A Half a year in review
It’s easy to let the weeks and months go by in business without taking time to reflect on what’s happening.
We’ve covered a lot of ground in 2026 already. That’s literally and figuratively. Our van’s covered 5,672 miles since January, demanding two new tyres on the way.
As we head into the summer, with a week off ahead of us, we thought it was time to look back on the first six months of 2026 and take stock of what we’ve achieved.
Here, there, and everywhere
Our van has taken us all over Northern Ireland in the past six months. That’s to a home five minutes away in Portadown, slightly further to a home cinema build in Scarva, further again to Lisburn, Kilrea, Portrush, and Fermanagh, and then to Belfast, to name but a few locations.
In the Republic of Ireland we’ve been as far as Greystones for maintenance and Malahide for a site visit. We’re currently working on a proposal for a lovely new build in Carlingford.
Our proudest project achievement this year so far has been completing our highest value project since I founded Epitome Living in 2017. A huge thanks goes to our technician Richard in particular for getting this one across the line.
He spent many days down in Dublin working with other contractors and seeing that project through. We installed our first golf simulator in that home, which Richard installed with the same care and precision he does everything else. There were some truly beautiful fabric-to-wall edges achieved.
Outside of starting and finishing projects, I headed to ISE for the 9th time. This year’s visit expanded my thinking on AI and new software available to us as smart technology installers, and reiterated why education continues to be so important to learn and grow as a professional.
Showroom investments
Since January, we’ve met with almost 20 potential clients, 41% of which have converted to customers and 35% have discussions on going. I’ll never not be pleased when someone chooses us as their technology installer.
This year has given us more opportunities to fit technology into boardrooms and offices, and we have two church technology projects underway too. Epitome Living’s tagline is that smart technology simplifies lives, and I firmly believe that there’s no better demonstration of that than when it’s installed in multiuse spaces. I’m glad we’re able to install this simplicity in more buildings this year.
We’ve mainly met new clients at our satellite showroom at Alwood in Lurgan, as we usually do. Soon though, potential clients will be able to visit us at the showroom we’re working on at our HQ in Craigavon.
We’ve been fitting in our showroom build around client projects, so it’s taking us a little longer than we’d hoped (if you’re in business you’ll understand). When we open the doors though, it’s going to be a real demonstration of what our technology can do and how we think creatively to maintain design around functionality. It’s going to be good!
If you’re based north of Lough Neagh, you’ll shortly be able to visit our satellite showroom in Ballymoney, but we have slightly more work to finish there until we can invite you in. This project has been long in the making, so we’re excited to see it coming together.
We’re also very proud of the installation we completed at the Sync Living Independence and Mobility Hub in February. Our installation makes Sync Living not only the only dedicated assisted living showroom in Ireland, but the only assisted living showroom in Ireland with smart technology installed.
You can read more about our investment in the Sync Living showroom on Sync NI.
Building connections
Building relationships with architects and interior designers has been a big focus for us this year. As the only person in Ireland trained to deliver CEDIA’s CPDs, I’ve been delivering these as often as possible to expand the thinking of our fellow home builders and designers.
So far this year we’ve delivered eight CPD sessions. Most of these have been in person, but I also delivered a virtual CPD for the Interiors Association Ireland, and a virtual session for solo architects and interior designers. You shouldn’t have to sacrifice learning because you work alone.
We’re continuing to book CPD slots with architects and interior designers into the summer and autumn. To secure a date, contact info@epitomeliving and let us know when you want us. We’ll bring lunch.
In other milestones, our apprentice technician Lee has just completed the third year of his four year college course. Lee joined us at the very beginning of his time at college and has been learning how to install and configure smart systems like Loxone.
This year we focused on teaching him more about deployment of smart home systems, in addition to our networking and AV solutions.
We’ve also continued to invest in our team and widened our network of external contractors. We plan to add to our full-time team again later in the year, and I’m looking forward to the new ideas and energy that brings with it.
Over the past six months, we’ve doubled down on our mission to show that professionally installed, design-led technology systems simplify lives. Seeing our project numbers grow and new strings being added to our bows as professionals shows that sharing that message is working, and for that I’m pleased and proud.
Now onwards to a break and then back to business.