How to survive in hospitality with James O’Hara

Explicit content warning

11/09/22 • 29 min

Steph spoke with James O’Hara about his life in hospitality as a serial business owner - the challenges, the peaks, managing a team and the lessons James has learned along the way. James also talks about how young people don’t drink like we did in the 90s/00s, Covid’s legacy and how belligerence has helped him as a founder.

James’ career in hospitality started with a club night in Sheffield; James has a talent for spotting what customers are after next, and now owns multiple bars and venues and is part of the team that recently rescued Kelham Island Brewery after it went in to liquidation. He co-founded Tramlines Festival, which he sold in 2020, and is currently working towards the opening of Leah’s Yard in Sheffield.

We have got a brilliant giveaway with Spabreaks.com to win a £250 voucher and a DBHF Recovery Hamper of gorgeous products to relax with. Sign up to the DBHF newsletter HERE by 11.59pm on Friday 11th Nov. If you’re already signed up to our newsletter, no need to do anything and you will be automatically entered.

This episode is sponsored by Naturalmat, an organic bed and mattress company who use exclusively natural, organic and sustainable material and make mattresses and bedding for grown ups and babies and kids All handmade in Devon. Use the code DBHF15 for 15% off your first order, valid until 31st Jan. visit naturalmat.co.uk

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Don’t Buy Her Flowers

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James’ LinkedIn
James’ Twitter
Steph’s LinkedIn
Steph’s Instagram

Don’t Buy Her Flowers

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Previous Episode

The business of running a charity with Emma Cantrell

Emma Cantrell is the CEO of Children’s Charity First Days. Emma explains why she started the charity in 2013 when her two children were very small, initially to redistribute kids’ clothes and toys from people who didn’t need them anymore to those that did.

Since then, Emma and her team have added more services including advising families on where they can get additional help, peer support and one to one coaching. Emma talks about how she has had to find balance, how to cope with doing a job where the stakes are so high and what the current cost of living crisis means for her and the team. In recent years demand has doubled, making Emma’s job more difficult, but even more important.

How to get involved with First Days:

Donate
Buy a toy for a child from the Christmas wishlist here
Raise awareness and share on social media - if you can't donate or buy anything then share their posts to your followers and they might be able to help.
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We have got a brilliant giveaway with Spabreaks to win a £250 voucher and a DBHF Recovery Hamper of gorgeous products to relax with. Sign up to the DBHF newsletter HERE by 11.59pm on Friday 11th Nov. If you’re already signed up to our newsletter, no need to do anything and you will be automatically entered.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Next Episode

Remembering Your Why with Yvonne Telford

Yvonne Telford is the founder of clothing brand Kemi Telford, which she started in 2017 with £60 and some tote bags. Yvonne tells Steph about her founder story and how the business evolved into what it is now – a highly regarded fashion brand with partnerships with John Lewis and Tate, celebrity fans and featured in Vogue.

Yvonne talks with Steph about the boom Kemi Telford experienced during the Pandemic, and the importance of remembering her ‘Why?’ as retail slows down. They discuss how it’s easy to lose focus with the distraction of other people’s ideas and other businesses. Yvonne explains her decision around focusing on selling direct, stripping back to her core values and how she stays close to her customers.