30/10/2025
If my Grandparents were still alive I just know they'd be bursting with pride.
Grannies were house-wife Grannies, one Granda was an Architect and the other was a Seaman.
But they all understood hard work and commitment and they believed in me, even when I was too young to have any promise to show.
Even at that, I bet they never imagined my wee business would ever show up alongside the names of Architecture giants like these in an all-Ireland Property Award ceremony. "Just look at the competition", they'd say. "They'll be quaking in their boots!" Granda Johnston would tell me - and I'd have believed him back then too!
I started 9yards 21 years ago to pursue my love of design. By then I'd had a dozen different jobs, mostly site-based but I knew where my passion lay and I wanted to give it my best shot. I think I've done that. I haven't grown the business, it's still just me - maybe that was following Granda's advice that "a big fire will burn you, a small fire keeps you warm", or maybe it's because I didn't want to let go of the fun of design. In any case I've enjoyed it and plan to do so for many more years yet.
I've had a lot of success in awards with 9yards over the years, including making the finals of the UK-wide Building Consultancy of the Year, eight finals and a Highly-Commended or two with the Belfast Telegraph Property Awards, a few other wins, and (my favourite) a Business Excellence win as the Best Craft Company of the Year in my own home town.
But just look at my category list for this Award. Am I going to list the competition? Damn right I am - they're not competitors, we're all pursuing the same goal in giving the client what they need... plus a bit of flair!
- https://lnkd.in/ecurX9Zx
- https://lnkd.in/efDCiDep
- https://lnkd.in/eRKAFY_g
- https://lnkd.in/evH2dknT
- https://lnkd.in/eGpCY5bH
So that's a combined staff of about 440 property professionals, an average practice size of 88. I admit the odds are stacked against me but I'm going to allow myself a brief moment of listening to Granda tell me "They're quaking in their boots son, they're quaking in their boots"!
So for anyone reading this who I meet next Thursday at the awards ceremony, come and say 'hello'. I may not be the only one drinking Guinnessbut I bet I'll be the only one with the tell-tale red smile of a glass of McKibbins - my Granda's favourite rum, long out of production, but I'll be celebrating beforehand with a wee toot of my remaining supply in the knowledge that my Granda will be standing beside me as the proudest ghost in the room!
Good luck to all the Finalists but, above all, let's all have a brilliant night of celebration!
Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB)
