Paul Waite: The Interview

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miss our exclusive radio interview with Paul and Calum www.aspenwaiteradio.com/interview

What has been your most significant achievement outside of Aspen Waite?

Riding from John O’Groats to Lands End for Charity - 1036 miles in 8 days

How do you maintain your passion and drive for the work after 30 years?

I think I’m getting better every day; the fire in my belly has not gone out and I don’t want to die with regrets – I don’t want to fail What advice would you give your younger self just starting out?

Have a partner with money

If you could invite any three people to a dinner party, who would it be and why?

Winston Churchill. Agatha Christie, Dalai Llama: The greatest ever Englishman and a superb orator. A Genius writer who had a really interesting life, and I’m interested in religion, especially Buddhism and he’s a great guy

Outside of work do you have a hobby or interest that might surprise people?

Astronomy

If you were stranded on a desert island and could only take three items with you, what would they be and why?

Satellite phone, Bear Grylls and a bed

If you could instantly be an expert in something outside of your professional field what would it be?

I’d like to be an expert in time travel

If your life was a book, what would this current chapter be titled?

Back on the Wheel of Fortune What’s the most unusual food you’ve tried, and would you eat it again?

Frogs legs, shark and sea snails –and yes – all were very good

If you had the chance to be a character in any movie who would it be?

Maximus Decimus Meridus - I was very proud that Mark Lovell called me this

Can you share some tips for young professionals wanting to follow in your footsteps?

Hire less, but better paid people. Get your branding and marketing position right. Understand who you are, your strengths and limitations.

Be strict with customers regarding payments – a non paying customer is not a customer. The default position should always be to maintain high customer services levels.

What are the key qualities for an entrepreneur?

Courage, hard work self-believe, a product people want.

How do you manage stress in such a high-pressure role?

The occasional drink, talking to people I trust and the gym

Can you name a person who has had a tremendous impact on you as a leader?

My favourite leader of all time is Gustavus Adolphus of Sweden

If you were given the chance to be the ruler of your own country, what would be the first law you’d introduce?

Scrap inheritance tax

If you were arrested with no explanation, what would your friends and family assume you had done?

Something to do with a financial loophole.

What does the future hold?

Regrowing the accountancy practice, really expanding our environmental consulting more corporate finance work.

Making Aspen Waite music a global brand and adjusting to R&D being a declining revenue stream.

Top 5 favourite animals

Cats, dolphins, elephants, horses and bears

Top 5 drinks

Whiskey, wine, beer, vodka, cider www.aspenwaiteradio.com

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TERRY HIGGINS - TJ GROUP

Very recently I was surprised to be informed that Aspen Waite is 30 years old this August.

The founder, CEO and trusted friend – Paul Waite – and I, first met in January 1995. So, some 18 months after started his company.

I had recently been informed by my then employer that our visions for the future were perhaps not in accord! And with no experience, or previous aspirations to run and own my own company, with a mortgage and two children very much still of school age, a mutual contact advised me to meet with Paul and discuss various options.

Armed with a basic business plan I arrived at a period house in Bridgwater, which I found out was doubling up as family home and office location. I was introduced to Paul, sitting behind what I initially thought was a haphazard pile of yet to be filed paperwork, and was immediately put at ease, totally reassured that not only was my business plan excellent, but that he had the energy, vision and ability to help me get started. Any trepidations I had felt regarding the thoughts of going alone were swiftly put to one side by the sheer enthusiasm and belief portrayed at that very first meeting.

Of course, my business plan was at best only ok! I suspect a rewriting of the document did indeed take place!

However – this man had an intuitive ability to reassure a new client, introduce him into the world of rules and regulations that need adhering to, whilst allowing the principal to concentrate on doing what he knew best. In my case start a Transport business supporting the construction industry.

I was swiftly introduced to Barclays Bank, who following Paul’s revised business plan and his personal recommendation and support, adopted me as a client with what was then a Government Guaranteed loan for new business start -ups.

And this I think is the key to knowing Paul and Aspen Waite. The ability to understand what financial products are available, what regulations are needed, and to ally them to a clients’ need, whilst mentoring the recipient. Paul really does work hard to understand each and every client and their own unique needs…. both professional and personal.

I have nothing but fulsome praise for Aspen Waite. During my own journey with my company from a small start up to a company now employing over 230 people and covering an area from the South West through to Kent, Paul helped, questioned and became involved with every development that my business undertook.

I would venture to suggest that both of us have used each other on many occasions to grow and share our mutual experiences within business, and I hope Paul feels that working together –especially in those early turbulent years including the famous banking “meltdown” of 2008, and the difficulties all businesses felt following immense changes in business life – benefited him as much as I truly believe that the support shown to my company helped me transition to the more mature business that it has become.

So that is why it came as such a surprise that Aspen Waite is to celebrate 30 years. During that time business has not had to be dreary, but something to be embraced. Obstacles have never been seen as anything other than a reason to re-evaluate. Running a company has never been a challenge – but an enjoyable way of life. The reason simply is the unswerving support given by Paul and his team.

Time really has flown!!

Congratulations to you all at Aspen Waite.