Stepping into a new industry can feel daunting, but Danielle’s journey shows what’s possible when determination meets the right support. From starting on the trade counter to progressing into sales and now building a career in HR, her story reflects the culture at Beesley and Fildes – a place where people grow, learn and shape their own path. In this Q&A, she shares the skills she developed, the challenges she overcame and the moments that helped her realise HR was where she belonged. It’s a story of confidence, opportunity and career progression in action.

 

What first drew you to Beesley and Fildes, and what led you to the trade counter role? 

I was ready for a career change, but wanted to move into something where my transferable skills – especially my caring nature and love of helping people – would really add value. I already knew of Beesley and Fildes and had a genuinely positive impression of the company, so when a trade counter vacancy came up, it felt like the perfect opportunity at the perfect time.

 

Looking back, which early skills have stayed with you and still support you today? 

My customer service skills developed massively. On the trade counter we serve dozens of customers a day – from experienced tradespeople to members of the public – and i quickly learned how to adapt my approach to suit whoever was in front of me. Getting to know our customers and building those relationships was a huge part of the role, and it taught me how to communicate clearly, stay calm under pressure and solve problems on the spot. Those customer service skills still support me today, especially in the way i work with colleagues, managers and stakeholders across the business.

 

What inspired you to move from the trade counter into a sales role? 

Progression into sales is a natural next step from the trade counter, and i found myself really enjoying the customer interaction side of the role. I loved being able to help customers source the right products and solve problems, and i got a real sense of satisfaction knowing I’d made their job easier. Moving into sales felt like the right way to build on those strengths and continue developing my product knowledge.

 

How did transitioning into sales stretch you or require you to grow? 

The transition definitely pushed me out of my comfort zone. Even though I had strong customer service skills, I’ve always naturally been quite shy, so stepping into a more proactive sales role meant becoming more outgoing and confident in my approach. It challenged me to initiate conversations, build rapport quickly and trust my own product knowledge. Looking back, that push helped me grow massively – it strengthened my communication skills and gave me the confidence I rely on in my role today.

 

When did you first realise HR was the direction you wanted to grow into? 

I’d always been interested in a career in HR, but like many people, life took me in a different direction for a while. As I got older, I started thinking more seriously about doing something for myself – something that would feel meaningful and give me a long-term path. When I spoke with our HR manager about my future, she explained the training and development I could access through the company, which really opened my eyes. I’d always assumed I might be “too old to go back to school” , but she reassured me that it was never too late to learn or progress. Around a similar time, a HR Administrator role became available, and it felt like everything aligned at exactly the right moment. It genuinely felt like the opportunity I’d been waiting for, and it confirmed that HR was the direction I wanted to move in.

 

How did Beesley and Fildes help you make the move into HR? 

The business was incredibly supportive when I moved into the HR team. My colleagues were genuinely happy for me, and my manager encouraged me every step of the way. It wasn’t just a case of “go for it” – they actively checked in with me, reassured me that I had the right strengths and qualities. What made the biggest difference was how much belief they had in me. They gave me the time, space and confidence to learn, and made it clear that I wouldn’t be doing it alone. Knowing the business trusted me to grow into the role made my transition feel not just possible, but exciting. That level of support really shaped the confidence I have in my HR role today.

 

What led you to pursue a HR apprenticeship as your next step?

I chose to enrol onto the HR apprenticeship because i wanted to deepen my knowledge and develop my skills so i could be the best I can be in the role. HR is constantly evolving, and I’ve always believed there’s more to learn and always ways to improve. Beesley and Fildes already offers apprenticeships across different areas of the business, and seeing how much they invest in their people, it really inspired me. I didn’t just want to grow for myself,  – I wanted to bring the growth back into the business and make sure I was giving Beesley and Fildes the best version of me. The apprenticeship gave me a structured way to build my confidence, strengthen my understanding and support long-term progression, all while learning on the job. Committing to it felt like the right step for my future and for the contribution I wanted to make to the business.

 

What was it like balancing full-time work with structured study? 

At first, the thought of doing both seemed a little daunting. Balancing studying with a full workload – and then going home to juggle family life – made me worry about how I would fit everything in. It had been a long time since I’d done anything like formal study, so stepping back into that routine felt like a big shift. But my manager was incredibly supportive, we agreed dedicated study time each week during my working day so I could focus properly on my learning and assignments without feeling overwhelmed. The course being broken down into clear sections also helped, because it meant I could work at a pace hat suited me. It still required commitment and hard work, but it slotted into my routine far easier than I expected. Once I found my rhythm, I realised I was more capable than I’d given myself credit for – and that returning to learning was one of the best decisions I could have made.

 

What role have your colleagues and managers played in your development? 

My manager has been incredibly supportive throughout my progression. She consistently encouraged me, offered advice and regularly checked in to make sure I wasn’t feeling overwhelmed with balancing everything. She also made sure that I was able to experience everything required for the apprenticeship – involving me in the right tasks, giving me opportunities to apply what I was learning and making sure I had he exposure I needed to meet every part of the standards. Knowing she genuinely cared about my development made a huge difference. My colleagues have been brilliant too, many of them have completed apprenticeships themselves so they understood exactly what the journey felt like. They were always happy to have a chat, share their experiences and offer guidance.

 

How does it feel to work for a business that prioritises internal development? 

It makes all the difference. It’s refreshing to work for a company that takes your development seriously and actively invests in helping you grow. When a business recognises your potential and supports you through training , apprenticeships and ongoing learning, it creates a completely different atmosphere. What really stands out for me, is the company’s focus on continuous development. There’s always something available – whether its structured training, opportunities to take on new responsibilities or access to e-learning that helps you build skills at your own pace. Knowing that the company is committed to developing its people long-term makes you feel valued and supported.

 

What advice would you give to someone new to the business who wants to progress? 

Go for it. Work hard, be open about your career goals, and don’t be afraid to take that next step when the opportunity comes up. Progression doesn’t happen by accident – you have to put yourself forward – but you wont regret it. The support is there, and if you’re willing to push yourself, the growth you get back is genuinely worth it. Believe in what you can achieve, make the most of every opportunity, and you’ll be surprised how far you can go.

 

Danielle’s journey shows just how much someone can achieve when they’re supported, encouraged and willing to push themselves. Her experience is a reminder that real growth happens when you take the chance and step forward. With the right support around her, she’s discovered just how far she can go.