Two sisters have put their stamp on a male-dominated sector, celebrating five successful years at Ribble Valley Bathrooms.
Founded by Abbie and Sophie Schofield, Ribble Valley Bathrooms – which designs and installs luxury bathrooms across the UK – has experienced a remarkable 165% growth since launch, navigating Covid and the cost of living crisis to grow year-on-year.
The business, which has a showroom in Clitheroe, was established in 2018 when the sisters saw a huge gap in the market for a luxury bathroom specialist which offered a 360 degree service and the highest level of customer service.
They work with the world’s leading luxury bathroom brands to offer customers an unrivalled choice of furniture, fixtures and fittings; designing all bathrooms themselves in-house and offering their own install service.
Something different
Sophie, 33, believes adapting to change and being open to innovation have been crucial in staying ahead in a dynamic and ever-changing industry.
She said: “It’s been a phenomenal first five years. When we launched the business in 2018 we knew that we could offer the sector something different. Bathrooms and plumbing are notoriously a male-dominated industry but homeowners were looking for so much more than what currently existed.
“They want cutting edge design, quality craftmanship, high end finishes and the highest level of customer service from the minute they walked into a showroom. We had the passion and know-how to put our stamp on the sector and so in 2018 we took the leap to launch the business and open the showroom.
“The first five years of our journey have been nothing short of remarkable – we have secured partnerships with industry-leading brands that have enhanced our product offerings; worked on projects of all shapes and sizes throughout the UK and received the Innovative Retailer of the Year award, recognising our commitment to creative solutions.”
Redefining the sector
Abbie 31, continued: “Redefining the sector is something that is at the foremost of our business and we truly believe that our success is down to the updated outlook that we have brought. It’s something that we plan to build on over the coming years.
“For aspiring women entrepreneurs entering male-dominated sectors or women working in male dominated industries, we offer these words of advice: Be confident in your abilities, find mentors who can guide you, and never underestimate the power of networking. Your unique perspective is your strength; use it to drive innovation and make a lasting impact.”
But the ladies aren’t stopping there. They also have major growth plans for their next five years in business. The team will be exploring new suppliers and venturing into innovative areas that align with the brand’s ethos.
They also intend to engage in mentorship programs, workshops, and events that empower women to excel in this industry. Expanding the team is also a priority.
