADA, water systems, and computer troubleshooting all require careful thinking and clear process.
Creative Digital Skills
Photography, web design, and content creation help connect business skills with modern digital presentation and marketing.
Teaching Style
Plain English
Lessons are written to be understandable, especially for people who are new to business or technology.
Step by Step
Each topic is broken into clear sections so learners know what to do next.
Practical First
The goal is to help learners create useful results, not just read information.
Problem-Solving Focus
The academy is built around helping people work through common small business and technology problems.
What Learners Can Expect
Helpful Guidance
Each page is designed to guide learners through one practical topic at a time.
Useful Templates
The academy includes links to checklists, worksheets, planners, and resources.
Connected Learning
Small business topics connect to deeper ITIAN academies including Facebook, Photography, Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, AI, WordPress, and Cyber Security.
NZTHRILLVIBES Photography
Ian is also the creator behind NZTHRILLVIBES, a photography brand focused on Hokianga and Northland scenes. This creative work supports the ITIAN training approach by showing how photography, branding, websites, social media, and digital marketing can work together.
A Welcome Message
Welcome to the Small Business Academy. This course has been built for people who want practical, easy-to-follow help with business and technology. You do not need to know everything before you begin. Start with one lesson, follow the steps, and keep building.
The aim of ITIAN is to make useful knowledge easier to access, easier to understand, and easier to apply in real life.