I was incredibly lucky to begin my UK journey at Sunshine Garden Centre, a gem in North London. The owner, Eamon, along with MD Paul, allowed me the liberty to expand the business with my natural flair for product selection and visual merchandising. The business thrived, earning numerous accolades and awards.
After 13 years at Sunshine, I took the opportunity to join Notcutts, a group with 18 garden centres, as the Head of Visual Merchandising. Over five years, I contributed to a significant rebranding and the comprehensive refurbishment of all sites. Subsequently, I was promoted to Category Head for Furniture and Christmas, sourcing innovative products from Far East trade fairs.
Later, I transitioned to the renowned Blue Diamond group, which boasts 45 garden centres. Initially hired as a Creative Retail Enrichment Manager, I eventually took over as Category Manager for Outdoor Leisure and Christmas.