John Place

In 2012 I set up Place Design Kitchens & interiors as a VAT registered sole trader and have therefore been entirely responsible for the following.

• Building a successful high quality and well reviewed business from scratch. (The business has 46 reviews on Houzz and is 5 star rated).
• Designing and selling truly bespoke kitchens from suppliers such as Davonport, Made in Ply and modular ones from Pronorm and Schuller with values ranging from £15k up to well over £80k plus VAT.
• Ensuring standards of customer service I work to are consistently adhered to by all suppliers and installation teams. This has been key to building the business ensuring every clients expectations are exceeded.
• Being very design focussed I have used bespoke design solutions to gain client interest and win conversions (mainly using Winner CAD program with plans and 3D renders).
• Confirming and ordering all necessary furniture, worktops and appliances for each project.
• Scheduling installations and deliveries and project managing from start to completion.
• Promoted company using social media to increase brand awareness and gain new business.
• Regularly updated and maintained website with high quality photographs and descriptions of recent projects to stay current and on trend.
• Monitored accounts, invoicing and all payments using Quikbooks software.

Worked as one of two designers for Moneyhill Interiors selling brands such as Brookmans furniture, Davonport and Pronorm.

• Regularly sold over £450k per annum in fitted furniture and kitchens.
• Designed using CAD system Planit but also some Autocad for bespoke projects.
• Responsible for own clients from initial contact through to final completion of project.
• Consistently met targets and had high conversion rates due to well thought through and inventive designs.

Where I learnt the skills of designing and selling to high net worth clients.

• Sold Poggenpohl, Leicht and Arclinea kitchens and bathrooms with Hansgrohe, Villeroy & Boch etc.
• Consistently met sales targets of up to 500k pa
• Demonstrated proficiency in utilising CAD software for innovative designs.
• Focussed on bespoke design solutions to catch clients attention and increase conversion rate.