Let's Meet Your Local Yorkshire TSS - Debs Messenger
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A key member of the Trade Sales Specialist (TSS) team, Deborah (better known as Debs!) works across the Nottingham, Derby, Lincoln and Yorkshire regions providing hands-on support and sharing expert knowledge to trade painters and decorators.
Read on discover more about our team of TSSs and how their support could be just what you need on your next project, whilst learning all about Debs’ journey into the industry….
Q) Tell us about your career pathway – when did you join Valspar Trade?
My career journey started off a bit different – I was actually a chef! From here, I moved away from the food industry and took a step into the world of retail, landing a management position. Thirteen years ago, I had the opportunity to join Valspar Trade with the role of Territory Sales Consultant (TSC), based in store at B&Q. And now I’ve been in the TSS role for the last four and a half years.
When I first joined Valspar Trade, it’s safe to say I had no particular experience with paint! After some intensive training, I then went straight to work. Visiting stores and teaching staff how the tinting machine worked and sharing information meant that I was continuously repeating the knowledge - it was a unique way to learn but I definitely learnt by teaching.
Q) Help us picture what your day-to-day looks like as a TSS…
No two days are the same, I love it – it’s not repetitive and there is always a new challenge. Equally, no two traders are the same. It’s really taught me how to adapt my approach to each client and project.
We are building relationships all day, whether that’s going out to site, helping measure up, or completing order forms. It’s all about making our traders lives easier and providing the support they need. If an order is too small to qualify for Direct2Site, I will often go directly to the TradePoint store and organise the order on their behalf. I try to make it so the process isas efficient as possible, avoiding any possible delays or issues.
Ultimately, it’s all about offering a more personal and bespoke service.
Q) As part of your role you offer one-to-one service, why is this so important?
Going direct to a TSS team member cuts out all the noise around you. Offering one-to-one support makes the process 100% more streamlined - when a trader has someone to lean on, confusion is avoided and stress is limited.
Q) With your 12+ years at Valspar Trade, what is the most useful paint tip you have picked
up?
I can safely say that I am still yet to master cutting in! However, one tip that has stood out to me is to not overload your brushes and rollers. This avoids any runs or drips and helps achieve a smooth, even finish. Accessories and lighting also fascinate me; the same colour can look so different on some walls and in some rooms, all based on the rest of the interior and how the light affects a space.
Q) What’s something people would be surprised to learn about the TSS role?
I don’t think people realise how knowledgeable we are around the products. Also, the personal one to one service we provide from start to finish seems to pleasantly surprise a lot of our customers!
Q) Have you got a favourite part of your role as a TSS?
We get a lot of ‘non-believers,’ traders who aren’t completely willing to try our paint based off old misconceptions. I love to show them that the brand is not what they think, that it is always evolving and to give them that extra little push. It really is rewarding to see the outcome when they love the paint!
Meeting so many new people on a daily basis is another huge advantage of my job, I get to work with so many varied characters and build so many different types of relationships – it’s great! It is all about knowing who you are talking to and allowing them to feel comfortable
and supported.
Q) Thinking back to all the projects you have worked on, have you got any that you are particularly proud of?
I have a few! I worked on a barn conversion project in Barnsley that was extremely interesting to be a part of. The client used Valspar Trade for both the interior and exterior; however, the barn never lost its own character. Everything was still very much traditional, with exposed beams and a neutral colour scheme throughout. It was a great example of
each room looking different despite being the same colour.
I also worked on a five-bedroom house for Jam Jar developments, with Valspar Trade paint used from top to bottom. I was able to support and assist the process from start to finish and all the in-between, it was extremely rewarding to see the end-result.
One of my latest projects involves the use of Valspar Trade paint throughout a new three-storey children’s home. This story really pulls at my heart strings and makes me eager to keep providing the best possible advice and support to the client.
My job as a TSS keeps me on my toes, but I love it - I love the challenge and I love the people!
To find out more about your local TSS, head to the website here.
Head to the website here.