Encouraging Entrepreneurs in Kent

“Face everything and rise” was the inspiring advice from the Taste of Kent Awards 2017 Young Food And Farming Entrepreneur, Danielle Usherwood, speaking at a Gullands’ co-hosted event at the Medway Innovation Centre earlier this summer.  

Gullands teamed up with accountants McCabe Ford Williams and Metrobank and brought together a range of entrepreneurs and start-up business owners, which included representatives from land based industries, fashion and digital entertainment. They were joined at the round table event by senior business advisors from Kent Invicta Chamber, Kent & Medway Growth Hub, University of Greenwich and Kent Foundation.

Another award-winning food entrepreneur, Craig Hewitt, also spoke and shared his experience of starting up and running a business. 

Danielle Usherwood told the story of her award-winning Baps & Bloomers family bakery in Sandwich. She advised the audience that: “FEAR, for a new business owner could mean forget everything and run, but she preferred to choose to face everything and rise”. Appropriate advice from the owner of a successful bakery business. Another major component in her success, apart from complete dedication, is delivering consistent quality. 

Craig Hewett, the former commercial director of the London Metal Exchange, described how he chose to swap a high-level business career to establish Eggs to Apples Trading, an award-winning food hall near Battle in East Sussex. He advised setting new but achievable goals every day to keep momentum. For example, they move staple items within the shop weekly to ensure customers need to have a good look around and will then notice and purchase other items.

Associate Sarah Astley at Gullands teamed up with Leigh Jones and Tom Kirkham of McCabe Ford Williams and Duncan Simmons from Metrobank to give an all-encompassing talk on the legal, accounting and financial essentials to setting up in business. Sarah advised on the importance of getting the basics right, first time, such as the business structure, agreements with shareholders or partners and trading agreements.

Sarah Astley commented: “Many new business owners get wrapped up in the day to day activity of running their business, but it really does pay to be as professional as possible from the beginning and ensure you are taking the best advice. This can also help to escape some of the typical issues new business owners face at the outset and to avoid costly disputes at a later stage.”

Gullands Solicitors offers a full range of legal services for businesses of all sizes under the umbrella of our recently expanded Business Hub. Our team of experienced solicitors will work together to provide the best and most cost-effective solutions to your legal needs. Whether you are just setting out on your journey running a business, or if you
are an established business looking for a fresh approach, we can meet all of your
legal requirements. 

Whatever stage you are in the business cycle, contact us today to see how we can help your business@gullands.com or call 01622 235575