10 minutes with…. James Robinson

James is the managing director of Cardiff based advertising agency, Hello Starling. After pursuing a career in outdoor advertising and commercial radio, James decided to tear up the rule book and create an advertising agency that focusses on results.

What gets you out of bed on a Monday morning?

Most people would say their alarm clock but I’m someone who wakes up early and bounces out of bed. Waking up knowing that you’re going to be making a difference to someone else’s business is my biggest motivation to get out of bed every day.

What do you consider to be your greatest achievement?

Making our first million pounds was a great achievement because so many people had told me that it couldn’t be done or that I was barking mad. Sometimes when you’re told you can’t do something, it spurs you on to prove people wrong!

Tea or Coffee?

Why give yourself the dilemma? Both are amazing! For me, it’s coffee in the morning and tea in the afternoon.

What is the one thing you would tell your 16 year old self?

Don’t over think an idea, just get started. There’s no better day than today to start a business.

How do you like to spend your spare time?

If I’m not socialising with friends or family, I love to sit and binge on TV boxsets or read historical fiction. It’s important to have down time, it gives your body and mind chance to recover.

What is your favourite thing about running your own business?

The people and the variety. I get to work with some magical people who remind me that anything is possible if you put your mind to it. I’m proud of what my team achieve every single day and they continue to amaze me when I least expect it! Secondly, the variety of my day means I can never be bored. I’m constantly learning new things or hearing about the challenges other businesses face and it keeps my mind active. You can’t be bored when you work in advertising!

What’s one quality you think an entrepreneur needs to possess?

People skills. People buy people and it’s really important that you listen more than you talk. It’s only when you listen and let it sink in that you can fully appreciate what someone is saying to you. Businesses are built on people and if people like you and you’re easy to get on with then you’re definitely putting yourself in a better place to succeed.

Where do you draw your inspiration from?

Probably my mum. Over the years she has taught me that even when you think there’s no point in carrying on, you have to dust yourself down and get on with life because nobody else is going to do it for you. She’s a real warrior and she supports me unconditionally. Everyone needs someone like that in their lives. I also love how my nephew and niece love to constantly ask questions. Their inquisitiveness reminds me that asking questions is good because it often gets you to think of something different and that’s what can be a deal breaker!

What are your Top Tips for a winning business pitch?

1. Ask yourself would I buy this?-put yourself in the heart and mind of the customer and ask yourself if what you’re presenting is good enough and whether you’d buy it yourself. If the answer is no, don’t present it. Go back to the drawing board and be better the next time around.

2. Make sure you don’t obsess with what the competition might be presenting. Go into a pitch and think about the customer, what they want and need and how you can make that happen. The more time you spend thinking about your competitors, the less time you spend on doing the best job for your customer and ultimately, your own business. Put the customer first and focus on solving their problems!

What’s your favourite TV show/podcast and why?

I love watching Suits. It’s a TV drama set in an American law firm. I enjoy everything from the scripts to the characters. They’re all so determined in their own way but they ultimately work towards one goal; keeping their law firm going. It’s a great watch with lots of things that you can take to help build a business and relationship.

Big night out or quite night in?

Definitely a big night out. I’m partial to a quiet night in now and again but I generally favour being out and about with friends.