E146: Tom Richardson - Winning with Relationships: The Importance of Supplier and Manufacturer Connections

Tom Richardson is the Director of C&J Supplies, a family-owned business that has been operating for 32+ years. Realising the potential of eCommerce 15 years ago, Tom expanded the business and created Locks Direct, a sister company aimed towards selling padlocks online.  At the time, it was a niche marketplace, but with the changing times, the company saw it as a logical step to go online and expand their reach. Today, C&J Supplies and Locks Direct are well-established names, known for reliability and quality in the world of online padlock sales. In this podcast, Tom talks candidly about business. He shares how strong supplier relationships are key to his eCommerce success and how to build trust in a competitive market. Find out the celebrity show that stocked Tom’s products and how that came to be.  Don’t miss this episode if you are a retailer in a niche marketplace who wants to scale. From years of ups and downs, Tom knows a thing or two about navigating challenging times, so tune in to hear his advice and tips!