Name:

Sheenagh Gray.

Age:

38.

What is your business called?

Framed Estates.

Where is it based?

Paisley, but we have projects across Scotland, London, Europe and Africa.

What does it produce, what services does it offer?

Framed Estates is an architectural and property development company, specialising in providing architectural services to homeowners and businesses, as well as acquiring feature properties for redevelopment to sell on the open market. We offer a full range of architectural services, from concept to completion.

To whom does it sell?

We have private and commercial clients in all sectors, including residential, retail, leisure and industrial.

We are currently designing three new build homes for private clients to a market value of £1.2million.

What is its turnover?

By the end of the current financial year, revenues are projected to be around £250,000. Our order book is very strong, and we have secured long-term agreements with a number of clients.

How many employees?

Eight – two full time and six part time - encompassing architectural staff and property developers, and a non-executive consultant. We also have interior designers, engineers and trades that we can call upon when required.

When was it formed?

2012. We are a young company, but between us we have more than 120 years’ experience in the architectural industry.

Why did you take the plunge?

Personally, I love to push myself to the limits and that’s the same for my career. I studied at Glasgow School of Art and later at University of Strathclyde, and since gaining my Chartership, I have spent many years working for national housebuilders such as McCarthy & Stone, on specific jobs for Westpoint Homes and Cala and in private firms such as ADF Architects and Young & Gault Architects. Both were equally important to my architectural learning experience and I had the opportunity to work on some fantastic projects including the creation of a new town outside Nairobi, Kenya. I got to the point in my career where I wanted to push myself even further, so I founded Framed Estates and I’ve never looked back.

How did you raise the start-up funding?

For years I worked long hours over the evenings and weekends while holding down my day job. It all paid off in the end and I’m proud to say that I launched my business independently. But I must give credit to the current Partners at Young & Gault Architects who listened endlessly (and still do) to all of my start-up and business questions. They gave me the confidence to take some of my biggest steps in business and continue to provide guidance.

What was your biggest break?

It was a series of breaks, really: clients who knew me personally and others who had seen my work ethic through previous jobs liked the idea of investing in the company. That led to a number of financial investments by individuals and also an overwhelming amount of support from clients.

Our most recent big break was being appointed to design and secure a possible future as an arts and cultural venue for one of Renfrewshire’s iconic skyline buildings: the Thomas Coats Memorial Church in Paisley.

The building is loved and visited by people around the world, so it is a great honour to be a part of the project. I think that working closely with the community, local authorities and Historic Environment Scotland for such a prestigious edifice has genuinely brought out the best in our design team.

What was your worst moment?

It would have to be a time when we were pre-judged as being an inexperienced company because we are a young firm. Being a young company does not equate to having less experience.

What do you most enjoy about running the business?

I love my job, always have and always will. The feeling of satisfaction that you get after managing a project from start to finish and see with your own eyes a design that you had envisioned is unbeatable for me. I also love how varied our business is: working in numerous different sectors and with private and commercial clients, means that no two days are the same. The process of building a strong team and great connections with other construction trades and professionals is also a huge bonus.

What do you least enjoy?

Paperwork, but it’s a necessary evil.

What are your ambitions for the business?

Our ambition for Framed Estates is much bigger than just business: we have a vision to invest in safe spaces for society. We want to get to a place where we can financially support purpose-built behavioural and addiction rehabilitation centres across Scotland and have the work of Framed Estates contribute to the building of lives.In the coming year, we hope to run a series of workshops within the team that will allow us to broaden our understanding of rehabilitation living before developing plans in the coming years to deliver new, aspirational spaces.

Although it’s a clichéd phrase, we are big about investing in people. We are involved in feasibility work with the University of the West of Scotland and West College Scotland, where I also lecture for the construction courses. In both cases we have the opportunity to encourage and build up the next generation of our industry.

What is the most important lesson you have learned?

To stay level-headed: designing can be emotional, especially when you put your heart and soul into projects. It’s an acquired skill to stay grounded with the right perspective when a business and project throws highs and lows at you. It’s important to keep focused on the big picture while working through the daily detailing of projects.

How do you relax?

Apart from Netflix? I cherish the time that I can spend at home with family and friends.