I grew up in Melbourne, Australia in the 70’s. I actually always dreamed of being a business woman and doing something exciting and wearing gorgeous clothes but that’s as far as my plans went. I studied Music at university and majored in piano so really probably not off to the most appropriate start for my dreams…. My first job was as a part time Saturday Girl in a beautiful homeware store called Match Box, I was paid $24 a week which was equivalent at the time to about £12 and my first purchase was actually a photo frame which I only remembered the other day so that was rather prophetic!

We tend to work from our home office 3 days a week and 2 days at our Parson’s Green office although each week is slightly different depending on what is going on. Typically, I’m clearing my emails first thing, always with coffee! And then there might be a couple of zoom meetings with our analytics team, planning emails, tweaking our facebook ads and approving creative for social media. After that there are usually designs to work on with David, photo shoots to plan and PR campaigns to work on with our marketing team. David and I always stop for lunch together, a quick chat and a catch up on each other’s mornings and then back to our desks or off to a few meetings. I try to squeeze in a one hour walk with Boris our Tibetan Terrier sometime in the afternoon and finish by 6pm if I can.

Many years ago we were asked to supply Marks & Spencer with marquetry frames, they placed what we thought at the time was a ridiculously enormous order for £120,000 however when we went back in for a follow up meeting, we were interrupted by the merchandiser rushing in to say he had good news and bad news, the good news was it had gone “bulk” which meant a re order of £1,000,000, the bad news was that they needed the stock immediately! We were speechless, and promptly got in our car and burst into tears! It was this order which allowed us to build our current factory up in Northumberland. However, I must say these days we are more excited about our business and the future than ever before.

I always make an effort even if I’m working from home as I feel ready for anything once I’ve made an effort. Having said that I’m fairly casual, it’s usually a pretty top and smart jeans or trousers. I wear more dresses in summer. When we ‘re at trade fairs, I up my game, my default comfort zone is navy although recently I’ve been trying to wear lighter colours when we’re filming as I think it’s more flattering and doesn’t drain my face.