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Deb Barrett
As an award winning designer and Founder of Window Dressings, Deb Barrett has built a reputation for cutting edge couture treatments and soft furnishings. In addition, she is an accomplished speaker, editor and author. Nationally known, Deb regularly speaks at industry and association events on a variety of design, business and trend topics. and her new book, What Makes a Great Window Treatment: Details launches in late 2009. During her successful tenure in design, Deb has had a broad and varied background and experience that is a rare mix in the industry. Her fascination with what’s around the corner and the constant search for inspiration has led her to her current roles as consultant, speaker and design blogger
Beth Hodges
Beth Hodgesis the owner of Soft Furnishings, located in Elberton, GA. She operated Soft Furnishings for the first eight years as a one-person retail workroom.
Now in business for over twenty years, Soft Furnishings has expanded to employ
four people and provides wholesale workroom services around the country. Beth is
the installation instructor as the Custom Home Furnishings Academy and has been a popular seminar presenter for many window covering events. She is the immediate past president of the Window Coverings Association of America after serving as president for two consecutive terms and maintains a seat on the Board of Directors. She has received many certifications including Certified Window Treatment Consultant and Certified Workroom Professional through the WCAA, WFCP Expert, and CHF Certified Installer.
Gillian Wendel, WFCP Associate
The WendelWorks
Gillian Wendel, owner of the award-winning The Wendel Works, began her custom design studio in 1999. A degree in Fine Arts coupled with years of design experience in the graphic arts field honed Wendel’s sense of proportion and balance, and combined with her trademark for detail, propelled The Wendel Works into the flourishing window treatment business it is today.
Wendel is a WFCP Associate, a member of WAA, President of the Houston Area Custom Drapery Association and an instructor for The Custom Sewing Institute’s Creative Camp events.
Sheri Weissler, Decorating Decor and More
Sheri Weissler is an author, as well as an owner of Decorating Decor and More, a full-service design and decorating firm, located in the Midwest. Sheri's book, "Start an Interior Design or Decorating Business...The Insider's Guide to Growth, Profit and Success" provides readers real-world examples for establishing a business with little to no money down, while sharing proven strategies for developing a successful, profit-generating model. Sheri authored this book because she saw a huge void in the design world. "Designer's have a good grasp on the design process but are missing the critical components to effectively run a business." she said. Sheri's extensive corporate background in marketing and operations provides the framework for her business operational success. Her love for design has driven her to realize unprecedented increases in sales during the past several years. She attributes these successes to a solid focus on key business and operating strategies and always treating each customer as the one and only.
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Neil Gordon
Neil Gordon has been in the Drapery and Window Covering business for twenty-five years. His company, Decorating with Fabric is a "To the Trade" workroom in the New York area. Neil has written dozens of published articles, presented nearly 100 webinars, written a book called The Designer's Coach. He also writes a blog on drapery design ideas. He can be reached at neil@dwfcontract.com or www.dwfcontract.com/vision
Susan Schultz
GMI Trend Specialist, Space Downtown
Susan Schultz is a principal in Space Downtown, a home furnishings design, product development and marketing firm based in New York City. Throughout her successful and diverse career as a design professional, Schultz has become known for her insightful observations and analysis of new opportunities in design. Schultz’s passion for discovery is now focused on emerging design talents from around the globe; introducing them to the US market through her firm and in her role as a design thinking strategist.
Joan Willis
WFCP Expert, Patterns Plus/Robb & Stuckey
For 30 years Joan Willis has managed the drapery workroom for Robb & Stuckey. As owner of Patterns plus, she has created 80 custom window-treatment patterns. Her books include Patterns Plus Guide to Exquisite Window Creations, Soft Furnishings Sketchbook, Arched Window Fashions, and Bays, Bows, & Corner Windows. A Window Fashions Vision columnist since 1991, Willis is a WFCP Expert and Instructor.
Laurie Medford
Business Development Manager, Rowley Company
Laurie Medford is the Business development manager for Rowley Company, the leading supplier in the interior design industry. Before joining Rowley, Medford owned Centsible Creations, a professional design, fabrication and installation company for both wholesale and retail customers. Centsible Creations established in 1983 proudly offered award winning designs of window treatments, slipcovers and bedding.
Michele Williams
Creative Director, The Scarlet Thread
Communications Director, CHF Academy
Michele Williams left a successful career in financial software design to open a drapery workroom in Alpharetta, Ga., in 2000. The business grew to offer full design, fabrication and installation services. In 2009, Williams was hired to develop and teach the Professional Window Treatment Consultant class at the CHF Academy, utilizing her love of process, procedure and organization. Williams currently serves on the national board of directors for the Window Coverings Association of America and is the Past President of the Atlanta Chapter. Her goal is to elevate the industry and encourage individual achievement by incorporating professional business practices. Williams calls on her formal education in the area of Management Information Systems and Administrative Management as she embarks on her new role as Communications Director for the CHF Academy.
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