S2 | Episode 10 | Ashley Lockwood of Oya: Prospering In The 'New Normal'

For most start-up businesses, the pandemic has been a difficult wave to ride, with many unfortunately not making through to the other side. But what if your business idea fit perfectly into the ‘new normal’? With the introduction of working from home and the ban on hospitality during lockdowns, Ashley Lockwood had not one, but two businesses that prospered in the post-COVID era. Desk Mate, a standing desk business, and Oya, an organisation that connects unused or under-utilised commercial space for short term use, have both grown exponentially under the new conditions we now find ourselves in. In this final episode of the series, Ashely sat down with Chris and talked us through how he has managed to balance two successful start-ups through periods of exponential growth, including discussion around outsourcing, investment, hiring and delegation. He also chatted about the challenges around gaining fundraising and knowing when the right time is to move on from one project to another. You’ll also discover what a ‘dark kitchen’ is and how it might be paving the way for the future of the catering industry.

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