Ten minutes with...Zoe Mair

Jun 26 2009 by Edwin Lawrence

EDWIN Lawrence this week chats to one of Ayr's most successful young businesswomen. Zoe Mair has gone from sales assistant to boss of five shops. And her One Step Ahead shoe shop chain boasts a healthy turnover in times of recession. But how did Zoe get to where she is today?

Zoe, I believe you started out as a Saturday girl?

I started out actually covering maternity leave on a temp contract working five days per week at Startrite in Kyle Street in 1997. Fortunately I was kept on and worked two/three days per week. I also took on another part-time job at Kidz Play in Prestwick as a receptionist. Luckily, an assistant manager’s post became vacant at the Startrite branch in Glasgow, I applied and was successful and I worked there for two years before returning to Ayr as manager.

A little bird tells me you may have exaggerated your qualifications to get the job?

Hands up, yes I may have bent the truth slightly – well maybe slightly isn’t the right word. I actually don’t have any qualifications despite the fact I said I had eight Standard grades ranging from A to C passes. I went through school with the idea that you don’t need standard grades to ride horses and spent my exam leave and days of exams up at the stables while my mum thought I was busting a brain in the exam.

You eventually became manager of the Ayr Startrite shop?

Having been told at the manager’s meeting that Startrite were to sell their retail chain to a London independent retailer, I felt I could do a better job. Not only did I know what our best sellers were but I also knew what styles customers were looking for, that we weren’t stocking at the time. Styles like Geox, Lelli Kelly, Primigi and loads more.

And you managed to buy the shop?

Yes. The big hurdle was ‘Would a 26-year-old be able to get any funding from the bank?’, as my savings would have just covered half a dozen pairs of Jimmy Choos and not the 7000/8000 pairs that we now carry at any one time.

And you now have five shops?

Yes, I took on Ayr first in August, 2003. Giffnock opened in November, 2004, due to the demand of customers travelling to Ayr from the south side of Glasgow. Bearsden opened November, 2006, when I realised customers were travelling from the north side of Glasgow to the Giffnock shop. Then came Kilmarnock in July, 2008; and East Kilbride in April, 2009.

Don't want to embarrass you Zoe, but I'm told you're a very good boss?

I understand what it’s like to be the part-time sales assistant, and really don’t see myself as any different from those days as manager. We have a good team spirit and enjoy many nights out which all bodes well for a great light-hearted and trusting workforce.

How many pairs of shoes do you reckon you own yourself?

Shoes. . . well what can I say. Believe it or not I actually don’t own a huge shoe collection. As a rule I never buy black, navy or brown as I love colour or shoes that make a bit of a statement. I think I get that from fitting bright fun colourful shoes. Why buy boring when you can have a rainbow of colours?

I understand you live in the Ayrshire countryside?

I was born and bred in Irvine. I went to Fencedyke Primary School then on to Greenwood Academy (well I was supposed to go!). I left Irvine when I was 22 and came south to Ayr, and finally settled in the Dalrymple countryside. I live with my two horses, a pony and Suzie the cat.

Is it true you don't have a TV set?

It’s true I don’t own a TV and have not had one for at least 10 years. But I do manage to sniff one out at a good friend’s when the X Factor is on.

With no telly, what kind of books do you read?

Thrillers by Dan Brown or John Grisham.

What was your first car and what do you drive now?

First car was a VW Polo which I ran into the ground, then I got a VW Golf which is now the One Step Ahead run-around, and people may see it dotting about Ayr or going up the A77. I now drive a VW Tiguan, so you can tell I’m a VW sort of a girl.

What's your idea of a perfect meal?

Starter would be a nice pâté; main course generally a fish dish, with my favourites being seabass, monk fish or tiger prawns; dessert would be brown sugar meringues with fruit, ice cream and cream.

If you could choose six people, living or dead, to have dinner with, who would they be?

Simon Cowell, Rod Stewart, José Mourinho, Barack Obama, Jo Brand and Alan Sugar.

What's your secret of business success?

Don’t take it too seriously and enjoy each step. Always go with your gut feeling and learn from your mistakes.

But you clearly work very hard, and I’ve heard you haven’t had a holiday?

To date, I haven’t managed a holiday. Up until recently I worked six days a week and have done so more or less since signing on the dotted line to take on the business.

However, later this year I hope to take the trip of a lifetime – six weeks off, taking in India, Singapore Australia, Bora Bora, San Francisco. But I know I am leaving the business in capable hands with the staff.