Richard Morfoot of Fable Jewels

Describe yourself in three words.
Honest, personable and hard working.

When you were at school, what did you want to be and why?
My dream was always to work for myself and show I could make it on my own. However I would never have believed it would be in the jewellery sector, after a degree in Quantity Surveying and becoming a Chartered Surveyor.

How did you get to be where you are today?
Through my wife, Sarah, who initially set up Fable Trading in 2005 to distribute Trollbeads in the UK. I joined the company full time in 2007 and was able to use my management skills to put in place the infrastructure and staff to make the business really thrive, but it was Sarah’s creativity, drive and enthusiasm which first brought us both to the jewellery business.

Which aspects of your job do you enjoy and why?
I’ve always enjoyed a challenge and I get a buzz from seeing something I’ve helped create take shape and start to work which is probably part of the builder in me. At Fable Jewels I now have the opportunity to do it all again and this is a challenge.

What is your proudest achievement?
I have a great family and we have had some memorable times from the fruits of our past business success. The fact that my children in their early twenties still want to come home as often as they do and go on holiday with us each year is all the proof I need I’ve done OK.

What is the best advice you’ve been given in work or in life in general?
My father always said you make your own luck. Hard work and dedication is essential but when an opportunity comes begging and it’s something you believe in, take it in both hands and run with it or you will never forgive yourself.

What is your next goal?
To make a similar success of Fable Jewels and the distribution of our Quoins and Buddha to Buddha brands. Both these quality Dutch brands have a great pedigree and history of success in other countries so it is only a matter of when and how big they will become here in the UK.