[Karan]: As many of you will already be aware, we opened our first kitchen showroom over the weekend and it was a triumph; we caught up with existing customers and old friends, whilst also making a raft of brand new acquaintances, who we hope to get to know better in the weeks and months to come.
It was an amazing couple of days and Ian and I thoroughly enjoyed ourselves, but now comes the best bit. This is where I get to tell the world what a wonderful collection of friends and relatives we have and how – and why – we simply could not have got our showroom open without them. Are you ready? Then I shall begin...
OUR CHILDREN: Our beloved and beautiful children (Mia 6 and James 2) deserve our biggest thanks and gratitude for putting up with a less than perfect family life over the past few months, whilst Ian and I have designed and installed the showroom. At exactly the point we needed as much spare time as possible to install the showroom, our day-to-day business life exploded, leaving virtually no spare time at all. We have therefore been stealing hours and days wherever possible to make the showroom happen, which has impacted on our cherished time with the kids. Mia in particular has had, without doubt, one of the most unimpressive school summer holidays since records began; but we intend to rectify this during all future school holidays.
We love our children dearly and will continue to work as hard as we can to offer them a full life of love, laughter and opportunity.
GRACE DENNIS: Without Ian’s Mum looking after the kids – a long way above and beyond the call of duty – none of what we have achieved would have been possible. I can imagine much head shaking and arguing with this suggestion, but the fact remains that our children were looked after exceedingly well, spoilt beyond all comprehension (as is a Nanny’s prerogative I’m told) and, above all else, loved to within an inch of their lives by their Nanny, who they equally adore. A weekend at Nanny’s is no hardship let me assure you – it’s all we can do to get a kiss and hug as we’re leaving, as they’re too busy running into the garden to play, or camp out in their new tents! Separation anxiety is just not a factor for Mia and James – it is for Ian and I, but not so much for them.
Where it all gets above and beyond the call of duty is, following a weekend of looking after two rampant and rambunctious kids who could easily exhaust Mary Poppins herself, Ian and I would return to collect them on a Sunday afternoon to enjoy a home cooked roast dinner with all the trimmings; which had been painstakingly prepared to save us having to cook when we got home. Now that is what you call love and support: so here on record, is our heartfelt thanks and gratitude to Mum for all that you have done, the care you have taken and the support you have given freely and in abundance; we really couldn’t have done it without you!
EDDIE McINTOSH: Eddie is IKD’s Electrician Extraordinaire and a fully-fledged leg-end, sorry I meant legend. It’s true that Ian and I have been friends with Eddie since 1992 (when IKD began and we were looking for an electrician to work alongside), but Eddie’s skill, experience and robust sense of humour, make him an absolute pleasure to work with.
The time, imagination, energy and expense Eddie has spent enhancing our showroom with all of the electrical and lighting wizardry that greet you upon arrival is no mean feat. Eddie has worked exceptionally hard to help us create a showpiece to be proud of, and no idea or expense was spared. Another essential component to having Eddie install all things electrical is that we are assured of ultimate safety for ourselves, our children, staff and visitors. Safety is of paramount importance and is the only time, when you’re working with Eddie that the joking stops. Thanks for everything Ed!
LISA BURTON: Lisa is my best friend of 30 years standing – we knew each other as eggs, obviously. My sincere thanks go to Lisa for the endless hours of listening to me burble on about what we’re going to do, are currently doing and have actually done in the showroom. I wouldn’t be surprised if I have spent these last few weeks in particular talking to the arm of her sofa, whilst she’s gone off somewhere to de-fluff her navel – who could blame her? My thanks too for knowing when to cajole, encourage or kick my arse; I’m only allowed to worry or wallow for so long before the boot is swiftly administered for the sake of her sanity. Lisa tells it like it is; the only problem is that it’s frequently via the medium of song, which is a whole other blog post for another day. Ask me about the nightmare that is “Amoureuse”.
Lisa, as many of you will know, was our Event Manager for the showroom opening and made sure everything ran smoothly, which it did. Thank you mate for a couple of very long days helping us enhance our business and reputation, you did an excellent job and Ian and I are grateful for all that you did – you’re a marble.
TREVOR ROBINSON: Trevor is IKD’s plasterer-in-chief who has spent many hours plastering the walls and ceilings of the showroom, and our home for that matter! Trevor takes a great deal of pride in his work, and for good reason too as his results are excellent. We would also like to thank Trevor for all of the encouragement and energy he has brought with him on any given working day; your positive “can-do” approach is very much appreciated and a joy to work with.
PHIL SMITH: For your services to friendship, also above and beyond the call of duty. You know why, and your help is never to be underestimated, and will never be forgotten. Thank you.
RICHARD SANDERS GROUP: Ian and I have been loyal customers of Richard Sanders Peugeot, Renault, Honda & Nissan since they arrived in Kettering in 2002, purely because we always get great service and a bargain. Ian’s Peugeot Boxer van was purchased from and is serviced by Richard Sanders Peugeot, whilst our almost exclusively Renault cars are always purchased there: more often than not Mr Sanders himself will come and thank us personally for another purchase, which is a nice touch.
The Richard Sanders Group is an official IKD Trading Partner and were kind enough to donate the highest value prize for our Prize Draw: a Supagard Car Care system which normally retails at £299.99. Ian and I would like to thank the Richard Sanders Group and James Labrum from the Peugeot division in particular, for all of their help and support during the installation of our showroom.
APOLLO BLINDS: Thank you Tim and Jenny for the fantastic “Flint” and “Cotton” venetian blinds you have installed in our showroom window, the wealth of choice was almost impossible to decide upon, your customer service is second to none and the installation was prompt, efficient and entirely problem-free. Thank you also for the very generous £50 OFF Prize Draw voucher, in addition to the valuable advice you have offered in respect of opening a showroom, and the friendship that has developed over recent months. Long live our mutual appreciation society!
SIMON MACKLAM: Simon, as many of you will already know, is Ian’s glamorous assistant and Man Friday and could be found helping us long into the night prior to the opening event. We would like to thank Simon for his help, when it mattered most – and for his own personal brand of humour, which is absolutely hilarious.
JANE GOWEN: Last but by no means least, thank you Jane for supplying the Play Doh for the children to play with during the showroom opening event. It was an exceptionally good idea (wish I had thought of it!), and it was a very popular activity throughout the whole weekend. Thank you for the time, materials and energy you spent on making the Play Doh, and for the support you have offered Ian and I in the months leading up to the event, it is much appreciated and you are a valued customer and friend of IKD.
Our thanks must also go to all of the people who attended our showroom opening event over the weekend, it was a humbling experience to have your support. I would also like to say another big "THANK YOU!" to Ian's sister and brother-in-law, Lynn & Ken Gunston for travelling from Reading no less and for no other reason than to support our latest venture and take our kids for a fun day out - it meant a great deal to us that you were there, thank you.
I'm just about all thank you'd out now, but Ian and I will continue to feel blessed for a considerable time to come, Karan xxx
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