– We received an offer from Ski Storsenter that we couldn’t say no to a year ago. We have further developed our concept, expanded the selection and taken big steps in the new premises.
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– I think it is great that we, as a small family business, are competitive among so many chains and large players here at the centre, says Ramin Iranpur, and breaks into a big smile.
Four times as big
For 20 years he has run the interior shop Sense of Style together with his wife. The first 16 years in Jernbaneveien in the center of Ski, the almost last four as part of Ski Storsenter.
A little over a year ago, they moved from the area where Joe & the Juice is now, to a room four times as large on the 3rd floor. It is not wrong to say that Ramin and his wife gambled well.
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Four times the size of premises naturally gives potentially greater sales, but the rent is also different.
How has the first year in the new premises really gone?
– We live in uncertain times, and much is undeniably a part of that, but overall it has gone very well for us. We have a 15 percent increase in sales, have more employees and are generally doing well.
– We notice that it has become even more popular around the store now that we are more visible at the centre, says Ramin.
– Becomes a lifestyle
Ramin Iranpour is a resident of Ski for many years and has an extra close relationship with the Station City. He originally graduated as a sports educator from the Norwegian Sports Academy, and before starting Sense of Style, he worked for the Norwegian Sports Confederation for seven years.
Interior design was a hobby, then it turned around: For the past 20 years, interior design has been a job and sport a hobby.
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– Running a shop becomes a way of life. We work a lot, we are here in the store a lot, but we love it. Love to help our customers. And I believe that you have to be properly present in your own store to create an identity, Ramin points out.
– There is always a certain risk associated with running a shop, but you learn to like that, he adds.
Tell the secret
It started with carpets for Ramin, then they have expanded steadily. Today, Sense of Style is a complete interior design store – and Ramin and co also have a number of assignments that involve styling and furnishing homes.
– There are not that many stores that last 20 years at all. What is the secret behind the durability of Sense of Style?
– I think it’s about quality and competence. And personal service. That is our core. Our customers must experience complete quality in everything we do. In addition, we have a selection that not everyone else has. We are a family business, we are not part of a chain.
– I think it gives us a distinctive character that our customers appreciate. It is difficult to predict the future, but we will continue to develop, work with quality. And who knows, maybe one day we’ll open more stores too, says Ramin Iranpour.
