After an unfulfilling career in the food industry, Colleen Daly began her journey in home furnishings in 2006 as a Key Accounts Manager and Customer Service Manager for The Howard Elliott Collection. She was promoted to Vice President in 2017.
"Decide who you (or your business) are and stick with it," Daly said when asked to share a piece of advice to someone entering the industry. "You cannot be all things to all people so chose what you a passionate about and share that with your clients/customers."
Daly shared some additional business insights with Furniture, Lighting & Decor, found below.
Furniture, Lighting & Decor: How do you build your clientele? Share a top marketing strategy tip.
Colleen Daly: We have amazing digital and print marketing programs in place to build our brand to the industry. However, I still rely on good old-fashioned networking and personal marketing! We value the partnerships that we have developed with our customers at all levels. I make it a point to make every single one of our customers feel as special as the next. I try to be as accessible as possible to them, which I think helps us be more personable and approachable as a vendor.
FLD: What inspires you the most in your business?
CD: The relationships and partnerships that I have built and those that I continue to build on both sides of the business. I am constantly learning from our partners and seeking ways to be a better resource for our customers.
FLD: Share something you wish you knew when you were just starting out.
CD: There will be no “typical" days. Each one comes with its own set of challenges and successes. You have to be fluid at all times and be able to change course at a moment’s notice. Everything will get done that needs to be done, but it may not happen as quickly as I plan. And that is ok!
FLD: What are the tools, companies and people who help you do what you do best? Why?
CD: Over the years, I have developed an excellent network of mentors and confidants. They both encourage and inspire me with their experience and insight. I am able to bounce ideas off of them, no matter how off the wall, and they listen without judgment and steer me toward the direction I need to go. But I have learned the most from my boss, Brian Berk, President and owner of Howard Elliott. He saw something in me that I am not sure I even saw at the time.
