Episode 07: Rose Raw-Rees - Founder and Owner of Rose Raw-Rees Upholstery

I met Rosie at university where she was studying law. Her classmates were all committed to carrying on a career in law but Rosie always knew it was something she didn’t want to continue past her studies.

Rosie was always academic at school so was advised to do something that was quite general and would stand her in good stead to be able to choose a job or career further down the line, law was the course for her.

After university, she wasn’t sure what she wanted to do so she decided to work for a temp agency which she thought would give her a broad view at different roles and companies so she could make a more informed decision in which roles to go for. In fact, the first role she was offered ended up being a really good one which she enjoyed so she stuck with it for a bit. Unfortunately, she was made redundant in the 2008 recession, she was worried initially but through contacts managed to find her next job.

Rosie wanted to work in the creative industry but didn’t know what jobs were available to her or how to apply. Luckily through friends and contacts she had made through various jobs, this led her to working for a small luxury leather printing company where she worked as the owners ‘right hand man’. Here she learned about the fashion industry and dipped her toe into business management. Unfortunately, she got made redundant again when the business went into liquidation. At this point, Rosie took a break and went travelling in India with a friend to reset and think about her next step.

Eventually her cousin had heard about a job with a luxury upholsterer and needed a right-hand man, Rosie met her future boss and stayed at the company for 7 years.

Rosie found a love of upholstery and thought that she would train as an upholsterer. In her most recent role, she had been exposed to the craftmanship in the workshop and once again helping the owner to run their business. Rosie thought she would train as an upholsterer to go and work for a company possibly in the workshop. After 2 children and a global pandemic, she never thought that the training would then lead to her starting up her own business.

Rosie started out promoting her headboards in Instagram and now her business has grown so much she had to shut down her Etsy page at the beginning of this year and a is due to open a shop in the town where she lives very soon.

Rosie said she wouldn’t necessarily change anything about her current career path as she has learned so much and it has helped her get to where she is now. She has said to make the most of your contacts and networks when looking for new roles.

Go and check Rosie out on Instagram @roserawreesupholstery