This is the latest in a regular series of Business Q&A features published weekly. This week, we spoke to Natalie Moore, owner of Harrogate Olde Sweet Shop on Montpellier Parade in Harrogate.

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

Harrogate Olde Sweet Shop sells traditional sweets, confectionery and gifts. We're an independent shop nestled right in the heart of historic Low Harrogate.

What does it require to be successful in business?

I took over this business two years ago, but before that I worked here for 13 years, and it's definitely an advantage to gain experience from the bottom up, and to be willing to get involved with all areas of the business.

You also need to be open to new ideas and know who your customer is. Customer service is something we pride ourselves on.

What drives you to do what you do every day?

Just loving the job that I do. I was born and bred in Harrogate and I've been working here, in this building, since I left school. I've never had any regrets about it – it's a lovely environment to work in and I love the people I work with.

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

Rising costs. We stock a huge amount of chocolate products, and the price of cocoa has shot through the roof. [Commodity market cocoa prices have tripled in the last 14 months]. Demand is still high, but supply has fallen.

Utilities and rents are higher too – everything's gone up.

Which other local firms do you most admire and why?

Cafés come and go, but Baltzersen's is a fixture, and we go there quite regularly.

The Cold Bath Brewing Co has done very well too. I admire any independent business that survives beyond a couple of years – I'd back any of them.

Who are the most inspiring local leaders?

I don't really know. No-one springs to mind!

What could be done locally to boost business?

It would help if landlords could be a bit more considerate about rents. That's one of the main reasons that businesses are coming and going. Harrogate is becoming known for bars and charity shops, but it used to be more of a destination.

It would be good to have more events here too. Harrogate Convention Centre is a really good venue, so I'd like to see it used more.

One thing that's really missing in Harrogate is an indoor leisure venue, the kind that has ten-pin bowling, mini golf and other activities. Something like that would really help to attract more people to the town, as well as being good for families who live here.

Best and worst things about running a business from Harrogate?

The best thing is that Harrogate's alovely, picturesque town, and tourists like coming here.

The worst thing is not really specific to Harrogate. It's just trying to keep afloat and come up with new ideas.

What are your business plans for the future?

Ideally, growth. I'd like the shop to become a destination in its own right – one of those places people aim for when they come to Harrogate.

I'd also like us to be better known within Harrogate. It's surprising the amount of people from Harrogate who say they've never been down this part of town before.

What do you like to do in your time off?

I have an 18-month-old daughter, and I love spending time with her, my husband and the rest of my family. I've still got a good circle of friends from school.

Best place to eat and drink locally?

We go to Farmhouse, next to the Everyman Cinema, for brunch a lot.

I've also recently started going to Pranzo on Cold Bath Road, and for quite a long time Konak Meze [the Turkish restaurant on Mount Parade in Harrogate] has been a family favourite. The foods great and the staff are so friendly.

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.