When Marcin Sobala first came to work for Tailored Image over twenty years ago, he joined a small team in a modest operation. Since then, the growth he has witnessed and helped to fuel has been incredible. Along the way, he has become very much a part of the Tailored Image family and has made Northern Ireland his home, having moved here from his beloved Poland.
Marcin is a grafter. The type of employee you will always see walking at pace. He can’t leave a room without several people calling his name to add their requests to his ‘To Do’ list, or ask his advice on embroidery or heat sealing. He is a fountain of knowledge and he gets things done and done well. We’ve very grateful for his dedication over the years and look forward to what he can help us to achieve next. Find out his story here…
Tell me a bit about your background – what did you study and how did you come across Tailored Image?
I graduated from High School with a specialisation in bakery. After that I changed my focus to chemical analysis. I continued my study at the University of Warmia and Mazury in Poland. In the meantime, I worked in a chemical laboratory as a department manager. After the company restructured, I lost my job but I received an offer to move to Northern Ireland.
How long have you worked for the company?
I have been a part of the company for 20 years.
What appealed to you specifically about Tailored Image when you applied to work here?
I was looking for an exciting, ambitious and progressive company that would offer the opportunity to gain new skills and develop them, and who would fully utilize the experience I had acquired. After my interview with Breandan and Bernard, I concluded that I would find all of this at Tailored Image.
How has the company changed since you started working here?
Throughout my entire employment period, I have witnessed how the company began by occupying a small unit in a retail space and transformed to a large business handling high-value contracts. I’ve seen how departments developed and branched off in order to increase efficiency. New departments have been created that help respond quickly to customer needs, departments that protect company from digital threats or provide assistance to employees.
Now I can observe how all these departments work together to achieve the company’s goals and be successful. It confirms to me that my choice from 20 years ago was the right one and I’m glad to be a part of this change.
Are there any ways in which it hasn’t changed?
Tailored Image has gone through many changes over the years but one thing stayed the same: the positive work culture. The company was and still is focused on creating a friendly workplace that gives employees sense of stability and security.
Tailored Image also emphasizes flexible work arrangements and wellness resources to keep employees feeling their best.
Sounds like a great environment, because it is!
What was your first role and how have you progressed?
I started my career at Tailored Image as a warehouse worker. I learned how the warehouse operates, what the storage rules were and how to handle any challenges that arise.
Next, I got to know the system that Tailored Image uses. I was responsible for receiving goods and placing them in the warehouse, handling returns to the supplies, preparing garments for embroiderers and alterations and for dispatch orders to customers.
Then the company created an embellishment department. I learned embroidery from scratch through trial and error, and after a while I took over as the supervisor of that department and the warehouse.
Next, the embellishment department was expanded with another branch, which is “heat-sealing and sublimation”. Currently, I serve as the manager of the both the embellishment and sewing departments.
How have the team at Tailored Image helped you to progress in your career?
Tailored Image has me the opportunity acquire new skills and develop them through professional workshops and leadership programs but the most important thing was the experience and knowledge that my supervisors and managers gave me and implementing their constructive feedback.
Tailored Image is a value driven organisation, do you recognise those values and experience them in your own role?
Absolutely, I think values really shape the work culture and it makes a big difference when you can see them in action every day.
If someone was considering a role in Tailored Image, what would your advice be?
I would say “definitely, go for it, if the company’s values and culture resonate with you. It’s always a great idea to look for a place where you can grow, feel supported and really align with the mission. So, I’d say it’s a great opportunity”.
