Making Moves: Expansion to Exeter with Vik Verma

After two years with The Promotions Company, Vik Verma is about to take five leaders and make the move to Exeter. At the age of 23, he’s currently running a 25 person team out of Bristol and sees an opportunity for expansion into new territory. I chatted with him to find out more about his plans for the future and what he’s looking forward to when he opens for business

Hi, Vik. How are the plans coming along?

Good! At the moment I’m in Bristol, I’m saving up and then the move to Exeter will take place in the middle of August. Once we’re in Exeter, the plan is to take over! Initially Residential but we’re going to do Events as well, so we’ll have two offices in one location. A lot of time right now is looking for spaces.

It doesn’t feel like a year when expansion should be on the cards, so what’s got you to the point where that’s possible?

Yeah, to be expanding in a pandemic is crazy but we’re doing really well to be honest. I was up to 40 sales a week, which means I raised £29,000 for good causes in one week! That’s insane. And in the last week of December my team did 236 in a week, which is £171,000. It’s not normal. But then opening a business at 23 is not normal - it’s very abnormal, in fact. It just proves that if you work hard you can be anything you want to be.

What’s on your priority list between now and opening up? Well, the team is already built. I have nine or ten leaders coming down there with me. The criteria is all hit and we’re just saving right now. I got officially Incorporated last week too, which was exciting.

What else is getting you excited about the move?

Loads! It’s a new city and there’s a massive pool of recruitment. It’s got beautiful places to see. But I think the most exciting thing will be coming out of my comfort zone - developing people and being able to offer them everything that I got. That’s amazing.

Any pre-move nerves?

To be honest, no. I’m not concerned about going down there because I know I have the support network in place. That’s the best thing about this industry, it’s great for finding that help and support. It’s an industry of mentors and there are systems for me to follow. Yes everyone has nerves but I’m not doubting any of it. You know, at the age of 23, it just feels good to be moving out.