Today I’m delighted to be interviewing TOM LAWRENCE, owner of TLC Business Supplies.
TLC Business Supplies are based in Yorkshire and deliver office supplies, promotional gifts and workwear to thousands of UK businesses….along with free biscuits!
Tom is pictured on the right and you might spot a resemblence to the American country & western singer Kenny Rogers although I can’t see it myself (he lied) .
1. How would you define an entrepreneur?
Anyone who has set up and ran their own business from scratch. I don’t consider Multi Level Marketeers or perhaps even Franchisors as Entrepreneurs as they are working someone else’s business and systems.
2. Do you think entrepreneurs are born or made, and why?
There is no set answer, it could be either or a mixture of both. I do think that one thing that does define them is a driving ambition for success, whatever that success means to them.
3. Tell me about how you became an entrepreneur?
I worked in sales and made a career move that didn’t work out. A good friend gave me a GOYA (Get Off Your Arse) moment and said if I can do it for them I could do it for myself.
4. What do you think makes an entrepreneur successful?
People skills, determination, tenacity and a will to win. Taking part is not an option that’s why competition in school and sport is an important part of our education. Not winning teaches us to try harder and learn from the last time.
5. What’s been your biggest success as an entrepreneur?
I’ve still to have it.
6.….And what’s been your toughest challenge?
Staff. Growing and building a business means, at some point, employing others. I have learnt so much about people as a result of this.
7. If you could give one piece of advice to budding entrepreneurs what would that be?
This is no soft option or highway to gold plated taps….Building a business is hard work. You must be tenacious and determined or the issues you face going forward will push you over the cliff face. Having said all that there is nothing more satisfying than the profit on the P & L and having made your own decision about a direction seeing it come to fruition.
8. How can people find out more about you and your business?
http://www.4networking.biz/Members/Details/22489
www.tlcbusiness-supplies.co.uk
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