Meet the team…

Adam – Sales Director

This month the spotlight is shining brightly on our Sales Director, Adam.

Apologies for the terrible puns on Adam’s last name (Hack). Adam has heard them all before….but we just couldn’t help ourselves… 😊

So Adam, it seems that you are an old hack at this now, exactly how long have you worked at Yeates and how did you come to join our happy team? Well, it’s been exactly 20 years that I have now been working alongside James (the MD), so from a boy to a man, I guess.  My first stint at Yeates was as a university student as I worked part-time for John (James’ dad, the previous MD) during the holiday period – I guess that’s where I first cut my teeth. After that I worked as a health and fitness instructor, then progressed into sales for local firm that manufactured various laboratory equipment. Then one day I bumped into James in Tesco, he had recently taken the reins from John and was looking to find someone to assist him moving the business on. He made me an offer and the rest is history!

You must be almost famous…as you have been going into local people’s houses for a very long time! Without breaking any confidentiality, do you have any favourite customers or memorable stories to share? My favourite customer over the years, has to be ‘Bubbly Tom’, who lived up to his name in every way, a jolly chap who was always so pleased to see me and made me feel good about life.

Stories, I have few but am not in a position to disclose the majority of them! However, one that really sticks in my mind was working with our old foreman Keith (he was old school). One of our vehicles had a long wooden pole which was used to assist opening the side doors. Keith kindly gave me the duty of pushing open the door with the pole, whilst he unloaded our storage containers. The weight of this pole was something I had not really considered, so as I raised it high to push open the door, I lost control. It came crashing down, clonking Keith on the head! He was furious and proceeded to chase me around the yard to exact his revenge. Luckily for me I was a spring chicken at the time, and he didn’t manage to catch me! If he had, I’m sure he would have launched me into the river that flowed alongside our depot!

You have lived in this area a long time, where is your favourite spot and why? I was born in Clevedon, so yes I have been here a while. I would say my favourite spot is the seafront, as I frequently enjoy waking up and down it, other than that, Clevedon United Football Club.

 We know you as a very patient and nice chap Ad…but surely some things get to you? What three things really hack you off? Delayed keys, Liverpool supporters and Dry robes!

If you could give one piece of advice to your younger self, what would it be? Make the most of every day, time goes too fast!

Top removal hack, top self storage hack and top life hack please, (sorry, sorry, sorry…) 

• Removal hack – Never walk downstairs without a carry/load (otherwise Keith will be after you).
• Self storage hack – When packing your unit make use of hollow spaces. Fill drawers, inside wardrobes and if you’re stacking furniture, slip items on the seats and into any gaps.
• Life hack –  Don’t take criticism from someone you wouldn’t take advice from.

Barry – Removal Operative

This month it is our faithful friend Billy…..the Yeates’ dog! Many customers know and love Billy because he comes into work each day with our MD, James. So, for this special Christmas edition, we thought it was about time Billy featured in our hall of fame!

How long have you been ‘working’ at Yeates? Goodness, it’s been about 12 years now… James needed some help in the office as he isn’t that popular, so I was recruited to improve his profile and make him seem more appealing. Back in those days I was quite cute, so I brought looks and personality to the partnership.

What are your main duties? It’s mostly customer relations stuff. Greeting customers, being friendly, keeping them entertained if there is a delay, that sort of stuff. I also manage the company’s wellbeing programme which offers free pets and tail wagging to greet all staff.

What has been your greatest achievement at work? I think the wellbeing programme. We have seen some great results in lowering stress levels and providing a calmer environment, especially during very busy periods when I have noticed that humans can get quite uptight

What puts a spring in your step? Spaniels have hunting in their genes so the scent of any sort of creature that I can retrieve is a joy, although, I am pretty deaf and partially blind too these days…so it is getting harder. Thankfully though my nose still seems to work!

Have you had any hard times? Covid was tricky. I was used to being at work, meeting and greeting customers and basically being the face of the company – it was a high-profile position. Then all of a sudden, I was stuck at home and my contact was limited to James, Jane and their two small children. I was last on their list of priorities as everyone was trying to work, home school and childmind all at the same time. I won’t deny it, I found the adjustment and lack of attention hard.

Any funny or embarrassing moments you would like to share? Well, James has forgotten me at the office on occasion, which isn’t really funny, but it is embarrassing for him I suppose. I have also thrown up once or twice and poor Wendie, our Office Manager, has had to extend her duties. Fortunately, she is a dog lover. 

Do you enjoy Christmas? Of course! Lots of friends and family around for attention, lots of leftovers and I normally get some sort of gift. This year I am hoping for a new bed as my old bones are starting to play up. The only downside is the Christmas headgear they make me wear. Still, all that sort of stuff looks better on me than it does on them, so I try to be gracious.

Angela – Financial Controller

A few quick fire questions ….

If you could have any job, what would it be? Professional Ballroom Dancer – I used to watch Come Dancing with my nan and was always in awe of how amazing they looked and how well they danced. Now I’m a Strictly super fan, I love to watch the live shows every year, I already have tickets for this year’s tour.

Bookkeeping is part of your role at Yeates, what is your top financial tip either personally or at work? Personally it would be pay into your pension as soon as you can! On a business level it would be don’t be afraid to pay on Direct Debit, it keeps your payments on time and it’s a great way to manage your finances.

If you had no fear, you would…? Basically I would do anything that involved heights, fly in a helicopter, parachute jump, bungee jump etc.

We are loving our new Weston-super-Mare office, but if you could work in any location where would it be? It would be on the edge of the beautiful Lake Thale Noi, located in Phatthalung Thailand, never have I been to a place that made me feel so serene.

Any previous ‘lives’ you would like to share with us? In my other life outside of work, I spend time in my shed carving wax, this is then sent off to a casting company to be made into silver jewellery.

We understand you have a thing for fish…please explain! We spend a lot of our weekends travelling in our campervan to fishing lakes, I am a keen fisherwoman and my favourite fish are Tench. It’s wonderful to spend so much time outdoors enjoying nature especially after lockdown.

Are there any benefits of working for a small, family run business?  It’s great working for a small family business, you feel more like an extended member of the family, opposed to just an employee. The atmosphere is great and it incentivises you to want to work harder and be the best that you can.