'Small is beautiful' sheeted home

By ELLEN READ

Some small businesses dream of sewing up deals with large distributors or retailers.

Kay & Tucker is not one of them.

The Wellington designer bed linen company is quite happy dealing with other small - but perfectly formed - associates.

The company is owned by Margaret Brereton, who, before setting up on her own in 1995, had 25 years' experience in the textiles industry here and across the Tasman.

Returning to New Zealand with her husband, Mike Tucker, Brereton began making one-off bed linen runs for friends and family. Word spread and she quickly made the decision to go into business.

Back then, it took her a year to use up 100m of sheeting fabric - top-quality material from Australia.

Now the business gets through 1000m of sheeting every two months. Brereton designs products and imports ribbons, trims and decorations from around the world.

All the products are put together at her Wellington workshop.

Kay & Tucker has been deliberately positioned at the top end of the market, supplying high-class outlets and luxury lodges around the country.

Brereton says having other small operations as the outlets for her products makes communication and service a lot easier.

Smaller shops are often happier to put products out on display or to open packaging, and they can provide a more personal, tailored service.

"They are usually owner-operated, which makes for a good relationship. We can get a bit lost in the crowd at the bigger stores."

Hand in hand with this is the fact that much of Brereton's business comes from personal referrals.

Getting and keeping a good reputation is vital, she says.

A preference for small outlets does not mean Kay & Tucker has small goals. Brereton has taken the business from a one-person operation to its present four production staff and one retail staff-member.

She is keen to expand the work she does with boutique accommodation and interior designers. There are also plans for an online presence.

Despite her long experience, Brereton says the learning never stops.

"If you knew everything from the start that you learn on the way you'd never do it. But it's an amazing journey and you meet great people."