Man in the mirror - More about Ben

Sleigh beds to Curly Wurleys

In this episode Ben talks to the importer of the UK's largest range of high quality, driftwood style, teak root furniture and home accessories. Daniel Unsworth is the owner of Makasi Imports, and started his journey in the world of furniture importing containers of sleigh beds. Ben asks him about: * How he started importing containers of sleigh beds * The complications of importing from Indonesia * Why he's changed from furniture to more accessories * How the high street is struggling * We get to meet Gary the dog! * Why he didn't go to the January Furniture Show * Flyers (and curly whirlys) and why they're better than emails * Daniel's charity work in Indonesia * Why social media is essential for retailers * How a dinosaur bought him some attention * His pick of the best shows LINKS Trade Only Furniture Group [https://www.facebook.com/groups/227161672476624] B Womack Furniture Ltd [https://www.bwomack.co.uk/index.php?route=account/login&SSL] Makasi Imports [https://www.makasiimports.co.uk/] Podcast production by Ginger Wizard Productions [https://www.gingerwizard.co.uk/]

Trampoline - Bouncing on to the scene

Trampoline has been a huge runaway success, and they don't even celebrate their first birthday until next month! The company was created by husband and wife team Abhik Ghosh and Anushka Mahanti. Their roots are in India and inspired them to create a company which sticks closely to the artisan nature of the furniture over there. Abhik joins Ben to talk about: * His route to Trampoline, which included Amazon and Wayfair * How a walk past a café inspired the name * Why innovation and customer experience is at the heart of his firm * How they keep both online and traditional furniture stores happy * Their 450 skews * Quality Control and how they manage it * Vietnam and how their looking to bringing product from there * And why they're not interested in trading in China * India and why it's an untapped resource * His search for a showroom * Video marketing * Are they looking at expanding to other countries? * Issues with copyright LINKS Trade Only Furniture Group [https://www.facebook.com/groups/227161672476624] B Womack Furniture Ltd [https://www.bwomack.co.uk/index.php?route=account/login&SSL] Trampoline [https://trampolinestore.uk/] Podcast production by Ginger Wizard Productions [https://www.gingerwizard.co.uk/]

Is your website working for you?

Your website is the window to your business that people can view from all over the world. But are you doing justice to the amount of stock you could be featuring on there? In this episode we hear from Matthew Fuller, the owner of My Blue Apple. His journey to becoming the owner of this tech company is a long and winding road - full of chance happenings, what seemed like bad luck and good fortune. In this episode Ben finds out: * How he started out in sales, but not in the furniture business * But, as all the best ideas start, it was over a pint he decided to get into the trade * And it was soon decided that he would get into antique pine * Fast forward a few year and pine fell out of favour * Which led to dealing in kitchens * How the 2008 crash had a huge impact on him and the business * But in 2009 he concentrated on the web and his fortunes changed again * A move to Hong Kong meant that he had to move the business out there * Then came along Google shopping * He returned to the UK when his child came along * He then got into data scraping * Which then meant a move to Spain! * However, after one of his main suppliers pulled the plug, he returned to the UK again * On a chance trip past his old furniture store, another landmark moment occurred LINKS Trade Only Furniture Group [https://www.facebook.com/groups/227161672476624] B Womack Furniture Ltd [https://www.bwomack.co.uk/index.php?route=account/login&SSL] My Blue Apple [https://www.myblueapple.co.uk/] Podcast production by Ginger Wizard Productions [https://www.gingerwizard.co.uk/]

Man in the mirror - More about Ben

As we start 2025, the first podcast of the year is a little different.. Today Ben himself is the subject of the show, he's interviewed by the podcast's first guest - Paul Wray! It's a chance to find out more about Ben, how he's got to where he is and listen to some of his top tips. In this episode Paul talks to Ben about: * How Ben started as a market trader at eight! * That it was his aunty that got him into furniture * And how it took off for him * His first shop and how hard it was to get people into it * But how, after 7 years, Facebook helped him reach a new audience * And a huge bit of success * How getting into mirrors was a good move for him * What retailers can do to get themselves out there more in the right way * How will Ben stand out at the January Show * Ben's latest and unique venture * The joys of importing * What Ben does in his spare time * What's next for Ben and where is he thinking of expanding to LINKS Trade Only Furniture Group [https://www.facebook.com/groups/227161672476624] B Womack Furniture Ltd [https://www.bwomack.co.uk/index.php?route=account/login&SSL] Find out more about Paul Wray [https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-wray-79403935/?originalSubdomain=cn] Podcast production by Ginger Wizard Productions [https://www.gingerwizard.co.uk]

From boy to man - The Scottish king of beds

It used to be the norm that leaving school at 15 was just what you did, These days it's a very rare thing. But that's exactly what George Sinclair did.... in 2014. His story is one that highlights what a bit of determination and support from your parents can bring. From a very young age he got the bug of buying and selling, which today has morphed into Nimbus Beds - based in Scotland. In this episode, George chats to Ben about: * How he started as a boy going to car boot sales * He sold his first chest of drawers at just six-years-old! * He left school at 15 and he went to go and work selling beds in Dewsbury * The name Nimbus was picked out of a hat! * He had his first shop at just 15-years-old * George soon got into making deals and taking on staff * He used his age to make a splash in the local media and kick off his marketing * Nimbus is about to open their third store * Spain is now an option for him, where the fabric bed scene is lacking * His view on importing * Marketing and the innovative way in which he gets Nimbus out there * In store is stronger for him than online * They're sticking with beds for now, but there may be more stock coming * He's a busy guy, but he spends his downtime looking after his animals * His thoughts on the January Furniture Show LINKS Trade Only Furniture Group [https://www.facebook.com/groups/227161672476624] B Womack Furniture Ltd [https://www.bwomack.co.uk/index.php?route=account/login&SSL] Nimbus Beds [https://nimbusbeds.co.uk/] Podcast Production by Ginger Wizard Productions [https://www.gingerwizard.co.uk/]