Ellie Horvath
Tell us about yourself?
Sam is a 3 time world sailing champion. Outside of sport, Sam was in charge of delivering the London 2012 Legacy and multiple Games venues, including the disability tennis venue.
After retiring from sport, Sam set up his own athlete management company with supported over 30 athletes, across 14 countries winning Olympic, Paralympic, World, European and National medals.
Sam also spent 8 years working with and mentoring disadvantaged young people in the UK with Dame Kelly Holmes Trust. More recently Sam has been highly active in supporting displaced people from the Ukrainian war, supporting the Ukrainian army and NGOs operating on the front lines in Ukraine.
What lessons has being an entrepreneur taught you?
Nothing is ever certain until it is certain. Hard work and belief will prevail. There will be hundreds of people on your journey who want you to fail or are jealous of your idea etc, you dont waste your time on them, focus on the 1 who believes in your success.
If you could go back in time to when you first started your business, what piece of advice would you give yourself?
Focus your time more directly on the real wins and filter out the time wasters as early as possible.
A lot of entrepreneurs find it difficult to balance their work and personal lives. How have you found that?
Of course, any big idea needs committing to0 and a lot of hard work dedicated to it. Having a supportive and loving family alongside to support that can often be crucial.
They will be the first ones rewarded upon the success of Accessercise. While it is difficult, maintaining an aspect of balance is still important.
Give us a bit of an insight into the influences behind the company?
During the Covid lock down when the Tokyo Games got delayed 1 year, the inequality between able bodied and the disability community was huge, got larger and became more prominent.
Ali Jawad when preparing for the Tokyo Paralympics wanted to ensure the disabled community were supported, barriers broken down and a greater step to equality made.
What do you think is your magic sauce? What sets you apart from the competitors?
Firstly the fact we are actually doing something, not just talking about it. Actions always speak louder than words. With no direct competitors to Accessercise, we have a real opportunity to drive a new standard of equality for the disabled community.
Our knowledge, passion, drive and ambition as a founding team stepped in success against the odds, high performance and relentless achievement, sets us above all the rest.
How have you found sales so far? Do you have any lessons you could pass on to other founders in the same market as you just starting out?
The MVP is live in the UK market, our biggest learning has been the importance of patience, trial and error and a resilience needed. Don’t be afraid to try things, learn and accept change may (and almost certainly will) be needed. You are hear for the long run not the short run.
What is the biggest challenge you have faced so far in your business, and how did you overcome it?
Out side of the normal challenges around funding to drive growth, one of the hardest challenges has been expectation management of the MVP vs the full product coming soon. We always try to be honest with our customers and keep them informed on the business development.
What do you find are the advantages of operating your business in London?
London is a well known city where opportunities are perceived to be high, this helps when referencing to foreign investors and partners.
Are there any issues with having a London based business? Have you experienced these?
The UK investment market can be a bit more cautious and safe than the American, Australian and other markets.
How has the higher than UK average cost of living impacted your ability to work and live in London and how has this also impacted your ability as an employer?
The cost of living rise has caused issues for most people at both work and home, this was one of the reasons we have made Accessercise free to download and use, so everyone can still benefit from what we are doing.
If you had to relocate your business to another city in the UK, which one would it be and why?
Liverpool has made huge leaps forward as a vibrant, inclusive, forward thinking city, so perhaps there.
How has BREXIT impacted your business (if at all)?
Less funding, harder travel, less investment opportunities, more reluctant partnership opportunities.
What is your vision for your company in the next 5 years?
Expansion into America, Canada, Australia, Nzl as well as across Europe, Asia and the Middle East. New impairments added to the app. More content for all of our impairments. New features released including the E-commerce accessible shop. Stream lined user experience and in app journey.
And finally, if people want to get involved and learn more about your business, how should they do that?
send us an email at [email protected] and we will connect you to the right person or team etc.
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