In each newsletter we will be picking a chamber member at random to be featured in this section. Next time it could be you! SPOTLIGHT ON...
James Kemp of Well Kempt Gardens
Local gardening business, Well Kempt Gardens, has been around for 4 years and owner James Kemp has been a member of the chamber for 3.5 of those. He's one of the newest members to join the Executive Committee and has started getting more and more involved in chamber activities.
1. You are becoming more and more active as a member of the chamber. What has made you want to become more involved?
I have found that the more I've got to know the members and how the chamber works, it has made me want to join in with some of the activities and play more of a part myself by joining the Executive Committee.
2. As a local business, what do you feel you have got out of the chamber since joining?
It's been great to get to know other business people locally, especially during the very early days as it was extremely useful to be able to speak to the other members for advice and tips.
3. Your business is growing and you're no longer a one man band but have 3 vans and 3 full- and 3 part-time employees. How easy/difficult has it been to find the right staff in order to achieve this?
It was very hard finding the right staff, more difficult than I had expected. It was through the process of word-of-mouth that I was able to find the right people to bring on board and they are all local too. I find that by working them to their own individual strengths I get the most out of them as employees.
4. Where do you see your business in the future?
I'm very contented with where the business is at the moment. By keeping it fairly small it is more manageable and I can retain the good relationship I have with my customers. It's nice to think about growing the business but I know the headaches running a big business can cause. It's important that I remain the face of my business as it's my name on the side of the vans!
5. What is the best piece of advice you have learnt while running your business?
Don't walk before you can run and don't let your business get too big too soon.
If you would like to be considered for this section, please drop me an email at networking@edenvalleyb2b.co.uk
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