Under The Influence
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"The answer has always been staring me in the face." Simon didn't know how to mix business with pleasure, until he remembered his grandad.
Transcript
"My passion for doing action sports started at a young age. I always wanted to be Evel Knievel. I've been surfing, skiing, mountain biking and even jumped out of a plane. These activities were usually done in my spare time because of school, and later my day job.
I've been working on and off for about five years. I never seem to find the ideal job. I've tried IT, customer services and human resources. But they all seem to have come to an abrupt end for one reason or another.
I think deep down, I've always wanted to work for myself, but never known how or doing what.
The answer, has always been staring me in the face.
In the 60's my granddad had his own business in Tredegar, a green-grocers with a mobile shop which toured the Valleys. Through the stories I've been told he was well respected and liked to look after his customers.
Looking back, I think he's had more of an influence on me and what I'm doing than I first thought. And perhaps, that is something that has always been there. And now, I'm gonna start a business in Tredegar - I'm opening a shop selling the clothes I love to wear.
I may only be a plastic surfer these days, but my passion is still there."
An interview with the author
Please tell us a little about yourself.
I'm 31 years old and live in Tredegar. I'm just about to start my own business.
What's your story about?
My passion for action sports and how this, and the influence of my grandad brought me to the decision to start my own business.
Why did you choose to tell this particular story?
Because it's something that's happening to me now and it's such a major step for me.
What did you find most rewarding about the workshop
The way the story comes together and it becomes your creation.
Your comments
"A great story. Its good to see someone having the faith to put something back into his home town and go a little way to reversing the trend of globalisation and the consequent small town run-downs. Good luck Simon."
John Davies, St Mary Church, Vale of Glamorgan, Wales
