In every issue of our Aycliffe Business magazine, we take a break and sit down with a different employee or business owner/leader to ask them 20 questions about a variety of subjects.
In our latest issue, Kathryn Howe is in the Aycliffe Business chair. Kat and her husband Carl own and run Valhalla North Axe Throwing on Aycliffe Business Park – winners of the Innovation category in the 2022 Make Your Mark Awards…
1: What do you do?
A: I own Valhalla North Axe Throwing.
2: Who have you worked for in the past?
A: I have worked for Engie, Kier and TTE as a bid manager/co-ordinator.
3: Best part of your job?
A: I love being part of this amazing sport and travelling across the world to compete and meet other venue owners.
4: Is there anything about your job that you really don’t like?
A: The accounts, I do not enjoy the accounts!
5: Favourite thing about working on Aycliffe Business Park?
A: Being part of a supportive community and seeing everyone at the events.
6: Which company/individual on the park do you do the most work with?
A: We’ve worked with Aycliffe Fabrications and will be working with Digital Edge soon. We’ve seen companies through our doors including Excelpoint (Ian Brown and his team are a great laugh to have in the building), Ian Proctor at Digital Edge was one of our first customers, and we are looking forward to welcoming Paul Hind (3M) and his group in October.
7: Which Aycliffe business or individual do you tip for future success?
A: Ellie at Digital Edge. She is such a friendly face at every event, and she talks so passionately about her job. She is ambitious and knows where she wants to go, and I know she will be there sooner than she thinks!
8: Four famous people you’d love to have round for dinner and why?
A: Steve Carrel, I am a HUGE Office fan and I think he’s hilarious. Lady Gaga, she’s an incredible person, singer and actress. Floor Jansen, she is the most amazing singer and if you haven’t heard her sing you need to. Finally, Julie Andrews, I was obsessed with The Sound of Music and Mary Poppins as a child and I’d love to meet her. So, overall, my dinner party would be odd but very entertaining.
9: If you could do something else in business, what would it be?
A: I’m studying a part-time psychology degree. I’ve always been fascinated by the why’s and how’s of people’s behaviour, so I decided to apply to the Open University. I’ll graduate in four years and plan to try a career in Psychology.
10: Who’s your favourite Tweeter?
A: I don’t use Twitter often but I recently came across ‘Fesshole’, people send in confessions which are re-posted anonymously. Some are really funny or heart-warming and it’s just nice to have a read and a good laugh.
11: Have you ever done anything really daring?
A: I’ve made some quite daring decisions in my lifetime, including moving to the other side of the country, quitting my full-time job and going all in with Valhalla North, acting in a play at Darlington Hippodrome, singing in an 80’s cover band and sitting on the panel at the front of the Aycliffe Business Park meeting.
12: What’s the best piece of business advice you’ve been given?
A: When we first started, we were told to ‘strap in it’s going to be a bumpy ride’, and boy were they right. It wasn’t really advice, but I guess we knew what to expect and we are always ready for the next challenge.
13: If money was no object, what would be your ideal car?
A: Either a white Ford F150 Raptor or black Range Rover. I don’t think either are too unrealistic and hope to have one (or both) in the next five-to-ten years.
14: Money no object, your dream holiday would be?
A: Either Australia and New Zealand or an all-inclusive Bahamas cruise or Bali, travelling first class and doing all of the excursions.
15: Do you have a favourite band or type of music?
A: My music taste is so varied, I love everything from Musical Theatre to RnB to Death Metal. My favourite artist/band at the moment is Floor Jansen/Nightwish who I will be seeing in November!
16: What is your greatest achievement?
A: Running a successful business, surviving Covid and winning awards.
17: How would you best describe yourself in four words?
A: Ambitious, Inquisitive, Funny and Competitive.
18: Where do you see yourself in five years?
A: I would like another venue. I will have also graduated by then so maybe exploring a career in Psychology. Oh, and we will absolutely have another dog by then too! (Sorry Carl, it’s happening).
19: Who’s the most famous person you’ve ever met?
A: Me and Carl met Tom Hardy at Darlington Train Station, got a picture and posted it on Facebook. What we didn’t expect is for our post to go viral! It was such an odd experience, but we will always remember it.
20: Do you have any guilty pleasures?
A: I LOVE rubbish reality TV. I know it’s set up, and people only go on for fame, but I love the drama! I think I like watching it so much because it’s an escape form everyday life (that’s my excuse, anyway!).