As we say goodbye to November, founder of Rehome and ex-display and end of line kitchen specialist, Helen Lord, shares her thoughts on sustainability, success, and Simon Cowell
When people outside the industry ask what I do I say…
I usually take a deep breath, smile, and say ‘Well…. it’s an unusual one. I sell used kitchens’. A puzzled face normally follows, but as you can imagine, it’s always a great conversation starter.
What I love most about my job is…
I know it sounds cliché, but I do love a happy customer. I have worked in sales for most of my career and I have always measured success by how happy my customers are. When customers are happy, they tend to go on to talk about you, and as a professional, I think there’s no better validation than that.
The thing people might not know about me is…
In my first full time job I was working as a butcher. It was the mid 1980s and there was high unemployment and I made a promise to myself I would go out that day and find a job and I walked into Dewhurst the butchers. It was a great job. I loved it, and stayed for a year.
The work story I always tell people to make people laugh is…
When I went to Simon Cowell’s house to survey his Mark Wilkinson kitchen I took a picture of his loo (it was a very nice Thomas Crapper by the way, so it absolutely had to be done).
The industry person I most admire is…
Stephen Johnson, MD of Quooker UK. Come on, the man is a machine!
I wish this industry would talk more about….
Collaboration. We cannot all be experts at everything. Collaboration equals acceleration.
I wish this industry would talk less about…
Nothing actually! I think it’s always good to talk and KBB folks excel!
I know it sounds cliché, but I do love a happy customer!
Helen Lord, founder, RehomeMy biggest professional inspiration is…
The fact that I can help make a difference to the world. Reuse is a win-win for everyone; businesses, customers and the planet. It’s a feel-good business.
My proudest achievement is…
Receiving the Queen’s Award for Sustainability at Buckingham Palace from Prince Charles. It’s a shame my mum wasn’t alive to see it, she would have been beside herself with pride.
One professional mistake I’ve learned from is….
I’ve made many mistakes, but always try to learn from them. However, the biggest mistakes I’ve made are when I go against my gut instinct. Trust the gut!
If I was in charge of this industry I would….
Immediately bring in a great team of people I admire from the industry to work alongside me. There’s no “I” in team.
If I could go back to the day I started in this industry, I would tell myself…
After 12 years in the industry, I am still in love with it. What’s undeniable is the strong sense of camaraderie throughout the independents. It’s not always easy, but you if put yourself out there, there is always someone who will help you.
I dance in my kitchen to…
My daughter makes me playlists to keep me up to date. I love it because she stops me living in the 1980s. Currently it’s DMAs, Taylor Swift, and Blossoms, but I still don’t think you can beat ABBA for a kitchen boogie.
The song I sing in the shower is…
No time to sing! I’m a quick in and out, but I do sing ‘You’re beautiful’ by James Blunt to my dog daily. She loves it!