Every successful business is built around its people, and behind every person is a story worth telling.
For Mabel Urrego, Managing Director of Calabash Mint, that story began thousands of miles away in Colombia.
In December 2011, shortly after getting married, Mabel moved to the UK to begin a new chapter in her life.
Arriving in a new country brought new opportunities, but also challenges. With limited English and no established professional network, finding her feet wasn’t easy.
Mabel initially took a job as a cleaner, working long hours while adjusting to her new surroundings.
But she had ambitions to build a career using the skills and experience she had gained in Colombia.
Creating her own opportunities
Determined to progress, Mabel began studying English alongside her job and actively looked for opportunities to develop her career.
One day, she approached the Head of Finance at Mint Hygiene with an unusual request.
Could she volunteer in the finance department to gain experience?
The answer was yes.
For several months, Mabel worked without pay, gaining valuable experience, learning new skills and demonstrating her commitment.
Her determination eventually paid off when she was offered a paid position, initially working just ten hours a week before progressing into a permanent role.
Over the following years, Mabel continued developing her career, working across different areas of the business while studying towards her AAT qualifications.
Her experience helped her build a broad understanding of the organisation, alongside the financial and leadership skills that would serve her well in the years ahead.
From Mint Hygiene to Managing Director
In 2019, when Calabash Washroom Hygiene acquired Mint Hygiene, Mabel became part of the newly formed Calabash Mint.
Working closely with Managing Director David Richardson, she helped support the development and growth of the business, eventually becoming Finance Director.
Following David’s passing in 2024, Mabel stepped into the role of Managing Director, taking responsibility for leading the company into its next chapter.
It was a significant milestone in a journey that had begun with her arrival in the UK thirteen years earlier.
A story of determination and opportunity
Mabel’s journey reflects something that has been part of Calabash Mint’s philosophy since its earliest days.
Founder Julian Hill believed that people who demonstrated loyalty, trustworthiness and a willingness to work hard deserved the opportunity to develop and thrive.
Mabel’s story is an example of what determination, initiative and opportunity can achieve.
From starting again in a new country to leading a business, her journey serves as a reminder that where you begin doesn’t have to determine how far you can go.
And at Calabash Mint, it’s stories like these that make the people behind the business so important.
Discover More About Calabash Mint
The Story Behind Calabash Mint
Discover how Julian Hill’s journey led to the creation of Calabash Mint and the principles that have shaped the business for over three decades.
