designerati kitchen guide

hampers your cashflow. It was clear to me in the early planning days that we were going to need some help when it came to starting a new business. We also knew there would be so many other business aspects that we had no experience of so, after meeting MHK at KBB Birmingham, we knew we had to work with them.

We met with David Morris, one of MHKs experts, and we walked away excited to know that there’s a company out there that will help guide you from the start as you begin to get off the ground. David helped mentor us through the very beginning of the business and guided us as we developed our business plan, and his advice was invaluable to ensuring our success.

We knew that we had the design and installation experience but not necessarily the confidence on the accounting side. Accounts and invoices are one of the scariest things to me as a designer without a background in finance and MHK have provided support in this area to help me learn, grow, and take control of this area of the business as I grew more confident.

The variety of product that MHK gives us access to also means that we’re in a good position of being able to offer more than just kitchens if needed and expand into more of the home where the project allows.

What has been your experience so far of the brands and products available through MHK? We’ve been really happy with all the brands that we’ve taken on board at the showroom. Every brand has delivered in a timely manner and the quality is on another level. We’ve opted to use KH System Möbel as our furniture manufacturer and we have been so impressed with the quality of the cabinetry, the way that they mitre the plinths as well as their range of panelling styles.

We’ve not seen the kind of finishes that they offer from anyone else on the market. The options that they offer mean that we’re able to work on projects with a wide range of budgets.

What advice would you have for anyone thinking of setting up a new business in the sector?

Designers who are looking to start their own kitchen retail business, whilst experienced in terms of design and specification, sometimes suffer from a lack of knowledge on the business and fitting side.

One thing I would recommend to anyone planning to set up any new business in this sector is to spend some time learning every area. MHK have been an incredible source of information and support to us helping launch and grow our business.

My advice would be, sign up as an MHK member and also get involved in fitting jobs and absorbing as much information as possible about how designs are brought to life on the practical side. We developed a kitchen fitting app which has dramatically reduced fitting issues, and saved money and time. Ultimately, if you have knowledge of how things come together practically and the right business advice, your projects will always transfer well from design to reality.

We also invest heavily in our social media marketing, primarily on Instagram, where we fully document every stage of a customer’s journey, including fitting, deliveries and final shots of the space. This helps us build trust with potential customers and creates a living CV for Ornate Kitchens & Interiors.

For further information please visit: ornatekitchens.co.uk or mhkgroup.co.uk