A WOMAN is finalising plans to expand her kitchen design showroom and take on staff - four months after setting up the business.
Lesley Maddison-Stokes launched LJM Bespoke Kitchens, in North Road, Darlington, in January. She is also planning to expand into bathroom design.
"The response to the business has been fabulous," said Ms Maddison-Stokes, a mother-of-two from Great Burdon, near Darlington.
"About 90 per cent of my customers are the result of referrals. I ended up designing the kitchens in three houses in one street in Darlington as a result of neighbours referring each other to me."
"I am not trying to compete with the big brand kitchen-makers. My customers are people looking for a kitchen that is a little bit different - with an individual style that will not be found in scores of other homes."
Ms Maddison-Stokes, born in Cyprus and raised in Newcastle, worked for ten years as a kitchen design specialist with MFI, where she was involved in the development of the Hygena fitting and design service.
She launched LJM Bespoke Kitchens with business start-up support from Walker Hall Associates.
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