Name: Sarah Graham
Job: Day to day operative of her business
Tips for success: Have self belief, you are in charge of your own destiny
Role Model > Sarah Graham
Sarah Graham, 31 is the owner of Arragon’s Cycles in Penrith along with her husband Phil. She is a keen cyclist, all-round sportswoman, triathlon competitor and lately successful 2009 Iron Man Lanzarote entry, finishing in double quick time.
In May 2009, Sarah completed the world famous Iron Man competition in Lanzarote; a 3.8km swim, followed by a 180km bike ride and finishing with a 42.2km run (a marathon to you and me). She entered for charity to help the young disabled son of one of her best friends.
What Do You Do?
I own a cycle shop called Arragon’s Cycles in Penrith. I control the day to day running of the business, organise the workshop, order stock, deal with customers although I don’t repair bikes myself. I run the business with my husband Phil. Phil has a 1st Class Oxbridge Degree in Mechanical Engineering and runs the workshop, for which he’s highly qualified!
What was your journey to get where you are?
I left school in Penrith with 3 ‘A’ Levels. I then fell into a job locally at 19 as a PR Account Executive and I stayed on there until I was 24. I then moved to London and applied for a job as the Head of PR at Thistle Hotels—I amazed myself by getting down to the last two candidates (even though I felt the job was far too senior for me) and was only beaten by another candidate who came over from the USA to take up the position. Anyway, afterwards the interviewer said that there was another job with a travel firm that would be ideal for me, so I ended up as head of their PR Team.
I met Phil in 2003 and we decided and had the chance to take over my Dad’s cycle shop, which he had owned for over 25 years and, which had a long term manager. It was a very traditional family-based shop and we have spent the last six years developing the business and although we still work in the family market we also offer stock and service to the determined road and off-road biking community.
What was your education like?
I guess I could be called ‘studious’ but not really academic. I’ve always had common sense, which I think has stood me in better stead than any exam. I worked fairly hard at school but had no desire to go on to university and had no career path at the age of 18.
What does success mean to you?
First and foremost my nearest and dearest and my own happiness. I aspire to be content over any aspiration for wealth. I want my business to offer the best service and have a reputation for choice and value.
What challenges have you faced?
We took over a business, which had had a ‘caretaker’ manager for 25 years. His reputation for cheap rates made it very difficult for the first year or so. That, as well as the huge learning curve in business. The shop had no staff when Phil and I took over so when we started we had to learn everything from stocking, trends, customer base, pricing etc.
Did you have any support?
Phil and I made the business the success it is today. We have had the support, through the encouragement of family. We were offered the business at a great rate and my parents helped us make the business stable and secure but they have also let us make our own mistakes like buying stock they knew we would struggle to sell, which has helped us to learn.
What drives you?
My pride in wanting our shop to be the best. Phil and I are in business together and our future financial stability depends on it. We want to make our family and friends proud. Phil keeps me strong when I feel tired and weak or frightened—that is happening less the longer we are in business. Also partnership and depending on people not to let you down, making people you depend on proud.
Who is Your Role Model?
I don’t have a role model and I don’t have a list of aspirations or milestones to achieve.
What advice would you give to young people?
Have self belief. You and only you are in charge of your destiny. Be a bit brave and jump into the unknown—it doesn’t always work out but at least you can say you tried. Take criticism—as long as its constructive.
What do you think education should be like?
Experience has helped me learn more effectively. I am a supporter of practical learning but I guess that is because I am not academically clever.
More learning about the right way of life would be really useful and practical stuff like how to bake, change a car tyre, wire a plug, work out your finances—as well as maths, English, history and languages.
www.arragons.com
Business owner
