As our community works to collectively adjust to this new normal, we want to share the perspectives of people in the Greenville community who are working to adapt their lifestyles, family dynamics, business models, workflow, + more. Today, we’re hearing from Andrew Kurtz, owner of Kopis, which is a custom software development company here in Greenville.
Find Kopis on Facebook here and Instagram here.
Tell us a little bit about yourself.
I came to Greenville because of Furman University and ended up staying here ever sense. During college, I met my wife our sophomore year and got married a year after school. We had two daughters, and both special and very different. One of the daughters is now a professional soccer player, so as a result of her career from age of 5 and up, I’ve become a huge soccer fan. There’s a lot of Saturdays where I’ll choose English Premiere League over a college football Game. I love to read history and have a huge collection of history books and I love physical activity. I’ll ride 60-70 miles on my bike, or train at my house. I love to backpack, kayak and still play ice hockey. I’m a big fan of Greenville, and believe in our city, but also in giving back to a place that has given me so much. I’m excited that Furman has started a new institute for Entrepreneurial Development and Innovation and have become a tiny part in supporting it- along with many, many, many entrepreneurs I admire in our community. it’s the most exciting thing that Furman has ever done (as far as I’m concerned), because it really hits home for me personally. I left Furman and two years later after graduation, I was trying to start my business. Back then, I would have eaten up this program if it had existed when I was there!
What do you do for a living?
My job has changed a lot over the years, when we were smaller, it was operational. It was finding sales, doing development, building software solutions., As we’ve grown, now it’s about helping the company identify and defend and maintain our core values that make Kopis, Kopis. I think a huge part is maintaining culture and core values. Next thing, working as a coach with the other business leaders because they are now focused on operational things. Supporting them, helping them define strategy, and remain focused on our strategy. My job is to stay above the day to day. Part of my job is if we do find an opportunity-throwing myself at new opportunities. Getting involved on higher level of sales and being a sounding board. Community Engagement – be the leading person in terms of community engagement – being on boards, going to networking events, speaking at conferences.
How has your work been affected by coronavirus?
Some parts of our work have been affected by the shutdown, and some haven’t. Fortunately, we’ve focused our business on remote work for the past ten years. When COVID-19 hit, our team was already set up and capable of operating functionally from a process and technology standpoint. Thankfully, it really has not affected our ability to deliver our solutions to our customers. However, it has had an effect in our business on the few places that do require face to face meetings. Virtual meetings are awesome for a lot of things, but not everything. There’s an intangible piece of communication that comes with physical presence, it’s more effective in certain types of conversations, especially with clients. Microsoft Teams has helped us significantly stay in touch with our prospects and current clients, but we still miss visiting their businesses and shaking their hands. I’ve also noticed that I work much more since the quarantine began, when I wake up, I walk over to my office and I’m here all day.
How has your personal life and/or family been affected by coronavirus?
I think that at this process of being at home, without sports and being busy all the time, maybe it will cause a long-term effect of slowing down a little bit. Part of that means, trying to get out of the ruts that seem to happen when life is moving full-momentum. For instance, you can get in a routine where you work really hard all day, you come home, eat dinner, watch tv, go to bed, rinse, repeat. There’s something wonderful about just stopping for a moment. Sitting on the porch and drinking wine and enjoying the sun beating down on you, and taking time to appreciate small moments just like that. I hope that my appreciation for those “small moments” doesn’t disappear after quarantining is over. We have had some close calls with COVID-19, and have known people affected unfortunately. It’s definitely forced us to slow down, and be grateful.
What impacts do you think the pandemic will have on your life and/or business as time goes on?
From a business standpoint, this will have an impact for some period of time, I think that things we’ve implemented around remote working and meetings will stick. More people can efficiently host meetings remotely, and that could potentially become a business norm. There will be opportunities that required travel before that may not require travel now.
What do you look forward to doing the most once everything goes back to normal?
Can’t wait to go to a restaurant – and have staff bring me a beer and my food. My first thought is Murasaki. It will be the first place we go to. I want to have a Friday sushi lunch again!
What message do you have for the Greenville community right now?
Stay strong, stay smart, stay healthy. Things will return to normal. We’re a resilient community and country and remember one of the things that makes Greenville special is that our economy has gone through so many challenges. We originally were the textile capital of the world, and then we pivoted. We’ve survived the WW1, The Great Depression, WWII. Our city has been revitalized and has had to learn creative problem solving in order to survive. It’s been inspirational to watch this creative problem solving in effect here during COVID19. Restaurants have changed track and have begun pushing gift-cards or selling car-side or bottling their sauces/sangrias up and selling actual goods. It’s been great to watch locally owned fitness studios teach online courses such as SoulYoga’s new $47 monthly web membership. Pita House is selling their incredible hot sauce all bottled up. Dark Corner Distillery is now creating and distributing hand sanitizer. That is Greenville. We are strong, we are efficient, and we are adaptable. We have to be. It’s in our DNA.
What local restaurant do you plan on dining out at first once this is over?
Murasaki, of course, but also Asada (we’ve been frequenting their curbside pick-up!), and Sidewall Pizza.
