Tips, tricks, news & other wisdom from the team at Inspire.
Something we’ve long suspected about social media is becoming much clearer.
For years, there’s been an underlying sense that content performs better when it feels human. After all, these platforms were built for people to share themselves, not for businesses to broadcast polished marketing.
But more recently, as we’ve looked more closely at performance across both organic content and paid advertising campaigns, the gap has become far more visible.
What if more of your ‘referrals’ were influenced by your marketing than you realise?
Most kitchen retailers naturally separate referrals from marketing. Referrals feel personal, earned, and entirely independent of anything you’ve put out into the world.
But the reality is a little more interesting than that.
It’s that time of year when half the industry seems to be running a promotion – and truth be told, a lot of our own clients are doing exactly that.
We’ve encouraged it.
Because January is noisy. Offers are flying. Everyone wants attention, and a well-positioned promotion can help you stand out just enough to start a conversation.
But here’s the part that’s often overlooked:
A promotion has the most impact when the customer already knows who you are.
As we approach the end of 2025, one thing has become very clear:
Independent kitchen retailers are winning when they have a clearer strategy, stronger systems, and a more structured way of growing their business.
This year, we ran the first ever KBB Mastermind programme - and it has been a successful, focused, and highly practical programme for the retailers involved.
Now, we’re opening enrolment for the 2026 KBB Mastermind, and this is your opportunity to be part of it.
When you look at the level of interest people have in buying a new kitchen across a 12-month period, a very clear pattern emerges.
Online search behaviour is the clearest window into that interest.
It shows, almost in real time, when homeowners are actively thinking about a new kitchen - and when they’re not.
I’ve been exposed to the concept of charging for kitchen designs - and debating it with people from all sides - for the past couple of years.
It’s one of those topics that keeps resurfacing - often with a mix of curiosity, uncertainty, and resistance.
But lately, it’s becoming harder to ignore.
At the recent KBSA Conference, the subject came up again - this time as a major talking point during the afternoon panel discussion.
Over the last decade, I’ve had the chance to work closely - on and off - with Nigel Botterill.
If you don’t know the name, Nigel is the founder of Entrepreneurs Circle, a business growth organisation that’s supported thousands of small business owners across the UK.
Over the past couple of decades, Nigel’s built nine separate million-pound businesses.
He knows what it takes to grow, and just as importantly, what holds most businesses back.
I’ve learned a lot from him over the years. But this year, in particular, one message from him has really stuck with me…
Last week, I attended the Kbsa 2024 conference. Another quality event organised by and attended by people fully invested in the industry.
Over the day, the organisers and presenters gathered feedback about the state of the industry from the attendees—several hundred kitchen retailers and industry partners.
Some of the poll results were particularly striking…
Drop us an email. We’ll be delighted to help.
