Recently, the charity Samuel Wilson’s Loan Trust, whose advisers work alongside SBREC, supported a wonderful business called Willows Clapham. We caught up with one of the founders, Tom Bolton, to learn more about how their business started and what their future plans are.
Thank you for taking the time to talk to us! Could you start by telling us a bit about your business and the work that you do?
My name is Tom, and I’m the co-owner of Willows. We’re an independent deli-to-restaurant concept inspired by the Scandinavian smörgåsbord that celebrates high quality, thoughtful food and drink. Our ‘build-your-board’ menu is based on the idea that every individual element deserves its own show. Whether eaten together or separately, every item on your board has been thoughtfully curated or created to give you something to discuss from across the table. We offer a brunch board where you select your own options and a dinner menu where you choose a host of small plates to accompany a wine flight or cocktails and a charcuterie or cheese board.
We travelled the country and beyond to hand-pick the best food and drink we could find and bring it to our little restaurant in Clapham. From cheeses produced across the UK, to meats cured in Europe, to wine brewed in Battersea and bread baked right here in Clapham!
Alongside our high-quality, hand-picked food and drink, we put people at the centre of our philosophy. This includes the amazing people we source our food and drink from, the friendly faces who make up our team, and the lovely customers who come through our doors. We’re building a growing community in South-West London and beyond.
What does a typical week look like for you?
My typical week is currently very operational. I work in the business up to 90% of the time since we’re still only 9 months old and we’re growing at a really nice rate. We’ve recruited an amazing team, but the busyness still demands our time. Looking forward, my business partner and I hope to make that 90% more like 50% to ensure we have time to look after things like menu development, recruitment, sales planning, marketing, accounting, maintenance and all the other little jobs that makes our business run smoothly.
What inspired you to start your business?
My business partner and I have always loved food and always dreamt of opening a restaurant. We were lucky enough to have amazing grandparents that had some early inheritance for us to make our dream reality. Once we knew it was possible, we travelled to find inspiration for a restaurant concept for London. After visiting all sorts of places, Copenhagen showed us how clean, healthy, fresh, and simple food is the way forward, which inspired the concept we now run with. I guess with so many negative things happening in the world in the last 4 years we thought “if not, now when?” and decided to bite the bullet and go for it.
What is the main challenge you have faced so far while running your business?
Balancing our ambitions within the limited time we have. We have a lot that we want to develop and improve, and we only have so much time. So, we have to prioritise and look after ourselves at the same time as pushing ourselves to the limit to improve our business. Trying to maintain a balance of having a personal life alongside starting a business is the biggest challenge, especially when you are very ambitious and driven.
And on a more positive note, tell us a bit about your biggest wins and what keeps you going?
Our biggest win has been seeing how much people love what we’re serving. As with any restaurant, the first month was super quiet so we had to stick to our guns and believe in what we had created. Then we started seeing people return and queues form at the weekends, which felt amazing. We couldn’t stop crying happy tears for a week after busy services!
We’re glad the Samuel Wilson’s Loan Trust have been able to support you on your journey! What does the future hold for Willows Clapham?
The SWLT loan allowed us to start our journey as a new business with much less worry around our financials. With other loans we would’ve had to give up a collateral or they would’ve had a very high interest rate. As a new business run by young people, it would’ve been very scary. The loan also allowed us to get money in the bank very quickly to turn our dream into reality. Without the money we would’ve had to buy equipment that was not fit for use or refrain from employing a healthy amount of people to help us. The SWLT loan allowed us to breathe and make good choices from the outset.
The immediate future now is about stability: stabilise and develop what we have. Then maybe in the future we could see a couple more little Willows around town.
It’s been great to hear from you, it’s so inspiring to see your success and how you’ve brought your vision to life! As a final question, what advice do you have for anyone thinking about starting their own business?
I would advise someone who wants to start their own business to ensure they have a very clear vision of the business from day one. If you don’t have a clear vision, I don’t believe you’re ready. The vision can change and evolve, but you need to have that picture in your head. You own that picture and only you will be able to deliver it.
Then you have to surround yourself with people that can help you make your vision a reality and accept that they are better placed to execute individual elements of your vision. For example, if you want a brick and mortar site someone else will know more about interior architecture, but only you know what feeling you want in the space. So, almost everyone else will be better at their role in delivering your vision but only you have the vision. Balance these relationships and you can get to your dream efficiently without killing yourself trying to do everything.
Connect with Willows Clapham
Website: https://www.willowsclapham.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/willowsclapham
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/willowsclapham
Or visit them at 11 The Polygon, London, SW4 0JG!
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