Partner Ian Fitch talks to Oliver Paul, co-owner of the hugely popular Suffolk Food Hall. Oliver looks back on how the idea for the food hall came about; discusses the learning opportunities that came from expanding in the early days; and how he believes there is now a strong place in the market for small businesses and owner-managed businesses.
Oliver is a strong advocate of how listening to your customers is key. He speaks passionately about his team, and how their resilience and commitment to the business has helped them weather lockdown and the fatigue this can bring. He also talks about the ‘Venus and Mars’ approach to building a team.
In his own business, Oliver explains how he and his team are constantly learning and changing. He reflects on the positives that lockdown has brought, and the opportunities it has opened up for the future. He believes adversity can really help a business, and how we should always be ‘challenging the norm.’
Oliver’s passion for his business, and its location (Oliver is a key tourism ambassador for Suffolk) make for an engaging listen. This episode offers valuable insights, particularly to others in the retail sector, and anyone thinking of starting up their own business.
You can visit Suffolk Food Hall’s website here.
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