“The most inspirational and exciting presentation I have ever attended”
Mari-Cecil Boulle - Boulle International

“The best speech I have heard in this building in ten years”
David Twiggy- Molecy - Institute of Directors

What do you do when you’ve been a roadie, a stage designer and a TV executive, have got to the age of  40, nearly run out of money and are unemployable with a family to support? You start a conveyor belt sushi bar. That’s what Simon Woodroffe did and letting you into his world and mind tells you about what he learned along the way and how he stayed on the tightrope to open YO! Sushi, YO! Below, YO! to Go and now a host of YO! spin-offs with which he hopes to eclipse Virgin and The Easy Brands. ‘Inspiring – definitely unmissable!!!’ 

Simon Woodroffe hasn’t done everything yet, but he’s on his way. He has worked with some of the biggest names in rock showbiz, staged one of the biggest music events in the last 20 years, developed a successful conceptrestaurant chain and is the proud parent of a teenage daughter.

It hasn’t been plain sailing all the way, but where he hasn’t succeeded he has gained valuable knowledge. Simon shares his story with many people through his highly successful public speaking career. He actively supports budding entrepreneurs, and is one of ‘5 highly successful businessmen to advise the British government on economic policy’.

Topics
• Stop planning!
• Using innovation to win new markets and unlock creativity
• If you’re not on the edge you’re not living
• Stop doing what you’re not good at!
• ‘Why’ … The world conspires to help you when you’re committed
... Successful people fail
… Everyone is an entrepreneur!
… You are what you think!

Simon left school at the age of 16 and spent 30 years in the entertainment business. His production companies in London and Los Angeles designed and staged concerts for many artists during the 70’s and 80’s, including The Moody Blues, Madness, Rod Stewart, Stevie Wonder and George Michael.

In the 90s, Simon went into television. He spearheaded the development of television deals to show huge international rock concerts worldwide, including Nelson Mandela concerts, shows for Amnesty International and the Prince’s Trust concerts. In 1997, Simon founded ‘YO! Sushi’, a conveyor belt sushi bar. The concept was to make eating a complete entertainment experience and featured call buttons, robot drinks trolleys and Japanese TV. The first restaurant opened on London’s Poland Street and became an overnight phenomenon. Today, it continues to expand both at home and abroad.

In 1999, Simon won the ‘Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award’ and became part of the CBI/BCC Ambassador of Entrepreneurism campaign, with which he is still actively involved. In 2001, he was awarded the accolade of Best Venue at the Retailer of the Year Awards. In 2006, Simon was awarded an OBE in the ‘Queen’s Birthday Honours List’ in recognition for his contribution to hospitality.

Simon has most recently appeared on the BBC 2 produced worldwide hit programme ‘Dragons’ Den’ as one of the formidable panelists, who make or break the dreams of would-be entrepreneurs as they pitch their business ideas for financing. Simon has also featured on Discovery TV’s VIP Weekends with Ian Wright, ITV’s Homes & Property and ITV’s The Millionaire’s Club.

As a result of being asked to share the story of his entrepreneurial success, Simon has developed a strong reputation on the UK and international public speaking circuit. Simon speaks openly, avoiding business clichés and audiences find his story extremely inspiring and a catalyst for their own endeavours, be they in a large corporate setting or working at a start-up level.

Simon is developing new YO! brands including YOTEL, the world’s most revolutionary hotel that opened at both Heathrow and Gatwick airports, London 2007. Plus there is YO! Zone, part spa, part café, part bar and part nightclub; and YO! How, an online support community for budding entrepreneurs. 

Simon’s speeches are always inspiring and practical – really solid, down to earth content, which are tangible and useable. Simon avoids clichés and business jargon completely and rather than arguing a case, he talks about topics from his own experience, so influencing the listener at an emotional level. Underlying each speech runs “Simon’s story” - an inspirational tale of changing fortunes in several businesses.
 
“I came in feeling tired. I went out thinking about the future”
Business Link - Worcester