Decorating Den Interiors announces Franchise Owner of the Year

Decorating Den Interiors announces Franchise Owner of the Year and other top business awards at 50th anniversary conference.

Easton, Md. — Franchise owner Lynne Lawson, of Columbia, Md., was named Franchise Owner of the Year, the highest franchisee business award presented by Decorating Den Interiors, North America’s largest interior design and home furnishings franchise company and leading in-home decorating service.

“Lynne has been in business since 1997 and has consistently been in the top ten percent of franchisees for retail sales,” said James S. Bugg, Jr., president and CEO. “In addition to being an exemplary business leader, she and designer Laura Outland are former Designers of the Year have won numerous design awards and been featured in books and other publications. Lynne also has been a panelist at the High Point Market. She was elected by her franchise partners to serve on our leadership council and is a wonderful mentor to others. She has also been an early adaptor of the sms text marketing system that we use, allowing her to secure even more sales. Her exceptional dedication and service through cooperation with other franchise owners, suppliers and management are excellent examples of this award’s criteria.”

“I am thrilled and honored to receive the Franchise Owner of the Year award,” said Lawson, “This would not have been possible without our wonderful support systems of and our fantastic LIVV Home Collection™ of home furnishings.”

Lynne is an inspiration to all businesses owners out there who are wanting to learn how to franchise a business. Hopefully this will encourage more people to consider their options when it comes growing their business.

Other top business awards presented as the company celebrated its 50^th anniversary at its annual conference and supplier market held recently at the Paris Las Vegas were:

Region of the Year was the Mainline Pennsylvania Region region managed by Mary and Bill Borkovitz, owner of a Decorating Den Interiors serving the Wayne, Pa. area. The award is the highest honor the company bestows on a region and recognizes outstanding achievement of a role-model region.

The franchise with the top retails sales by their entire team was the CPI Interiors Team, Ottawa, Ontario for being the highest in Canada, and sisters Barbara Elliott and Jennifer Ward Woods, Stone Mountain, Ga., for highest sales in the U.S.

Rookie of the Year was Svetlana Zaugg, of Boca Raton, Fla, who had the highest sales among new owners during the first 12 months in business.

The region with the highest sales was the South Florida region, managed by Cliff Welles and (the late) Judy Underwood, of Bonita Springs, Fla.

Field Manager of the Year was Laura Ortel of the corporate staff in Easton, Md. She manages franchises in several areas of the county and was honored for outstanding personal achievements in the areas of leadership, management, motivation and inspiration.

The Making a Difference Award, a special award selected by CEO Bugg, went to longtime franchise owner and regional manager Peggy Spitaletto, of Plano, Texas for outstanding commitment and service. Bugg also presented Making a Difference Awards to company founder Steve Bursten and long-time former public relations executive Patti Coons, who started in the company’s important Dream Room design competition. Bursten and Coons were present to help celebrate the company’s golden milestone.