The Table – 18 Years On

This is the table I started the Samera business on 18 years back. Its teak, from John Lewis and bought in the 1970’s by my parents. It’s still standing strong, and so are we.

Strong foundations in life and business make a huge difference.

In those eighteen years we have experienced many highs and lows, from Bootcamps to new clients to retiring clients to new team members to old team members.

But in truth Samera never would have really got off the ground if it was not for my father, Ajja. He is 90 years of age and still standing strong despite the chaos around us.

Currently, as we have renovation work done at our house, I am back at my original family home in Raynes Park, South West London with my whole family – the table is still here. It feels a little odd being back, seeing some of my neighbours who remember me as a small child holding my mother’s hand. She’s long gone, watching from above.

But my dad, Ajja, is still my biggest fan and critic – Aren’t all parents?

As many, I worked hard through school and university (my dad was a single parent) and I managed to get my dream job in the City. The dream job proved to be a nightmare and this was the impetus to start Samera.

Ajja was dead against me starting a business and turning away a highly financially lucrative career as an Investment Banker, to starting my own business from his dining table.

As they say the rest is history, we may not be the biggest of businesses, but it has been one heck of a ride and we are stronger than ever.

My children (aged 12 and 16 )have grown up knowing nothing else but entrepreneurship in our household (they think their mum has more natural instincts and I tend to agree) but I would whole heartedly encourage anyone seeking to take the bold move into their business to just do it.

It won’t be easy, you will get ripped off, you will lose money and you will wonder many times why are you doing it, but truth be told it has been an amazing 18 years.

There are too many people to thank, so I won’t write an endless list, just a massive thanks to Ajja who was my harshest critic but also biggest supporter to this day.

I am truly so excited about the next 18 years to see what this brings, despite the uncertainty, there are considerable opportunities out there – you just need to hunt them down!