Five questions for: Frederic de Ryckman de Betz, CEO of HOLD Self Storage

1. What does your company do?

HOLD has been operating its first mega-site since March 2024, a location taken over from Attic, as our new business sets out to redefine the self-storage landscape. Our vision is to build an ethical and sustainable company that revolutionizes customer experiences by placing people and their well-being at the heart of what we do. HOLD’s Kings Cross location is the first manifestation of our commitment to delivering unparalleled service and innovation through technology.

2. What’s been your greatest achievement?

Getting this far. I think we’ve done well to avoid failure. We now have strong foundations for growth, solid funding, supportive partners and a great team. It’s my team I’m most proud of. We have empowered great people to do great work by using their initiative. The best thing about being an entrepreneur is seeing your ideas come to life and watching your team grow.

3. What has been your biggest challenge?

People are our biggest asset and greatest challenge. Get that right and the rest follows. You have to have a plan and strategy for how you want to grow your team, based on where the business is headed. Then you have to find the right people, persuade them to join, share the vision, inspire them and work with them to deliver it. It’s not easy. Culture is crucial and people sometimes let you down.

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4. What are your plans for hitting your targets?

We have put together a "best of the best" team with regards to property, estate management, marketing, sales and innovation. We are committed to delivering top-notch services while prioritizing a "people and planet first" ethos encompassing environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles. The Kings Cross site, close to St Pancras station and Kings Cross terminal, marks the first in a number of planned locations across London, reinforcing HOLD Storage's ambition to revolutionize the storage industry.

5. What’s the one piece of advice you’d give to fellow entrepreneurs?

Above all, always try to surround yourself with good people and build trust. In order to do that you have to empower your team and allow them to make mistakes. You have to be willing to take a step back if you want to grow and that means investing in people so that you can leverage yourself.