UKBF user name: Rob Holmes
Real name: Rob Holmes
Company name: Into The Blue
Company website: www.intotheblue.co.uk
Company contact: [email protected] / 01959 578100
1. How did you start your business?
Into The Blue started 10 years ago by selling flying lessons to visitors at the annual Biggin Hill Airfair in Kent. From there we branched out and now sell a whole range of different activities and experience gifts right across the UK.
2. What products or services does your business offer?
We offer all sorts of activities and experiences for personal gifts and staff rewards including paintballing in tanks, flying lessons, ballooning, 4x4 driving, rallying, Formula One days, white water rafting, pamper days and over 500 other activities - all purchased either online or over the phone with the smart personalised activity gift vouchers delivered in the post the next day.
3. What were the main challenges you faced when setting up your business?
Well since the famous demise of Red Letter Days we have had to build a hugely solid financial foundation to our business (to keep our bank and suppliers happy). This was quite a challenge but has worked in our favour as it has allowed us to build unique business relationships with our suppliers, and positioned Into The Blue as one of the most trusted suppliers of activities to the corporate and public marketplaces in the UK.
4. How would you rate the success you've achieved?
Well we've established ourselves as one of the market leaders specialising in activity gifts and our market share continues to grow year on year. Growth this year has been particularily good after we rebranded the business introducing a friendlier, more memorable logo and a more user-centric website.
5. Why should customers and clients use your services?
We offer a personal and friendly service, and have an office full of friendly activity advisors, many who have been on loads of our experiences so can help customers choose the right experience from first hand knowledge. Being an internet based business we also manage to offer the same products as our competitors at a much better price.
6. How has UK Business Forums benefited your business?
Over the years I have built up a base of trusted suppliers from UKBF who give me a great personal service. This ranges from office supplies to various internet services like SEO and graphic design. I've also been able to receive great advice on various business issues and challenges.
7. What are your plans for the future?
Well, I can't say too much but Into The Blue are now gaining market share on a daily basis from our competitors by focusing on delivering satisfaction to our customers so our future projects are focusing on giving our customers an even better experience both when they buy their gifts through us and also when they or their friends go on their gift day out.
8. What are your three tips for business success?
Here's my own three steps, simple but critical process for business success:
1. Get a good product
2. Then sell it well
3. To alot of relevant people.
Do all three and you can't go far wrong. Try missing any of the three components out and it's a recipe for disaster.
Rob Holmes is a moderator on UK Business Forums.
Real name: Rob Holmes
Company name: Into The Blue
Company website: www.intotheblue.co.uk
Company contact: [email protected] / 01959 578100
1. How did you start your business?
Into The Blue started 10 years ago by selling flying lessons to visitors at the annual Biggin Hill Airfair in Kent. From there we branched out and now sell a whole range of different activities and experience gifts right across the UK.
2. What products or services does your business offer?
We offer all sorts of activities and experiences for personal gifts and staff rewards including paintballing in tanks, flying lessons, ballooning, 4x4 driving, rallying, Formula One days, white water rafting, pamper days and over 500 other activities - all purchased either online or over the phone with the smart personalised activity gift vouchers delivered in the post the next day.
3. What were the main challenges you faced when setting up your business?
Well since the famous demise of Red Letter Days we have had to build a hugely solid financial foundation to our business (to keep our bank and suppliers happy). This was quite a challenge but has worked in our favour as it has allowed us to build unique business relationships with our suppliers, and positioned Into The Blue as one of the most trusted suppliers of activities to the corporate and public marketplaces in the UK.
4. How would you rate the success you've achieved?
Well we've established ourselves as one of the market leaders specialising in activity gifts and our market share continues to grow year on year. Growth this year has been particularily good after we rebranded the business introducing a friendlier, more memorable logo and a more user-centric website.
5. Why should customers and clients use your services?
We offer a personal and friendly service, and have an office full of friendly activity advisors, many who have been on loads of our experiences so can help customers choose the right experience from first hand knowledge. Being an internet based business we also manage to offer the same products as our competitors at a much better price.
6. How has UK Business Forums benefited your business?
Over the years I have built up a base of trusted suppliers from UKBF who give me a great personal service. This ranges from office supplies to various internet services like SEO and graphic design. I've also been able to receive great advice on various business issues and challenges.
7. What are your plans for the future?
Well, I can't say too much but Into The Blue are now gaining market share on a daily basis from our competitors by focusing on delivering satisfaction to our customers so our future projects are focusing on giving our customers an even better experience both when they buy their gifts through us and also when they or their friends go on their gift day out.
8. What are your three tips for business success?
Here's my own three steps, simple but critical process for business success:
1. Get a good product
2. Then sell it well
3. To alot of relevant people.
Do all three and you can't go far wrong. Try missing any of the three components out and it's a recipe for disaster.
Rob Holmes is a moderator on UK Business Forums.
