Interview
Since leaving the coffee market, I ask if Martyn would divulge any information on his current projects. He tells me that he is now focused on investing in or buying a company and taking it to the next level. “I want to buy into a company that already works, probably in the 10- 20 million sales range that is profitable and roughly where Coffee Nation was
“There is a lot out there on start-up businesses but I think if we can talk more about how to grow businesses that would be a great thing.”
after 5 or 6 years. Often, companies get stuck because maybe the founder isn’t the right person to take the business further, maybe the ambition isn’t there, the business model needs refocusing or the whole operation needs to become more commercially focused or professionalised to really scale up.” Why did Dawes possess a particular interest in an established company rather than a start-up? “The problem with early stage businesses is you have the challenges of proving, defining and taking one step forward, two steps back. For me, getting into something that has reached critical mass that allows me to come in and take it further can be just as exciting as a start-up but without the early stage challenges.” In terms of investing in a particular company, what is Martyn looking for? “I am looking at consumer businesses. If you can be a market leader with a branded proposition and can own some space in the consumer’s mind then that’s the kind of thing I am looking for.”
As well as assisting businesses through investment and offering his advice and guidance, I ask Martyn whether he had any personal projects in the works to help the wider entrepreneurial
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community. “I am currently writing a book. It’s about the journey of Coffee Nation and is going to talk about things that I haven’t seen being spoken about. Exit isn’t discussed by entrepreneurs, its something people don’t think about. It will also be about doing it all again post-exit and I’m also including a blueprint for high growth businesses. There is a lot out there on start- up businesses but I think if we can talk more about how to grow businesses that would be a great thing. It is high growth small to medium companies that could really become power houses of the UK economy and
there are only about 8,000 really high growth businesses in the UK I believe.”
Upon concluding the interview, I ask
Martyn if he could offer any passing words of advice for anyone starting their own business. “Firstly, I would say stand back and really think why are you doing it because it is a tough path to travel down. Secondly, if you’re going to do it, make it worthwhile and think ahead. Is there sufficient demand for what you’re bringing to the market? Do something genuinely different and test that in a small way early on to prove that there is significant potential.”
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