Simon Squibb, a successful entrepreneur, had a life-changing experience at the age of 15 when he found himself homeless in a stairwell. This setback didn’t deter him but instead fueled his determination to succeed. Now, at 49 years old, Squibb has invested £25,000 in a disused stairwell in Twickenham, London, with the aim of creating a rent-free space for small businesses to pursue their dreams.
Squibb, who sold his marketing agency, Fluid, to PricewaterhouseCoopers and retired at the age of 40, believes the stairwell can serve as a showcase for aspiring business owners who may not have the means to afford traditional office spaces or shops. His goal is to obtain permission from the local council to transform the space into a pop-up shop, office, or a “live-work space” that entrepreneurs can utilize for free, potentially for up to a month at a time.
The idea of using a stairwell resonated with Squibb, as he believes not everyone can afford fancy facilities or opportunities to pitch their ideas. He wants to break the traditional mold of property ownership and rental, which he views as detrimental to society. His vision is to offer aspiring entrepreneurs a chance to launch their businesses without the burden of rent, allowing them to grow and eventually transition to more permanent locations.
The £25,000 price tag attached to the stairwell highlights the exorbitant nature of the current property market, which Squibb believes is spiraling out of control. In fact, he has already been offered £50,000 for the stairwell, just 48 hours after buying it at auction. Property developers have also expressed interest, suggesting that with the right planning permission, the stairwell could be developed and sold for £500,000.
Squibb, who runs HelpBnk, a community of 75,000 entrepreneurs who support each other for free, isn’t driven by financial gain. His motivation lies in creating something meaningful and symbolizing that anyone can pursue their dreams. He envisions a range of possibilities for the stairwell, such as temporary art galleries, clothes shops, or even a garden center, leveraging his large social media following to promote these budding entrepreneurs.
The significance of using a stairwell as a starting point for business resonates deeply with Squibb. He knows firsthand the power of taking small steps towards success, having had his first business idea while sleeping rough in a stairwell after becoming homeless. His entrepreneurial journey began with offering gardening services to neighbors, showing that taking initiative and seizing opportunities can lead to personal and financial growth.
If the conversion of the stairwell into a pop-up space isn’t possible due to planning restrictions, Squibb plans to use it as a networking hub for entrepreneurs or potentially as a platform for securing investments. He even contemplates a unique concept where entrepreneurs pitch their ideas to him while climbing the stairs, with the possibility of funding their businesses if he finds them promising.
At the very least, Squibb hopes to use the space as his own office by placing a desk on one of the landings. Despite owning a £2 million mansion nearby, he finds the stairwell more appealing due to its transformative potential for helping others. He draws inspiration from well-known success stories like Google and Amazon, which both started in humble garages, believing that a stairwell can be just as significant for aspiring entrepreneurs.
Simon Squibb’s investment in a disused stairwell showcases his entrepreneurial spirit and passion for supporting others in the business world. His unique approach to establishing a rent-free space for small businesses demonstrates a commitment to societal impact, challenging conventional norms, and encouraging dreams to take flight.
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