HOW DID YOU ENTER THE INDUSTRY?
Kind of by mistake. I was teaching part-time for a few years after college and working for a tile and carpet shop. They were going out of business, so I took the opportunity to look for work that aligned with my passions. I ended up at Inland Lighting because I was most interested in design. I loved making the tile and carpet shop’s showroom look beautiful. It’s been
18 years, and I can’t imagine being anywhere else but Inland.
WHAT ARE SOME OF THE BIGGEST CHANGES
YOU’VE SEEN?
LED has been wonderful for our industry. We can do things now that we couldn’t even imagine executing 10 years ago. There’s also been a shift in the taste of the average decorator or designer; people are taking more risks. I think HGTV shows are encouraging everyone to go out on a limb, to mix and match, and not to be afraid to play with color and style.
WHAT HAS BEEN THE KEY TO YOUR SUCCESS?
My passion for knowledge and for the industry. I have dedicated my free time to learning as much as I can to better help people create their dream homes. I enjoy attending forums and seminars at every Market, and I recently became an ALA Certified Lighting Consultant (CLC). There are only about five in the Northwest, and I’m proud to say I’m one of them.
WHAT IS SOMETHING YOU WISH YOU KNEW WHEN YOU WERE FIRST STARTING OUT?
I wish I had more confidence in myself. I would always defer a question to someone else, even when I knew the answer. I think I was a little gun shy. Looking back, I know it was just because I was young and inexperienced. It took me awhile to feel fully confident. Having my hands on every aspect of the business and going to Dallas twice a year helped tremendously.
WHERE DO YOU SEE YOUR BUSINESS IN
THE NEXT 5 TO 10 YEARS?
I see a lot of growth. My husband will likely retire, and I would like to be in a position where we could sustain the business fully without him. I would like to be able to enjoy this time together and travel.
