TGt Meets... Peter Wilcock

As part of our Entrepreneur Week Specials, we've been speaking to Peter Wilcock from Carpeo.

Tell us a little bit more about your business?

Carpeo is a multi-media customer contact centre based in Old Town Swindon. We work with a variety of well-known brands across the entire spectrum of customer contact touch points. We have around 300 people and have a bright vibrant culture recognised by our clients as being something of real value in terms of our service.

What inspired you to set up your business?

I had spent many years in the corporate world and had achieved a level of success that left me wanting more in terms of personal growth and independence. 

What do you think attracts people to starting their own business?

I think there are a whole host of reasons people start their own business from those who have no other choice to those who were born to do it. Ultimately, it takes a special kind of person to start their own business and I have huge admiration for anyone who does.

What’s the biggest challenge you’ve faced?

The biggest challenge is not having the resources of a corporate, I was used to having a large team, a large budget and a major brand to help make things happen. As an entrepreneur it means rolling your sleeves up and doing whatever needs doing to make the business a success. But the upside is all the noise one usually finds in a large business doesn’t exist and people are more focused on the same goal.

Do you have a motto or favourite motivational quote?

I believe we all create our own reality so that tends to be my motto.

What advice would you give someone looking to take the plunge and start a business?

I would say if you have a passion to do it then do it. But beware if it’s a whim. Take a look at anyone who has made something a success and the chances are they were passionate about what they were doing, they also had a vision about what they wanted to achieve.

What’s the biggest challenge facing business leaders today?

I’m not sure there is a specific challenge facing anyone. The opportunities are huge so it’s just about having a vision and going for it.

What’s been your biggest achievement to date?

I used to think helping create the UK cable industry from scratch was quite impressive, but I look around Carpeo and feel huge pride at what we’ve created in terms of opportunities, jobs and culture.

When you’re not busy running your business, how do you like to spend your down time?

I love to get on the tennis court and pretend I’m Roger Federer, but that aside family time is the most precious way to chill.