Aycliffe Today Business | Page 32

32 | Aycliffe Today Business Bringing Aycliffe Business Park Together | 33 8. 19. “there is a genuine business ‘community’ feel to the place.” 15. Coffee BREAK WE TAKE A BREAK AND SIT DOWN WITH A DIFFERENT EMPLOYEE OR BUSINESS OWNER ON AYCLIFFE BUSINESS PARK TO ASK THEM 20 QUESTIONS ABOUT A VARIETY OF SUBJECTS. In this issue, Commercial Expert managing director Mike Coates is in the chair... 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. What do you do? Provide bespoke Commercial Finance solutions to clients requiring funding for their business. Who have you worked for in the past? Wades Coffee Shop, Clements Delicatessen, Humphreys Pub, Darlington Civic Theatre but I have been self-employed for most of my adult life. Best part of your job? The satisfaction of getting the most complex case completed and over the line. Is there anything about your job that you really don’t like? The lethargic and Dickensian attitude of some other professionals. Favourite thing about working on Aycliffe Business Park? Very close to home, great transport links and there is a genuine business ‘community’ feel to the place. 7. 8. 9. Four famous people you’d love to have round for dinner and why? Quentin Tarantino, film genius, Jimmy Carr, funniest man alive, Richard Branson, brilliant business magnate, Michael Huthence (INXS), musical legend. If you could do something else in business, what would it be? Be involved in renewable technologies, it’s the future! 10. Who’s your favourite Tweeter? 11. 12. Which company/individual on the park do you do the most work with? I support a few business like OneGym and Ramsey’s Garage. Who’s your tip for future success? Apart from Commercial Expert Ltd, Growth Funders is one to watch. 13. I don’t tweet. 14. 15. 16. 17. Do you have a favourite band or type of music? The Prodigy, I grew up with dance music in the 1990’s and it just sort of stuck. What is your greatest achievement? Providing for my family by creating a sustainable business. How would you best describe yourself in four words? Determined, Integrity, Honest, Dependable. 18. Where do you see yourself Have you ever done anything really daring? I have skied naked, and sadly it appeared on TV. What’s the best piece of business advice you’ve been given? One of them is ‘look after number one, but be considerate’. If money was no object, what would be your ideal car? Porsche. Money no object, your dream holiday would be? An American road trip. in five years? Much of the same, more successful, less hair. 19. Who’s the most famous person you’ve ever met? I saw George Clarke from Amazing Spaces last month, does that count? 20. Do you have any guilty pleasures? Gin!