HAPPY INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY!

QUESTION TIME WITH SARAH...

What do you do at Laguna Maidstone?

I am the Clothing Department Manager at Laguna Maidstone. However since the first lockdown I have also been overseeing the running of the eCommerce Department.

What does a normal day at work look like for you?

Every day varies and no two days are the same. Currently it could be booking the new 2021 clothing stock and merchandising it, or it could be processing the eCommerce orders and getting these dispatched and out to customers. It could also be doing some behind the scenes work with eCommerce and getting new stock online. 

What made you want to work at Laguna Maidstone?

I applied to work at Laguna Maidstone straight of university on a temporary part-time basis and never envisaged myself being here 9 years later and running a department! We have a great team at Laguna Maidstone and not just in terms of individual departments. I also really enjoy when we have the opportunity to work at events and work with other colleagues from different Laguna stores.

If you could invite any 3 women (past, present or fictional) to a ride with or hang out with, who would you choose and why?

This is a tricky one. If I had to choose only three: Maggie Smith, (great actress and I suspect could tell some interesting tales - I’m also a Harry Potter fan!), Joanna Lumley (again, great actress, has travelled the world and I just think she would be fun), and Anne Frank. 

What motorcycle best describes you and why?

This is another hard question. I would have to say something like a Triumph Speed Twin - personally I love the modern classics range as they offer reliability and fun, but without losing the classic charm.

Who is a female role model of yours and why?

I’m not sure I can pinpoint just one - but I come from a family with a lot of strong and independent females.

QUESTION TIME WITH HOLLY...

What do you do at Laguna Motorcycles in Maidstone?

I organise and update our ecommerce systems with new stock and help customers with all of their clothing enquiries and purchases.

What does a normal day at work look like for you?

Things are always super busy in clothing! We begin the day by packing up orders ready for shipping off to their new homes and updating any stock on our websites and online platforms. Throughout the day we take calls and enquiries to assist customers in finding their new jackets, boots, helmets and more. No request is ever too much and we will always try hard to help wherever we can.

What made you want to work at Laguna Motorcycles?

I love nothing more than meeting people from all walks of life, so speaking to customers each day with different bikes, backgrounds and stories is so rewarding. We see new riders gearing up for their first ride on a 125cc, or veteran riders with classic bikes that have seen years of adventures.

If you could invite any 3 women (past, present or fictional) to a ride with or hang out with, who would you choose and why?

Kate Winslet, as she seems to be able to let her hair down, and have a good laugh! Amy Winehouse, as I love how she expressed herself. I think we could have such interesting conversations. Belatrix Le Strange, as she’s fierce and full of confidence.

What motorcycle best describes you and why?

A Triumph Street Triple RS, as it gets straight to the point, but has just enough attitude to balance out the fun!

Who is a female role model of yours and why?

Monami Frost, as she is incredibly creative and determined, founding her own clothing line and a restaurant chain. If she wants something, she does everything she can to achieve it – even if that means rocking the boat a little bit! I find her drive and confidence so inspiring.

QUESTION TIME WITH SHARRON...

What do you do at Laguna Motorcycles?

I work in the Account's office.

What does a normal day at work look like for you?

I’m kept busy reconciling accounts and stroking Winston, the office dog!

What made you want to work at Laguna Motorcycles?

From the interview outset I felt a rapport with the business and the people. I knew I would be happy there.

If you could invite any 3 women (past, present or fictional) to a ride with or hang out with, who would you choose and why?

• Sara Payne, because in spite of suffering the unbearable loss of her daughter, Sarah, she campaigned tirelessly for “Sarah’s Law”.  Even after suffering a stroke and a marriage break up she never gave up fighting the cause.  She is inspirational as a person but mostly as a mother. She proves that you should never give up something you believe in no matter what you face or endure. Always maintaining her composure and dignity. 

• Dawn French, because she never fails to make me laugh. She is a very clever and witty person and I'm sure has many stories to tell through her work and her life experiences. 

• Anne Boleyn because I absolutely love everything about the Tudor history, especially King Henry VIII. I would just love to spend time with her finding out what really happened in the court of King Henry and if indeed she was as bad as everyone in history says she was - or in fact if he was too. 

What motorcycle best describes you and why?

The Harley-Davidson® Tri Glide Ultra. I love this bike because it looks laid back and easy going - you can just glide along the roads on it with ease. Taking each day in its stride and seeing where the road takes you!

Who is a female role model of yours and why?

JK Rowling, because I have always wanted to be a writer/author. I think her imagination is outstanding. She is a magnificent story teller and how she creates all these characters and places and everything else around it is just incredible. To have a mind like that and to be able to convey that onto paper must be such a thrill for her. Giving all that enjoyment to the world through her books.

QUESTION TIME WITH CHLOE...

What do you do at Laguna Motorcycles?

My role as Graphic Designer for the marketing team includes a mix of everything, from designing ads and website visuals to setting up promotional displays.

What does a normal day at work look like for you?

Busy(!) - from photographing one-off custom bikes to preparing for launch events, there’s always lots going on! On a ‘typical day’, I could be designing anything from website visuals and social media posts, to magazine ads and posters. You might also see me in the showrooms or at events, photographing bikes, boots and everything in between!

What made you want to work at Laguna Motorcycles?

Motorcycles and the motor industry are in my blood, but graphic design has always been my passion. So the rare opportunity to combine the two was a dream! Plus joining an all-female team, in a male dominated industry, was super empowering – and lots of fun!

If you could invite any 3 women (past, present or fictional) to a ride with or hang out with, who would you choose and why?

• Amelia Earhart, because she was fearless and incredibly determined, despite constantly being told she was out of her depth. I’d love to spend a day hearing about her incredible achievements.
• Dawn French, because I’d be in fits of giggles the whole time.
• Penelope Pitstop from Wacky Racers, because you have to throw a bit of speed into the mix!

What motorcycle best describes you and why?

Honda Monkey, because they’re simple and small, but always up for an adventure!

Who is a female role model of yours and why?

Violette Szabo - the Special Operations agent & WW2 heroine. I first learnt about her at a Ray Mears seminar, and have never forgotten the story of her incredible life and sacrifice. I’d challenge anyone to read about Violette and not feel hugely inspired by her strength and determination.

QUESTION TIME WITH EMMA...

What do you do at Laguna Motorcycles?

I'm the Marketing Manager at Laguna Motorcycles. I oversee and action all of the day-to-day marketing projects, initiatives and campaigns for five dealership stores which cover 9 different motorcycle brands, with the help of our fantastic Graphic Designer, Chloe. 

What does a normal day at work look like for you?

There is no normal day for me as I am lucky to have an extremely varied role, which keeps me very busy! I continually review, prioritise and plan all of the marketing tasks that need to be undertaken and implement them. A lot of tasks require me to work closely with our designer to bring comms to life and I also work with many individuals across the business to deliver certain tasks, which is one aspect of my role that I really love.

What made you want to work at Laguna Motorcycles?

After many years of working in London for big organisations in different industries, I fancied a change. Working for a family run company appealed to me greatly, as did immersing myself in the world of motorcycles, which was new to me. Laguna Motorcycles has 5 dealerships, but I always remember walking into our Harley-Davidson® store for the first time when I had my interview and I’m pretty certain I got goosebumps – the bikes were beautiful, as was the store - and the opportunity of working with amazing motorcycle brands like Harley-Davidson® was really exciting to me.

If you could invite any 3 women (past, present or fictional) to a ride with or hang out with, who would you choose and why?

Holly Willoughby. She seems to have the amazing ability of being able to see the funny side in everything and I think she’d be really good fun to hang out with. Margot Robbie’s depiction of the Harley Quinn character. She’s fearless and as sweet as she is crazy - guaranteed to liven things up! Kate Winslet. She’s just so inspiring. She is intelligent, strong minded and down to earth. I love her unwavering confidence and her total acceptance of who she is, flaws and all. 

What motorcycle best describes you and why?

I think it's got to be one of the Ducati Scrambler bikes in that gorgeous Atomic Orange colour!... Bright, easy-going and fun! 

Who is a female role model of yours and why?

My mum springs to mind immediately. She has an amazing inner strength to get through anything life throws at her, with absolute integrity and grace. She taught me the importance of education and hard work so that I may stand on my own two feet in life, as well as the importance of patience and kindness towards others. I am thankful for her unconditional support in life. 

MEET MORE OF THE LADIES AT OUR STORES...

CLICK HERE to meet Carol and Sarah at our Maidstone Harley-Davidson® store! 

CLICK HERE to meet Becky at our Laguna Triumph store!