Meet the founder of Office Space in Town
Hi Giles, thank you so much for joining me. To kick things off, tell me a little bit about yourself and how you founded Office Space in Town?
I’m 53, educated at Pangbourne College. I set up my first business when I was 21, which was an Estate Agency in Northampton. I started several other business before joining my Sister in her Serviced office business which had been started by our mother. She sold this business in 2005 to a PLC and I went off and opened a DR business with a friend, which we sold in 2009. My sister and I then opened Office Space in Town, our current serviced office company.
Inspiration is always a great indication of why people launch businesses. Who or what inspired you to get started?
I’m not sure what started it all. It was probably my parents. The breakfast table was always like a board meeting and setting my own business seemed the most natural thing to do. Maybe there was some over-confidence and believed that I could do it just as well as anyone else and ignorance in thinking it was easy.
How do you set yourself apart from other businesses in your industry?
We own our buildings rather than lease, our service is second to none; achieved by loving our staff (just won best place in property to work), design is exciting (won and came runner up in Telegraph office interiors of London last year), flat management structure ensuring staff take responsibility and stuff gets done well and quickly, adding services to our product list that others don’t have; for instance bedrooms.
What’s the single most important decision that you made, that contributed to your business?
To have centres in close proximity to each other so we could spend more time in the buildings rather than the car. Closely followed by giving our managers autonomy over their centres.
Who is your target audience?
Anyone who wants quality office space at fair prices.
What would be your number one tip for young entrepreneurs who are ready to launch their own business?
Don’t try and hatch a china egg!
What first in the mornings, phone, book, laptop or me time?
Phone.
What plans do you have for Office Space in Town over the coming 12 months?
We are looking to buy 5 more buildings. So maybe 2 of the 5?
How do you believe the evolution of tech will affect your industry over the next 10 years?
Most of our tech is around our conferencing centres, connectivity and client communication. So I would imagine most change in this area but I don’t know how this will develop. I do not believe the work at home model as we have spent thousands of years moving form hunter gatherer to vast cities because we like to be together.
What habits do you think helped you to become successful?
Drinking….. I mean networking!
What are your thoughts on failure as an entrepreneur?
What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.
