Name: Duncan Stirling
Age: 30 Company: Inception Group. We own and operate Barts, Maggie’s and Bunga Bunga. Turnover: £5m First job: Straight after leaving school, my father asked which university I was going to. I said I didn’t need to go to university. So he asked me what I was going to do. I said “I’m going to go and get a job.” So I walked out of the house and went down to the local pub and asked for a job. I was given a position as a barman and I had no clue what I was doing. I worked a 12-hour shift and hated every minute of it. Customers were rude and obnoxious and the bar manager treated me awfully. I didn’t return to work the next day and I didn’t collect the wages I was owed. Moral of the story: I now do my best to make sure all my employees are treated with the upmost respect. Dream job: Tennis sports agent. Think Jerry Maguire. I would love to travel around the world on the tennis circuit. Car: Range Rover Sport Economy, business or first class: Business class if I’m on a business trip. Economy for private travel. My girlfriend is tiny (5ft) so for her economy feels like a first-class seat anyway. Most extravagant purchase: I recently spent a huge sum of money on a pair of court-side tickets to next year’s US Open men’s final at Flushing Meadows. I am big tennis fan and I love New York so had to have them! Most-played song on your iPod: “Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is” by Oasis. Best business book: How to get Rich by Felix Dennis. Worst business moment: I bought a bunch of shares in a company at £3 each. I sold for £4. A week later they were worth £12! Proudest business moment: Hosting Noel Gallagher’s 40th birthday party in Kitts (our first nightclub under the Sloane Square Hotel which opened in 2006). I am massive Oasis fan. Your business mentor: My father. Next big thing: No doubt some product or community brought to us by Apple. Everything they do seems to turn to gold.Share this story