Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in business development but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Ollie Collard, Founder of Enterprise Orchard, located in Bristol, UK.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
Enterprise Orchard is a force for good. We are a start-up growth consultancy for first-time founders. Working with service-based businesses to grow revenue into 6-figures and beyond.
Tell us about yourself
I was born in India, where my mum helped set up a Fairtrade organic cotton clothing business in the 1980s. A lot of my childhood was spent in their retail shop in Bristol. I saw first-hand the difference business can make to people and communities. This passion for business grew, and I read about International Business at The University of Liverpool. I spent the next decade working for a social enterprise, The Prince's Trust, Business West, Oxford Innovation, and Virgin StartUp in the start-up ecosystem. During that time, I saw the good, the bad, and the ugly of business support. This inspired me to start Enterprise Orchard in 2018.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
We have raised over £4M for founders through the Government backed Start Up Loans scheme. We have the UK's No.2 ranked start-up podcast called Founded & Grounded.
What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?
Trying to switch it off. I have to set clear boundaries to help with this.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Provide value and be clear on how you help your customers, e.g., we take them from x to y.
- Know what success looks like for your business (have a roadmap).
- Have values that are embedded in everything you do so that it informs your decision-making.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.enterpriseorchard.co.uk/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/enterpriseorchard
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/enterprise_orchard_/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Collardo
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/olivercollard/
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
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