Each month in the Resolve Newsletter we will be showcasing one of our client’s companies. If the lockdown has taught us anything it is that we need to support small businesses and so we thought we could do this by showcasing a different company each month. This month we caught up with Adam Richards of Adam Richards Magic who performs close-up magic at weddings and corporate events as well as his family magic show – The Adam Allsortz Show at Children’s Birthday Parties and Family Attractions.
What are the pros and cons of running your own business?
I love the freedom that comes with working self-employed, I’m also fortunate to do a job I enjoy so much and something that brings joy and happiness to others. The downside I suppose of being my own boss is that you are the only one accountable for the business. The pressure of decisions, the prioritisation of tasks, and the creative drive to move the business forwards falls squarely on my shoulders. As well as this it can be odd not having anyone to celebrate wins with or praise a job well done. All in all, though I count myself very lucky to have such a magical job.
What advice would you give to other individuals thinking of starting their own business?
I’d recommend it but not without giving it due thought and consideration. It can be mentally very tough and the thought of being financially independent can be daunting. But if you truly believe in your product/service and you have the drive to succeed it can be very rewarding.
What lessons have you learned over the years of running your own business?
I’d say the one thing that I struggled with, in the first few years, being self-employed was saying that it was ok to take a step backwards, take a breath and consider things. It can be so easy to get swept along with it all and before you know it the whole thing can feel a bit overwhelming.
How has your company had to adapt during the 2020 pandemic?
My service before the pandemic relied solely on the events industry. As we are all too painfully aware, large-scale gatherings were not exactly commonplace in 2020. We’ve all had to adapt and so I have tried a number of virtual ideas throughout the year to keep the momentum of the business going and ensure I am well placed to hit the ground running when the world returns to some sort of normality. The virtual shows have included some online family shows, children’s birthday parties and virtual close-up magic at corporate events.
How do you ensure a work/life balance?
I try to give myself time away from the business and ensure I switch off when I can. At the same time, there are no set hours in my mind i.e. If I have an enquiry late on a Sunday evening it’s worth replying straight away before a competitor beats me to it and steals the booking.
What are the values that drive you?
I believe first-class customer service is the key to making a business succeed. This starts during the booking process and interestingly continues right up to and including the performance of the magic. I think magic should not be performed at people in a view to trick them but to include them and ensure they are well looked after as well as thoroughly entertained.
What is the one piece of advice you always give to clients/customers?
If you want to add a little extra sparkle to you event why not add some close up magic …. I’m bias but personally think it’s a great idea haha!
To find out more about Adam Richards Magic, please visit www.adamrichardsmagic.com, call 07729590705, or email adam@adamrichardsmagic.com. You can also follow Adam on social media channels Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram
If you would like to be included in our monthly company showcase, then please get in touch.
Our other company showcases can be found here: Stone Survey Ltd, The Happy Startup School, Vision Properties Weybridge.