IQ-Magazine-Issue-16

They were confident
about taking huge
risks to make
their DREAMS INTO
a reality, because
they really believed
that they would
succeed.
founded the well-known apple juice
company Copella, whose brand
name, Tamara explained, was a
combination of the Cox’s Orange
Pippin apple (COP) and the name
of the family’s youngest daughter,
Carmella.
Tamara credits the couple’s success
in business to their complementing
personalities, passion and drive.
Coming from relatively poor
backgrounds and living through
the war when food was scarce,
their passion for producing readily
available, healthy food was born.
Devora was outgoing, charismatic
and had a natural understanding
of marketing and winning over
bank managers, whilst Bill was a
clever, logical and practical thinker.
“Together they made a winning
team,” commented Tamara. “They
were confident about taking huge
risks to make their dreams into a
reality, because they really believed
that they would succeed.”
The move to creating a golf course
came about after learning there
was a shortage of golf courses in
the region. At this point, the couple
owned 300 acres of land which was
undulating, sandy soil and therefore
not ideal for farming. However, the
beautiful landscape was perfect for
a golf course and, with farmers
falling on hard times, they calculated
that a golf course would be more
profitable. Tamara explained that
they made the business venture a
success by researching other local
golf courses and then “… devoted
time and effort into publicising
Stoke by Nayland Golf Club with
interviews on TV, radio and in the
press.” The company received an
injection of money when Tropicana
UK approached them, wanting to
get into the apple juice business by
buying their Copella brand. This
enabled the family to expand and
build their hotel, fitness complex and
conference and banqueting centre.
She also explained just how crucial
family values have been, and still are,
to the business. “We have produced
a booklet called ‘Devora Family
Values’, which highlights her - and
now our - key business values, such
as honesty, integrity, innovation and
entrepreneurialism.”
iQ business profile
Speaking about the importance of
diversifying the business, Susanna
Rendall explained: “Agriculture tends
to go in cycles; you need to have some
diversification to get through those
years where the cycle dips. Not having
all your eggs in the same basket is
advisable, and extensive research
into the area of diversification is
vital, especially if you are going into
a project requiring new expertise.”
If a business is looking to diversify,
Susanna suggested recruiting
someone with experience in that
field to help establish and speed up
the process, whilst reducing the risk
of making mistakes. The hotel and
complex have expanded rapidly, and,
to make a success of this kind of
venture, Susanna suggested trying
to utilise all the resources that you
currently have. She continued, “If
you get the right team behind your
expansion policy, you will be that
much more successful in achieving
your goals.” And if there’s anything
to take from the Boxford Group’s
business acumen, it’s that “you
cannot afford to stand still!”
The impressive Peake Spa pool area
at Stoke by Nayland Hotel
More Information
Stoke by Nayland Hotel, Golf & Spa
Keepers Lane, Leavenheath
Colchester, Essex, CO6 4PZ
01206 262836
www.stokebynayland.com
issue 16 | page 27