A local dad-of-two has swapped managing a busy airport hotel for running his own business – all in a bid to spend more time with his young family.
Andy Billage, who previously worked as a General Manager at an airport hotel has launched his own Kitchen Makeovers business in Stourbridge. Just weeks into trading, Andy has already hit his first-quarter targets early, signalling strong demand from homeowners looking for a more cost-effective way to upgrade their kitchens.
After 17 years in hospitality, Andy made the decision to step away from a high-pressure, round-the-clock role that often kept him away from home.
“I never saw my family,” said Andy. “It’s a 365-day-a-year job – your phone never stops ringing. I’d be out before the kids were up and back after they were in bed. I’ve got two young children, and I didn’t want to miss them growing up.”
Now running his own business with the support of his wife Becky, Andy is already seeing the benefits of a more flexible lifestyle – without sacrificing ambition. “Even though I’m working hard, it’s completely different. If I pop out for an appointment in the evening, I’m still there for bath time or dinner. That balance was something I just couldn’t get before.”
Andy officially launched Kitchen Makeovers in January and has quickly built momentum, securing a steady stream of customers from the outset. Putting his early success down to his people skills developed in hospitality and the demand for stress-free kitchen renovations.
Andy added, “It’s important to me that my customers trust our process – especially when we’re going into their houses to upgrade the heart of their homes.”
Kitchen Makeovers provides homeowners with an alternative to a full kitchen refit by transforming existing spaces through replacement doors, worktops and fittings, offering a quicker, more affordable and less disruptive solution.
“In the current climate, people are really conscious of cost,” Andy explained. “A full kitchen renovation can take weeks and cost significantly more. One of the ways my business keeps costs down is by not having a showroom. I get to talk to customers in their homes, and we can visualise together what their new kitchen might look like.
“What we’re offering is a way to achieve that fresh look in just a few days, without the same level of expense or upheaval.”
Andy and his team of professionals have already completed their first installations. “My customers called me after their kitchens were finished to say how happy they were, which is exactly what you want to hear. That’s what this business is all about – delivering something people genuinely love.”
Looking ahead, Andy plans to continue growing the business locally, with ambitions to expand further afield. For now, however, the focus is firmly on building a strong reputation in the Stourbridge area – while making the most of more time with his family.
“I recently took the kids to the zoo during half term – something I’d never have been able to do before,” he said. “We’ve got trips planned for the year and it just feels like a completely different way of living. That was the goal from the start.”