5 Minutes with… Amy Mooney

Tell us about the move and how you came to the decision to sell your half of your creative communications agency.

I set up my previous company with a close friend and former colleague. It really was a dream come true to start-up, and grow my own successful agency alongside my best friend. However, after nearly 20 years in the industry I began to re-evaluate what I wanted, from work and from life. After having my second child it was clear my priorities were starting to change and I struggled to re-ignite my passion for agency life.

It was when I was at an awards dinner with work, that I met representatives from other heating and engineering companies. Because my husband had his own gas heating company, Gas Angel, I was intrigued to chat to them. My initial thought was to strike up a conversation that may lead on to how my company might help them with their strategic brand and marketing work given I had a personal interest in the sector. However, it was suggested that, if I’m doing great work and seeing great results for other companies, would it not make sense to turn the focus inwards, toward the family business?

I’d flirted loosely with the idea in the past but never with any intention, but something just clicked that night. The thought terrified me yet I couldn’t stop thinking about it – I really wanted the change and the chance to help my husband David to really turn this great little business in to what I know it can become. Eventually, after lots of deliberation, soul searching and a few tears, I took the plunge and went into partnership with David.

Gas heating is a big change – how are you finding it?

The stigma around the sector was the biggest issue – people assumed my previous business partner and I must have fallen out because they couldn’t understand why I would leave the agency world for the heating world! There were also a few derogatory comments about boilers and me being a plumber, as though I’d dropped down the business-class system. In truth, it is down to a lack of understanding as to what goes on in the industry. It’s a highly-skilled, highly regulated sector, and it helps to keep people safe and happy at home. The impact we have on anyone whose hot water goes off or whose heating fails in winter is significant. So it’s really rewarding to play a part in something that affects so many people in the North East. And I’ve been able to use my skills to take a strategic brand approach to business development, which I think is fairly unique in our sector from an SME point of view.

North East favourites

Beauty salon

Gallery 108 on Gosforth High Street is my favourite place in the world (not just favourite salon). They are hair and beauty and I love them for two reasons…

1. Becky the owner has the highest standards. All her staff have that blow-drying-arm-roll thing off to a T. Even their apprentices know how to tame my unruly frizzy hair! I’ve been to many hairdressers over the years and had to redo my hair as soon as I got home. Gallery 108 get it right every time.

2. I leave feeling the best version of myself. I know most people go to the hairdressers and relax, but I find it a great place to work. I book weekday appointments, take my laptop and get loads done without interruption. I leave looking a hell of a lot better and feeling super productive too. The place is a mini-miracle worker.

Coffee shop

Naked Deli, also on Gosforth High Street – their coffees are gorgeously strong and the food delicious too. Whether I’m there with the kids, meeting a friend for a catch-up, or working and need a change of scenery, the vibe is laid back and the service consistently high.