Business Birthday Interview: Jenny Hurren and Mark Neenan, of Out There Interiors...

Out There Interiors offers a comprehensive and stylish range of contemporary and French inspired furniture and home accessories both online and from its showroom, based in Chalfont St Peter, Buckinghamshire. The company's founders, Jenny Hurren and Mark Neenan talk about the business as it celebrate five years of trading.

Which birthday are you celebrating, how are you celebrating it and who with?

We're celebrating our fifth birthday with our staff and colleagues. We'll be helping the economy by spending all our wages to the local pub. 

What was the best moment of last year?

Finding a great new delivery company to deliver our fragile mirrored furniture. Logistics have been a constant battle since day one, but last year we cracked it (no pun intended).

What was the worst moment of last year?

The worst moment of last year was when the previous transport company we were using went under. We'd developed such good relationships with the team and it was a real blow. We had to move our entire inventory in a week. It wasn't easy.

What couldn't you live without and why?

Wifi and our beloved Iphones. We hate being tied to the office.

What does your average day involve?

Lots of coffee, lots of arguments, lots of laughs.

Can you recommend any particular websites/forums/blogs that have been useful to your business?

Homes and Bargains have been really great. They've featured our products several times.

What advice would you give to a budding entrepreneur thinking of starting up a business?

Marketing is everything. Don't make the mistake of thinking "If I build it, they will come".  I read this in Duncan Bannatyne's book (43 Mistakes Businesses Make) and it's so true. I think a lot of business people make this mistake. We were lucky to fall into a niche market at the right time.

If money were no object, what would you buy and why?

A big derelict pub on Brighton seafront. We'd fill it with interesting furniture and daft animals.  Oh and of course there'd be a Bugatti on the driveway, oh and a villa in Ibiza (we could go on).  

Your most overused phrase/word/expression?

"You're spending how much?" (Just kidding)!

Tell us one thing we might not otherwise know about you.

We're not typical business people. (Jenny: I was an actress before I started Out There Interiors). We fell into this business by accident and make most of it up as we go. Oh, and we have a giant lop rabbit called ‘Moo' who hops around the showroom.

What's the best piece of advice you've ever been given and who gave it?

Mark: "You're only going to be successful in something you love doing." My friend Rob who runs Broadband Expert.com gave me this little push shortly before I left my sales job at IBM. I never looked back.

Any pet hates?

Watered down handwash. It may save you a £1 but I'll think less of your establishment.

Who do you admire and why?

Innocent Drinks. They've made so much money and yet I've never met anyone who doesn't love them. Brilliant business.

What are your best and worst business traits?

Our best trait is getting on with people. We believe that good relationships are paramount in business. We always make sure that what we're doing is working well for the other side and this serves us well. When you view it like this, being a ‘business person' is very simple.

Our worst trait is impatience! We want everything to happen yesterday. Oh, and we must stop getting drunk on school nights.

10 February 2012