Rising star: Rini Vanchhawng | INTERVIEW
One of Vanchhawng’s
projects designed during her time at Anthony Mullan Furniture
Design by Vanchhawng at CGI Monkey
An open-plan concept for a client while Vanchhawng worked at Anthony Mullan Furniture
comes out in her attitude towards customer service. Her customers are the top priority for Vanchhawng. So it didn’t matter if there was a query out of hours, she would always respond to them immediately.
She explains: “My colleagues sometimes ask me, ‘How do I keep things so upbeat?’ I say that it is because the work that I do excites me. So I am more than happy to do it. “Design is a part of me, and it is something that I love doing. So, I don’t care whether it is hard work or gruelling or tough, because it is a part of me, it is right up my street, and it is something that I enjoy.
“So, I don’t care if it is hard work, because it just makes the next thing easier, and it will propel me.”
More rising stars Vanchhawng won the inaugural Rising Star Award at the kbbreview Retail & Design Awards 2022.
The award, which was sponsored by Quooker, was introduced as a way to encourage young people in the KBB industry and recognise the contributions they make.
One solution to the ongoing recruitment crisis is to attract more young people into the industry. So, how does Vanchhawng believe we should go about bringing in fresh faces to the sector?
She says: “People should give younger people a chance and not
June 2022 ·
always ask for years of experience, as people can’t get that. It is more of a case that if you are hungry for it, and excited to push forward, that will be the most powerful thing to boost the company. “You can’t change a person, deep down – their values and morals. That is just how they are. You just have to learn to adapt and understand people and play to their strengths.”
She believes most young people do not consider the KBB industry as it is not widely suggested as a career path by schools and universities. However, Vanchhawng believes this is doing the industry a disservice as there is more to it than just design. “To inspire people to join the
industry, you should show the joys of the industry,” suggests Vanchhawng. “It is all well and good saying ‘go design a kitchen’.
“But people don’t understand what’s involved with that. They don’t see the background, the excitement to be part of an industry that is swift-moving. Who’d have thought we would have hot water taps and extractor hobs? It is just amazing.” Vanchhawng’s enthusiasm for the
industry always comes back to people as every kitchen, she says, has a person at its centre.
“Kitchens are not just a room anymore,” she adds. “You are changing the space – looking at people’s lifestyles, families, and
emotional connections. Designers should try to give their customers great feelings and memories from the time they spend in their kitchens.” When hiring young people, especially interns, Vanchhawng has some advice for retailers.
“Some interns don’t have a good opportunity. When you employ younger people, you need to get them involved and interested in the work. You need to give a good range of tools. They will have a thirst for knowledge – so you don’t want them running around making teas and coffees. People want to get stuck in.” Thanks in part to her enthusiasm, Anthony Mullan Furniture has taken on a lot of Vanchhawng’s suggestions. “It doesn’t matter where you are in the business,” she explains. “If you are looking at things with a fresh perspective, they can give you an insight on how to improve things or make them more efficient. It is a case
A traditional design by Vanchhawng at CGI Monkey
Rini Vanchhawng
of listening and being open-minded.” Still with a passion for design,
Vanchhawng has recently moved from Anthony Mullan Furniture after she relocated to Scotland.
She now works remotely for CAD company CGI Monkey, creating hyper- realistic kitchen renders and designs. In his submission for the Rising Star
Award, Anthony Mullan Furniture managing director Anthony Mullan said of Vanchhawng: “Rini has worked her way up to sales and design manager. She’s really taken the role as her own and is looking at ways to boost the company forward. “She’s not afraid to put her ideas
forward and fight for anything she thinks is right.”
Mullan adds: “She has a positive, can-do attitude and is a true lover of design. Her commitment to her clients is second to none. She works all hours without complaint in order to get the job done.”
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