p06 BKU-DEC21 AWARDS SUPP_bku 09/12/2021 11:02 Page 6
Awards Supplement
Lifetime Achievement Interview – Diane Berry
What does winning this award mean to you?
“Winning this award means so much as sometimes you feel like you have been working so hard and no one sees you properly. I know the industry is full of people like me who started at the bottom as a teenager but have worked tirelessly ever since. So this is to all of us, as we make so much happen and rarely get recognised for the work we do, please keep up the great work, stay honest and take care of your team and clients”.
How did you begin your career within the industry?
“I started working for my father in 1980 I was sixteen almost seventeen and luckily for me he recognised that I had the right ability and mind set to succeed in this business (all I wanted was the Vauxhall Chevette and driving lessons!) So, he started me at the bottom learning about plumbing, heating electrics, plastering etc, he had me brewing up and sweeping up on building sites and taught me how as a designer you needed to understand how houses were constructed. At the time I don’t really think I appreciated how good he was to get me learning everything, I went on courses for solid fuel and air conditioning as well as design and lighting. I moved on from my father when I was in my early twenties and worked for some very challenging men before I took the plunge to open my own business in 2002”.
What would you say has been your key to success, and what advice would you give to someone looking to start their own business?
“The key to my success is knowledge, passion and caring about people (and animals come to think of it) I love this business and I truly don’t think that the
passion has ever subsided it truly feels like it is in my blood, I also love taking care of people, striving to create the best home for my clients and a happy environment for my team. All the time I have been working it is clear that if you take care of your clients they come back and recommend you so what’s not to like about doing your very best for everyone, it puts us in a win, win situation. So, my advice is always the same; do your very best, be honest and caring and you can’t go to wrong. We have a saying…’ Every day is a school
day’ so keep learning as we never know it all and we will all just get better and better at what we do”.
What would you say has been your greatest achievement?
“My greatest achievement is building a great team around me and between us we have created one of the most outstanding kitchen studios in the country. It is a joy to walk into the building and to be greeted by such happy professional people. I feel absolute joy when I am sat working and can hear belly laughs in the studio form my team. I am so attached to them all and hope that the continued success we have is reflected on them too as I really could not achieve all I have without them”.
What does the future hold for Diane Berry Kitchens ltd, and for yourself?
“The future of Diane Berry Kitchens is to keep doing what we do, one day I may slow down a little but whilst I have the energy and passion you will always find me here and growing a great team to continue the business for many, many years to come. I would also love to teach as so few people seem to share their knowledge as they see it as competition, so I would love to find a way to teach maybe an open day each month for designers to visit and simply brainstorm a project for an hour. It can really help to have someone to bounce our thoughts off so maybe I could do this if people wanted it. So now I am in my 41st year it is aiming for the 50th that will be fun and hopefully I am alive and kicking to tell my stories of our industry as lots of funny stories to tell”.
6 BKU DECEMBER 2021 AWARDS SUPPLEMENT
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