It’s not everyday you see young female entrepreneur doing well or giving the men a run for their money, Lucy cohen is the co-founder of Mazuma, a company she started over 4 years ago. Mazuma is an accountancy service for small and micro businesses in the UK.

Hope you enjoy this interview as she touches on a lot of subjects

Should you really bother writing a business plan
Getting a business partner on board and her experience
Why entrepreneurship is not been embraced in the UK.

So briefly give us some background information about yourself?

I’m the co-Founder and Commercial Director of Mazuma, an accountancy service for small and micro businesses across the UK.

So how did Mazuma start? What inspired you to start a business?

Mazuma started from the very basic observation that regardless of the fancy bookkeeping software on the market, people were still not getting their accounts done in a timely manner. When we looked at the causes of this we realised that it’s because essentially, even with a spreadsheet or a piece of software, you’re asking your client to complete some of the work for you. We came up with the idea of our Purpleforce service (just sending everything to us in a purple envelope) to cut out that barrier to entry for small businesses so that they could all use an accountant from day one.

I mean having a business partner is not the easiest thing to do, people have doubts of eventually fall-out from differences etc, how did you know you were making a good choice going into business with Sophie and how is that going now?

Sophie and I have known each other since we were 11, so I always figure if you can get through puberty together, you can probably run a business together! It’s a question we get asked a lot though and the answer is always that our set up just seems to work! We’re very much two different sides of the same coin and our contrasting skills mean that together we’re very strong. We never really argue; we disagree sometimes, but it’s always about reaching the right decision for the business so the end result is always that we end up agreeing on the best thing rather than me tending to be too impulsive or Sophie being too cautious!

What advice can you give to anyone wanting/looking for a business partner to come on board with them in a new venture?

You have to have known them for a long time and have been with them through the good times and more importantly, the difficult times. Knowing how your business partner responds under pressure is essential. Sophie and I have known each other for so long now that we can almost read the others mind when it comes to situations or decisions. It means that we know what the other would think and so can react accordingly. It’s really important to have that trust.

What has been your greatest achievement so far?

Opening our Hub (head office) was a big project and I was pretty chuffed when we got that up and running late in 2009. It means that we can service customers all across the UK with ease and our growth through it should be exponential.

Tell us a bit about Mazuma? What do you do? What is your role in the business?

Mazuma is an accountancy service tailored for the small business. Our motto is “No spreadsheets, no Software, no fuss”. Instead of insisting that our clients learn to use a software package which is difficult to understand (and a drain on your time and resources), Mazuma do the bookkeeping as well as the accounts. Not only does this save you time so that you can focus on running your business, but it means that you can always be proactive rather than reactive – all at no extra cost to you. Mazuma have some of the lowest prices in the industry because we believe that everyone should have access to an Accountant, no matter how big or small your business is and our award winning Purpleforce service underpins the whole operation!

My role within the business is on the commercial side, dealing with the marketing campaigns, generating ideas, leading the sales team and trying to keep my finger on the pulse!

How did you raise finance for the business?

We didn’t! We started the business with no money and operated from my spare bedroom! We were always strict about inwardly investing in our business and so profits got ploughed back into Mazuma so that we could grow.

Did you write a business plan? Do you think a lot of entrepreneurs’ waste time writing out a business plan, I mean what’s the point?

We did write a business plan and it was a really helpful thing to do. I know that lots of entrepreneurs think it’s a waste of time but it’s vital to get your thoughts down onto paper. What seems like a great idea in your head might be logistically impossible when you map it out on paper. It’s important to remember that business plans constantly evolve and it’s a working document, not something you write for the bank and then never touch again! It’s also a great reference point. When I look back at our original business plan I can see how much we’ve grown as a business and personally and it’s great to be able to recognise that.

When did it all kick in, when you thought this is really happening?

I’ve never really thought that, there’s always the “what next?” question in my mind. Neither Sophie or I have ever wanted to just sit back and maintain the company at a certain size, it’s always been a question of what the next project will be, how many more sales until the next stage etc. We’re suckers for punishment, clearly!

What is the financial state of the company? Are you guys profitable yet?

We’ve always been profitable! That has come from in the early days when we just re-invested the profits back into the company. It meant that we could build ourselves a solid foundation to grow from. I know that not all businesses can do that but as a service based business without the need for a massive capital spend at the start we were fortunate in being able to do so. We never over-stretch ourselves either, if there’s something we want, we go and grow the business until we can afford it!

Who do you go to for your business advice?

We’ve never used a business advisor in a formal capacity but over the years we’ve made some good friends who have more experience than us and who will let us pick their brains when we need it. That’s been really valuable, to build a peer group of people who understand what you’re going through and can offer their support and advice.

What advice do you have for entrepreneurs’ especially female entrepreneurs out there?

Go for it! Don’t let anyone else say you can’t do it, you need to discover it for yourself. As long as you measure your risks and test and measure your success you’ll be able to build something for yourself. Also, get a good accountant from day one and invest in trademarks where you can. Having had to fight copyright infringement and passing off cases for ourselves I cannot stress enough the value of intellectual property protection!

What developments/improvements are you hoping to happen in the business/technology world?

I’m hoping that the accountancy industry becomes more commercial and that we can see things like accountancy comparison sites with instant quotes appearing, just like for car insurance. That would mean the accountancy industry taking a giant leap forward in terms of attitude and technology, but it would bring it line with other similar industries like insurance.

Why do you think entrepreneurship is not being as embraced in the UK compared to the states?

I think that in the UK there can be an undercurrent of jealousy. If you look at our press, the UK press love to build someone up to knock them down again and that can happen a lot in business too. It seems that you’re allowed to do ok, but as soon as you become too successful then people feel they have the right to criticise you. In the USA they are much more celebratory of success which is perhaps why entrepreneurship has flourished over there. I might be wrong, it’s just a theory!

What is the one bad habit you’re trying to get rid of?

Forgetting to reply to text messages! I’m an absolute nightmare! If you’ve text me and I haven’t got back to you, I’m really sorry, I just keep forgetting!

What are your hobbies?

I love dancing, music and comedy.

How was it being on the last millionaires on BBC?

It was an interesting experience! There were positives and negatives but at the end of the day I met some amazing people on that programme and lots of us are still in touch now so it was a great thing to be able to do.

What should we be expecting from you in the future?

Watch this space! Mazuma will be growing rapidly over the next couple of years and as always, we’ll be doing our best to shake up the accountancy industry!

Thanks for your time Lucy
So if you want you accounting sorted out for you in your company from £17/month, Sign up on the Mazuma website, don’t forget to join them on twitter and facebook.

A while ago, i did a feature on Charlie, It outlines how he started his company, Charlie webster is the 24 years old founder of albatross villa, a company he started five years ago, but i wanted to ask him a bit more, Things i could not know until i asked him, here is our conversation, Hope you enjoy it.

Hi Charlie, Thanks for taking time to speak to us on YHP, How are you doing today?

Very well thanks. A little busy after the bank holiday period!

How often do you travel?

I travel about twice a month to Portugal but it can vary depending on clients.

Can you give some brief background information about you and what you do?

I’m 24 and run 3 companies. A holiday letting company in the UK called Albatross Villas ltd, an estate agency in Portugal called Albatross Villas Lda and a new estate agency in the UK called Websters Residential Ltd.

At what stage did you realise you wanted to go into business and not return back to the university?

When the workload got too much to study at the same time as trying to run the holiday company.

If you go back in time? Would you still make the same decision?

Yes definitely, without a doubt.

How many hours do you work a day on average?

Approx 10 hours a day including most weekends.

Describe/outline your typical day?

I start by having a coffee! Can never start work without it! Then look at my emails and reply to them, which normally takes all morning. After lunch I have meetings with sales clients and conduct valuations and viewings on our properties.

On those impossible days, what motivates you to keep going?

To be honest I love selling property. Its what I was born to do! I can’t lie that the money also pushes me to keep going.

Is this your first business?

The holiday company was which I set up about 5 years ago. I now have 2 other companies.

Do you have a favourite business tool or resource?

Google! Or rightmove.

How do you manage the growth of your company?

With difficulty. I find it very hard to delegate work to other staff. Its something that I certainly need to learn to do better as it will hold the businesses back if I’m not careful.

What do you think are the key lessons to entrepreneurship?

To take risks, although they have to be calculated risks otherwise you will just chuck money down the drain.

What are the revenues of the business?

The new Estate agency is a start up so no revenue yet, but the 2 Albatross companies turnover about £400,000 a year.

How have sales grown in the last few years?

We had a very good 2007/8 but the last few years sales have decreased due to the current economy and exchange rate fluctuations. Some management projects are on-going though which is bringing in good income.

What are the most crucial things you have done to grow your business?

Taken risks. Although in the early years I certainly made my fair share of mistakes! I’m a bit more careful with my money now. No more big adverts in magazines which costs £1,000’s but brought no sales!

What has been your most effective marketing tactic or technique?

Probably word of mouth! But google adwords and SEO have helped promote the business online.

Do you think it is still effective to always have a business plan?

Not always but it helps to meet and reach targets you set yourself and the business to achieve. I didn’t have a business plan for my first company as it grew gradually but for my new company it is essential.

What are the best ways for businesses especially start-up to manage their finances during tough times especially in this financial downturn?

Look at all your overheads and reduce or even cut the one’s the company don’t need in a recession. You also need to cut your marketing budget otherwise you will put the company in a cashflow problem.

Where do you see in yourself and your business in the next 5 years?

Hopefully with a few more estate agent offices in the UK.

What is the most crucial decision you’ve made so far regarding your business?

To say yes to everything and not turn down any opportunities it brings.

What’s your biggest distraction?

Food! or if there’s a good sporting event on, like the Masters golf or England playing rugby!

Excluding yours, what company or business do you admire the most?

I admire a lot of other estate agencies in the UK. Some of the big companies and household names that have grown from one office to over 100 in just in the last 10 years. Also James Villa Holidays are a good Holiday company that I look up to.

What sacrifices did you have to make to be a successful entrepreneur?

I lost contact with a lot of my friends but otherwise I probably haven’t sacrificed too much. Its difficult to turn my work head offi in the evening so I guess my girlfriend gets pretty fed-up with me talking about it the whole time!

What are most-does for any young entrepreneur starting out in the holiday industry?

Have contacts in the industry and knowing some villa owners to start you with a few properties will help enormously. Holidays are all about small commissions but if you obtain a lot of bookings for your owners then it will turn into a good profitable company, as long as you look after your overheads!

Thanks for your time.
Thanks for having me.

Don’t forget to follow Albatross Villa on twitter

Yaw Owusu is a Liverpool based young entrepreneur, who started a business called urbeatz after graduating with a law degree and struggling to get a job, Urbeatz was born.
Now five years after Urbeatz, the business is doing better than ever.

Hey Yaw, How is it going? Welcome to YHP
Can you briefly give the readers some background information on yourself?

Basically I am a young man from Liverpool. My mother is Jamaican and my father is Ghanaian. Used to want to be a solicitor or a basketball player. Went to university and during that time changed my mind. When I finished my law degree for some reason I couldn’t get a job so ended up starting my own business, which was URBEATZ. I have been doing that for nearly five years now!

Yaw, so what do you do and what role do you play?

Personally I am the Chief Executive of URBEATZ and specific artist manager for KOF. My role involves planning and executing every aspect of the business really. I deal with all the administration side, organisational side and deliver on the ground floor too. We are slowly building a team of capable staff which will allow me to do a lot more strategically things. I hope.

Generally URBEATZ is an Urban Music, Media and Youth Culture Company. URBEATZ undertake a range of activities including Artist Management, Artist Development and Production, Event Management, Studio Service, Film and Design Solutions, Alternative Education, Broadcast and Programme Development and Consultancy.

What inspired to start Urbeatz?

A few things really. Being jobless. Ha. Also mainly it was my interest and the undeniable talent of my cousin, UK Artist KOF, which lured me in. I never planned to do this as a job or a career but somehow a lot of things lined up at the same time and just by following my gut instinct I ended up starting a business that I liked and felt I was good at. Once we started the company I begin to learn by trial and error and things just grew. It went from managing one act, to producing for up to 14 (at one point), delivering workshops, and conferences selling clothes, tour managing, making videos and documentaries, creating and putting out a magazine, event managing and even consultancy.

How has the journey been so far?

The journey has been great so far. Everyday is a learning curve and I really believe I am on the path to running a superb business. I often work harder than I think possible but I love what I do so I cannot and will not complain. Every year we have doubled our income, which is not bad. The rollercoaster is still rolling and developing so I suspect that I will be speaking positively for years to come.

How did you get funding for your business?

Well with great difficulty. A lot of places did not see our vision in the beginning so while in the process of trying to convince them I just started trading…haha ‘test trading’. I knew our market, knew what we had to do to get the leverage to be a power and also understood that some people just don’t understand. We created a buzz and a rep for the music and events that allowed us to branch into other areas and keep us relevant and viable. The funding agencies responded and eventually saw the vision albeit late. We got a loan off The Princes Trust and also a grant from Creativebias. Now our business is funded 60% from commercial contracts and 40% funding for our charitable and community projects.

Did you have any doubts when you started?

Nah no doubts. I had nothing to lose and so much to gain. If nothing else it would be an enjoyable situation and I knew that doors would open with hard work. I suppose my naivety made it possible to get this far and I feel it is that same naivety that keeps me going. Our goals are quite large but we focus on executing like we are tiny and that has helped keep us focused and from being broke.

What is the best advice you have ever been given?

I read a lot so my advice usually comes from books so maybe I can not claim that as advice given. Therefore I am putting a quote by Gandhi as my main inspiration; ‘Be The Change That You Want To See…”. That just inspires me to be as good as I can be and to offer a service that I feel should be on offer.

What are key fundamentals to apply when running a business?

My main key points are:
• Great Ideas, with even better execution
• Dedication
• Hindsight and foresight
• Great team and support
• Great product and/or service
• Reputation
• Cash

Do you have any suggestions for coping with set-backs, negative experiences?

Only suggestions would be to run and hide and give up OR more positively, accept the setback then think SOLUTION! How can you deal with the issue and move again towards your goal. For example we had a 9G tax bill with only 2G in the bank at one point. I felt sad for a few minutes but soon I saw it as another challenge that would make us focus as a company on our profitable activities and what was important. The next step then was to develop a realistic plan that could be executed to get our momentum back. Also expect set backs and enjoy that process as much as you enjoy when things are going well. It just makes you better when you overcome!

What is your business model?

I have taken inspiration from multi-strand business such as the Roc-a-fella empire which included for profit businesses and activities and community based projects. We are a multi-strand business that use of commercial success and visibility to help make change a grassroots level.

Who are your competitors?

Wow we have many because we cross over many brackets. Let’s say everyone who creates and plugs music, everyone who shoots small budget music videos, youth and urban film production companies, all youth consultants, youth organisations and all management companies. Haha. Really there are loads and loads of competitors within our field. However we have our plan and are focused on refining what we offer and what
we do and not to focus too much on our competitors.

Who are your target markets?

Youth, Urban and Entertainment Markets including individuals, small companies and larger companies.

What are your advertising strategy?(do you use any social networking sites to promote your brand).

We use word of mouth, street promotion and social networking sites.

What advice would you give any upcoming entrepreneur?

Build and create a solid plan, have a great product and/or service, tell everyone about your great product and service, build strong relationships with everyone related to your business and keep things moving in that right direction- towards your overall vision. Worse comes to worse use Gandhi’s quote haha…it really makes sense.

So what’s next for you and Urbeatz?

I am in the process of developing URBEATZ into a charity so we can deliver our charitable and community projects to a higher degree. Also I am taking all our commercial services over to my new company called One Hundred Global which will be a new age Urban and Youth Culture Management and Consultancy Company headed up by myself. These should be launched late October. Between now and then we have some large projects and documentaries such as KOF’s solo album, international youth projects, three or four documentaries, MESH Culture Magazine and some regional youth projects. I am excited about these new ventures and projects and executing the vision for them all. On a more general basis I strive to make the 4 people who believed in me from Day One very rich and to make my family and friends really proud of what I have built and done!

Thank you for your time, Yaw.

Contact yaw@
http://www.urbeatz.com/
http://www.www.meshculture.com.com/

Interviewed & Edited By Joseph Ajilore

YHP Interviews Robert Soltanie, Founder of BestPropertyCompany
Robert also founded the Kingston entrepreneurship club at Kingston University.

Thanks for your time, Robert. Welcome to YHP, Could you start by telling us a bit about yourself and your background?

No worries Joseph, I was born in Hampstead London and lived in various areas in north and north-west London. Born to very loving yet tough parents who originate from Iran, I was an only child. This was lonely at times but made me think a lot and forced me to become sociable and make lots of friends.
I learnt a lot from seeing my dad in business; he had a lot of ups and downs which really opened my eyes. He was a self-employed architect and contractor who had some large clients so from a very young age I would go on-site and inspect buildings with him. I’d also really get along with his clients.

He had projects from one particular client in Mayfair and this client used to drive Ferraris and “live the life” – which was very cool for a kid like me. This client took a liking to me, and used to talk about property with me. I was a 10 years old kid talking to a Sunday times rich list Ferrari owner and I was aware of terms like mortgages, gearing, freeholds etc.

As a kid I was always a wheeler dealer, I used to sell and rent things all the time. I remember my mum telling me off for borrowing my class mate’s toys and renting it out to another mate.

In school I was smart but I messed around a lot. I was more concerned about trying different projects and trying out new ways to do things to make money rather than studying, However 2 subjects I took very seriously were Maths and History (which I love).

Growing up wasn’t easy, I went to 4 different secondary schools; however the majority of my school years were at a secondary school in NW London which has been in and out of special measures for a very long time. This is where I was forced to use more common sense because of the environment I was in. In school I was popular with people from all walks of life and everyone knew me as “the businessman”. I used to set up parties/raves, football tournaments, playstation game competitions, sell music albums, clothes, cars etc.
Property has and always will be my baby, when I was 16 years old I brokered my first property deal. I knew someone who wanted to sell a flat in Kensington and I knew a buyer, married the two and made myself a nice £3grand.

I got through A levels but I didn’t make it to the uni I wanted to go however I did end up going to Kingston and got a degree in Business Management and Finance.

My passion has always been in business especially property and finance.
One big contributing factor to my successes in business has been that since the age of 9 I trained in Shaolin Kung Fu in Golders Green NW London and this has played a huge part helping me gain discipline and confidence.

I know you were the entrepreneur president at Kingston University? How was that experience?

Kingston has a great business school with great teachers, resources and staff, but something was lacking for me. I wanted to have a playground where I can talk to and have fun with fellow entrepreneurs. So I thought to myself, why not create the playground myself?

Not many other students my age were really up for talking about the things I wanted to talk about e.g. trying out new marketing tricks, discussing LIBOR and SWAP rates, chasing debtors for money, the good times and bad times of running a business etc. Because of this, I set up the successful entrepreneurs club in my second year and quickly created a team around it. Within the first year we had about 400 members and every year since membership grows by an extra 100 people.

The best part of the experience was the circle of friends that was created. We went on to win national and international competitions. The best part was winning the competitions against the top universities in England which I couldn’t get in to.

I do recommend students to get involved in societies especially one which you have an interest in. I use the word “involved” because some people join to boost their CVs but it’s a different experience altogether when you are a participator rather than a spectator.

Another great part of running the club while I was at uni was that I could contact big entrepreneurs and have two hats – one as Robert Soltanie, business owner, “let’s do business together”, and two as Robert Soltanie, president of the entrepreneurs society, “do you want do something social and give your time to help students by speaking at our events?”.

How did you get into business?

I ‘m not afraid to try new things, I am realistic about my strengths and weakness and want to succeed but I have tasted failure many times – it tastes like medicine, bad but with lots of benefits.
I have tried many businesses in my time both online and offline. I still have various stakes in web based businesses but property and finance is a language which I understand very well.

Since I had lots of energy and my body doesn’t need much sleep I enjoyed doing 20 hour days for a few weeks if I had to. So I don’t think working a 9 to 5job was for me.

I like to try and experiment with different things which I knew I could if I worked for myself.
Also business is something I loved as a kid, I remember I had a huge curiosity in understanding how business worked, financial models etc. When most kids were practising maths I was trying to do yield equations and combining algebra to business scenarios.

Why a property company?

I grew up looking at floor plans, and doing investment appraisals on my scientific calculator. I loved buildings. When I was a kid and we used to go out with a group of mates we would sit upstairs on the bus and I would point at buildings and say “I want that”. We would go through tower block council estates and I would say comments like: “how many tenants do you think live here?”, “wouldn’t it be cool if you could own this building and have a contract with the council to pay you rent?” – I was a very misunderstood teenager.

Property, like most industries but property in particular, is an industry which is mostly about who you know. I was lucky to know a few people through family, but even to this day I network heavily in property related circles.

As I said property isn’t alien to me, it is very natural to me. The 3 basic skills you need in this industry to get you by are:
1) Good people skills
2) Good understanding of numbers/finance
3) Good understanding of building
As you get more advanced then you need to understand legal structures, law, tax, contracts, leases, building regulation, economic trends, equity and debt finance, derivatives etc.
I am sorry if I have to give a cliché answer but the simple answer is: My passion is in property.

How would you convince someone sceptical of buying property to give it a try?

I won’t, it’s not for everyone. The most important questions to ask are ‘why are you buying property?’ and ‘what you wish you gain/achieve from it?’.

Robert, Tell us a little bit more about what your company does?

I have set up various cash backed funds which have different purposes and intentions. We look for property opportunities in London where we can increase capital gains. This is done through refurbishments, planning gains, lease extensions, effective management, conversions etc. Also because it is cash funds it means we are not restricted by mortgage conditions which are set out by the CML (Council of Mortgage lenders).
We also look for properties which are being sold for below their current market value. These properties are usually sold for less due to repossession, divorce, probates, relocations etc. Vendors who are in this category are not price motivated and to them selling their building cheaper and having a quick guaranteed sale (exchange of contracts can be done in 24 hours) has more value than waiting to find a buyer and not having any guarantees because the buyer fate is in the hands of the banks giving him a mortgage.

I also have an investment agency set up which we use to off load our units, and other units which we didn’t acquire. This business came about because I was frustrated that I would let go of deals which didn’t fit our criteria (e.g. location) for whatever reason and it happened to be a good deal for someone else. So the investment agency sells the deal to investors and charges them a fee.

I also have done consultancy work for investors on property and finance related topics.

Where did you get the start-up money?

When I was growing up my parents were tough on me, especially when it came to financial stuff. I am so thankful for it, because it taught me to save money and earn money. I was successful in earning and saving money when I was growing up.

I also sold a lot of deals to investors and got fees from them before I became a principal and started buying myself.

I know one of my strengths is raising finance (both debt and equity finance), so this has not been an issue for me. If you have a good deal and time on your hands then there is plenty of cash rich investors who know what a good deal is, have money and no time on their hands, this is how I created a good partnership with various investors.

It helped being financially astute because you can also raise finance effectively from institutional lenders.

Who are your main competitors? How do you compete against them?

Anyone who is a competitor in your eyes is also a potential partner in my eyes. Let me explain, there is enough business to go round that you can help your competitors out and vice versa. We work with other companies which will pass us business when they are busy so they still have a smaller % in the rewards rather than turn the business down.

Has your experience in running the business been different from what you expected?

I had no idea what to expect. I work hard, but I have done so all my life so I don’t know anything else. I’ve got a very strong work ethic which I took from both my parents.

Can you tell us about a bad business experience you have encountered and how you’ve dealt with it?

Well I’ve had plenty of these. I recently sat down with some mates and worked out all the money lost due to bad decisions and it was close to £100k. You win some you lose some, as long you make more than you lose you will be fine.

The most interesting one is I used to work with a barrister and did various property and bridging finance work through her. Long story short I did one deal through her and she basically stole the money from me and created a rather bullshit story that she used my money to buy a lot of expensive diamonds from a random man, and this man gave her a bag of rocks, took the money and disappeared with it. The case went to the police and the courts but to this day I still haven’t seen the money.

Business is a lot like everyday society, you have decent people and idiots. Also some people try to bully you. I have always been tough and I don’t take crap from anyone so if I get someone or some company trying to pull a fast one and take me for a ride I tend to fight it. I am not scared of solicitors or court rooms and you get unscrupulous people/companies trying to scare you with court letters and solicitor letters. I have been in a court room plenty of times.

In my opinion, well it depends on your trade but I would say as a rule of thumb if you are scared of confrontation and back down easily, perhaps being in business is not for you. It’s harder for us also because we are young and some people try to take advantage of that thinking we are inexperienced.
If you have not lost money in business or someone hasn’t tried to pull a fast one on you, then you are probably too cautious and not active enough or have been EXTREMELY lucky. Hopefully the latter.

Who is your role model?

I have many role models, in all areas of my life, not just business. A lot of people tend to have big name role models like Donald trump, Richard Branson, Warren Buffett, George Soros etc and as much as I respect, admire and learn from these names I also have role models which I come in contact with much more frequently. There is no point mentioning names because not many people will know who they are, also they would probably prefer to remain anonymous but I do show my appreciation to anyone who has helped me in my journey so far.

What do you like/dislike about being an entrepreneur?

I guess I dislike not knowing what it “feels like” to have a property job, I have never had a proper full-time job, but I have worked for other people until the age of 19, mainly part time work.
What I like is the freedom, but the funny thing is you have the option to have the freedom but you tend not to take it because you enjoy what you do more.

I don’t need to wake up early everyday and stay in the office till late but I choose to – if that makes sense.

What have you done that has been very effective in helping to grow the business?

Listening attentively, both to investor’s needs and clients.
In my line of work you are always looking for more money to do deals and you are always looking for more deals to spend your money on.

I guess I also do constantly educate myself on my market. When you have a passion for a subject you want to know everything about it, the latest news etc. I keep a close ear to the streets to know what is happening on the front lines both in the real estate market and financial districts. I do this mainly through friends and colleagues but I also research the stats and read experts opinions on the market.

You’re still young yourself and have achieved a lot; do you think being a young entrepreneur is a disadvantage?

I wouldn’t use the word disadvantage – it has been very stressful but I was blessed to learn various techniques on how to handle stress. I sometimes do wonder if I run a Monte Carlo simulation of my life what would have happened if I had made different decisions, but all in all I like to think I had learnt from my numerous mistakes.

I have had a very interesting life. In this interview I have left a lot of gaps and stories out. Let’s just say I grew up very quickly, had a lot of experiences really early and had experiences which most people are not meant to experience. I guess this helped mature me and make me more focused.

Over the years I did learn with effective time management and delegation you can achieve a lot in little time, and if like me you love what you do, then you are really smiling.
If you are young and in business some people do try to take advantage which is why you need to be bold, however others will take an extra liking to you, and offer to help out.

What advices would you give to people looking to go into the property industry? What are the key steps, or things to consider before starting a property company?

Have a good eye for opportunity, understand numbers, be good at selling and know what your goals/exits are. Make sure you have money or at least access to it otherwise you will get in a lot of trouble. And be prepared to work hard.

Where do you see yourself in the next 5 years?

Still involved in property. Keep doing what I do just with more zeros at the end of my sums.
Looking to set up other property related businesses which fill the gaps within my overall grander plans.
Building a lot more buildings.
Working with good partners.

Thanks for your time and the best of luck in your business.

Cheers Joseph, hope your readers enjoyed it.
Robert’s Blog: http://www.robertsoltanie.com
Bestpropertycompany website: http://www.bestpropertycompany.com

Interviewed & Edited by Joseph Ajilore

The Interview with the founder of fresh strawberry.

Fresh Strawberry Group is a vibrant, innovative UK based Creative Management Company which provides great quality services and products to creative professionals, audiences and consumers, to empower, entertain and educate.

Their services include:

Brand Management

Events Management

Online Marketing

PR

Research

FS Styling Team

Design

Today, I’m with the brains behind Fresh Strawberry, the young and dynamic Sade Salami (CEO and founder of Fresh Strawberry Group)

How are you doing today Sade?

I’m great thanks!

Sade, I’m going to be very honest with you, when I saw your company’s name, I though you guys were actually making fresh strawberries? So how did the name come about?
When was Fresh Strawberry born?

I know its gets everyone thinking which is what I love about it. The name was actually developed in two parts. I was working part time at a jewellery concession when I was looking for a name for the company and my boss and I were in love with this diamante encrusted strawberry broach. She held it up and simply said ‘What about Strawberry’ and I was like yep that’s it. However when I came to actually register the company, I found there was already a company with that name so I added Fresh to it. Thus the company name was born.

I know a lot of you are wondering who is Sade Salami; Sade, can you give us some background information about yourself? You know how old are you? Where are you from etc?

I’m 27 and I’m a British born Nigerian. My background was quite unsettled but in a nutshell I grew up with my dad and step mother, (I did not meet my mother until I was 21), I left home when I was 16 and went into the hostel system. My dad passed away when I was 17 and stayed in the hostel system till I was 20. I went on to study Media Arts with Music and Sound and Recording and started this company when I was 25.

As you can imagine I dealt with some tough stuff when I was younger but I have always been very open about it, as I believe it shows that even though you may have to deal with adversity in youth you can still persevere. I still work with Centrepoint (Homeless Charity) who ran the hostels that I used to live in, and help them raise awareness about the cause.

So when was Fresh Strawberry born? What made you decide to go into business?

Fresh Strawberry started in 2006, at that time I had a business partner whose idea it was to start a model management company, we both dabbled in the model industry at the time and didn’t like the way women were being treated. I was working 9-5 as well and hated every minute of it. So the idea appealed to me very much.

After about 3 months my business partner left the country so I had to hold the fort which was challenging but without it I would not be where I am today.

A lot of people get lost by the name of the company, can you just give me a quick description of what your company is about, and you know what Fresh Strawberry is about?

Fresh Strawberry Group is a management company which provides services for the fashion and entertainment industries.

How many staff do you have so far? How do you manage them?

At the moment I have a team of 4. I am very hands on naturally but I allow my staff team to work on using their own initiative and to develop in their chosen departments.

I am very blessed to have such a great team and really do give a lot of consideration when making decisions about the kind of people that I work with. I am currently expanding and I am looking for interns but I only want the best.

What do you think is your strongest attribute and also your weakest?

I don’t think I can pinpoint one single attribute as I work on having multiple strengths every day. I am a natural motivator, I like to see plans all the way to the end, I always intend to deliver, I’m a realist and I am very very passionate about what I do.

In terms of weaknesses I do tend to work quite a bit although to me it doesn’t feel like work, I suspect that the majority of my nearest and dearest would like me to switch of more.

What are your thoughts about delegation in businesses?

It is essential and evitable in order for your business to grow.

However when you do delegate, as a manager you must ensure that your staff have the necessary tools (including training) in order to complete each task no matter how big or small with efficiently and flair.

What do you think sets you apart from other company in the same industry as you?

What sets us aside is that we are not afraid to invest our time and energy into new and fresh talent, we will represent the poorly represented and reach a niche market or demographic. Our bespoke service approach is designed to suit our clients’ needs and helps them see a much clearer return on investment. Most importantly We listen, We create and We deliver.

What do you think has kept you going this far?

Sheer determination, self belief and confidence; that voice at the back of my head that tells me very day that I am succeeding.

I love success, I celebrate it and enjoy it, I’m an optimist and I seriously have something to look forward to everyday single day

Have you encountered any experience that put doubts in your minds about your business, how did you deal with it?

I’ve been very lucky to date I haven’t and hope not to ever!

Sade, you’ve been in business for quite some time now, what do you think has been the best advice you’ve ever been given? What advice would you give others especially young entrepreneurs out there?

The best advice I’ve ever been given is to just go for it! I would say the same to any young entrepreneur.

You said your aim is to provide a bespoke service tailored to each individual client through an exciting, creative and innovative approach which is both accessible and relevant to today’s creative professional and industries, how do you manage to live up to these words?

By staying on top of our game! Ultimately it’s about our clients’ needs, having people who can think outside the box and I’m a fan of lifelong learning.

How do you reach across your target audience?

Word of mouth, online and networking.

What are your thoughts about youths looking to start business during this recession period?

Now is a perfect time, the so called recession is a necessary part the cycle it gives room for new ideas, services and businesses, so go for it.

What are your advises for young entrepreneurs out there, trying to come out?

Believe in yourself, stick at it and learn to adapt when the time is right. Also time management and having positive people round you is very important.

Who is your role model/influence? What book or audio tape that you feel as helped you, would you recommend for young entrepreneurs out there?

I love Oprah that woman is simply serious and is not given enough credit for her achievements. I share my birthday with the wealthiest man in Nigeria Alhaji Aliko Dangote so I like to think we have something other than our birthdays in common.

I also love Richard Branson and his books great. I do love to read, I liked the Rich Dad Poor Dad series. But I believe that the book ‘Think and Grow Rich’ by Napoleon Hill single handedling changed my life.

Do you think there is an age limit on when you can start a business? I know people have issues such as: experience, maturity, trust etc, what do you think?

No, not all, My 7 year old nephew received a pack of 12 fairy cakes from his grandma and he started selling them for a £1 each. Can you imagine what he’ll be in 20 years if he develops this initiative?

Age is a perception, but business is more about experience, it’s a learning curve, if you start your first business at 14 and keep at it you will have a wealth of experience by the time your 28

What do you think the key to success in business is?

Determination and self belief

I mean you must be so busy, how do you cope with work and everything else, the other day one of my friends advised me to get a blackberry? What do you do when you’re less busy?

I plan, I write lists all the time and I don’t know if I could live without my ‘crackberry’!!!
When I can I spend time with friends, just chill, go cinema, spa -the usual stuff.

So what should we be expecting in upcoming months from you and Fresh Strawberry?

Over the next few months we’ll be in involved in a number of events, increase development and exposure of our clients, developing our media relationships and we’ll be having a couple of launches by the end of the year, but I don’t want to give away too much.

Thank you for your time Sade.

Thank you

That’s it, you’ve heard it all from the mouth of the most talented and inspirational Sade Salami.

If you’re an hardworking, ambitious journalist, writer, graphic designers, photographer, fashion designer, stylists, visual artists, make-up artist, hair stylist, model, promoter or breathe with creativity, then you need to sign up yourself with this team.

If you also think you got what it takes as an intern at the highest level, then the Fresh Strawberry Group is for you.

Join their facebook page:

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=1602452&id=593346167#/group.php?sid=4e5dd7c47a30648b4b437f8c09236675&gid=62446993798&ref=search

A London based Model Dating Agency. They Assist Fellow Londoners with Dating; they boost a wide range of male and Female Models.

Anyways, let’s dive straight into it.

So, how are you doing today?

I’m good thanks, how are you?

I’m cool just glad to be doing this interview with you

Before we continue – can you give us a little background information about yourself – your names? Where you live? How old you are?

My name is Chris Hunt, I’ve lived in London for the past couple of years, which has been awesome, I highly recommend it if you’re a city person. I’m 27 years old.

When was Date Moss Born?

The idea came about around four months ago.
What I want to know is what inspired you to start this business, especially in this Industry? How did the idea come about?
I look for inspiration in whatever I do. Talking to people helps. Getting different perspectives on things can be really powerful.
The idea popped in to my head whilst I was relaxing – stepping back from things gives you a good position to come up with the bigger ideas.

How confident where you when you started?

Very. I don’t have a concept of failure – when one door closes another opens.

The Name Date Moss, How did it come about?

I and a friend decided to sit down, get wasted, and let our creativity flow. We came up with the name within the first two minute so then got wasted to celebrate – It was a fun night!
That’s sounds fun, hope I get an invitation the next time, you both plan to celebrate.

So how does Date Moss work?

We do 2 things –
1. Dates and events
Date Improvement

We help the community of London with dating. Maybe they don’t have a date and need one or maybe they want to improve their dating skills.
We’ve all been given tips on what not to do on a date, like don’t talk about your ex’s but there is only so much you can learn from this.
If someone wants to really improve then, they have to actually go out and do it, someone can tell you how to ski but you can only learn by going down the mountain! You could wait and practice on someone you really like but by then it’s too late! You also don’t get the feedback, if a first date goes really badly then you’re unlikely to see that person again let alone get them to explain to you what you could have done better.
Models tend to be really socially savvy; they meet a lot of new people and being attractive get their fair share of attention for the opposite sex. This makes them perfect to give advice on dating.
Today’s life style gives us less and less time for dating (especially those with a successful career). Where does that leave us? Dateless! If you’re going to an event such as a wedding and you have no one to take then
Date Moss can help out. If you want to feel what it’s like to go on a date with a model, once again Date Moss! Maybe you just want to go out and have some fun, Date Moss.
We have a wide range of models that have signed up, each with their own look and personality. We can cater for almost any occasion… we don’t do funerals though

What Influence has the Recession had on your Business?
There’s a Recession! Man I would have thought someone would have mentioned that before.
(Laughter)
Seriously…
The business will be stronger when we come out of it. I turn up the creative ideas and turn down worrying about things I have no control over.

What will you say has been your best advertising strategy?
Be different! People see a lot of adverts, why should they read yours?

What are your views on Online Businesses, because your business is base mostly online, how do you target the offline customers?

I’m going to focus mainly online; ultimately I want to funnel the clients to the website or other landing pages – if they are already online then it’s only a click away.
Offline plays its part, I’ve got a few things coming up, I don’t want to put my strategy up on a public website. I’ll tell you in private if you like…

How much Influence do you think the internet has on businesses?
It’s had a tremendous influence on business and it’s only going to get greater as it integrates more into people’s lives. For an entrepreneur it’s fantastic because it lowers the barrier to entry and opens up new opportunities as the technology changes.
Nothing of any major note, there’s always things to figure out, that’s business.

Who are your Role Models/ Influences?
I don’t focus on one person in particular but seek out the best in the field that I want to learn about and find out what they know about it.

What are the most important lessons you have learnt so far?
Only work with people who have a ‘win win’ mentality.

What has been the best advices you both been given so far?
I’ve asked people for advice in the past and haven’t ever been given any really good advice – I used to assume because people were older than me they would have some really good advice, they don’t. You can still pick things up off of people who have a lot of experience even if they can’t articulate it by observing how they do things.

What has been your greatest achievement so far?
The first cheque I banked as an entrepreneur felt good.

What will you say to young Entrepreneurs looking to start-up a new business Especially during this Recession Period?
Look at how you use your time; it’s your most valuable resource.

So what’s next for Date moss?
I’ll probably leverage the infrastructure, knowledge of the market and tools to do something else.

What’s your secret weapon, come on, we need to know what makes Date Moss tick?

It’s not one big thing, it all the little things.

I wish you the best in the future.
Thanks for your time.