Q&A with Laurence Jarvis on "Taking the Plunge"

I've run my own business since 2013, hosting events focused on operations for institutional investors. We see it as an increasingly important area requiring the ongoing development of best practice as the industry evolves. We are proudly independent and like to host genuinely useful sessions that are frank and cut through the 'noise'.

It's going well. The first couple of years in business are not the easiest but I think we're past that now having established a reputation for good events, well attended by the right people. Economic conditions are a challenge for everyone but the key measures of success we focus on are: Are we attracting our target audience in sufficient numbers? Are we receiving good feedback from them? Do we feel we're adding value? Do we feel we're building 'momentum'? The first two quantitative measures firmly indicate yes, and our judgement from the others is also yes - so we feel we're moving in the right direction.

I've had a successful international career in publishing and events for the institutional investment industry. I have been fortunate enough to travel throughout the Europe, the Middle East, South Africa and gained experience in some of the largest, global business to business publishers. Originally from the UK, I settled in Australia with my now wife in 2008.

Fascinating! Every day is different. You learn at lot, improve and develop new skills. It's also liberating but making the step from being an employee was daunting and takes a little time to adjust to. My advice would be have a well-considered business plan, outsource what is not central to the value proposition, keep thick skin, stay positive and persist. An independent business mentor can also help to give you perspective and keep your morale up in the early days.

My Sister, who runs successful international publishing business of her own from London. She's a little older (sorry, wiser) than me and helped me get my first job in publishing. She's always been very generous and encouraging, and I value her insight particularly now that I am also a business owner.

"There's no time like the present". I'd been boring my wife talking now and then about having my own business pretty much ever since we met. The time never seemed to be right though. Then in mid-2013 just after the birth of our first child and our gaining Australian citizenship, circumstances presented an opportunity for me to go out on my own. I needed a push, and it was my wife that gave it to me in these words - if only to shut me up! I'm thankful to her for this.

I grew up in an unremarkable town called Bracknell, Berkshire in the UK. I moved to London aged 18, where I started my career in publishing and after finishing university in Southampton, moved back to London.

My first 'real' job - aside from delivering newspapers, stacking shelves and washing dishes - was as a subscription salesman for a London financial newspaper. I had a desk, a telephone, a printed list to call through, a pen and 20 pounds for every subscription sold! The irony is its not dissimilar from what I do now (plus a computer, minus printed list and sales commission).

I am super Daddy (in my house). By day I work, by night I feed toddlers, load dishwashers, brush teeth and read bedtime stories before having a minute or two to myself then falling into bed. On a serious note, I was a keen DJ when younger and still love music. I have raced Formula Ford cars at 200 km/h, and played rugby for my school (until I realised I wasn't that talented).

I'm passionate about the environment as a cause and support charities for children such as the Starlight Foundation.