Melanie Main is the creative director of Shankar UK. Perhaps best known for its wide range of dining chairs in the latest on-trend fabrics, Shankar produces and distributes domestic and commercial seating and associated furniture items. Melanie’s role covers new product design and new market development.
How did you enter the trade?
Blame my father [Shankar MD David Main] for that! I’m from a very business-oriented background – as a child I spent my weekends working in our family shops developing my sales skills.
Who is your inspiration?
Undoubtedly my father. He has always been my inspiration and still is. Everything I know I have learnt from him. He may not be Einstein, but first and foremost he taught me basic morals and principles – simply to be hardworking, honest and to earn and give respect. Now I work to earn and learn.
What was your career high point?
I’m still climbing my way to the highest point, but where I am now is certainly not a bad place.
… and low point?
I don’t like to focus on low points, although I am sure there have been many. The key is to learn from these situations and to stay focused and positive.
… and the turning point?
Any turning point in business has to be when a project fails to provide the planned financial returns. When, despite all efforts, it is clear that a project is not working, then my advice is to quit it, be prepared to leave the emotional investment behind, and move on to bigger and better things. I take the attitude “screw it – just do it!”
Describe a typical working day
For me, a typical working day is like every Monday – everyday mayhem. I like it that way! Challenging, busy, and I always expect the unexpected!
If you had to start over, which career would you pursue?
Hindsight is a great thing. I think I would have picked a career in insolvency – I could have made a fortune knowing what I know now! Instead of trying to build a business from the ground up, I would have enjoyed rescuing declining businesses, helping where I could and exploring the options to attain a satisfactory conclusion for all concerned.
What date on the business calendar do you look most forward to?
I look forward to the Christmas period the most. Everyone is in the festive spirit and looking to furnish their homes in time for family get-togethers – a fantastic opportunity for a business to capitalise upon. However, I like to treat every day as something special, an opportunity to work hard, do a good job and make the most of the working hours.
What is the most important issue affecting your business right now?
At the moment Shankar has become a victim of its own success. We have introduced a wide range of new products which have received a phenomenal response. Consequently, production is presently struggling to keep pace with our sales team while we put additional supply chains and production systems in place!
What company do you most look up to?
I have great admiration for the retailers who act as the barometer of consumer taste – in particular, those retailers who display originality. Consumers continually want to see something new, and the best organisations are those that want to sell something that is just that little bit different. Retail buyers have a key role in business, as it is they who must see the possibilities and sell the ideas.
What would you most like to change about yourself?
I would probably change my age! I would love to go back to being 25, but of course keeping all of the experience I have now!
What do you enjoy most about working in the trade?
The furniture industry was historically male-dominated, and I am proud that women are now leaving a footprint. Women have an eye for design and are great with finishing touches.
Leave us with an industry anecdote please!
During my years in business, most of the suppliers I have encountered have been men old enough to be my father. Very few of this older generation are used to a woman haggling and pushing for deadlines and changes. It seems that the younger generation – and women in particular – are expected to be softly spoken and servile, but that’s simply not who I am.
However, I’m not trying to be a man in a man’s world – I am quite content to live and work in Mel’s world! She who dares, wins!
