MELANIE Russell set up Outside in Garden Rooms after installing a room for her daughter to play her drums. With turnover nearing £300,000 in the first full year of trading, Russell is planning to expand into off-grid garden rooms for the glamping market.
Name: Melanie Russell
Age: 47
Position: founder
WHAT IS THE BUSINESS CALLED?
Outside in Garden Rooms
WHERE IS IT BASED?
Glasgow
WHY DID YOU SET UP THE BUSINESS?
I TOOK a complete career change from working at a digital agency for 18 years. I took a year out doing house refurbishment loosely affiliated with the construction sector. I loved being in the garden and found a market in Scotland but there are not many suppliers up here.
I did an intense six-month period of research, product development, making a prototype and developing material. The prototype was my garden in the west end as a drum studio for my nine-year-old.
We have never received investment. It has only had my own money put into it. I couldn’t see myself doing anything else or going back to being an employee. I work with two full-time joiners and an apprentice.
WHAT IS YOUR TARGET MARKET?
IN my head it was a high-end target market, people with big houses in the suburbs, but my first three jobs were different – semi-detached inner city homes and that has continued. Lots are in new-build estates. It’s an interesting target.
We’ve had a great response from people. They say it has freed up space in the house and has given kids more space.
The majority of people use it as a home office to free up the dining room table or spare bedroom.
HOW IS IT DIFFERENT FROM COMPETING BUSINESSES?
WHEN I first set it up there was really only one other company doing this and they were slightly high-end with slate roofs. I was fairly on my own when I set up as I built rooms to order in Glasgow. It’s very customisable.
For the other businesses they buy [garden houses] down south and deliver locally but we build to order in Glasgow. The odd joiner will develop a garden room from scratch here. For us the construction methodology is the same.
I’m a female in a very male-dominated world. I very rarely come across other women in my dealings with suppliers.
It hasn’t been an issue and lots of my clients are female so they warm to me. With my background working in marketing and design I’m not like an aggressive double- glazing salesman.
IS SCOTLAND A GOOD PLACE FOR THIS TYPE OF BUSINESS?
DEFINITELY. It’s the conservatory of 30 years ago. Due to the way we build the garden rooms they are insulated and can be used all year round – you couldn’t sit in a summer house in December. People get usage out of the space with double glazing. No planning permission is needed and it is quick to put up. It’s an inexpensive investment.
WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT RUNNING THE BUSINESS?
EVERY day is a challenge. I started transporting rooms to clients’ sites. It’s fascinating as every site is different. It has been a huge learning curve for me.
WHERE DO YOU HOPE THE BUSINESS WILL BE IN 10 YEARS’ TIME?
WE have formed an association with a hot tub manufacturer to develop a joint product – my garden room with a hot tub under the canopy. I’ve also been looking into one with a sauna in it. I would like to expand into off grid garden rooms for the glamping market. I need to find a practical solution to solar or wind power so it can be in the middle of nowhere.
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