I Built My Own Table
As I thought about writing this article, I thought “when was the first time I even realized I was a woman in a male dominated industry??” I am honestly not sure. I didn’t realize this would even be an issue or cause for concern. My mom never warned me, nor did college . The few years prior to the furniture industry I was in sales, some retail and then advertising, and never noticed. Perhaps I just wasn’t paying attention. Clearly the commercial furniture industry is not the only male dominated industry in the world, I would venture to say there are even some worse than ours. When I started in the industry at a dealer in 1996, I was with a woman owned dealership so nothing seemed amiss. However, once I started moving around especially to the manufacturer side it started to become apparent that there were not a lot of women at a higher level than sales in the industry. As I wasn’t focused on moving up the ladder at the time it did not concern me much. I have three older brothers, so it was normal for me to be outnumbered. Reflecting back, I think I really started to notice as I moved up the executive ladder into VP roles and started attending national trade shows and industry events. I was sometimes the only woman or one of two or three women in a room full of men. There were even some benefits to this (and still are today) in that I would be asked to be on a panel or to represent a group simply because I was the only woman. I definitely saw it for what it was and took advantage of it.
At the executive level in a company, it was much harder to be a woman in a room full of men. I often felt invisible. “Can’t they see me? did I say actually say anything? I really thought I said something.” Were common phrases running through my mind. All I ever wanted was a “seat at the table.” To be heard and considered for the ideas that I presented. Unfortunately, to this day there is not always a seat at the table for me. Often, I felt they would placate me when I shared ideas or strategy. I can recall times when I would share an idea that no one seemed interested in to have a man offer up the same comments or strategy and they would be seen as brilliant.
Unfortunately, I did not have any female mentors during my career. There was one man who was my boss who I will be forever grateful to as he saw me, heard me and recognized greatness in me enough to promote me to a role I was probably not ready for, but he was there to help me grow into it and that truly developed me into the leader I am today. Additionally, I was extremely fortunate when looking to leave a very male dominated company to find a woman owned small business who preferred a female leader as the face of their company. This was a fabulous time of refreshment and recalibration. It allowed me to grow as a leader who was appreciated both for her skills/talents as well as her sex.
When I got tired of not being given a seat, I built my own table. In the past 4 years as owner of my own company, I have made a conscious decision to be a mentor to women inside and outside of our industry. I believe in the power of community and that empowered women, empower women. I launched a Faith based community called Faith Filled Women www.faithfilledwomen.co to encourage and empower women in all areas of what they do. I also try to make myself available to any woman in our industry who wants to talk or needs encouragement or guidance in their career or in their own business. It has become one of my favorite parts of what I get to do day in and day out. I have also met some of the smartest, kindest women who I call friends who encourage and empower me every day- they are mentors without even knowing it.
Today there are many more women in leadership positions in our industry, although not nearly enough. I feel unique to some extent as I have spent my entire career in this industry and have had the honor of reaching very high leadership roles at the manufacturer level- breaking through the glass ceiling as they say. I have had an amazing career in the commercial furniture industry and am grateful to be a part of it. I am encouraged each year when I see more women at the national industry events and look forward to the day when it is not as easy to count them in the room.
Tips for younger women in the industry:
You have a voice. Do not be afraid to use it and push your way into the space. It is not easy and can be scary but it will be worth it I promise
Some sage advice I received that I will pass on: Your reputation is everything. As a woman we need to be even more diligent about this.
Find a mentor- literally ask a woman you admire to meet with you and guide you
Be a mentor to someone coming behind you.
Never forget that being a woman is an advantage. You bring different view points, ideas and approaches to getting things done. Embrace it!
As published in Viewpoint Magazine, March 2025
