This is the latest in a regular series of Business Q&A features published weekly. This week, we spoke to James Martin, founder and managing director of Glawning in Ripon.

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

We design and sell glamorous awnings for campervans and tents to make camping easier for people who don't really like camping.

What does it take to be successful in business?

Determination, a clear vision, and a willingness to put the hours in when you need to.

What drives you to do what you do every day?

I enjoy providing a service that a) makes people happy and gives them time to relax and enjoy their downtime, and b) helps people to get out into nature, disconnect with the world of technology, and reconnect with other people.

That's how we got into this business. I was a lawyer doing commercial litigation, which was the polar opposite of what I've just described. It was quite soul-destroying at times.

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

The biggest one has been fulfilment – getting the products from the warehouse to the customer. We've used about six different fulfilment centres since we started 12 years ago, and they all had the same problems – they would misplace stock or send out the wrong items. You'd do all the hard work of getting it to the warehouse, but then the fulfilment company would mess it up and the customer would end up disappointed. Thankfully, the company we're using now is the best we've ever had.

Which other local firms do you most admire and why?

There are various local businesses doing a great job for tourism in the area, but one I particularly like is Ivy Bank Staycation in Kirkby Malzeard. I've known them for 10 years and seen how much they've put into making it such a great campsite. They've put in new infrastructure and facilities and a lot of our customers rave about the place.

Who are the most inspiring local leaders?

Georgie Brayshaw, the rower from Harrogate. She had a horse-riding accident that left her in a coma and paralysed, and was advised that she may never walk again. She fought the odds to recover and went on to win a gold medal at the Paris Olympics!

The level of commitment and dedication that goes into becoming a top-level athlete is admirable, so whenever I'm looking for inspiraion in business, I read a sports autobiography.

Business leaders tend to have had some luck to get where they are, but sportspeople just have to rely on hard work and commitment.

What could be done locally to boost business?

More could be made of the immense opportunities around us for cycling and mountain biking. We've had cycling events here, but we could do more.

We've done to death the 'come to Harrogate for a slap-up meal and a shop' approach – we need other things, and the local countryside is at the top of the list of things we can attract visitors with.

Best and worst things about running a business from Ripon?

Ripon has a strong business community, as well as a lot of consumers who like to use our products. The Yorkshire Dales and the North York Moors are right here, so we're on the doorstep of the kind of place we're trying to inspire people to get to.

Just as it's easier to run a music business from London, it's easier to run an outdoor business when you're on the edge of the great outdoors.

The worst thing is that it's quite expensive. It's difficult to find a cheap warehouse here – or even one at all.

What are your business plans for the future?

We're going to concentrate on innovating: developing new and more exciting products.

We're trying to eradicate some of the 'pain points' of camping – that it's too cold, or too wet, or it's difficult to put the tent up, or difficult to pack it away.

We've attended loads of festivals and spoken to lots of people, and it's not rocket science.

We've got the cold and wet nailed – you can have a wood-burning stove in our awnings – so now we're concentrating on the 'hard work' aspect.

What do you like to do in your time off?

What time off would that be?!

We do have a cottage on the coast of Northern Ireland, and we love to get over there and spend time in the sea, paddleboarding and kayaking. We go there for the whole of the month of August, and work remotely if we have to. It's a completely different pace of life.

Best places to eat and drink locally?

We're spoilt for choice, aren't we? I live in Killinghall, so I like to go to the Paradise Café. The food feels like it's been well considered.

I'm a fan of the local pub too, so I like to go to one of the many village pubs near where we live. The Joiners Arms in Hampsthwaite is great for Sunday lunch.

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.