Listen to the full interview with Mariam on a special Rising Star episode of The kbbreview Podcast using the player at the bottom of this post or going straight to it in Apple Podcasts, Spotify or YouTube. Alternatively, simply search ‘kbbreview’ wherever you get your podcasts.

Originally trained as an architect, Mariam has certainly earned her place in the KBB sector – so much so that she’s already been promoted twice in just a year at Simply Bathrooms.

“I was very clear with myself that I didn’t want just any job,” she explains. “I wanted something very creative and technical – something I genuinely enjoy, because we spend a lot of time in our life at work.”

After graduating and working as a junior architect in India, Mariam relocated to the UK determined to find a role that made the most of her training and her passion for design. She spent several months refining her portfolio before spotting a design assistant vacancy at Simply Bathrooms.

“I looked at their website and projects, which were so good, and it’s like something clicked for me,” she recalls. “The attention to detail, the quality of the designs, the way they go through the spaces – it was amazing.”

Despite having no direct experience in bathroom design, Mariam felt sure her architectural background would translate. And she clearly impressed the team in the interview, because she ended up being offered the role the very same day. 

Mariam joined Simply Bathrooms as a design assistant, supporting the senior team with administrative and design tasks. However, it wasn’t long before she was promoted to trainee designer, before stepping up again to junior designer, all within her first 12 months.

“I dedicated myself to the work,” she says. “I was very curious about learning, and the support from my team really made that possible.”

Fast forward to today, and her role is both creative and highly technical. A typical day might involve producing detailed bathroom designs, creating installation briefs, checking technical specifications, or supporting project managers and installation teams.

Mariam also works closely with director Sophie Harrold on complex design concepts, ensuring everything is coordinated well before the installation begins. 

“I try to see things from both the installer’s perspective, and from the customer’s perspective,” she says. “What would they need to understand? What details are important? I always think like that when I’m preparing briefs.”

Mariam even keeps a diary to log mistakes and lessons learned. “I record what needs to be cross-checked and what I should do differently next time,” she explains. “Every day is a new learning for me.”

Outside of just her core design role, Mariam has also played a key part in Simply Bathrooms’ extensive rebrand, contributing to website design using her advanced Photoshop and rendering skills.

With direction from Sophie Harrold, Mariam designed the studio’s new webpage layouts, liaising with the web development team to bring the refresh to life, frankly, going above and beyond to make sure the job was done properly.

Now firmly part of the Simply Bathrooms team, Mariam describes the business as a second family. “Moving countries and changing industries wasn’t easy,” she concludes. “So being nominated for Rising Star means everything. It really makes me feel valued.”

Listen to the full interview with Mariam Susan Joseph using the player below