He drives a battered car and takes home a modest salary but Dunstable company director Paul Robson, 48, has no complaints.
That’s because the former facilities manager and IT lecturer is now involved with community interest company (CIC) Preen Reuse Matters.
“I believe in what I do,” the-father-of-three smiled. “I’ve got a social conscience.”
He and business partner Kathy Lewis, 40, met working for NOAH and the social enterprise they run on Eastern Avenue Industrial Estate supplies low-priced furniture, electrical appliances and household goods.
“Being a CIC means we can be more flexible than if we were a charity,” Paul explained. “Profit is not a dirty word and I’ve got a mortgage to pay like anyone else.
“Everything electrical we sell comes with a three month guarantee and because many of our products have been donated, they don’t end up in landfill.
“We also offer a two-tier payment structure with discounts for elderly and low income customers.”
Preen was one of the first social enterprise projects to gain trading standards approval.
He and Kathy are keen to encourage people to reuse and recycle and to help the less fortunate.
From small beginnings in Biggleswade six years ago, the company now has four buildings across Bedfordshire with 23 on the payroll and a dedicated band of volunteers of all ages and abilities.
Paul is full of ideas to establish a resource centre for community groups. He’d also like Preen to become a central drop-off point for Bedfordshire Food Aid network.
“We’ve got the infrastructure, space, staff and software,” he said.
Communications manager Janet Brennan added: “We live and breathe what we do. We have to think commercially but there IS a better way forward.”