August has been an incredible month for Dave Southby of Dave Southby Financial Planning LTD

August is upon us – it’s the month of holidays, summer fun and time off for many people. So how are small business owners coping with the month often known as ‘silly season’?

Today we’re talking to Dave Southby who is Principal of Dave Southby Financial Planning LTD and is based in Swindon. They help clients through a friendly, down-to-earth approach and provide long term peace of mind based on your specific needs and budget.

How was August for your business?
August has always been a historically quiet month for us as it’s the school holidays, people want to go away or spend time with family rather than looking at their finances. With that being said this month has been very busy for us – especially as I’ve been on my honeymoon for most of it! The great thing now is that my administrator, Neil Sawyer, has been on hand to support clients while I have been away. I’m also very pleased to say that Neil has recently passed his first exam towards his Diploma in Regulated Financial Planning. It is a huge achievement for him, and I know he is incredibly proud (and relieved) to have passed it.

What are your personal plans for this month?
August has been incredibly special for me personally as I have been on my honeymoon with my wife, Bex. We spent 2 weeks travelling around Malaysia which was an unforgettable experience. There is something special about seeing wildlife in their natural habitat and we will most certainly be going back!

What advice/tips would you give to small business owners trying to navigate the ‘holiday’ period?
August can be a quiet time for businesses so I think the best advice I can give is to not panic. When things are quieter it’s easy to start looking at what you’re doing and trying to change things. I would just say keep with what works and try not to change anything without good reason. There are always peaks and troughs throughout the year, just need to keep doing what you’re doing.

Did you know August 21 is World Entrepreneurs Day? What does this word mean to you, and do you apply it to yourself?
Entrepreneur can mean so many things but to me it means someone who can see the opportunity in something, pushes themselves out of their comfort zone and who is not deterred by failure. Of course, I try to apply these to myself, some days it works better than others, but these certainly help me keep moving forward.

August 25 was Love My Accountant Day. Who is your accountant and why is this person so important for your business?
My accountant is Dave May, who is a Director of OrangeStripe Outsourcing and Accountancy. My role as a Financial Advisor is different to an Accountant so being able to tap into his knowledge has been extremely beneficial for me, my business, and my clients. I would say the same goes the other way as well. David is a great, down to earth guy and is always happy to help where he can.

Can you name one business you’d like to give a summer shout out too?
We had so many amazing suppliers help with our wedding, but I want to give a shout out to Nightingale Florists in particular. They were absolutely amazing from start to finish and the flowers looked incredible! Gemma and Helen are a great team, and nothing is too much for them.

https://www.nightingaleflorist.com/

Have you got any events planned for the autumn you’d like to shout about?
I will be running more drop-in sessions at the Ellendune Community Centre over the next few months. I will be putting the dates and times on social media. These are designed to help people with any questions or concerns they have with their finances and have been really well received.

To find out more about Dave visit www.davesouthbyfp.co.uk