This is the latest in a regular series of Business Q&A features published weekly. This week, we spoke to Neil Webster, managing director – and co-owner with wife Justine Connolly and sister-in-law Joanne Connolly – of Marigold Café and Boating on Waterside in Knaresborough.

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

We have a very popular café in one of the most photographed spots in Knaresborough. We also serve up to 12 flavours of ice cream, have about 50 boats to hire on the river, and run special events in the evenings.

What does it take to be successful in business?

Hard work, consistency in the basics, and innovation in your products or services.

Also, kindness. That transcends many parts of life, but it's particularly important in business. Treat people the way you would want to be treated and you won't go far wrong.

What drives you to do what you do every day?

My background is in corporate finance, and I worked for a variety of private equity and blue-chip businesses. But I always wanted to find a business I could run for myself. This was a good opportunity to jump out of the corporate world and do something different.

I've always been a bit of a disruptor, and I like to prove people wrong. I've been involved with change management for the vast majority of my career, and I don't see any reason to change now.

I also love developing people. One thing that's special to me about Marigold is that we have 14-year-old kids coming to work here on Saturdays, and they often stay right through school and come back as students in the holidays.

We take them on when they have no experience, and they learn so much from the working environment we create – how to learn from their mistakes and cope with pressure. It's incredibly rewarding and it's one of the reasons why I enjoy doing what I do.

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

Constantly increasing supplier and staff costs. It's been really challenging, and the likelihood is that it will continue.

Which other local firms do you most admire and why?

Cenheard, the Knaresborough-based health and safety management company. Ashleigh Lambert has taken it from literally nothing and created a really successful business.

Also, Harrogate sign-maker One Nine Signs. Paul Holmes took a risk when his boss died, and developed a really customer-focused business. Nothing is too much trouble.

And Ake & Humphris, the Harrogate-based wine merchants. Tara Stagman is trying to do something different and push the boundaries of her business in much the same way as I'm trying to with mine.

Who are the most inspiring local leaders?

Simon Midgley, the owner of Starling Bar in Harrogate. He's achieved something that many in the hospitality industry struggle to achieve. He's done a very good job of making his offer fit different parts of the marketplace – a daytime offer, evening drinks, corporate hospitality – and he's done it at a difficult time for the industry.

But he's also taken on the chair of Harrogate BID [business improvement district], which is not an easy role. It shows he cares deeply about the trading environment and is passionate about caring for other people in business.

What could be done locally to boost business?

There are lots of initiatives taking place locally, but in Knaresborough they're quite fragmented: there are lots of people trying to do lots of different things. I think there would be a lot to be gained by bringing together the different groups to work as one towards agreed goals.

Also, there's loads of support available for small businesses, but a lot of people just don't know about it – it's not communicated as effectively as it could be.

Best and worst things about running a business from Knaresborough?

The best and the worst are the same. It's the river. It's the lifeblood of Waterside and of Knaresborough, and creates the vistas so many people enjoy.

But at the same time, it can be incredibly destructive. Flooding is so disruptive to the business, and creates a mammoth maintenance list.

We were flooded badly in 2022, and since then we've put in flood defences which haven't been seriously tested. But it can catch you out, especially with the unpredictability that's coming more frequently with climate change.

What are your business plans for the future?

We're going to launch Afternoon Tea at the Marigold. People will be able to book an hour on the river – we've bought in new boats for it – and they'll then be greeted back onto the terrace for afternoon tea. That's coming in May.

We're also going to trial Fish, Chips & Fizz. York fish and chip firm Millers are going to come with their van, and people will be be able to come along in the evening for fish and chips and prosecco. It follows of from our successful Boat and Burger nights. We'll run a pilot night in early May, and if it's successful, it could become a regular thing.

What do you like to do in your time off?

I've been a keen golfer for many years, and I'm a season ticket holder at Leeds United.

I also love spending time with my family, especially my six-year-old daughter.

Best places to eat and drink locally?

With a business to run, sporting interests and a family, I don't really get much time to go out, but when I do, I like La Feria and Will & Vic's [both on Cold Bath Road in Harrogate].

They've both been around for quite some time, so they must be doing something right. In both places, I've never had a bad meal, or a bad time.

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.