What is your name and where do you work?
Maria Jenkins and I am co-director of Barbourne Brook, a Customs Duty Consultancy
How long have you been a member of The Kiln?
About 18 months.
What’s a piece of advice you live by when it comes to work?
Try to find some balance, it’s so easy to become consumed by your own business because it means so much. Become OK with the fact that you won’t get everything done today, and it will still be there tomorrow!
What drew you to The Kiln and made you want to become a member?
I had had enough of working from home through the pandemic and just needed a new space. It worked well from the get-go and we have a number of people working for us, based in different parts of the country, so it works well when they are in the office too.
Where is your favourite place to work in the kiln?
I quite like upstairs, there is more going on downstairs so it depends how I am feeling and what I need to get done. If I need to concentrate, I put my ear plugs in with some music and I can focus quite well that way wherever I am.
How would people describe you best?
I dread to think! I don’t think people get a handle on me easily, but I’m often described as someone who says what’s on her mind!
What is your favourite Kiln perk?
I can bring my four-legged friends to work if I want to.
What are you working on at the moment?
We are a small business with ambitious growth plans so that’s the focus, as well as launching a software solution which is new to us so a steep learning curve.
How would you describe The Kiln in 10 words?
Cool, friendly, warm, comfortable, flexible, supportive, fun, motivating, good energy, contemporary
What is the best thing about owning your own business?
I would like to say as a business owner you can choose your own direction, but things don’t always work that way. So maybe taking pride in seeing yours and your colleague’s hard work pay off in terms of achieving your goals and developing the business.
What is your favourite thing about working at The Kiln?
It’s warm and it has chocolate!
Where is your favourite place to grab mid-work lunch?
Papa’s Café on New Street.
What would you say to anyone unsure whether The Kiln is for them?
Give it a go, don’t feel intimidated. It’s great to have a lovely environment to come to work and be able to focus that is separate from the home office. There are a variety of businesses at The Kiln but you will see there are loads of people who are in the same boat, and everyone is very friendly.