Interview with Paul Williams

Paul Williams – Director of  ‘Savills’ North London

Is there still money to made in Property?

Paul Williams a director of Savills will be at the Islington Enterprise Fair to share his 20 years experience of helping Islington residents and businesses get a “good deal” in the local property market.

Paul ran his own SME for twenty years, a company he sold to ‘Savills’ estate agents four years ago. He has since taken on the role of Savills’ Director of North London. His reasons for selling his company were simple; “it was a good move for me at the time” he explains, “I entered business to be profitable” and “the offer” was too good to refuse.

In the current economic climate Paul’s greatest challenge remains “meeting clients’ expectations” and describes how when it comes to property “people’s moods are changing day to day”.  However, Paul believes that by acting as “a cautious speculator” instead of a risk taker “things will always be okay in the long run”.

Having been one himself, Paul understands that it is “important to look towards the future” in terms of encouraging young entrepreneurs.  Although he admits starting up a business comes with “a lot of hard work and a lot of worry” he ensures it is “ultimately rewarding” as long as you “work at it, stay committed and don’t give up to easily”.

Paul thinks the Islington Enterprise Fair is “a great idea” and “can’t do anything but good”. Furthermore, he believes the Fair will “not only benefit the people who attend but myself also” as there will be “a great mix” of businessmen and women to learn from.

Interview with Adejare Doherty

Adejare Doherty – ‘The Wholeleaf Co.’

Surving the Dragon’s Den

Adejare Doherty is a local  young entrepreneur who despite his age has already achieved so much. He has a master’s degree in law from UCL and has worked as both a lawyer and a head hunter. However, just over two years ago Adejare “realised [he] was not so interested in money or recruitment” and decided to “channel energy in to something more enjoyable” the product of which is his own ethically motivated company, The Wholeleaf Co.

Hailing from Nigeria, Adejare was determined to “do something which gives something back to 3^rd world countries”. Therefore he started Wholeaf Co that produces and sells bio-degradable disposable plates and cutlery which are ethically manufactured from “palm leaves” in India.

Adejare has alappeared on BBC’s ‘Dragon’s Den’ just after he launched The Wholeleaf Co. but although he was unable to secure investment from the dragon’s he explained how “it opened a lot of doors and  I was actually more confident when I left the den than when I went in”. Adejare is currently in the process of starting up a new business and hopes to set up more in the future.

When asked if he felt the government were doing enough to support budding entrepreneurs, Adejare replied, “yes and no; the government have provided enough resources but have shown a lack of encouragement” he continued, “not everyone is going to be an Alan Sugar so I think more realistic role models need to be promoted”. Due to the current economic climate people “do not have enough get up and go and there needs to be a greater emphasis on risk taking”. Adejare thinks that the Islington Enterprise Fair will provide the public with a “diverse variety of entrepreneurs” and gives them the opportunity to “learn from other peoples mistakes”.

Interview with Tim Campbell

Tim Campbell – ‘Bright Ideas Trust’

What happened next for Star Apprentice winner.

Tim Campbell former apprentice winner and now CEO of Bright Ideas Trust will be at the Islington Enterprise Fair to talk about what he is doing now to help people become star entrepreneurs.

After winning the first series of Sir Alan Sugar’s ‘The Apprentice’ Tim worked for Amstrad as Product Director for two years and has since started his own social enterprise, ‘Bright Ideas Trust’.  Tim’s company provide support and funding  for young entrepreneurs with promising business prospects. When compared with his job with Sir Alan, Tim says, “starting up my own business, Bright Ideas Trust, gave me a massive reality check, there is a massive chasm [between the two jobs] and a completely different skill set”.

Running Bright Ideas Trust  has given Tim a clear view of exactly what is required to be successful, “you must have everything clearly laid out beforehand, surround yourself with information and focus on quality”. Although admitting running your own company “is not for everyone” Tim believes that “although there is a lot of hard work and pressure, having your own enterprise is the most exciting experience possible”.

Running a company that centres on helping young entrepreneurs to become successful Tim believes “the government could do more; I think they could use the tax system to generate more private sector funding for young entrepreneurs ”.  He also believes that if young people knew more about the help and support available then they would be more likely to become an entrepreneur.

“You don’t need to pass an exam or gain a qualification to start a business. All you need is a little know-how, access to some resources and the confidence to give it a go”

It is for this reason Tim is in complete support of the Islington Enterprise Fair, “the way to be successful in business is to surround yourself with information about it, something which the fair will offer”, he advises the people and businesses of Islington to “ get down there”.

Interview with Nick Jenkins

Nick Jenkins – ‘Moonpig’

How to make a million pound business.

Nick Jenkins  the founder of ‘Moonpig’, the successful  internet greeting card company will be appearing at the Islington Enterprise Fair to share what he knows about starting and building a successful business. Moonpig was launched in July 2000 and since then has risen to international success with the company now turning over more than £21 million a year and a growth rate of 50% per annum.

“I always wanted to run my own business” says Nick, “and in 2000 it was always going to be something on the internet” and with an existing interest in cartoons and humour “it was just a process of elimination that we went on to  start an online greeting card company”.

The biggest challenge facing the young entrepreneur at the time was a common one, funding. Nick was “lucky enough” to have some money of his own but it took a further 6 months of fund raising from banks, friends and investors to find the rest. At the Islington Enterprise Fair Nick intends to give the “real inside story” of what you need to do to fund and grow a new start-up business.

He advises anyone thinking of starting up to “make sure you raise enough money, how ever long it takes because I , like other before and since, underestimate the amount you need to get the business trading profitably.”

Despite having chaired ‘Moonpig’ for over ten years, Nick maintains the same work ethic and excitement for his job than when he first started out, “it’s great, and for me, there is no distinction between running your own business and fun”.

Interview with Heather Reid

Heather Reid – ‘Headers’

A Cut Above

Local business women Heather Reid will be appearing at the Islington Enterprise Fair to share her experience of how against the odds she managed to start a successful new business in Islington. Heather Reid entered the business world just over a year ago opening a Hairdressing Salon called ‘Headers’ in Chapel Market. With no prior experience in health and beauty or any entrepreneurial know-how she went from being a full time mum to a successful businesswoman. Heather wanted to “prove that women can do it as well” and after enduring less than impressive service from other salons decided to open her own.

Although Heather acknowledges it is vital to have “a big pool of money” before beginning any business venture, the research beforehand contributes massively to how successful it will be, “I spoke to local traders and really got to know the community” she explains, “you must do your homework!”  Heather also attributes her success so far to her staff, “my employees are vital and it is important to have a strong bond with them otherwise my business wouldn’t work.”

Heather describes her job as helping people “feel better about themselves,” something that in the current economic climate is hard to do. However, with a loyal clientele and plans of expansion not far away it seems not even the credit crunch can stop her.

Heather is looking forward to the Islington Enterprise fair later this month stating it is important for “new ideas” to emerge from budding entrepreneurs and she believes people will “learn a lot” from her own, “very honest” approach to business.

Kingsley James – Sales and Marketing

After teacher training, Kingsley spent 20 years in industry, in posts rising from Production Manager to Director of Group Operations. Since 1987 he has worked as an Enterprise Adviser, and as a lecturer in Finance and Marketing. Kingsley’s main speciality is business planning and growth, as well as writing the documents which help to raise finance either from banks or from public sector sources.

Andrew Eastwood – Show me the money

Regional Director, London North Local Business
UK Retail Bank

Andrew Eastwood in his role as Regional Director for Local Business in London North focuses on delivering specialized financial services to small business – from start ups to businesses with an annual turn over of up to $1 million.

Before joining Barclays he worked for two large financial services organizations in Australia. Andrew has over 15 years experience as a career banker and has undertaken roles across Retail banking, Commercial and Institutional Banking.

The roles he has undertaken have had responsibility across retail distribution including both operational and strategic and various successful spells in leadership roles.

Andrew has a degree in Finance (Business Banking) and is currently part way through the completion of a Master In Business Administration.

Clare Matheson – Sales and Marketing Panel

Clare Matheson has spent the last 7 years in the waste management industry having worked for two London based recycling companies, selling their services to companies ranging from SME’s to multi-national banks and legal firms.
Clare now manages the Chamber of Commerce’s Business Waste Recycling Project as well as undertaking freelance consultancy work.

Iain Scott – Internet workshop

Iain Scott is Managing Director of London based web design and digital marketing agency, Base Creative. At Base Creative, Iain heads up marketing and business management while acting as advisor to a select few clients on all matters related to online marketing.

He specialises in Search Engine Optimisation and web marketing, both in terms of how to attract people to a website and convert visitors into paying customers.

He is in his 8th year of business and has over 10 years experience in the industry.

Iain has spoken at seminars for Business Link, the Islington Chamber of Commerce, has lectured for Independent Seminars, and manages interactive online marketing workshops under the banner Sandbox Seminars.

Adejare Doherty – Meet the Entrepreneurs

Adejare Doherty is a former Lawyer turned entrepreneur and is co-founder and CEO of Ethical company, The Wholeleaf Co.
The Wholeleaf Co. supplies the UK catering and retail industry with unique disposable food ware made from nothing but naturally shed palm leaves and pledges to give 15% of profits to good causes.
The Wholeleaf Co. has supplied into national retailers like Sainsbury’s and Oxfam, international caterers such as Aramark and supplied plates for events such as the feeding of 5000 in Trafalgar Square.
Adejare featured on the last series of Dragon’s Den and is a sought after speaker for business students, giving a real insight into running a start up and surviving in a recession.