Jul 8

Jul 8 OH THE PLACES YOU'LL GO...

I think that every teen gets this book when they graduate High School or College. After all, Dr. Seuss had some great words of wisdom as it pertained to “gourmet” food, appropriate cat attire and how to count fish. So why wouldn’t he have infinite wisdom about the places we will go in the future? The book starts: “Congratulations! Today is your day! You’re off to great places! You’re off and away!” When I received the book all those years ago, those simple sentences meant nothing to me…I was off to college a mere 500 miles away, and it was just a book. I didn’t have any idea of what the future held for me.

John Haynes & I in the High Point Showroom

When I started my career in this industry 10 years ago, I was told that in a few days after I started, I would be headed off to High Point, North Carolina - The Furniture Capital of the World! Being new to the Home Furnishing Industry, I had no idea what to expect. I wasn’t a huge traveler and I certainly would have never expected to love the travel as much as I do. Never did I think that first trip would open me up to a world of trips all over the country and (hopefully soon) around the world! I am sitting in my office today for the first time in over two weeks, after having traveled to both coasts to work with our sales force and customers.

Each day is an adventure, full of new people, new locations and sometimes (as happened in my recent trip to New England) a new round of “what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger” situations. I’ve had to learn to simply roll with it; planes are late, appointments get cancelled and sometimes things simply don’t go as planned. But at the end of the day, that is what makes it an adventure!

As the Director of Sales for Howard Elliott, I get to be out across the country meeting our customers and see how they use Howard Elliott in their businesses. The display and merchandising creativity that our customers display is truly incredible. Each display and store is just as unique as each individual store owner or designer.

Our customers are what keep me going…seeing them at the trade shows is almost like getting to go to camp a few times a year to see all of my friends! July means another camp session and I can’t wait to catch up with everyone in Atlanta and/or Vegas!

“Be your name Buxbaum of Bixby or Bray
Or Mordecia Ali Van Allen O’Shea,
You’re off the Great Places!
Today is your Day!
Your mountain is waiting.
So….Get on your way!”
~ Dr. Suess