PROFILE
TEES UP !
Name : Chris Petty Age : 47
Born : Sunderland , fostered Newcastle , adopted Thornaby
Lives :
Hurworth Organisation ( s ) & Job title ( s ):
Managing director , Cornerstone Business Solutions , Cornerstone Marketing Solutions and Cornerstone Visual Media Solutions ; director , Skylive Air
When I was at school , I wanted to be … a soldier .
The best / worst business decision I ever made was … I ’ m going to have to bracket these two questions . In my journey , I ’ ve made lots of great decisions and bad decisions . I think that ’ s business , as a whole , and it ’ s a huge learning curve . We ’ re always learning from our mistakes and our successes . That ’ s what makes us who we are .
The best part of my job is … entertaining . The biggest downside of my working life is … hangovers ! If I could change one thing about myself it would be … I ’ d be a little taller . Four words to describe me are … small , funny , likes to party , determined .
My business mantra is … There are so many that all mean a lot and I take a bit out of a lot of them but my main one is probably ‘ Plan , plan , plan ’.
My greatest achievement is … seeing the Cornerstone brand on the FIFA video game series , thanks to our sponsorship of Middlesbrough FC .
The advice I ’ d give to business start-ups is … Ha ha ! As above , plan , plan , plan !
The biggest mistake the owners of new businesses make is … thinking there ’ s a big pot of money for start-ups . Cash is king and success doesn ’ t happen overnight . The reality is that it ’ s a hard slog .
The Tees region ’ s a great place for business because … it ’ s one big happy family who are all there to help each other wherever they can .
My biggest frustration about the Tees region is … I haven ’ t got one . I ’ m quite chilled .
My favourite local charity is … I can ’ t pick one . MFC Foundation , Teesside Philanthropic Foundation , Daisy Chain and Teesside Hospice are all amazing . We try to do as much as we can locally .
When I ’ m not working , I like to spend my time … in the Lakes . We have a place in Pooley Bridge , near Ullswater . When not in lockdown , we spend all weekend there , walking and drinking .
My guilty pleasures are … wine , KFC and playing the video game Call of Duty .
When I ’ m stressed about work , I … drink wine .
Not many people know this about me but … at weekends , I become DJ Little Fella and get my decks out .
In retirement , I ’ ll spend my time … I ’ d like to say relaxing , playing golf , walking , more time in the Lakes , travelling and enjoying spending time with my family , but I don ’ t think I ’ ll ever fully retire . I love business .
56 | Tees Business