Tony Luke

Customer Retailing

Tony Luke’s story is one of personal drive and entrepreneurial spirit.  He opened his own store at the young age of 15. “Tony Interiors” in St. Austell is a soft furnishings business. It creates bespoke blinds and curtains and also has readymade furnishings, accessories and gift items. After opening his business, Tony was approached by Cornwall College to do an NVQ in Customer Retailing as part of the apprenticeship programme.

In 2008, Tony was one of only four finalists in the ‘Skillsmart Retail Apprentice of the Year Award’. Tony was over the moon about the recognition saying: “This feels amazing. The apprenticeship helped me so much and to be commended for how I worked is brilliant. Before I hid in the background but the course brought me forward, now I’m mingling with customers and inspiring others to do the course.”

Now 19, Tony has almost completed his NVQ. He says: “The course gave me the confidence I needed to achieve the goals and targets I’d set.”

Tony dreams that one day he’ll own and operate a larger, department style store.

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