INTERVIEW WITH MAUREEN YOUNG – DIRECTOR - RUTHIN DÉCOR

Interview with Maureen Young – Director - Ruthin Décor

 1)      Who are you and what do you do?

Ruthin Décor is a homeware and DIY shop based in Ruthin, Denbighshire.  My role is buying, especially our homeware range, as well as our website, through which we run an e-commerce operation which has customers all over the UK.  We have expanded greatly over recent years with a move to a large, high street shopfront in the market town of Ruthin, and the development of a homeware range to complement the traditional DIY paint and materials side of the business.

2)      Why is this important to you?

Ruthin Décor is a family business, and I work on it with my husband Nick.  I’ve a background in corporate IT and Accountancy but wanted a lifestyle and business that was more family focused.  It is also really important to get the feedback from happy customers that our advice and products have helped to create beautiful rooms and homes!

3)      What else can we expect from Ruthin Decor this year?

We are going to expand our range of soft furnishings and curtains, as well as creating a new bathroom showroom to complement the tiles we already offer.  We have come a long way – for example we are one of the largest retailers of lighting in North Wales now.  We are following our own intuition and personal vision as well as listening to customer feedback.  Our development of homewares means we have a portfolio of products with higher margins.

4)      What’s the best piece of business advice you have received so far?

Jim Gaffney, of One Planet Adventure, was on my LEAD Wales cohort.  With reference to marketing, he said ‘just go for it, what have you got to lose’.  I took that advice and entered Ruthin Décor into ‘Décor Retailer of the Year’.  We won the award of UK Décor Retailer of the Year in 2014, and again in 2015.  I thought we should give the big boys a chance in 2016!  Jim Gaffney had won the award of ‘Best Bacon Butty in the UK’ for One Planet from ‘BMW Good Food Rides.

5)      Where can we find more about Ruthin Decor?

www.ruthindecor.co.uk or visit us at 51 Well St Ruthin LL15 1AF 01824 702849 

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