Ollie Collard is the Founder & MD at Enterprise Orchard, a company paving the way for founders to sail through the start-up swamp and grow flourishing businesses.

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To kick things off, could you tell us a little about your career background and current role?

I was born in a small village in India where my mother helped establish a Fairtrade organic cotton clothing business in the 1980s. This instilled in me the influential role that businesses can play in developing communities.

I pursued International Business at the University of Liverpool, after which I spent a decade immersed in the start-up ecosystem, working with organisations such as The Prince’s Trust, Business West, Oxford Innovation, and Virgin StartUp.

This experience exposed me to both the positive and negative aspects of business support, ultimately serving as a catalyst for the creation of my own venture, Enterprise Orchard, in 2018. We support first-time founders in growing their businesses. 

What does a day in your life look like for you? Can you take us through a recent workday?

On a regular day, I kick things off with a refreshing run before taking my little ones to pre-school/nursery. I then record a bi-weekly podcast episode, have a couple of 45-minute coaching calls with start-up founders, write up funding proposals, post and engage with my LinkedIn network, and handle administrative tasks and emails towards the end of the day.

After spending quality time with my kids over dinner, it’s onto their bath and bedtime routines, and finally, unwind with my lovely wife once the children are asleep. And last but not least, I’m also learning Spanish through the wonderful app, Duolingo.

What does work-life balance mean to you, and how do you work to achieve that goal?

So, for me, it’s all about doing what I want, whenever I want, which I am lucky to have as a business owner. I’m lucky to say, I only work four days a week, which leaves me free to hang out with my two little troublemakers on Thursdays. And let me tell you, that decision is the absolute bee’s knees.

In the past 12 months, have you started or stopped any routines or habits to change your life?

Planning and blocking out my diary. The more time you have, the longer tasks take. Here’s an analogy: people are very generous in putting toothpaste on their brush when they have a new tube (lots of time). But when the tube is almost empty (no time), everyone tries to squeeze out the last drops! So, plan your time wisely and make the most out of it!

Having kids can really help you prioritise and value your time more effectively. It’s amazing how much they can teach us about what’s truly important in life, right?

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Do you have any favourite books, podcasts or newsletters that you’d like to recommend?

I thoroughly enjoyed reading James Clear’s book, Atomic Habits. Clear’s emphasis on the importance of small, incremental changes in our habits and routines as a means of achieving significant outcomes was something that really resonated with me. I think this is an important message for anyone who is looking to make positive changes in their life.

Plus our very own podcast, Founded & Grounded! We were lucky to be voted the UK’s number 2 startup podcast, so this is for you whether you’re already living the start-up life or looking to start a business, tune in. 

We offer valuable insights and key learnings for entrepreneurs who are looking to build and grow their own businesses. You’ll hear from successful early-stage founders, who share their stories, experiences, and advice on how to navigate the challenges of entrepreneurship. We cover a wide range of topics related to start-up life such as fundraising, marketing, team building, and much more. a must-listen for anyone who is interested in the world of entrepreneurship.

If you could read an interview about work-life balance by anyone, who would that be?

If I had a time machine, one person who made a significant impact is Anita Roddick. She was the founder of The Body Shop, which revolutionised the beauty industry with its ethical and sustainable approach to beauty products.

Anita Roddick was not only an entrepreneur but also an activist who advocated for various social and environmental causes. She was passionate about human rights, animal welfare, and environmental protection. Her legacy has inspired many people to start businesses that prioritise social and environmental responsibility. It is truly remarkable how one person’s vision can make a difference and inspire others to create a better world.

Do you have any last thoughts on work, life or balance that you’d like to share with our readers?

I wanted to share a question with you that one of our recent podcast guests asked. It really got me thinking. Here it is: What would you do if you knew you couldn’t fail? Take a moment to think about it. It reminds me of a great quote by Henry Ford, “Whether you think you can, or you think you can’t — you‘re right.”

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