Once in a very long while, you might meet someone who appears to be in exactly the right place, with exactly the right people, doing exactly the right job; you’ll realise that’s more than success bouncing around them, it’s contentment, satisfaction, and yes, an open heart.
Last week, I went to meet Chris Willis and Matt Irwin of Envisage Furniture. Matt was busy at that time, but Chris sat down for a chat.
Twenty-five years ago, two very young men decided to open a business.
They had done their apprenticeships together and knew one another well.
Chris was 21 years old, and Matt 19.
Today they are directors, designers and craftsmen.
They love to sit and listen to an idea, or a need, and create the perfect solution – the perfect piece of furniture, another antique for the future.
A happy customer is always their goal – and their reward.
Back in 2001, Chris created the perfect table for a very happy customer who, just a couple of weeks ago, decided to relocate.
Chris noticed some sun fade on the table and asked his customer to leave it with him for a couple of days.
The 25-year-old table is now perfect again, and the joy on Chris’ face told me that his customer was delighted.
In the early days, 90 per cent of the clients came from outside Shepp.
I see nothing wrong with these percentages; it’s a local business bringing in people from outside; people who’ll buy lunch, have a look around our shops and spend money.
However, over 25 years, the local customers have increased quite dramatically to 50 per cent.
Customers come from all our southern states ‒ and selected pieces have travelled to England, France and the USA.
Chris and Matt are still bringing people to our city, but Shepparton people are more aware of what they’ve got – here on the Goulburn Valley Hwy, directly opposite Riverside Plaza.
Customers can select wood from Envisage’s stock, which includes redgum, Victorian ash, blackwood, Jarrah, wormy chestnut and reclaimed hardwood.
However, there are 70 more timbers which can be sourced, and a client can supply their own if he or she wishes.
Chris assures me that everything he needs to purchase, to create his work, is bought locally when possible.
This conversation wasn’t about their business, about the tough times or the good days; it was exclusively about their customers, happy customers. I couldn’t agree more.
And selections from around the world
There are several carefully chosen soft furniture brands available and on display in Envisage’s showroom. These include IMG Comfort, Molmic, Mulberry and H2 Seating.
The Envisage team
In addition to Chris and Matt, the team includes Julian Cooke, Jaye Walsh and Matt’s young’un Axle Irwin. I hope they keep working their particular magic for many years to come.
Worth a read – from Bill Bloomfield
Bill sent a text message to tell me that his mother was the assistant matron at Ambermere in the ‘30s.
He also recalled that, one day, Sister Ivy Sutherland carried two newborn babies to their mothers, remarking that they were a lovely pair.
One of the babies was Clyde Young. The other was Val, the woman he would marry a couple of decades later.
Bill says, “just a bit of local history you might enjoy”.
More hospital stuff
Just when I thought I’d had enough of hospitals – I’m finishing this week’s copy from a hospital room.
I caught a cold you see, and it turned very quickly into pneumonia. With luck I should be out of here by Saturday afternoon, July 25.
May it be easy, my friends
Marnie
Email: towntalk@sheppnews.com.au
Phone: Text or call 0409 317 187
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