Q&A with William who runs All Star Bounce NI with his business partner and wife Carrie alongside several other successful local businesses.
Tell us about your business background?
I have been in business since leaving school. I began my career as a self-employed bricklayer eventually leading to me teaching construction full-time. Carrie worked for a local bank until she was made redundant in 2020. She then worked for an ice cream shop/cafe in Belfast which she now owns and manages.
How did All Star Bounce NI come to be?
We have several years of experience in the inflatables and events business. We created and built from scratch a very successful previous business that still operates to this day. We sold the business to a family friend who in turn kept it for a few years and sold it on again. We tried to buy it back last year from the current owner without success. So, we decided with our experience and love for customers to relaunch with a brand new name along with the freshest and most on-trend stock that we can offer.
What do you love most about business?
As business owners, we love meeting new people, employing new staff, and getting out and about. However, with the inflatables business, we especially love seeing the sheer joy on children's faces when we blow up their bouncy castles and they see them jumping around with glee. The sheer size of the castles must be amazing for little people.
What do you find most challenging?
Staffing is usually the most challenging part of any business, but we are very fortunate that we have an incredible team of admin, social media, delivery, cleaning and bouncy castle technicians to help the smooth operation and day-to-day running of our business.
Who or what inspires you?
Our children. We want nothing more than to provide the absolute best life we can for our children. Our kids inspire us every single day, we strive to be better people and better parents every single day of their lives.
What are your business aspirations?
We don't want to be the biggest business in the world, but we want to give every single customer the best experience that we can. We focus on customer experience, our business is based around our customers.
Give us your best tip for running your own business?
Understand your marketplace and define your own KPIs. Whatever your product or service, give the absolute best you can and then a little bit more. Hire the right employees and treat your staff very well. Without our staff, we wouldn't have such a successful business. Our motto is ‘Don't just build any team, build a super team’.
What is it like juggling business and family life?
Our family always comes first. Every family has its own set of challenges, but most breadwinners at one point in their lives must deal with the difficult task of juggling work and having time for their family. This is especially difficult for working parents who are often forced to balance work and home life. We believe that we do a fantastic job juggling both business and family life to the best of our ability while giving our children the life they deserve.
What do you do for fun?
We love to travel. As a family, we love seeing new places and seeing new cultures, but the happiest place for us is anywhere with a pool, waterslides, 40-degree heat and sand between our toes.
Tell us something about yourself that not many people know?
I like to solve problems; I can think on my feet plus I'm quite witty (well I think so anyway!).
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