Hello, I'm Damien Pestell from Be Your Business and welcome to this episode of HIP Biz where I speak to local business owners about how they have created a successful business they love, what matters most to them and what they have learnt on their journey so far.

This week I speak with Tim B’Vard who runs the fabulous Bavard Bar, a regular event on the south coast which combines Tim’s love of nonsense with stories from local residents about anything they choose.

In this episode I find out about Tim’s journey from the courtroom to the stage and his ongoing search for freedom throughout his career.

Tim shares how his early life was influenced by a love of comedy, which he was introduced to by his dad, who he would go to see in various shows. He talks about how on his 21st birthday he received Edward Lear’s Book of Nonsense with a personal note, “Always keep a bit of nonsense in your life!”, and how it would prove to be prophetic.

He discusses seeking freedom in his life and career, but pragmatically chose to make his legal career work for him and sought areas which could give him more autonomy.

He shares finding liberation in the form of standing up and speaking, first as a trainer to graduates embarking on a legal career and then spending more time in the courtroom instead of the office.

Finally we explore how he created The Bavard Bar. That he initally searched for space above pubs with his daughter but realised he didn’t even have a name or a pitch. His daughter suggested the name and he scribbled the idea down on a bit of paper - He confessed he had no business plan or idea of what the business was “I just did it!”