Kent & Sussex
John Howard
John Howard – Stocktaker Brighton, covering East Sussex and Kent
Based in Brighton and covering Chichester, Tunbridge Wells, Ashford
I decided to help people make a success of their business by sharing my years of experience as a chef, publican, and hospitality manager.
When I first started my franchise, my diary was empty, but things quickly picked up, and I had to convince my wife to quit her job and join me in this fast-growing venture. The work-life balance is in your control because you manage your own diary. However, as you become busier, it can be challenging to take a holiday and keep your clients happy.
I was raised in pubs in the North West from the age of 11, and I joined the Merchant Navy at 16. By the time I was 19, I had become one of the youngest head chefs. I opened my first pub at the age of 25 and eventually progressed to become a training manager and area manager with the Whitbread Group. I then moved south to manage Brighton Palace Pier before joining European Leisure as an area manager in the nightclub business.
As a Stocktaker Brighton, East Sussex and Kent Getting new clients isn’t easy, but if you do a good job, they tend to be very loyal. After more than 20 years, I still have many of my original clients. I know the business from the bottom up, and I can relate to clients based on personal experience. I’m willing to work when the client needs me and provide unfiltered feedback on my findings.
Now, for something a bit more interesting! I’ve been a squash player for over 40 years, but it seems like I’m getting slower and more unfit by the day. Perhaps it’s because of my fondness for real ale, good wine, and good food.
I often think I should have done this earlier! Being your own boss, working as much or as little as you like, managing your own diary, and building up a client base who can also become friends is truly rewarding.
