In Your Shoes - David Stewart

Monday – Planning, Prep and Getting Ahead

Monday is usually my office and admin day, and it is all about getting prepared for the week ahead.

My day starts with a morning stroll along Broughty Ferry front with my husband and our dog. It is a good way to clear my head before the week properly begins, especially in a business where things can move quickly.

Once I’m in the office, it’s all about planning, scheduling, emails, client follow-ups and making sure the team have what they need. With multiple sites, staff, client requirements and moving parts to manage, a strong Monday makes a real difference.

Tuesday – Operations, Priorities and Standards

Tuesday starts with the gym, which has become a big part of my routine. Between work, the dog, and trying to keep some balance, we are always on the go. In many ways, that is why this job suits me so well. It is non-stop, fast-paced, and no two days are the same.

Tuesday is also our weekly operations meeting, where we discuss business priorities, the wins and challenges of the week, whether we are still on plan financially, and how the team are doing.

Later in the day, we completed client quality check audits. These visits are a key part of how we work at Red Hackle, helping us make sure standards are being upheld, while also taking feedback on board so we can continue improving.

Wednesday – On the Road and Behind the Scenes

Wednesday was another day out on the road, visiting members of the team and completing further site checks.

Every day brings a different challenge in this industry. Sometimes it is staffing, sometimes it is access, sometimes it is a last-minute client request that needs turned around quickly. Being visible and available to the team is a big part of my role, and I think it makes a real difference.

As we moved closer to the end of the month, attention also turned to invoicing and payroll. It may not be the most glamorous side of the business, but it is one of the most important. Accurate invoicing and making sure the team are paid correctly keeps everything moving.

Thursday – The Final Countdown to Vanguard

Thursday was spent putting the finishing touches to our takeover of Vanguard Cleaning Company.

This has been a long, exciting journey, and after a lot of work behind the scenes, tomorrow is finally the day. There have been so many moving parts to manage, from systems and staffing, to client communication, operational planning and making sure the transition is as smooth as possible.

For Red Hackle, this is a really exciting step. It allows us to grow our service offering further, particularly across holiday-let housekeeping and linen management, while continuing to build on the standards we have worked hard to put in place.

It was definitely an “all systems go” kind of day.

Saturday – Rest, Recharge… Sort Of

Saturday was time to rest and recharge, in some form at least, as the phone is never really off.

After such a busy week, it was nice to take some time out and head to the cinema to see The Devil Wears Prada. I also got to spend time with my niece, which was a real highlight. There is nothing quite like high fives and big smiles to remind you to switch off and enjoy the moment.

That said, I think it is safe to say the week was not quite finished yet. When you run a growing business, there is always something happening in the background.

Sunday – Family, Reflection and Ready to Go Again

Sunday was spent visiting friends and family, while also making sure we were prepared for the week ahead.

It has certainly been one of the busiest weeks in Red Hackle’s history, but we are only just getting started. The Vanguard takeover marks a really exciting moment for the business, but also the beginning of the next phase.

Exciting times lie ahead, and we hope people will follow along with us as Red Hackle continues to grow, develop and take on new opportunities.