Lifelong friends Tony Trowers and Steff Lungrin are making waves in their hometown with a growing business portfolio and a workforce of more than 100 staff.
Property entrepreneur Tony and former Staffordshire Police detective Steff went into business together just four years ago with the launch of property lettings, management and maintenance firm Pillar Box Lettings.
Fifty eight-year-old Tony teamed up with Steff, aged 64, to launch the Hartshill business in 2017.
And since then the pair have built up an expanding portfolio of local businesses which includes everything from a financial services company and a beauty salon to a trendy new restaurant.
Today, Tony is at the helm of Art Plastering Systems and a row of properties on Clayton Road in Newcastle, together with his partner Jennifer Regan, which are home to 81 Rose Garden, Koffee Brown, 85 Secret Garden and The Beauty Garden.
And along with Steff, he runs Pillar Box Lettings and Pillar Box Financial Services with their other friend, Andrew Morgan.
But juggling seven businesses between them is still not enough for the determined businessmen who have now launched another new venture – Auris Developments.
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Tony, who grew up in Biddulph, said: "I've been involved with property since I was young. I have bought and sold a lot of properties but I’ve always had a vision and the drive to do other things as well.
"I started my plastering business when I was about 19, I used to buy and sell terraced houses and I have spent the last 30-odd years working with some of the biggest plc’s in the country.
"I had to grow up pretty quickly, and I’ve always liked a challenge and I’ve believed in every project I’ve been involved with."
Unlike Tony, Steff is practically brand new to the business world, having spent 30 years at Staffordshire Police, latterly as a detective chief inspector.
Steff said: "For the majority of my life I have been involved in the investigation of some of the most heinous crimes you could ever imagine, but it's only for the last nine or so years that I've felt completely out of my comfort zone.
"We've gone from letting properties to helping people buy them through our financial services business to now building properties through Auris Developments.
"But I've learned a lot in that time," added Steff. "Business is about creating relationships and sharing experiences and because of our backgrounds, a lot of people know us – and that's an asset."
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Through Auris Developments, Tony and Steff will buy properties – or land – in and around Staffordshire and develop respite centres for elderly or disabled people and their families.
Steff – who has vowed to never retire – said: "We have purchased a plot of land in Chesterton and will develop it with a view to building three bungalows, and we are also seeking existing properties to redevelop.
"This is a new area for us, but we have recognised the need for respite care homes in the area and we want to help deliver them.
"I was brought up on a Stoke-on-Trent council estate and there is an element of pride to seeing how far we’ve come."
Tony added: "We have faced adversity in the past. We've had it where people didn't want to work with us because of our race or whatever, but we have battled through and the proof of that is here now.
"I believe the key to achieving what we have been able to achieve is integrity and like-mindedness.
"It's about staying true to what you believe and working with people who will be able to help you to drive your business forward."