Q & A: Sally Wray

18 December 2020

Sally Wray is managing director of GoHire in Hull, which she established in 2015 after a chance remark made her decide to change career. She’s got her hands full as the company is about to open its third depot and she has three daughters - as you’ll discover... 

How’s business?

Despite the current circumstances, business is going great. We’ve been extremely busy. I am hoping this continues into the New Year because we are due to open our third depot, located in East Hull. This will be in addition to our West Hull location and our recent acquisition of the former Caspian Access and Plant Hire depot in Grimsby.

What is your standout Covid-19 related memory or experience?

It would be when I was at home watching Boris Johnson’s lockdown speech and not quite understanding what the implications were. Our GoHire Team WhatsApp group went crazy with all our reactions and trying to understand what this meant for our business.

What legal or regulatory change would help your business or industry generally?

We are lucky enough to do business with some huge global companies. However, because of their size and with many organisations like ourselves competing to win their custom, they hold all the cards and often dictate their terms of payment to be 60 days-plus in some situations. It would really help small companies that often have to juggle cashflow issues if these large businesses paid more promptly. They have the means and the resources, and I feel that if there were regulations to force them into prioritising paying small businesses promptly, it would make life a lot easier for us all.

How did you get into the hire industry?

That is a tricky question to answer… I had worked for local authorities for over ten years in various roles and I was never truly happy in that environment. In 2013 something that my eldest daughter said to me after a particularly tough day at work made me resolve to make some changes the very next day.

What exactly did she say to you?

I’d been reading a bedtime story to my middle daughter, Betsy, who was 5, and Emily, 7, was listening (my youngest, Penny, was a baby and asleep). It was a Ladybird book about Prince William marrying Kate Middleton and it described how unusual it was for a prince to marry a non-royal. It said Kate’s life had been completely transformed. But Betsy was confused. She was used to fairy stories where women are rescued and married by handsome princes and she wondered if that was what happened to Kate. But Emily quickly said, “You don’t need a man to rescue you – you rescue yourself!” I suddenly realised that if I wanted to make a career change, I had to do it myself.

So what did you do?

I searched online for opportunities that would allow me to work for myself. I looked at run-down properties, franchising and businesses for sale. Then I saw a tool hire shop [Arnott Tool Hire, subsequently re-branded as GoHire] advertised in Hull: the price was manageable if we re-mortgaged our house and also, I just quite fancied it! I had no experience in tool hire whatsoever when I bought the business in 2015.

Who or what inspires you?

Lots of people inspire me and I take my drive and motivation from many places. I love films like Eddie the Eagle and the Rocky series - even the story behind the making of the Rocky films is incredible. I admire it when people achieve things against all odds because of their single-mindedness in their journey towards their goals. Strong women inspire me like Lady Gaga, Tracy Chapman - people who write their own destiny. 

Have you found anything particularly helpful in business?

I am lucky in that, locally to me, there is an organisation called For Entrepreneurs Only (FEO). It was set up ten years ago by a team of local businessmen and women with the mutual goal of increasing prosperity in the region and helping businesses and start-ups get going. I came across them when I first started in business and had the opportunity to hear the stories of some very successful people in and around Hull. You can’t help but think, “Well, if they can do it, then so can I.” It is such an inspirational organisation and I feel very lucky to still be involved.

What annoys/frustrates you?

Negativity. I get so annoyed with people who moan for the sake of it. We have a rule in our house that we’re not allowed to moan about anything unless we’re prepared to do something about it - and it works. Emily was once frustrated because girls didn’t get the opportunity to play rugby in her school (unlike the boys), so she wrote a letter to her head teacher. She had a meeting with him and the head of sports, and was able to get the curriculum changed. So don’t moan for the sake of it, because you’re just filling the world with unnecessary negativity and it really does have an impact.

What’s the best piece of advice that you’ve ever been given, or that you would pass on to others?

I was always told growing up that nobody is more important than me, but that I am no more important that anybody else. I live by this. We’re all people and we all count. The other saying I very much like is that, whether you think that you can, or whether you think that you can’t, you’re right.

What new skill would you like to learn?

I would love to learn a language, French or Spanish.

How do you relax after a hard day?

I enjoy taking the dog, Lucy, for a walk and to clear my head in the fresh air. She’s a Bedlington terrier, a breed that doesn’t shed its coat like other dogs, so less hair is left around the house! I like to watch comedies on TV with a glass of wine, too.

What was your favourite school subject?

English. I love to read and write.

If things had been different, what other career might you have chosen?

I’m quite interested in nutrition. I think if I was to start again, I would maybe do something along those lines. Or I would like to be a writer.

On what topic could you give a 30-minute presentation with no preparation?

Gosh… that is a tricky question. I think it would be time management. With three girls and now three depots to run, I have developed it into a fine art.

Do you follow a particular sport and/or team?

AFC Preston U14s and U16s because my girls play for them. I also support Hull City.

What is the biggest challenge facing your business or the wider industry?

The bounce back after the pandemic.

And what’s the biggest opportunity?

The bounce back after the pandemic!

What’s the secret of success?

Work hard, listen, nurture resilience and have fun.

Finally, is there anything you would like to add about the business, the current trading outlook or future plans?

Only, please wish me luck in the launching of depot No.3! I can’t wait to get it off the ground.

• With the festive season fast approaching, that’s the last Q & A interview for 2020 and a hugely positive note on which to round them off.

Fear not. The series will start up again in the New Year.