WHAT IS SO UNIQUE ABOUT KAGA?
I try my best to source different and unique products to this area at affordable prices.
I like giving the customers a different shopping experience, with no pressure to purchase but staff there to help and advise them if needed.
It’s taking all the good things about shopping and passing them to my customers.
WHERE DOES THE NAME KAGA COME FROM?
Kevin, my husband, Ann, that’s me, Gemma, my daughter and Andrew, my son.
WHAT WAS THE INSPIRATION BEHIND STARTING KAGA?
I was looking for a new handbag and didn’t quite see one I liked. So I decided to source some myself.
I invited some friends round to my house to see what they thought and they bought them. Following that I was asked if I would do a house party.
I invested more savings into KAGA and got five further bookings and didn’t look back.
WHAT DID YOU DO BEFORE YOU STARTED YOUR OWN BUSINESS?
I grew up near Cairnorrie, Methlick, left school and worked in a solicitor’s office then moved into the oil industry in 1985 doing accounts.
I left to have my family – Gemma is 24 and Andrew is 18. I worked part time doing several party plans and then worked seven years in wholesale before leaving in 2009.
YOU NOW HAVE TWO SHOPS?
It got to the stage I outgrew the space in my spare room, hall and dining room and got my own rented premises which ended up turning into a shop.
That was in September 2011, then it sold and I moved down to my current shop at The Old Bank House in Fyvie in July 2012.
I stopped doing house events and started to do women’s accessory fashion shows. These were lots of fun, meeting hundreds of new customers in lots of areas – between Buckie, Portsoy, Keith, Huntly, Aberdeen, Banff, Fraserburgh, Inverurie, and lots of places in between.
After four years of doing the fashion shows I have decided to stop these and concentrate on my shop and have since opened my second shop at 14b Main Street, Turriff, last month. I’m chuffed to employ myself plus three staff too over the two shops.
WHY DID YOU CHOOSE TURRIFF FOR YOUR SECOND LOCATION?
It’s a thriving community with shops offering lots of choice and variety for all. I have been made to feel very welcome by other retailers and especially my customers, many excising and lots of new ones.
WHAT KIND OF PRODUCTS DO YOU STOCK?
Leather and fashion handbags, purses, scarves, gloves, jewellery, accessories, items for him, the kids, the home, gifts for babies, gifts for wedding and many cards too.
New this year is women’s clothing at affordable prices. All these items are available at my Fyvie shop and the Turriff shop stocks handbags, purses scarves, jewellery, and gifts. I try to keep different styles in both shop to make my customers visit both.
HOW DO YOUR CUSTOMERS INFLUENCE YOUR CHOICE IN STOCK?
I’m always asking them what other items and styles would they like to see, but I do only take in stock which I also like.
I love to hear how they found out about KAGA, which area they are from and like to hear feedback of what they think of my shops.
ARE YOU INFLUENCED BY HIGH STREET OR DESIGNER LABELS?
I go for quality and value for money. I know all my suppliers as I have met them personally and like to work with people I like and trust.