Role: Director
Company: Stamp Promotions
Track Record: ‘Find a job that you really enjoy, life is too short to spend your days doing something you hate,’ she says.
What does your job involve?
As co-founder of Stamp Promotions, I do a little bit of everything!
We are based in Holywood and supply quality printed promotional products from pens and mugs to mouse mats, key rings, t-shirts – basically anything that you can brand, we can supply.
We have clients all over the mainland UK and Ireland and fulfil orders of all sizes from small start-up firms to large PLCS and blue-chip companies.
I oversee the day to day running of the company, updating our website (www.stamppromotions.co.uk) as new products are sourced and launched, as well as generating regular new business. I look after key accounts, the administration, social media and credit control.
What sort of qualities do you need to do your job successfully?
You need to be meticulous when it comes to the administration. Attention to details is paramount – so I’m always checking order details and artwork over and over.
You also need to be very organised; there can be a lot going on at once, so I have a great system in place that helps me keep on top of everything.
And simply – being helpful. I go out of my way to help my clients find the right products for them, I supply visuals and samples where needed. We pride ourselves on our customer service at Stamp Promotions, and have had lots of positive feedback so far about it.
Is it 9 – 5?
Generally, yes. The majority of what I do can only be carried out during working hours, so trying to squeeze it all in during 9 – 5pm can be tough. But I am happy at that because I would rather work over my lunch break than work late, so I get to spend some quality time with my daughter before she goes to bed.
How did you get into this line of work?
I have always worked in sales; previously I was in a very target driven role for a promotional merchandise company for four years before going off on maternity to have my daughter.
It was after being off for so long that is when I decided to start up my own company and then in January 2012 Stamp Promotions was co-founded with my business partner Andrea Martin.
Qualifications & Training
I studied HND Travel & Tourism in Newcastle upon Tyne, then graduated with a BA Tourism Management from Napier University, Edinburgh. I have always worked in sales throughout my career, and really enjoy it.
Outline your career to date
As I studied tourism I always thought I would end up in the hospitality industry. I worked in a ski resort in France for a season after university but ended up with a career in sales roles after that.
For a couple of years I worked as a nutritional consultant for a health company promoting the GI diet.
I have been in the promotional merchandise and corporate gifts industry for over five years now. The highlight of my career is definitely setting up Stamp Promotions, it has been hard work but well worth it.
What qualities are required for your job?
You have to be organised, driven, and passionate – and determined to succeed.
When Andrea and I were setting up Stamp, we sat down and decided that we wanted to offer a first-class service delivered with complete integrity and always a friendly non-aggressive approach.
We always strive to go the extra mile for our clients, searching for the weird and wonderful products that aren’t available from other companies in our industry – it is vital to be unique and stand out from the crowd.
What do you like most about your job?
I love the fact that no two days are the same. I am often asked to supply bespoke and unusual branded promotional items, and I love the challenge of sourcing new products – we work with partners all over the world to insure we have the latest, best quality products available.
Recently I was asked for doggy life jackets branded with a company logo, which was a new one to me.
Where is the most interesting place your job has ever taken you?
So far with Stamp Promotions we have only travelled as far as Dublin and Birmingham. We always attend trade shows to keep in touch with our current suppliers, to source new suppliers and the latest promotional gifts on the market.
However, we are planning to visit the Canton Fair in China which will be an amazing trip and an excellent way to make new contacts in the Far East.
How do you feel the promotions industry is performing in general?
The British Promotional Merchandise Association (BPMA) found the whole industry in the UK and Ireland is worth £715 million – which is huge.
Promotional Product Distributor (PPD) who carried out a recent survey on the industry found that spend on promotional merchandise in 2012 is increasing or remaining stable in comparison to 2011.
Among the reasons for marketers using promotional merchandise were that it ‘targets customers effectively’, the ‘brand message lasts longer’ and its ‘ability to create loyalty’ as well as it being ‘an excellent way of getting the clients attention.’ These results certainly mirror what we are finding.
What is the best advice you have ever received?
My husband gave me great advice when the idea of setting up Stamp Promotions was just a pipe dream. He said: “You will never know unless you try, do what makes you happy.”
I am glad I listened to his advice, it was definitely the right decision, and I have not looked back since. Michael has been a very supportive, and he is proud at how well we have done in our first year.
What do you like to do in your spare time?
I love snowboarding and wakeboarding but they are seasonal and unfortunately I don’t get the chance to do them very often. Generally my spare time is spent with family and friends – I love a good party and am usually one of the last to leave.
Tell us something interesting about yourself?
I have been teaching myself how to speak Spanish through an online course whenever I get a chance (which isn’t very often).
We normally go on family holidays to the Balearic Islands and I have always wanted to be able to speak the local language.
I am also taking up a photography course – my husband kindly bought me an SLR camera recently, and I want to get the best use out of it.
Who has inspired you most in your life?
My parents. My dad is retired now but was a very successful businessman running a large private company for many years. I hope to follow his success with Stamp Promotions. Both my mum and dad have always been very encouraging and supportive of me throughout my career, and always give me good advice when I’m making key decisions.
What career advice would you give somebody?
Find a job that you really enjoy, life is too short to spend your days doing something you hate. I love doing what I do, and pleasing our clients – that really helps when getting out of bed in the morning!