How did you get the idea for your business?
After returning to the UK in 2012 after working in Abu Dhabi, I started to think about how Norwich is so fabulous but has so few good quality five star hotels in the city centre. It has an absolutely thriving tourism and business market (both domestic and from overseas) which wants diversity and choice in the city centre.
So the idea for p@ds was born and I was lucky in that my boss in Abu Dhabi and his partner, who are also great friends, came on board and provided funding, amazing advice and who are both Directors of the company along with me.
Have you encountered any challenges? How did you overcome these?
I was prepared for challenges and hard work but even I was surprised by how much effort it took to get the business off the ground. However, rather than feeling overwhelmed, I embraced it. The slog and long hours are worth it because I have built something that is my own.
What have been the most helpful experiences and knowledge that you have gained from working with Nwes?
The advice from Nwes has been truly invaluable. I attended courses on finance and book keeping, and built a great relationship with Business Advisor Victoria Williamson, who guided me through the start-up process. Under the Start & Grow programme, delivered by Nwes, I will continue to receive support to help to grow and expand p@ds. I am already taking on new properties, which will soon result in additional employees.
What has the impact of support from Nwes been on you and your business?
Without a doubt the acquisition of new skills, expanding existing skillsets, meeting great new people and having that ability, after being an employee all my working life to date, to ‘write my own script’.
To see what I imagined in my head and then wrote down on paper come to fruition, and for people to enjoy it as much as they do, is incomparable with anything else I have ever done. I recommend anyone who has an idea and wants to make a similar leap, to talk to Nwes about what they might be able to do for them. For me, it is one of the wisest business decisions I have made so far.
