Introducing Sarah Grant
Sarah Grant is Operations Director at CCM Ace and one of the business owners. She joined the company in 2012 and has been closely involved in shaping ACE Online, supporting customers, and overseeing day-to-day operations ever since.
You've been with CCM ACE since 2012 and are now one of the business owners. What has that journey been like?
I joined CCM ACE in 2012 and have grown alongside the business ever since. Over the years, I have worked closely with our customers, learned more about the soft furnishings industry and taken on increasing responsibility within the company. Becoming one of the business owners has been an exciting new chapter. I am proud of how far we have come and am looking forward to having more conversations with industry partners, helping more soft furnishings businesses reach their potential and making technology and systems feel less of a burden.
Working with customers
Why is it so important to understand a customer's business before recommending solutions?
Every business works differently, so it is important to understand the people, processes and challenges behind it before suggesting anything. Taking the time to listen means we can offer honest advice and recommend something that genuinely fits, rather than trying to force every customer into the same solution.
Websites, integrations & innovation
What advice would you give to a business that's considering selling online for the first time?
Start by being clear about what you want the website to achieve and how it will fit with the way your business already works. I always encourage customers to start small and launch with a clear first phase. This helps get the project live sooner, so they can learn from real customer feedback and continue to tweak and grow it over time.
Industry relationships
What makes the soft furnishings industry unique to work in?
It is a very creative and personal industry, but it is also built on strong relationships. People are generous with their knowledge, proud of their craft and genuinely want to support one another. That sense of community is one of the things I enjoy most about working in the industry.
Quick fire round
- Tea or coffee?
- Both, depending on the time of day.
- Favourite part of the working week?
- Sunday. Time to reflect and get organised for the week ahead, plus quality time with my family and my allotment.
- One app you couldn't work without?
- Outlook. It keeps my emails, calendar and working day organised.
- If not software, what career?
- Something involving people, business and helping others make positive changes — ideally supporting the community and educating young people.
- Favourite holiday destination?
- No single favourite. Anywhere with sunshine and a local town to explore is perfect for me.
- What are you known for?
- Keeping things moving, asking plenty of questions and making sure everyone knows what is happening.
- A fun fact that might surprise customers?
- I have an allotment and really enjoy growing my own food and spending time outdoors.
Looking ahead
What excites you most about the future of ACE Online?
I am excited about continuing to grow ACE Online around the needs of our customers and the wider industry.