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Im 47 years old, live in Romford, with my children Lavinia 15 and Cameron 13.
Abbey Antiques dates back to 8 family generations. Great great grandfather Herman set it up in the early 1900s. He was a cabinetmaker and moved to the UK with his son, my great grandfather, Arthur, who became a respected cabinetmaker in Hackney, London. The business was passed down to my granddad, Eric, who expanded into selling antiques, exporting to America and Europe. Business was booming when my mum Anne and dad Eric took over in 1970. They had 100 staff, a big factory, showrooms but everything changed after the terrorist attacks on the Twin Towers NY. The economic impact affected businesses all over the world, including ours.
I was working as a PA in London, my life was glamorous, I was often out at some swanky bar after work a world away from the industrial estate and sawdust covered floor at Abbey. Dad passed away at 40, so Mum and my brother, Lee, were running the business. I had no idea they were struggling until I went home and Mum broke down. “We have no money left,” she sobbed. “We have to fold the business.” Suddenly, I realised how important my heritage was, I vowed I’d do all I could to help. It was hard leaving my life in London, but my family needed me. In Oct 2001 I took over the day-to-day running of Abbey. We couldn’t even afford a computer, so I had to use a typewriter to send out letters to potential clients.
There was no money in antiques, but we could repair almost any kind of furniture. I came up with the idea of offering removal firms our services, repairing damaged items. We then began working with insurance companies. Before long, profits began rolling in. We now have a large client database mostly working alongside Loss Adjusters and Disaster Recovery companies dealing with fire, flood and accidental claims. 22 years on and we have an annual turnover of £750,000. I’m proud I took over the business and I want to pass it down to my children.
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