If I knew then: Paul Watts-Barnes

Paul Watts-Barnes has worked in the motor industry for almost 30 years, starting out as a mechanic before moving on to sales where he worked for Ford and Nissan in various senior roles.

He established Bluepoppy in 2003 and the Ham Green-based company now consists of three separate businesses, all trading under the Bluepoppy brand, providing vehicle leasing and fleet management, automotive recruitment and consultancy services.

How did you start out in business?

Two of my work colleagues had come up with an idea to develop a finance-led product that would help motor dealers comply with the new Financial Standards Authority (FSA) (Now the Financial Conduct Authority) rules.

They needed someone who could help them market and sell the product and came to me. The excitement that my colleagues had for ‘stepping out on their own’ was contagious and after a brief conversation I was a director and a shareholder.

If you knew then what you know now, what mistakes might you have avoided? 

Pick your business partners better. Whilst I worked well with my colleagues in a corporate environment where the pressure was high, but we still got paid at the end of the month, the financial strains were too difficult for some and proved damaging on their ability to be effective.

Choosing your business partners and shareholders is critical to the early building process of any business.

What advice would you have given yourself when starting out? 

Going into business is a life lesson with mistakes and failure guaranteed. Do not take any of these, or successes for that matter, personally. There are so many elements out of your control when starting a business, you cannot be held responsible – or take the credit – for the vast majority of the outcomes.

If you knew then what you know now, would you still be sitting there?

Yes. As I said, it is a big lesson and learning the good and the bad is key. The mistakes I made then have helped guide me move forward today.

What do you know now that you didn’t know then? 

People and strong relationships are key to growth.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve received so far? 

What happens today does not control the outcome of tomorrow.

What is your business highlight? 

Seeing our brand on the shirts of the local cricket club’s (Lodway CC) youth team. We have experienced many financial successes, but being able to give back to the local community makes it all seem real.

What is your business low point?

Being betrayed by business partners.

What keeps you awake?

Nothing that has anything to do with the business, the best piece of advice I was given helps me sleep if there are any business issues.

What’s changed from when you started out?

The Internet. Whilst it was around then, it was in its infancy and not many people had access, today it would be hard to imagine being without it. In the main it has been great for helping small businesses establish themselves much quicker than was previously possible.

What’s still on your to-do list? 

The list is long and constantly being added to. The one that has been on there right from the beginning is to have a meeting room!

What’s next for Bluepoppy?

The next three years are going to be an exciting time of challenges and successes for Bluepoppy. As a business that is focused around the motor industry, changes and development in technology, and in personal mobility, give us the opportunity to become a ‘tour de force’ in this process.

Read more: Sector spotlight: The future of motoring