Jim Blakemore, co-Founder and CEO of Bikeworks

Bikeworks turns 9 years old this September. The original business plan, (‘Olympic Bikes’ because the Olympics were on the horizon and it was always going to be based in Tower Hamlets), was my partner’s dissertation project for her degree in social enterprise. When I read it, I decided we should give it a go.

I have always been lucky in my career. I have been able to be self-employed and work on what I enjoy, and work with people — the two things that drive me on. And engaging with people… at the end of the day that is what social enterprise is about. You provide a way for the people who you are trying to reach to overcome a barrier.

Nine years down the line at Bikeworks, my job today is to make sure we stay on mission and vision…. Creativity is what stops the business from going stale. But at the same time, you have to learn to be ruthless enough to get rid of the things that don’t work. We are a real business. We have had to make tough decisions.

Jim Blakemore, co-Founder and CEO of Bikeworks