Navigating the Entrepreneurial Journey:

A Fireside Chat with Paul Waite and Alec Jones-Hall

Paul, thank you for joining us today. Can you start by introducing yourself to our audience?

Certainly. I’ve always been a curious individual, ever since I can remember. As a child, I was quite precocious and had a high IQ from a young age. This curiosity and drive followed me into adulthood.

Can you briefly describe your role as the CEO of Aspen Waite?

I founded Aspen Waite in 1993 and have been running it since then. It started as a one-person venture and has grown significantly since.

During the COVID pandemic, you’ve shown a lot of passion for supporting SMEs and business. Can you tell us more about your motivation behind this?

My motivation for supporting SMEs stems from my own experience as a business owner. I can relate to every single issue a business owner has, regardless of the stage they’re at.

Why, in your opinion, should you be talking about the life of an entrepreneur today? What unique perspectives do you bring to the table?

My unique perspective comes from my vast experience. I’ve worked in various capacities, starting as a young boy helping the financial director of a large company, to my role as a senior manager for a top 10 firm, and then transitioning to a corporate specialist. I’ve also worked overseas, particularly in California.

How do you see the future of SMEs and entrepreneurship in the wake of the pandemic?

What advice would you give to budding entrepreneurs today?

I believe that understanding the complexity and challenges of running a business comes with time and experience. My advice to budding entrepreneurs would be to embrace the journey. I believe it’s taken me 29 years to get close to being very good at what I do. So, patience and perseverance are key. You’ve often taken on diverse roles in your entrepreneurial journey, from running a large food company to working in a charity. What drives you to embrace such a wide array of challenges?

I think it boils down to my innate entrepreneurial spirit. I don’t fear the idea of jumping into different sectors or roles, whether it’s a large food company, a charity, or something entirely different. However, it’s important to note that there’s more to being an entrepreneur than simply jumping from business to business. It requires courage, the right attitude, and a certain state of mind.

You’ve mentioned that courage is an essential trait for an entrepreneur. Can you elaborate more on this?

Absolutely. As an entrepreneur, you are often stepping into the unknown, taking on projects or challenges that others may shy away from. This requires a degree of courage. Courage to take risks, to face potential failure, and to keep going regardless of the obstacles in your path.

Attitude and state of mind also play a significant role in your entrepreneurial journey. How do you maintain a positive and productive state of mind, especially when facing challenges?

In order to explain this, I’d like to share a story. When I decided to cycle 1,036 miles from John O’Groats to Land’s End via Portsmouth, I saw that around 10,000 people had completed this route the year before. So, my thought process was, if 10,000 people can do it, so can I. This is the attitude I carry in all my ventures. I don’t let fear of learning a new skill or understanding a new industry hold me back.

You’ve often exceeded the expectations set by others, like your journey from John O’Groats to Land’s End in less time than the average person. How does this mindset impact your work as an entrepreneur?

I believe in not being average. When the hotel owner told me that people usually take 13 days to complete that cycling journey, I decided to do it in eight. This mindset translates into my work as an entrepreneur - I continuously strive to exceed expectations and not settle for average results.

Over the years, you’ve also developed a strong sense of philanthropy. How has this impacted your work and your approach to entrepreneurship?

In recent years, I’ve become increasingly philanthropic. This has significantly shaped my approach to entrepreneurship. I believe in being egalitarian, aspirational, and even have socialist leanings, though not in the traditional business sense. I think it’s crucial to contribute positively to society as an entrepreneur, and this has been a driving force in my work.

Was it difficult to manage a growing business?

No, the hardest bit was getting through the first year after start up. As i came from a large corporate background I have felt more comfortable as we got bigger.