Barrett Jakeman joined Sun Exchange in March 2018 as Community Manager. He’s passionate about blockchain technology and optimistic about the future of cryptocurrency and renewable energy. As manager of customer support, he’s often the first point of communication for Sun Exchange users and he’s deeply committed to providing quality customer service.

Please describe your role within Sun Exchange?

I am in charge of customer support, so I'm the one you speak to when you have an issue, need to update anything on your account or have a general query. I also manage the invoicing process for the project off-takers and ensure they pay for their usage.

How did you get involved in Sun Exchange?

I met Abe at the beginning of 2015 at a music festival in the Western Cape, South Africa. We became good friends and it was Abe that got me into the world of cryptocurrencies. I followed the progress of The Sun Exchange throughout the next few years. I got heavily involved in trading and investing in ICOs during 2017 and learned a lot about the industry.

When Sun Exchange launched their ICO at the beginning of 2018 I offered to help manage the Telegram group and provide whatever other support I could. My role has developed since joining and I have learned so much!

Blue sky thinking: where do you see Sun Exchange going?

I can see The Sun Exchange scaling to a global level with projects in all the sunniest locations on earth. The model is truly epic and I love everything about it.

Do you work in a team? If so, what’s the dynamic like?

Yes I do! I work remotely, but I talk to most of the team on a daily basis. It is an amazing team that Abe has brought together and we all share similar passions.

What makes this job different from others you’ve had?

Well for a start, I’ve never had a job where I spend all day working on a laptop! Other than that I have never been involved with a project/company that has such far reaching potential to change how things operate in the world.

What have some of the proudest moments been?

Getting feedback from customers where they praise how I have handled their issue/s always makes me feel good.

Like any job, business, or life experience, there are tough times. What have some of those been and how have you/the team overcome these?

There was a period of time when things were very uncertain for the company in terms of finances. The team pulled together and came up with contingency plans and ways out of the problems. This for me was incredible to see as I have never been involved on the management side of things in other jobs I’ve had.

Why do you feel the world needs Sun Exchange?

Banks and oil companies have the world’s people by the short and curlies so to speak. The ideal of humanity’s power generation being clean and decentrally owned is something that needs to happen!

What would you do with a billion dollars?

The first thing I would do is buy a piece of land and build a house for my family - fully solar powered of course! I would definitely continue working for The Sun Exchange and would probably also buy a few 10s of millions worth of SUNEX and Solar Cells, and definitely a bunch of Bitcoin! Oh and a nice fun car to drive!

What item that you own best describes your personality? 

I suppose I would have to say my LED and Fire Meteor set which is a type of flow toy. I guess it describes my personality in that you need fast dexterous hands and fingers to get it right, and that’s just what my mind is like ;)

When you're not busy solar powering the world, how do you like to spend your time?

Playing meteor, guitar and video games. And of course spending time with my family and friends.

What is your favorite book and why?

I don’t have one favourite. Far too many to list! I read a lot of fantasy/science fiction books. I love them because I enjoy being immersed in interesting worlds and ideas. I suppose if I had to pick one it would be Magician by Raymond E. Feist.

What is your favorite movie and why?

The movie The Nines with Ryan Reynolds, because it is a total mind f$%k and I just love movies like that!

Do you have a vlog/blog or personal website? If so, please share it with us and tell us a little bit about it.

I have a blog that I used to do years and years ago and it's still around! Check it out here...if you dare!

It’s pretty random, slightly embarrassing and contains some of my creative writings. It’ll probably give you an insight in to my way of thinking...