Every now and then, you get to meet someone who is a true inspiration and a catalyst for something positive in life. For me, meeting those people encouraged me to launch Lavandi Talent. Let me explain…
I am from a small town called Ballymoney on the North coast of Northern Ireland. I am the eldest of 6 brothers and sisters. I went to Dalriada Grammar school and after my A levels there, I moved to Belfast for a few years before moving to Leeds to complete a Business Degree at University.
My goal has always been to set up and run a successful business. This has been a dream of mine since studying Business Management, Marketing and Accountancy at Leeds Trinity University.
After University I went straight into the world of recruitment. I had a very successful first few years winning newcomer of the year in the first year, then going on to break company records and to win consultant of the year in my second year. In my third year I moved to another business, hired by my then manager Andy Banks. My role there was to set up and manage a beauty and personal care team and in my first year I successfully smashed my first year target, before bringing on two new consultants to manage.
So, how did I get from there to where I am now with Lavandi Talent?
2019 was an incredibly difficult year. Early in the year one of my closest and greatest friends took their own life. This person had introduced me to my first ever recruitment job, he was my trainer in my first recruitment role and became a massive part of my life and someone I loved very much. We stayed the very best of friends, speaking every week up until the week he took his life. I still miss Steve very much.
Andy, who was not only another of my best friends, but also my Manager at the time I got the call with the news. He was the first person I confided in when my friend Steve took his life. Andy has had his own personal experiences having lost his brother to suicide, so he was patient and a real guiding light at an incredibly difficult time! He has been my greatest friend ever since then and he has taught me so much about an industry we both love.
Andy and I had made the decision to make 2020 a better year and start a business together and Lavandi Talent was launched. A specialist recruitment agency for the FMCG, Beauty/Cosmetics, Personal Care, Wellness and Ingredients industries focused on recruiting permanent and interim talent.
I am very excited to have set up Lavandi Talent with one of my best friends, and I am very optimistic for our future. I am looking forward to taking all of the skills I have been taught by both Steve and Andy and using them to create what I hope will be a successful and enjoyable venture.
