Let's Get Down To Business

BEN and Priya Watson run the Golden Ball in Lower Assendon, a food-led pub which uses the best produce from the surrounding area. Ben grew up in Henley and started his career in hospitality at the Five Horseshoes in Maidensgrove. The couple were both working in hospitality in London when they met. They have a baby daughter, Lily.

Describe your business

A family run pub/restaurant.

How many people does it employ?

We currently have 10 members of staff, including part-timers.

What did you do before you started this business?

We were both working in the restaurant industry in London. Priya was reception manager at a restaurant and Ben was sous chef at Core by Clare Smyth in Notting Hill. Ben previously worked at Jason Atherton’s Little Social in Mayfair, where he met Priya, and Restaurant Gordon Ramsay in Chelsea.

When did you start your business?

We have been trading since November 27.

What was your objective?

We just wanted to create a place where we would like to go to, with a nice environment, great food and friendly service. It’s exciting finding our way but we do have long-term plans.

Who or what influenced you?

Ever since we met 10 years ago it was both of our dreams to one day start a business.

Do you have a mentor or role model?

Ben says all the chefs he has worked for have been good role models. Clare Smyth, his last boss, has been offering us lots of good advice.

What would you do differently if you could start again?

Given the short time we’ve been trading, it’s hard to say. Any mistakes we have made so far we have learned from.

How do you market your business?

It really is word of mouth — we always like to exceed expectation.

What’s the best thing about running your own business?

It’s a new challenge and not always easy but at the end of the day it’s nice having full accountability. If something goes wrong, we can’t blame anyone else. We are currently closed on Mondays and Tuesdays so we make sure we spend this time together with our baby, doing things as a family. We love it.

What’s the most challenging aspect?

Being in our first year, not knowing what to expect every week or month is hard.

Where is your business headed?

Taking slow and steady steps to build the business, we aim to become one of the best places in the area to eat.

Do you have a five-year plan?

Yes, we do but right now all our focus and energy is on making the Golden Ball the best it possibly can be.

Do you set any goals for your business?

Our aim this year is to make a modest profit. We have invested a lot and we hope to get it back.

What’s the most valuable thing you’ve learned?

Expect the unexpected and always be prepared.

What would you advise someone starting a business?

Make sure you’re ready to face the challenges but go for it — if it’s your dream you should follow it.

What’s the biggest mistake you’ve made?

We haven’t made any enormous mistakes (fingers crossed) but it’s very early days.

What three qualities are most important to success?

Dedication, integrity and passion.

What’s the secret of your success?

It’s too soon to describe what we are doing as a success, we just try to create food that we love to eat in an environment that we would like to eat in.

How organised are you?

We try to be as organised as possible. It’s something we are trying to improve on every day.

How do you dress for work each day?

Ben: I always wear clean, ironed chef’s whites, black trousers and black shoes. I was taught in my early years as a chef that to take pride in your personal appearance is a sign of self-discipline. If a chef can’t be bothered to take care of their clothes then they probably aren’t taking good care of the food they are preparing.

Priya: I dress smartly and comfortable, which makes me confident. Dealing with different people every day is a challenge and it’s very important for me to feel confident. I love what I do and to express that I like to dress up.

What can’t you be without every day?

Each other and coffee.

Lunch at your desk or going out?

We can’t really have the luxury of going out every day but we would if we could.

Do you continue to study?

Every day is a school day.

What do you read?

Priya’s favourite book is Setting the Table by Danny Meyer and Ben is always reading cookbooks. You can find a selection of his favourites in the pub, including Kitchen Confidential by Anthony Bourdain, an American chef. We are currently reading The Very Hungry Caterpillar to our daughter as it’s her favourite.

How are you planning for retirement?

Since we have only just started, retirement seems a bit far away.

Interview by Will Hamilton, intermediary, global marketing consultant and Henley town councillor