This is the latest in a regular series of Business Q&A features published weekly. This week, we spoke to Jez Willard, owner of The Japanese Shop in Harrogate, which he runs with his wife, Hiromi.  

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

We import beautiful gifts from Japan, such as kimono robes, tableware, ornaments and pictures, and we sell them online and through our showroom in the Harrogate Business Centre on Hookstone Avenue.

What does it require to be successful in business?

We've been in business for 25 years now – we celebrated our anniversary this month – and I'd say over that time we've needed a strong dose of determination and the ability to remain positive.

We also apply a kaizen-style of business, which is a constant process of reviewing and assessing what we do to make constant small improvements.

What drives you to do what you do every day?

I have a real love of Japan. I was lucky enough to go and live there about 27 years ago, and it bowled me over on every level. We can learn so much from Japan.

I combined that love with a dream and determination to start my own business, and there hasn't been a day I haven't enjoyed since then. I've got the best job in the world!

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

I don't know about recently, but during my time running The Japanese Shop there have been two very significant issues.

The first was the financial crash of 2008-09, which forced us to really change our business model.

The second was Brexit, which was – and still is – a disaster for small businesses like ours that exported to the EU.

Exporting to the EU used to be very straightforward, but now it's a nightmare. We used to have significant sales within the EU, but they've been decimated, and we've probably lost more than £100,000 in turnover because of it.

As a result, most businesses like ours have either stopped exporting to the EU completely, or do a fraction of the business they used to.

Which other local firms do you most admire and why?

I'm a big fan of Bettys and really admire the company. They've got the the confidence to make really high-quality produce and charge accordingly. They've done really well, and stand out because of it.

Heck, the sausage-maker, seems to have done a fantastic job through a difficult time. I don't know a huge amount about them, but from everything I've heard and read, the way they've bounced back after some pretty hard times has been impressive.

Who are the most inspiring local leaders?

I don't profess to know many leaders, so the people who inspire me are people in my own personal network. I don't want to name names, but they know who they are.

What could be done locally to boost business?

A trade agreement with the EU would make the biggest economic difference locally and nationally.

We also need to take more notice of our high streets. They've changed a lot over recent years, and we need to come up with a new blueprint for what they stand for.

We need to adopt a holistic approach to bring life back into our town centres, with free parking, lower rents, greater pedestrianisation, and a bit more joined-up thinking between the various different stakeholders. It's in no-one's interest to have empty units.

Best and worst things about running a business from Harrogate?

I spent 10 years in the corporate world and 25 working for myself, and there's no doubt that working for yourself produces the most incredible highs.

It's also such a joy to be able to recruit and retain very high-calibre people as teammates and colleagues, who stay loyal to the business and who share my passion for putting the customer front and centre of the business, as they do in Japan.

The worst thing is all the changes to the business environment that have come in over recent years and which make running a small business ever more difficult.

What are your business plans for the future?

To continue doing what we've been doing for the last 25 years: growing the business by attracting new customers.

We're having a big push on social media channels to engage with people who already have an interest in Japan, and with other companies that have a connection with Japan.

If the new government can strike a new trade agreement with the EU, I'm sure that a lot of the business we've lost would come back pretty quickly. There's not a lot of competition out there from other companies selling Japanese gifts – we're one of the market leaders in our little niche.

What do you like to do in your time off?

I swim every day. I'm an early bird – I'm at the gym at 6am most days, and swim from 6.30 to 7am.

I also play a bit of golf, and I like cooking. My favourite to cook is Italian – I let my wife Hiromi take of the Japanese food.

Best place to eat and drink locally?

Will & Vics, on Cold Bath Road in Harrogate. The food is consistently good, the service is consistently friendly, the prices are reasonable and the atmosphere is good. David [Straker], the owner, is frequently about and puts his style on the place. We go pretty regularly.

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.