JLife’s Evangeline Spachis chats to Stephanie Goldstone and Jenny Forshaw, about their long-time friendship which heralded a successful relocation and interior design company, Move Angels.
First of all, what is Move Angels?
Stephanie: Move Angels is a professional relocation company so we look to manage the notoriously stressful process of finding a new house and selling a home. We oversee the whole process from start to finish, from changing the name on the bills to finding new schools to packing up boxes: we cover it all.
How did your careers in home relocation and interior styling begin?
Jenny: I started my career working in design for a leading women’s high-street retailer and then moved back to Cheshire to do the same job for my family business – which was a fantastic opportunity.
Stephanie: I owned my own high-end children’s clothes shop in Hale, Cheshire for many years but also owned a women’s shoe shop in Leeds – which I loved. I am passionate about Art Deco and have travelled the world looking to find the most beautiful pieces of furniture and art.
How does your friendship affect the way you conduct business? What makes you a unique team, for instance?
Stephanie: Because we have known each other for so long we know what makes each other tick and what our strengths and weaknesses are, which is a great thing as we ensure that we play to them.
Jenny: Working with a friend means that we can be very open and honest with each other and not take offence. We both have very similar values when it comes to running a business and the way to work which is a great help.
You have recently rolled out Move Angels in Manchester and Liverpool, as well as Cheshire, where you began. How has this been for you?
Jenny: It’s been a great success so far. We both love city centre living and the apartments in the centre of Manchester give us a new dimension to work with.
Stephanie: Liverpool has a real buzz about it and the property market is so fast-moving that we literally don’t have a minute to spare once a house comes on the market.
You also offer a de-cluttering service with your Home Sale package. Moving house can be an emotional experience, what can Move Angels offer during these stressful life changes?
Stephanie: I have moved house numerous times and am currently in the process of moving again so I understand all the emotion that goes into uprooting and leaving behind a property that holds so many memories.
Jenny: We also offer our clients advice on how to ‘move on’ and embrace the move. The change can be through bereavement or a change in personal circumstances which can be upsetting, but because we’ve kind of ‘been there’ we can sympathise and offer ways of getting through it.
Personally and professionally, would you say that your Jewish upbringing has influenced the way you work you at all?
Jenny: Yes of course it has: as much as any upbringing influences an individual. On a personal level the Jewish home is at the centre of family life and so helping people create a great home atmosphere, irrespective of their religion, gives me a great deal of personal satisfaction. Professionally it’s taught me the value of connections and networking.
You recently supported the Manchester Jewish Community Care Centre ‘Loose Women’ fundraiser event. How important is remaining in contact with the community for you?
Stephanie: It’s hugely important – and it’s a cause close to our hearts. The Nicky Alliance Centre is a very special place for individuals, particularly the elderly who are suddenly alone or have been for some time. They now have somewhere to go and socialise and attend classes, talks and tea-dances that make them feel younger and giving them a purpose to get out of the house. The fundraiser was fun to attend and find out about the amazing care and kindnesses shown to all that go to The Nicky.
You have also been moving Move Angels stateside to the US. Is the ambition for Move Angels to become a worldwide business enterprise?
Jenny: We would love that to happen. Being stateside has given us a taste for how exciting it is to work with new markets. We have lots of clients who have property abroad and if a request comes through for a move we will be knocking the door down to help them!