It is hard to believe that it is my 1st anniversary since forming the agency.
After being made redundant I always new that whatever happened I would get back on track, and changing direction and becoming an agent was probably the best choice I could have ever made.
It hasn't been easy by any stretch of the imagination. Starting from scratch and having to purchase the basics like a vehicle, mobile telephone and laptop, it all starts to eat into your savings.
Then there was the small matter of finding companies that wanted representation. I was fortunate, I know a lot of people in the industry, and a few pointed me in the right directions, gave me advice and valuable support.
The agencies I acquired were not established which was another risk, meaning that business has been a slow burner and a gradual build of brand before I started to at least see my expenses being covered.
My customers have been fantastic and very supportive where possible. I have met and fortunate to now be dealing with new people and the agency is now heading in the right direction. I believe I still have another 18 months of hard work and dedication to get the agency to where I will be comfortable. This will include the right mix of products, quality and quantity of accounts needed.
I don't envy anyone who has lost their job through no fault of their own, and particularly if they have been treated as I was by my former employer. You do find yourself going into dark places that you don't want to be in, but I stayed positive, had friends and family supporting me, and had the good fortune of finding good suppliers and loyal customers.
This job isn't for the feint hearted and you never know from 1 month to the next what your earnings are going to be, but it is just fantastic to have the freedom to run your own business how you want and when you want and for meeting such good people on a day to day basis that makes it that much more enjoyable.
Very special thanks goes to Ronan and Helen Boyle of Boyle & Butler who offered me my first agency, the Thornber family at Art of the Loom, Norfolk House Consultants and my great friends in Sweden at Sandberg and Rebel Walls for giving me such great opportunities. And without the good people of the interiors industry who believe and invest in the brands, the agency wouldn't be where it is today, going into the second year in a much healthier position.
Thank you!
John Northwood
