As a young company, inevitably this question comes up with clients: "How do we know you guys will still be around in a few years time?" Initially, I was taken aback by this question and often I'd mumble my way through an answer, throwing in the usual cliches about forming long-term partnerships. I never imagined they'd be interested in knowing why I really thought we'd be around for the long haul. Turns out I was mistaken.

From a young age I knew I wanted to run my own business one day. So when I turned 30, I gave up a wonderful job and a good salary, in a company I enjoyed working for, to run Asilia full time (up until then it was a side project). I had several reasons for doing this, many of which are not dissimilar from those of other entrepreneurs - flexibility, being your own boss, etc. But one that was foremost in my mind was building something for my kids. Not just something that they would one day inherit when I was grey and old, but one that they would work in during school holidays, intern in while at college and hopefully one day join full time.

Now, I'm not naive. My daughter may never want to work at Asilia - she's free to chart her own path in life. But it is possible she might. And if she does, I'd like it to be a company that I'd be happy for her to work in - in any position. Thinking this way has had profound consequences - it is not only at the back of my mind when we are setting the company's strategy and policies, but also a stabilising force during the ups and downs of business: When times are tough and it is tempting to give up; when times are good and it is tempting to get carried away and get careless.

I'd be lying if I said that thinking this way is always at the forefront of my mind, but every now and then I remember what it is I'm aiming for. And it helps reset my bearings if I've lost my way.

These days when clients wonder whether we intend to still be around in a few years time, I reply, referring to my daughter: "One day she'll work in this place."