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Founder@ Interview
Interview with Jamie Williams
“If it feels right, and you can financially afford to launch a venture, do it. Trust your instincts!.” – Jamie Williams
Today we feature Jamie Williams, the founder at Bath Office Company. We hear their story in their own words, their successes, their challenges and their insights.
Let’s start by getting to know you. Can you please tell us a little bit about you and what you do?
I’m Jamie Williams, ex-Advertising Director turned Bath Office Company’s Managing Director and Founder. I own and run a commercial property and serviced office business in Bath.
I had thought about various commercial property ventures for a number of years, but it was only when the pandemic hit, and businesses across the UK started to reevaluate and consider the viability of their workspace; that I saw a gap in the market and decided to take the plunge. So, in 2020, I launched my company, Bath Office Company, with an array of rental propositions and a mission to re-enable all that is great about working away from the home.
A great introduction and start to this interview. Can you please tell us, how did you start, from what age, and what made you decide to change direction and start?
After working for over a decade in advertising, across Sydney, London and Bristol, I witnessed both the rapidly changing landscape of the media industry; and the subsequently turbulent future of the traditional agency model. I became concerned with the longevity of a career in this industry and when the pandemic hit, and what little certainty was left thrown out of the window; I realised I had to get out, both to improve my work/life balance and build a better future for my family.
So, I started a business plan for a serviced office company during the first lockdown – despite, at the time, the advice from the government being to work from home. Office rental costs are one of the biggest financial tie-ins a business can face, and longer-term homeworking are simply not practical, which suggested that the serviced office industry had the capability, when executed correctly, of rising to the top of the list of money-saving contenders.
With this in mind, I began formulating initial plans, and developing solutions and unique workspace offerings for when restrictions eased up.
Thank you for that insight. So can you tell us…What does your business do and where is your company based?
Spanning more than 10,000 square feet of prime Georgian real estate, and situated across mulitple central Bath locations, we work with businesses of all shapes and sizes to enable hybrid working arrangements, traditional private offices, meeting rooms and virtual office services – while also offering a variety of optional add-ons, on flexible terms.
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We cater for both larger firms from a variety of sectors, who are looking to consolidate office space while still accommodating an element of home working; alongside supporting one-person bands and start-ups looking for affordable ways to get their name on the map (via flexibility, and without the risk of a standard commercial lease). We can also help them seamlessly expand into larger offices as they grow.
As a serviced office, we support all of our tenants with a friendly, responsive and adaptable on-site team who take care of running the building, whilst providing excellent service.
What’s the story behind your success? What led to your aha moment? how did you get to where you are now?
While it has been, and still is a clearly challenging time for all, it was clear from the number of empty commercial buildings in Bath and the drain of atmosphere in the centre of town, that our new offering had the potential to provide a solution. It soon became apparent that our array of rental propositions – both through private offices and hybrid working – were what business were increasingly turning to as they looked for more flexible alternatives to big open plan spaces on long leases post-pandemic.
I have both our landlords to thank for the faith and trust they placed in my business from the get-go and allowing me to manage their properties and transform them into viable and desirable serviced offices; and our tenants for turning to Bath Office Company to provide them with their place to call work. In addition, our IT partner has been instrumental in all the technical logistics that are involved when dealing with listed Georgian properties and the intricacies of internet and telephone systems.
I also wouldn’t be where I am today without the hugely influential support of my dad, who had a long career in commercial property, my wife and my wider family and friends.
That’s not to say there weren’t a few road bumps on the way to get the buildings into a condition where they were suitable to rent out. Many (and that’s an understatement!) hours were spent removing waste, left from previous lease holders, cleaning, renovating and redecorating to get them up to scratch!
But Bath Office Company is now in a really strong position. After serious negotiating and hard graft we are at 85-90% occupancy across all of our buildings and are taking on new buildings imminently to add to the Bath Office Company property stable.
Thank you for sharing that. What’s been your life’s biggest lesson so far?
After months of preparation, and some good client wins that allowed us to operate at a small profit, the winter lockdown at the end of 2020 put the brakes on. New business quickly dried up, and a few tenants moved out as their own businesses were struggling.
However it was imperative to remain persistent and optimistic to ensure the success of this new business. As a result I had to come up with a solution that enabled Bath Office Company to overcome the challenges thrown at us by dialling up the service and focusing on our customer experience. We ensured we had more contact, facilitated more conversations and developed more of community with our current tenants – whilst the focus of new business was on hold.
Coming out of this, I believe that there can never be enough communication. As long as you understand the client’s problems and needs; you can always look to work with them in providing a solution – be it offering to move clients into smaller offices under different terms to ensure should their circumstances have changed.
That I could have started without the ‘kick’. Knowing that I could have jumped into this sooner without waiting for the pandemic to be the catalyst into leaving the advertising work and founding Bath Office Company.
If you were to go back in time, what piece of advice would you give to your younger self?
Keep going, don’t doubt yourself and trust your instincts. Put everything into every bit of work you do do, as running your own business allows you to get everything you put in, out again; and make it a success.
Knowing my disillusionment with ad-agency land, my friends and family encouraged me to start my business; and although owning and running your own business is a different kind of pressure, often being hard to switch off; these are such exciting times and I can’t wait to watch Bath Office Company grow.
We’re nearly halfway through our interview so it’s a great time to ask how does your business run. What three tools make your business run better?
For our business, cleaning and IT are imperative to the successful running of Bath Office Company. In terms of apps, we use dropbox which is a great content collaboration tool and allows all employees access to internal documents. We also use Asana which helps manage workflow and keeps everyone organised and on track. With so many moving parts, across all properties it works really well using a platform that allows collaboration and work management.
What do you know now that you wished you had known before?
That I could have started without the ‘kick’. Knowing that I could have jumped into this sooner without waiting for the pandemic to be the catalyst into leaving the advertising work and founding Bath Office Company.
What has been your greatest or proudest achievement or moment?
Getting the keys to our new and fifth location. Given how 2021 started, and only launching the company last year, this felt like an impossible task. I am so excited for the latest addition to Bath Office Company. It is right in the centre of Bath on a historical street and surrounded by really innovative upcoming developments. Watch this space!
What future life goals do you want to achieve and why?
Bath Office Company is going from strength to strength despite all the hurdles Covid has thrown at it. My goal is to continue to grow this business and get it into a position where my day-to-day involvement isn’t required to the level it is today. I would love to spend some more time abroad and focus on other property development ideas.
To finish our inspire questions…”We believe that sharing inspiring words can inspire others.” If there was one positive thing you would say to someone to inspire and empower them what would it be and why?
If it feels right, and you can financially afford to launch a venture, do it. Trust your instincts!
“Thank you it has been great learning more about your founder story and Bath Office Company”
To learn more about Bath Office Company Visit bathoffice.co.uk
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