The Yorkshire Mafia

Nathan Angus

Q: If you could improve anything in the region what would it be?

A: For businesses to have more confidence and believe that Yorkshire businesses are as good as any from anywhere in the UK. We have some great business minds in the region and we sometimes look to other areas when looking for specialists in different industries. Thanks to the YM we are getting better but we can still improve.

Q: Who or what has most influenced you in your career?

A: My father has instilled a good work ethic into all our family.

Q: What are the best and worst pieces of advice you’ve ever been given?

A: Worst – Stick to what you know.
Best – Everything can be improved

Q: What do you most enjoy about your work?

A: I am lucky that my clients always enjoy the events that we provide for them so I always get to bring joy to people’s lives and deal with people with a smile on their face. I most enjoy the creativity of devising new events and turning ideas into achievements.

Q: What’s been your biggest achievement/biggest business mistake?

A: Biggest Achievement – Rapid growth of 30% each year without the need for finance.
Biggest Mistake – Not embracing the internet quickly enough.

Q: How do you relax?

A: When there is chance for time off which isn’t very often, I like to watch and play football and enjoy eating out and a little bit of alcohol from time to time.

Q: What’s on your iPod?

A: I have a wide variety of music on my Ipod but my top 5 artists are Frank Sinatra, Stevie Wonder, Kanye West, John Mayer and The Rolling Stones.

I like the Yorkshire Mafia as I believe that it is different to any other kind of networking. I have been to numerous networking groups and must admit that I was sceptical about the Yorkshire Mafia when I first heard about it but I find it refreshing and it actually works. I think that because of the rules of the drink evenings and the relaxed atmosphere people tend to create better working relationships and this means that more business can be done as opposed to the forced swapping of business cards that you get at other networking events. Geoff has managed to create a group where people make friends not just contacts. My belief is that this encourages stronger working relationships and more honesty within the group which can only be positive for the area. The atmosphere at Yorkshire Mafia events is very welcoming which I find puts me at ease straight away and helps me to enjoy the evening while talking to interesting people from a variety of industries that I wouldn’t normally meet at networking events. This gives me more variety in the contacts I have which make me as a person, and my business stronger.

Nathan Angus