This is the latest in a regular series of Business Q&A features published weekly. This week, we spoke to Jonathan Nixon FBDO, owner of Bespoke Eyewear in Harrogate.

Tell us in fewer than 30 words what your firm does.

Bespoke Eyewear offers a range of frames from around the world. We are the exclusive stockists in Harrogate of some unusual brands from Japan, Scandinavia, the USA, France and Italy.

We're based in a grade II listed building dating from 1846, that used to be the Royal Parade Chemists.

What does it take to be successful in business?

Passion. You have to have a passion for what you're selling, and an ability to listen to your customers.

This business is high-risk, because the stock I buy is not sale or return – I have to sell everything – so it can be a bit of a gamble. But I know my customers, and I know what they like. They come from all over the UK and beyond: the USA, Canada, Australia and even Vietnam.

What drives you to do what you do every day?

My clients. I feel I'm dressing my clients – they're walking adverts for me. What I want is for my clients to be asked, 'Wow, where did you get your glasses from?'.

It's jewellery for your face – the first thing that people look at.

Celebrities help. Just look at Prue [Leith] from the Great British Bake-Off – she drove the increase in the popularity of colourful frames.

My customers have included footballers such as Ian Wright, Micah Richards, Andy Cole, Lee Dixon, and actors from Emmerdale including Natalie J Robb and Jeff Hordley.

[Oscar-winning actress] Marisa Tomei came in and bought 12 pairs. I delivered them to her hotel in London.

What’s been the toughest issue your business has had to deal with over the last 12 months?

The cost-of-living crisis, the war in Ukraine, and the Budget. For about four or five months before the Budget, people started holding onto their money.

I think the roadworks on the A59 closing Kex Gill has also had an effect. It pushed all the people who usually come over from Lancashire down to Ilkley and Otley. That's my theory, at least.

That said, we're only a little bit down on last year, and we're fully booked tomorrow, but roadworks like that don't help.

Which other local firms do you most admire, and why?

I admire HRH Group, which owns the White Hart Hotel, the Fat Badger and the Yorkshire Hotel. Their business model is really good.

I also admire the Mercer Gallery – I really like the exhibitions they put on.

Who are the most inspiring local leaders?

There aren't any political ones. But in business, I admire Phil Barker, the owner of HRH Group, because I've seen him grow from one pub in the early 1990s to now owning a string of hotels, inns and restaurants. Think of the organisation involved! And that's after the hospitality industry took a bettering during covid.

What could be done locally to boost business?

Reduce parking charges. There's hardly any parking around here, so more would go some way towards bringing more people in.

Why don't we have a park-and-ride near where the rugby ground is?

Best and worst things about running a business from Harrogate?

You've got to persevere. The first week I opened, an old lady came in and asked, 'Are you just a pop-up shop or are you staying? If you're still here in six months' time, I'll come back and buy these glasses'. And she did.

That's Harrogate people for you! There are certain circles, and if you can break into those circles, word spreads like wildfire.

What are your business plans for the future?

My plan originally was to have four shops in four spa towns: here, Leamington Spa, Tunbridge Wells and Bath.

We're currently at half capacity, and only testing people's eyes on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. When we're so busy that we're testing every day of the week, then we'll expand, replicating the same model in those towns.

I prefer spa towns because they tend to be tourist hotspots and they're often quite wealthy.

What do you like to do in your time off?

I like playing and watching sport. I used to play golf and cricket, but I only really play table tennis now.

I still watch Leeds United about once a month, and I went to Paris in the summer to watch the Olympics, so I'm not doing too badly this year. I watched Keely Hodgkinson win gold in the 800m – I was in the same school year as her mum!

Best places to eat and drink locally?

Domo, because I love Japanese food, and Hak's Little Royal Baths Chinese Restaurant, because of the quality of the food – it's the best Chinese restaurant in Harrogate.

And the Drum and Monkey, because I love fish, and there's nowhere better for it in Harrogate.

If you know someone in business in the Harrogate district and you'd like to suggest them for this feature, drop us a line at contact@thestrayferret.co.uk.