Swindon Business Lives: Karen Davison

In this edition, Karen Davison owner of C&D Group opens up about running a business and living in Swindon...

Where is home and why?

Well they say home is where the heart is and my heart is very much in Old Town.  I was born in The Victoria Hospital, and have always been drawn back here.  My family, friends and business are here and I have many happy childhood memories playing in and around the Town Gardens.

What inspired you to set up business here?

I wanted to do recruitment my way, and knowing the Swindon business community quite well, it seemed like a great place to begin.  In business, contracts go out to tender, but people still do business with people and building a business founded on trust can only be done at an interpersonal level. Swindon is such a close knit community where word of mouth could make or break your business so knowing the community gives me the opportunity to build that foundation.

What advice would you give anyone looking to do the same?

You have to really want it, as there are many personal sacrifices that have to be made along the way. Business rarely seeks you out, and success never comes easy or stays easy. You work harder every day than the day before to build a business up from scratch, a business built on a spotless reputation for integrity and loyalty from customers and staff alike,  totally engaging with your customers, staff and community, every step of the way.

What do you think attracts business to Swindon?

Sadly outsiders think there isn’t much more to Swindon than roundabouts. Lately though businesses like, inSwindon and TotalSwindon.com are completely championing the Swindon Brand. Swindon Town Football Club’s recent success in winning the league and being in the final of The Johnstone’s Paint Trophy has also really helped to promote the ‘feel good’ factor around Swindon.

How do you spend your time off?

I take time off when I can, to watch my teenage boys play football, rugby and cricket. My own personal passion has always been playing netball and I hope to play competitively for many years to come.

Your phone book must be full of business contacts, but who is the most famous person in there?

It’s definitely a tie at the top in terms of future talents! My youngest son Kyran, as he’s Head Boy at Prior Park, Cricklade and my eldest son Ash, who loves debating ideas is also one to watch out for in the future.

Your 2pm meeting has been cancelled, meaning you have a two-hour lunch break. What do you do?

Treat one of my C&D team to a very long lunch at Rudi’s.

Describe Swindon in three words?

Undiscovered, underestimated and undervalued.

What has been your biggest achievement to date?

Surviving this recession has been my toughest challenge to date and keeping my loyal customers, staff and suppliers engaged and happy has been my biggest goal. Just when you think you have learned so much over the years, you learn again…

You’ve got 20 words to surprise us with. Go…

Simply… to everyone who has inspired and supported my dream and the C&D brand I’m incredibly grateful,  THANK YOU!