Small businesses have endless to-do lists. From meeting with clients and developing products to monitoring accounts, securing finances and planning for growth – they are non-stop seasons of action.
Such a hectic schedule means that some things are non-negotiable, which is often the case with a company car. After all, that car does more than cope with the daily commute, so reliability, connectivity, space and value for money are close to the top of that list of must-haves.
Here, two small business founders, Joline Stevens and Patrick Southwell, explain how integral their cars have become to their daily roles and responsibilities.
‘I practically live in that car and I really need space’
A gazebo, weights, marketing materials and stacks of boxes of her products: Joline Stevens doesn’t travel light with her sustainable skincare brand. Clementine foam. But his life has been much easier since he bought a Skoda Kodiaq. “I practically live in that car and I really need space,” he says.
“I pack for markets, I deliver to several retailers in a day; It’s a really spacious car, but I don’t feel like I’m driving a car that size. I went to Chiswick Flower Market in London a few weeks ago and needed to fill some small spaces. The connectivity features are great too. My car and my phone are pretty much all I need to run the business day to day.”
As well as being the practical choice for Clementine Suds, the Kodiaq has also proven to be a reliable family car. Last year, Stevens and her husband traveled to northern Spain on a summer road trip with their five-year-old son, 11-year-old daughter, and their dog, a golden doodle named Hattie. “It’s still comfortable and spacious, even when you spend so many hours there with the kids and all their stuff,” he says.
Before starting his own business, Stevens, who lives in Hertfordshire, had a long career in business development, working for companies such as Warner Brothers and BT. In 2019, she became interested in manufacturing skincare products, seeing it as a way to use natural ingredients and minimize her plastic consumption. Ultimately, he decided to quit his job and focus on the business full time. “I wanted to do something more meaningful,” he says.
The brand specializes in solid skincare products, such as soaps and bubble bath bars, shampoo bars and moisturizing balms, and has already been nominated for a “free from” skincare award.
She attributes much of her early success to her ability to talk to customers face-to-face and gather feedback in real time. The markets, in particular, have given him confidence that people love his products. “I am proud of the community we are building. It’s a very difficult retail environment right now. That face-to-face time gives me confidence that there are people who care about what I’m trying to do,” he says.
Now available with a plug-in hybrid powertrain capable of up to 75 miles purely electric, the new Kodiaq, introduced in 2024, is arguably better positioned than ever to support business owners like Stevens.
“The car has become a source of ideas, planning and learning”
Patrick Southwell has become a strong advocate for remote work since his co-founding. Five not 10a PR agency, in 2021. While based in Bristol, its co-founder is based in Reading, with other team members in Southampton, the Midlands and Prague. Despite the distance, the 10-person team meets for brainstorming and co-working sessions a couple of times a month. “We think it’s a really vital opportunity to build relationships and our culture,” Southwell says.
The key to making this happen is Škoda Karoq Sportline – the automatic 4×4 he bought at the end of 2023. “The car has become a kind of hot box of ideas, planning and learning for me and the team,” he says.
“One of my juniors also lives in Bristol so I often take her (to meetings). Once we’re in the car, it becomes an informal workspace. You could come to me with a little challenge and ask me for advice, or tell me about the work you’re doing, which is really helpful to me. It is unusual for a young person to have so much time with a business owner, but I am still learning a lot from her.”
Southwell had done a lot of research before choosing the Karoq which, along with a host of advanced technologies as standard, offers plenty of space. And space was at a premium: He and his wife have two tall teenage sons who constantly need an elevator for themselves and their friends. But he also had other demands. “I wanted something that looked good, wasn’t too big, and was practical enough to withstand the wear and tear of everyday life,” he says.
“I liked the Škoda bodywork (it’s very sleek and modern looking) and I thought it looked really good under the hood. The technology is excellent and the price was good compared to other brands. “I feel like I’m getting more for my money in terms of extras and upgrades.”
In addition to the car’s panoramic sunroof, Southwell says his favorite feature is the MyŠkoda app. “We live in the city and I can never park outside my house, so the app is useful for keeping an eye on the car. With it you can see where the car is parked, if it is locked (and lock it if not), if the windows are closed and even if you have left the lights on,” he says. “My kids think it’s a nice car and they like the charging ports in the back. “It has everything I need from a business and family perspective.”
To explore the new Kodiaq and book a test drive, visit the Škoda website