Welcome to our monthly series Meet the Team, where we spotlight the extraordinary people that make Bayley & Sage so special. This month’s feature is on Margaret, one of our amazing team members in Turnham Green. Read the full interview below!
1. How long have you been working at Bayley & Sage and what different roles have you held within the company? What is your role now?
I’ve worked for Bayley & Sage for 10 months total as a team member.
2. What’s your favourite thing about working at Bayley & Sage?
I am very much a people person, it comes from being a mother of 5 children, therefore I really enjoy interacting with the customers. Making them feel happy, finding out a bit about their life and giving the local village shop feel but with the Bayley & Sage professionalism. Second to that, I am a huge foody so working with people and food is a win win.
3. Who or what has inspired you the most throughout your career?
I don’t really have one person who has inspired me professionally although I am inspired by people who have a hard working ethic regardless of their job title. I tend to be inspired by some of the amazing people that I have cared for during my career and the families that I have been able to make a positive impact on their life.
4. Have you always worked in this industry? If not, what other types of roles have you held?
No, my early working years were as an Estate Agent and then sales for a large pharmaceutical company. When I started a family I chose jobs that would allow me flexibility, as being a full time mum was very important to me. When my children were older, I was able to concentrate on a job that I was passionate about, and I took a job as a Support Worker in the Westminster community. Later I worked at Chiswick Nursing home, where I met some of the most amazing and inspirational people
5. What’s the best advice you could give someone who’s just starting out in their career?
To love what you do and to work as hard as you can no matter what job it is.
6. What are some of the accomplishments you’re most proud of?
Personally, raising 5 children to become amazing adults. Professionally, I am most proud of working with families at probably the most vulnerable time of their life and knowing I have made a difference to those families.
7. What are you most looking forward to this year, both personally and professionally?
I have recently become a Grandparent to two wonderful grandsons so I am very excited about spending time with them and watching them grow. Professionally, I am looking forward to continuing enjoying working at Turnham Green and hopefully to bring some joy and positive energy to the team.
8. If you could only eat one thing from Bayley & Sage for the rest of your life, what would you choose?
Although I’m a feeder and love cooking for friends and family, if it had to be one thing just for me then it would have to be the guacamole dip which is amazing. But there are too many delicious things to mention. Also, as anyone who knows me, I am partial to a Pastel de Nata with a coffee for elevenses 🙂
9. How do you spend your time when you’re not at Bayley & Sage?
I think you would all know the answer to this – looking after whoever needs looking after in my family and of course seeing the grandchildren. Also, I have always enjoyed the ballet as I have two children that are trained ballet dancers, but more recently I have become an Opera buff and I’m looking forward to furthering my knowledge of the Opera scene – a far cry from the next answer!
10. What’s one interesting fact that we might not know about you?
I was once the biggest Robbie Williams fan (maybe still my guilty pleasure) and somehow managed to see him in concert on three separate occasions whilst heavily pregnant! I always joke that my children were the youngest ever Robbie Williams fans.