Five questions for: Frederic de Ryckman de Betz, CEO and founder of Attic Self Storage

What does your company do?

Attic is a self-storage business. We aim to provide an outstanding customer experience and complete flexibility within a safe, secure and welcoming environment.

What’s been your greatest achievement?

Getting this far. Looking back to 2008 when it all started, 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.

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.

What are your plans for hitting your targets?

Our key plans include enhancing our external communication and driving customer acquisition targets; delivering superior benefits and improving customers’ experience; focusing on digital opportunities; remaining an active supporter of local communities and the causes that matter to our customers; and identifying ways of improving all areas of the business.

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.