TGt Meets... Stuart Miles

As part of our Entrepreneur Week Specials, we've been speaking to Stuart Miles from Smiles Centre.

Tell us a little bit more about your business?

I am a partner at Smiles Centre, we are dental clinic based in Beechcroft Road and Commercial Road, and we have been established in Swindon for over 15 years. We built our reputation for producing top quality dentures, this was the only service we offered until moving into our first commercial property in 2010 when we realised that we had to develop and grow, so in 2013, we expanded our premises, fitted a full dental clinic and were able to offer a full range of dental treatment. We have consistently doubled our turnover for the last three years so we are a company experiencing phenomenal growth, it's very exciting but hard work too.

What inspired you to set up your business?

I have always had a keen interest in business but I dropped out of school at 16 and found myself in a few dead end jobs but I did get promoted to sales position which I really began to excel in. I knew I wanted to run my own business but other than sales I lacked any real qualifications or skills, my brother on the other hand was a dental technician and after a chat one night, he told me how disgruntled he was and we felt that perhaps we should set up a dental laboratory. I wouldn't say there was anything in particular that inspired me, I think I just always wanted to be my own boss, to be able to do things my way.

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

I think people start their own business for many reasons, I would think that the number one reason is control of one's destiny, no one can hold you back but yourself.

What’s the biggest challenge you’ve faced?

Around 2014, just after we had invested heavily into fitting out our brand spanking new clinic, we were unable to treat patients because we were waiting for the sign off from an industry regulator. This nearly destroyed us, it was about three months that we couldn't do anything and it really pushed us to the edge.

Do you have a motto or favourite motivational quote?

Look after your staff and your staff will look after your clients.

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

Be prepared to make massive sacrifices because it's a really tough world out there and it can get very lonely. Be careful who you take advice from, listen to people who are successful with a proven track record because a lot of people have a lot of opinions but most of it is unfounded. Do not under estimate marketing, it's all about that, Coca-Cola is brown sugary water yet they have global dominance in the soft drinks market because they spend so much on advertising. Set yourself goals, write them down and make a plan on how to make them happen, work backwards. Educate yourself, read plenty of books and learn new skills, never stop learning because the business world changes every day.

What’s the biggest challenge facing business leaders today?

Sadly, we are still over regulated, I think that is one of the biggest challenges alongside taxes, ever rising minimum wage can only be offset by rising prices, the end result is simply more tax. I'm all for fair pay but the minimum wage is a false economy and in truth is really just hurting those it's supposed to be helping.

What’s been your biggest achievement to date?

My biggest achievement in business to date would be hitting our most recent turnover targets because this means we will be a million pound company at our next year end.

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

I spend my spare time with family, I enjoy meditating, I practice Ninjutsu and have just started playing golf. I don't watch mainstream TV but enjoy films or Netflix programs like Breaking Bad, House of Cards and Suits.