To mark 10 years of Worktones, we’re having a decade-themed conversation with some of our clients - the fellow business owners and leaders who have shaped, inspired and grown alongside us over the years.
Before calling around, though, we thought the best place to start with this series was to chat with the two directors of Worktones, Huw Bennett and Andrew Toole.
Firstly, hello and congratulations on 10 years.
Huw: Oh, thanks. Much appreciated.
Andrew: Thank you. Credit for the first 5 years goes solely to my mate, but I'm so happy to be here and ready to celebrate the 10 years. Such a fun ride.
We often mark life by the crossing of decades. What's your favourite part about the decade you're in?
Huw: I really had to think about this. For the most part, this is my best decade yet. There's a lot less fuss in general, albeit life is a lot busier than ever, but I approach most things with a very clear idea of what I want, what's required and what's next.
Andrew: Family is right up there. Watching my three boys grow into the next stage of their lives has been massive. They're showing so much more interest in Worktones which is so nice!
Also for the business, the recent years of being able to bring on board talented people who can execute roles so much better than us.
What’s something you know now that you wish you knew 10 years ago?
Huw: How to make an apron and, second to that, patience. It's not a given in my experience, it's learned.
Andrew: Investing in yourself is a big one. Taking the leap and backing yourself has been so rewarding. It's allowed me to really enjoy small yet important moments, both professionally and with family. I'm not saying it's an easy path, but that has just made the important moments even more rewarding.
We're throwing a Worktones 10th birthday party, what did you do for your own 10th birthday?
Huw: I was an all-you-can-eat Pizza Hut party kid, they had a weird side room they'd lump us in. When those pizzas arrived through the two-way swinging doors, you really felt like royalty. The best feeling on a birthday is sharing your joys and little surprises with those you hold dearest.
Andrew: Maccas party with ice-cream cake in primary school, will never be topped.
Starting a business is an enormous learning curve. What seemed like a huge business challenge 10 years ago that makes you shake your head now?
Huw: Well, initially every job won was a huge success, and thereafter began the real work. I really used to live on tender hooks, managing (and watching) each job unfold. With time comes processes, and a quiet confidence - and also an excellent team to build a framework helps.
Andrew: Some of the early larger custom jobs, once we moved away from only offering aprons, led to many sleepless nights! Blind faith in freight deliveries was interesting, but we got there.
We also had some fun in the early days (as well as recently) trying to find and trust new suppliers. It really makes me appreciate the amazing people we work with now, some that have nearly been with us the whole 10 years.
At the age of 10, what did you want to do as a career? Any through-lines with what you do now?
Huw: Professional football player (any code, mainly soccer or rugby union) or a movie star, so I guess I landed pretty close to that?
Andrew: Swim for Australia. I trained a whole bunch as a kid. The competitiveness and discipline required to train that hard most definitely carried over to my work life.
Think Worktones 10 years from now, what do you see?
Huw: Flying cars, lots of robots, and a supercomputer that can guess the exact weight and composition of each fabric we use. No seriously, much of the same. Perfecting, trying, testing, learning and understanding. Building great products for businesses that reflect our values of lasting style, taste and quality.
Andrew: A lot of the same. Working with great people and feeling super proud every time I see our uniforms in the wild.
