Behind the Business
What is your motto in business?
‘Do what is right come what may.’
What three pieces of advice would you give someone
looking to start their own business?
• Always take the highs and the lows in the middle ground. In
other words don’t get too down when things go wrong or
overexcited when things go right!
• Don’t be afraid to make mistakes; these help improve your
judgement.
• Invest in people. They often have skills you don’t and, if
successful, you can’t do it all on your own!
What is the biggest challenge facing start-ups in 2016?
Costs associated with start-ups.
Where do you see your business going in the next five
or ten years?
With improved cash flow, assistant surveyors qualifying and
taking an active role in the increasing demand for our services,
I can see an expansion in the size and nature of the business to
the benefit of all involved within it.
Name:
Andrew Samuel
Job title:
Director
Business name:
Samuel & Son Ltd
What does your business do?
We are an independent firm of rural Chartered Surveyors and
Land/Estate Agents working throughout Sussex and Kent
providing a comprehensive range of professional and property
services in respect of landed and agricultural property including
valuation, planning, property sales and acquisitions and
property lettings and management. We have a wide and varied
client base ranging from private individuals to Local Authorities.
Tell us how your business started?
My wife’s sister died suddenly at the age of 20 following an
epileptic seizure, and in an instant, realising how short life was,
thought that I want to be in control of mine in terms of what I do
and when.
How many staff do you have?
Seven
What makes your business different from your competitors?
We offer a bespoke, expert and friendly service to all clients,
whether big or small and pride ourselves on understanding our
clients’ individual needs, making ourselves available 24/7, 365
days of the year, no matter what the matter at hand might be.
What does the future hold for you personally?
A rest hopefully! Starting up and maintaining a business through
the recession has been very tough and tiring.
What do you do to relax?
Relax…..what’s that? No, in all seriousness, I enjoy time spent
with the family, including our two working springer spaniels,
and playing and coaching rugby and cricket (team sports).
Otherwise I get solace from looking out to sea as I don’t see any
work related matters (yet)!
Who has been/is the most influential person in your life?
Probably my Grandfather, Ian Samuel, who when at the Foreign
Office was Private Secretary to both John Selwyn-Lloyd and
Sir Alec Douglas-Home. He controversially resigned his post
in 1956 due to his voiced disapproval as to the handling of the
Suez Crisis. In an era when civil servants were expected to hold
their tongue, this was brave, bold and life changing but showed
his qualities and principles that I myself try and aspire to.
What is the most important piece of advice you’ve received
and who was it from?
My wife’s Grandfather, Tom Croft, once said to me, “it’s better to
have tried and failed than to not have tried at all!”
What is the biggest challenge your business faces?
Unnecessary red tape and bureaucracy.
What do you need to be successful?
Dogged determination mixed with a bit of luck!
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