A leading businesswoman is taking the opportunity to share advice to encourage budding entrepreneurs across the Bath area as her company celebrates 18 years.
Emma Summers, Founder and Managing Director of Juice Recruitment, decided to follow her dreams, and a family tradition, when she launched the firm back in 1998.
She said: “My father has always had his own business and I think the talk of business across the dining room table must have played a part.
“I am one of three daughters and we all have our own businesses so you can imagine the family get-togethers – it is like the Apprentice.”
The firm, which started with just two members of staff in a small office in Bath, now directly employs 26 members of staff and over 350 temporary employees across the South West with branches covering Bath, Bristol, Cheltenham and Wiltshire.
Emma, who runs the company alongside husband Andrew, said: “A CEO of a very successful business once said to me – surround yourself with exceptional people with drive and determination, just like yourself.
“I knew I wanted Juice to be a brand that was well recognised across the South West for providing a different offering in recruitment, one that was focussed on service delivery and building long lasting relations.
“I love numbers so I was constantly projecting and forecasting, always knowing where we were and more importantly where we were going.
“The other hugely important element for me were the people that worked for Juice. I wanted them to be recognised for their hard work and contribution along with working in an environment that was energetic, vibrant and above all fun – we laugh a lot!
“Starting Juice was not terrifying because you have everything to learn and everything to gain.”
To mark its coming of age Emma has announced plans to expand Juice Recruitment, with ambitions to open new branches in Exeter, Cardiff and Oxford.
The recruitment specialists, which have their headquarters in the heart of Bath’s UNESCO World Heritage Site, have also launched a new Creative division to the business – helping the South West’s growing Creative and Digital sectors to find the right staff.
Emma said: “People determine success in different ways. For me, it is about loving what I do, being proud of the service I provide, working with a wonderful team and watching the Juice brand grow and develop.
“We are working with some of the UK’s leading brands and to have such wonderful relationships with many amazing organisations makes me enormously proud.”
Later this year Juice Recruitment will also be entering The Sunday Times Best 100 Companies for the first time. The firm will find out in 2017 if the application has been successful.
For more information, visit www.juicerecruitment.com or follow @juicerecruit on Twitter.
