Matt Grech-Smith, co-founder and joint CEO of Competitive Socialising, which runs the Swingers chain of mini-golf and entertainment venues, shares his personal business advice for our video series, My Business Leader Secret.
Grech-Smith and his business partner Jeremy Simmonds had been entrepreneurs since their university days, specialising in events and marketing for students. Then in 2014, they had a novel idea. What if they could transport mini golf from the world of the seaside, to an inner-city, night-club style experience, with food and cocktails? They called the idea "competitive socialising" and set up a company to make it happen.
Not everyone was convinced there was enough demand for this. But a pop-up space in an east London warehouse gave them the opportunity to prove sceptics wrong and show that their idea could work.
A decade on, they have two venues in London, locations in New York and Washington DC, and further global expansion in the works. Last year the company's turnover was just over £50m.
Grech-Smith explains why pop-up commercial spaces, which are available for a short lease at a reduced rate, are a great way to prove a concept and win over investors.
You can listen to our podcast episode with Matt Grech-Smith on the story behind the growth of Swingers here:
Related and recommended
With Labour committed to spending more on defence, we need to be clearer on the trade-offs – while realising ultimately it can boost the economy
Labour believes a trade deal with the US will change its political fortunes, but there are numerous obstacles in the way
The Olympic cycling champion has brought lessons from his time in sport to his work in business
How do you build a company culture that nurtures game-changing ideas? Start with mindset, feedback and failure