Margot Spalding’s success story is inextricably linked with the Jimmy Possum success story. But this isn’t just a story – it’s all true, and the Spalding / Jimmy Possum success is due, in no small measure, to Margot’s energy, determination, a well-honed business intuition, a flair for colour and style, and a personal connectedness to Jimmy Possum’s customer base and to all associated with the company.
Briefly tell us about your business and how you got started.
We had lots of mouths to feed and thought that of everything we knew how to do, the best we knew how to do was to design and make furniture. We borrowed $15,000 from the Bendigo bank and built a shed on our property at North Harcourt, purchased a panel saw and employed a cabinet maker to help with Alan and I designing, Alan building and me selling. It all sounded simple and perhaps one day we would increase our staff to 6-8 people.
What have been your major achievements?
Of everything we are proud of in our business, and there is lots we are proud of, the thing we are most proud of is the amazing team of 150 people who make up the Jimmy Possum team, across manufacturing and retail. Of that 150, over 30 are apprentices at the factory, they are great kids who work hard and train hard. We love them, and have great fun with them. We regard that as our greatest achievement. To head up a team of wonderful people who help produce and sell Australia’s best furniture… and we keep a great trade and skill well and truly alive.
What have been your major challenges?
I think there have been many challenges in growing our business. A huge challenge has been to maintain the energy to keep up with the massive growth of JP. To be constantly one step ahead in every regard – design, production, finances, staffing, training, always focused and heading in a positive, original and creative direction. I am fortunate I have enormous levels of energy. I drive everyone nuts sometimes because I rarely stop!
Who has been your greatest mentor?
I have had no business mentor. Alan and I do everything as a team, from the beginning that has been the way of Jimmy Possum.
I did have a wonderful personal mentor in my aunty. My parents died when I was 15 and I had to live with her in Bendigo. She had never had kids and was 52 then! She was the personnel manager at Bradmill in Bendigo for 25 years. She was a truly great lady and I was brought up to regard people as the greatest asset in life, and that to give to people is the best and most worthwhile thing you can do in life. Always value everyone.
(She did however think I had no head for business as I kept changing all the time and wanting to do more and more!)
How do you stand out from your competitors?
From the beginning we have always tried to be totally creative and original, not just with product and presentation. We always strive to be different in every regard of business… We believe “The Jimmy Possum Way” is a great way to do business. There are starting to be books written about it! We have never done business and made decisions based solely on dollar return. We make decisions based on what we regard as “the right way to do business”.
Where would you like to see your business in five years from now?
Perhaps we will have 2 more stores and perhaps we will have a bigger, brighter, better, sensational new factory in Bendigo. But what we will have is a bigger team of healthy, highly trained, motivated, successful people all helping Jimmy Possum to be the best furniture manufacturer and retailer in Australia.
What are your Top Five Strategies for Success?
- Always be original and creative.
- Follow your passion.
- Always be focused.
- Respect and appreciate staff and customers.
- Work very hard
