As we say goodbye to December and 2024 as a whole, the co-owner of Clive Christian Interiors explains what drives him professionally, and reveals what he learned from his past as a professional chauffeur…
When people outside the industry ask what I do I say…
We turn people’s dreams into reality by creating bespoke joinery for every room in the home. I’m always very conscious of how I explain this to people. I’m acutely aware that the incredible craftsmanship that makes this business what it is has absolutely nothing to do with me – it is purely down to the incredibly talented team around me.
The thing people might not know about me is…
When I was around 21 years old, I set up a chauffeur business and spent most of my days and nights driving to and from airports. While it didn’t turn out to be the most fulfilling endeavour for me personally, I learnt some incredible lessons in business that I carry with me to this day.
If I was in charge of this industry I would…
Ensure that we do everything possible to protect the skills and experience we have available within our industry. There is a huge skills shortage and the ability to pass on time honoured skills and practices is becoming increasingly more difficult.
What I love most about my job is…
Meeting new people – it’s something I’ve always loved. I’m in a fortunate position where I get to meet with new people all the time, and hearing everyone’s individual stories fascinates me.
The industry person I most admire is…
My Father, Steve Cole. I joined the KBB industry because of him and was given the opportunity to join his business (Perrin & Rowe) where I stayed for 10 years. He put his neck on the line and risked everything to save a pioneering KBB business, and more importantly, its employees. He worked relentlessly every day to ensure its future was secured. He continues to inspire me professionally and personally on a daily basis.
I wish this industry would talk more about…
Sustainability. While it’s definitely something the KBB industry is already discussing, it always needs to remain at the forefront of our collective mindset. As an industry that often prides itself on the usage of a natural product, we have a duty of care to remain sustainable and give back to the environment.
My proudest professional achievement would be….
Having the opportunity to become co-owner of Clive Christian Interiors in 2022. It was a situation that arose rather quickly, and there were significant complexities involved, but the opportunity to become a custodian of this brand is something I will forever be proud of.
A professional mistake I’ve learned from is…
God, I’ve made so many, and I’ll likely to continue to make them in the future too. Probably the biggest is realising that you can’t do everything on your own.
In ten years time I will be…
Hopefully, still here! WhileI would be lying if I said everyday goes swimmingly, I absolutely love what I do and really feel like I’m only just getting started. To have this business and the artisans that work within it is incredibly rare, and it is not lost on me.
If I could go back to the day I started in this industry, I would tell myself…
Listen to everyone, learn at every opportunity (because you don’t know it all), but don’t be afraid to share your ideas too. I’d also tell myself to take the risks that instinctively feel right.
I dance in my kitchen to…
Anything my wife and or kids are playing, which is normally American country music. On Saturday mornings, we always cook pancakes as a family, which normally ends in some out-of-tune singing and dancing.
The song I always sing in the shower is…
I rarely sing, because not even my ears want to hear it! Lately it would probably be something by Teddy Swims.