Thoughts on a Deck Chair in Kos

Hard to believe that on August 1st, 2020 Van Monkey will be 5 years old. Even harder to believe that the idea was first thought of on a Deck Chair in Kos in June 2010.

I had always wanted to start my own business and in a way I always knew I would end up working for myself (well certainly after my football and golf career dreams envaporated anyway). After getting together my wife Hayley and feeling like my life had finally begun (at the age of 27), I started to consider what I really wanted to do with my life and my career.

At the time I was working for Bristol Street Commercials and was enjoyed leading a Sales Team in the South West. We were making good progress and I enjoyed working for the company immensly but I could see that our market was changing and the internet was having a huge impact in how our customers were obtaining information and at that point starting to transact business at distance (something I never thought would happen in Commercial Vehicle Sales).

In 2010 I knew that my best chance to embark on a career working for myself would be to start a business that emcompassed all the old school values of building a strong realtionship with customers but also being agile enough to deal nationwide and offer a depth of products and services that could deliver a "one stop shop" solution to companies who operated vehicles. While thinking long and hard about this concept on a Deck Chair in Kos (possibly with an alcoholic beverage in hand), Van Monkey was born. The Name, The Identity, The Ethos, The Values... it was all etched into my mind from that day forward.

So I suppose the question is why did it take 5 years from then to get the business launched. Its an interesting question and one that is pretty easy to answer, I got cold feet and got offered a position at Iveco that I simply couldn't turn down.

I dont regret the decision to take the leap into the world of the Manufacturer for one minute. I worked with so many talented and inspiring people during that time that I dont think I would have been in as good a position starting Van Monkey in 2010 as I was in 2015. I learnt so much in the 3 years I spent with Iveco and a further 2 at Renault Trucks that when I did take the leap of faith I felt ready and more importantly fully prepared for the challenge that lay ahead.

The truth is that I am not a wholesale risk taker as I like to make good decisions when the time is right, feeling fully prepared for what lies in store. The fact is starting your own business when you have a good career ahead of you is at best a long shot so I suppose somewhere down the line I developed some bravery beyond my usual character.

I have read so many business books, autobiographies, biographies and self help guides but fundamentally is all boils down to a few things - Confidence in yourself, faith in your values, to have a big enough reason WHY and belief in the small chance.

I wanted to write a few articles outlining the stages we have been through to get to our 5th Birthday.. firstly for my own sanity as I am sure one day I may forget but secondly because in June 2010 it was just a thought and in April 2020 its now reality.

The business looks very different to what I first imagined but the vision and the values at the core of it all have not altered one bit. Dealing Openly, Honestly and with Integrity will always be at the front and centre of how we do business.

I also have written these memories down because there will be lots of people I am connected to right now who are at the start of the journey - maybe in the planning stage, maybe year 1 or even further down the line and are encountering tough times so if I can in some way give you some confidence that its worth keeping fighting for your dreams and to fulfil your vision then it was worth writing this article.

Finally, as I write this the world is in a state of turmoil and perhaps we may never see the likes of this situation again. The real heroes in our society have come to the surface - the NHS personnel in particular but also all the Nations Key Workers in industries that we supply day in day out. We can only feel eternally grateful for what these people are doing right now in the face of chaos and severe danger, so THANK YOU from all at Van Monkey for your service to the people of the UK.

Enjoy Easter Everyone - Stay Safe and Keep Dreaming Big x