Meet Suzanne Francis, our Residential Home Expert
Meet Suzanne Francis, our Residential Home Expert
Suzanne has been an integral part of the business for 14 years, her expertise lies in matching customers with their perfect park location, and affordable yet luxurious homes, that empower our customers to embrace affordable living within a secure and vibrant park community.
What is your job at Avon Estates and how long have you worked with us?
I look after the Residential side of the business for Avon Estates and have been in this role for 14 years.
What does your role entail? Is there a typical day?
Every day is different in my job – I make sales appointment, meet customers on site, show them the homes we have for sale and answer all the questions they may have.
We offer a relaxed visit where clients can wander the park at their leisure, meet residents and get a real feel for the parks. I can do weekends, evenings to suit people’s lifestyles. So, my job entails being very flexible in the hours and times that are worked.
I liaise throughout their move process to ensure it goes as smoothly as possible.
No two days are ever the same – which I love – you never know what is going to happen or who will turn up on site.
How did you get into this industry?
I first started in the industry working for Allens Caravans – running a very large touring, Holiday and Residential Park just outside Broadway. My mother-in-law had worked in the industry for over 40 years, so had some background knowledge.
What’s the best bit of your job?
The very best bit – is seeing how park home living can change people’s lives, having a coffee after their move and seeing the relaxation in their faces is a job well done.
Do you need any qualifications or training to do your job?
No just a lot of patience and a love of people.
What did you do before this job?
I worked in the hospitality industry – mainly hotels in Devon. Then came into the industry to work at Leedons Park in Broadway – a very large diverse park at the time.
What attracted you to working at Avon Estates?
Because of my previous connections with the Allen family, I had come to a turning point in my life when I needed a change of direction so was looking for a totally different career – when I saw the job advertised and thought it would be good to find out what it entailed, and here I am 14 years later still in the same industry and loving it.
The ethos of Avon Estates is a family run business who care about their staff and I have definitely felt the benefit of this over the years.
What motivates you to work hard? What’s your ‘why’?
My motivation is always to do my best to help people at a very stressful point in their lives. Moving home at any time is hard but in latter years – and certainly in the current market it is much harder. I am the calming influence when it all gets stressful.
Who or what inspires you the most?
The whole Industry inspires me, it is an industry like no other – with all manufacturers, contractors becoming firm friends over the years and like one big family. The shows we do throughout the year give us a chance to mix, discuss ideas and there is always someone out there to advise and support.
This business is all about, like most, respect and likeability, when you all get on and nothing is too much trouble and someone will always help poor flip flop!
I would say Nic does inspire me – he drives me a little mad sometimes, but is a constant support and provides new challenges. He has worked so hard to turn the business into something much better and bigger over his years after he took over from his father John, he would be proud and hopefully he will continue to do so.
What is the best piece of career advice you have ever been given?
Treat people as you would wish to be treated yourself is one of the most important advice I have ever been given, be honest and do your very best – then the rest should all fall into place.
What’s a fun fact about you?
Most people that know me call me flip – flop in the industry. I am well known for a year round obsession of not wearing shoes, even in Winter it’s always flip-flops!
And for my very unique ideas for marketing – which I had better not go into!
What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?
When I am not working, which I love, I spend a lot of time with my grandchildren , who are an amazing pair and keep me on my toes. We have so much fun.
Also love walking our black lab, Syke – who is always up for a trip to the beach!
Suzanne is our expert in the residential side of the business, so if you have any questions about park home living, she would be happy to answer!