This is the latest in a regular series of Business Q&A features published weekly. This week, we spoke to Simon Jackson, managing director of Yorkshire Vintners in Ripon.

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

We're a wine merchant supplying wines and spirits to the north of England, mainly to the trade, but we also have a retail unit.

What does it take to be successful in business?

A lot of luck. We set up in 2010, just after the financial crash, and it's probably been the worst 15 years you could start a business in. There's been austerity, covid, Brexit, and the war in Ukraine, which has made energy prices skyrocket.

For me, it's always been about keeping it manageable – knowing our customers and their demands rather than chasing turnover.

What drives you to do what you do every day?

At 48, I still class myself as relatively young, so I've got a lot of years ahead of me yet. I've got a family, so I need to earn some money. That's what gets me out of bed in the morning to crack on.

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

Probably the current government. I don't see them as particularly business-focused, with the changes in the minimum wage, PAYE and National Insurance.

It's not just us – it's a lot of our customers too. They rely on their customers having the confidence to spend their money, but we're not seeing that – and I don't see a lot of good news coming down the line either. The Budget is three weeks away, and I don't think there'll be any good news in that.

Then again, we're coming up to December, which is our 'harvest time'. We can't control much, but we can control that, so long as we get the stock right and make sure we deliver. So we'll be looking to have a good, strong six weeks – and then go again in the new year.

Which other local firms do you most admire and why?

We're a Ripon business, and around here I admire Econ Engineering – they're a very successful family-owned business that seems to be able to grow and thrive despite the economic challenges.

To be honest, I admire any business that can survive and move forward.

Who are the most inspiring local leaders?

I genuinely can't think of anyone. I'll have to pass on that.

What could be done locally to boost business?

There are lots of barriers [to business] at the moment – if you look at Ripon's high street it's certainly not thriving.

I'd like to see local businesses support each other more. We could work more closely together and buy from each other more.

Then again, we're all guilty of buying from Amazon, so I suppose I'm a bit two-faced in that respect!

Best and worst things about running a business from Ripon?

It's a great city and great location. It's easy for me to get to work and we're very lucky to have so many great customers.

The only negatives are the same no matter where you work – running a business means you never have a day off – but all in all, the positives definitely outweigh the negatives.

What are your business plans for the future?

To survive! Over the first six months of the year, we were 12% up on the same period last year, and if we can get to the end of the financial year still 12% up, that'll be great. We're not trying to take over the world!

What do you like to do in your time off?

My youngest son plays a lot of sport, so I'm often watching either cricket or football. I'm a season ticket holder at York City, so I see a lot of them too.

We're quite a sporty family, so anything to do with sport and we're there.

Best places to eat and drink locally?

The Bruce Arms at West Tanfield is my official local – it has good food, good wine, and good Guinness.

I should also mention The Angel at Topcliffe – it has great food and brilliant staff (my daughter works there!).

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