Firm builds on success despite challenges
Just one year ago two friends took the brave leap to launch their own business creating handmade bespoke outdoor buildings.
But Adam Timmis, of Rugeley, and Sally Ann Smith could never have predicted the major obstacles that lay ahead for their new venture.
While all new start-ups expect to face a few challenges during their first year of trading, the duo has not only had to navigate a global pandemic but also worldwide timber supply shortages.
Yet, despite all the odds, Roundpeg Outdoor Buildings has not only survived to celebrate its first year anniversary, but has thrived enough to expand its operations by tripling its workforce.
Two new full-time staff members, Kyah Hudson, of Cannock, and Dave Pettitt, of Rugeley, have joined the team. And in November, the firm was also shortlisted in the Staffordshire Chamber of Commerce’s business awards in the category of Most Promising Start-Up in the county.
The pandemic has certainly seen Roundpeg kept busy with a steady ongoing demand for outdoor buildings for a host of uses, including home offices and self-employed ventures like salons, gyms and bars for customers across the West Midlands, including in Rugeley, Birmingham, Burton, Uttoxeter.
And while this trend is showing no signs of letting up, new areas of growth are now also emerging. They include a flurry of new orders to build bespoke outdoor forest classrooms at Staffordshire and Derbyshire primary schools as they too look to further adapt how they educate youngsters.
Mother-of-two Sally, of Tutbury, said: “We’re delighted to be celebrating being one-year-old, in fact just to still be going during these challenging times, especially as a new business, feels like even more of an achievement than normal.
"We’ve certainly faced a few obstacles to success in our first year that we never expected on top of the normal challenges of running a new business.
“But even though we’ve been hampered by timber shortages since the beginning, we’ve been lucky to be able to continue working throughout the pandemic.
"We’ve been able to fulfil the steady stream of orders coming in by adapting to how we work, such as making sure customers remain inside their homes whilst we’re on-site installing buildings.
“We’re proud to have been able to expand by taking on two full time staff members, including a 19-year-old who had just finished college, and two part time sub-contractors.”
