Anne BildFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Window Fashion VISION
[email protected]
www.wf-vision.com
Thursday, October 26, 2023, St. Paul, MN – Window Fashion VISION is proud to recognize some of the industry’s brightest up-and-coming stars through the annual 20 Under 40 Awards. The awards program is available to anyone in the window covering industry, including interior designers, workrooms, retailers, manufacturers, installers, marketing, and other professional service providers. Recipients are selected based on their demonstrated commitment to the industry, leadership experience in their company and community, and professional affiliations.
Between the ages of 18 and 39, these overachievers have seen the future of window coverings and are actively working to keep their businesses current with the latest trends. “It’s with great honor we announce VISION’s 20 Under 40 2023 recipients. We proudly highlight the next generation making serious moves among our industry, peers, and communities. These professionals keep our industry moving forward with innovation and inspiration, paving the way for our future. Let’s raise a toast to the class of 2023,” shared Ania Munzer, Associate Publisher.
Participants will be honored in person on Friday, April 12, at the International Window Coverings Expo (IWCE) in Grapevine, TX. Take notes because you might want to hire them someday. Congratulations to the class of 2023.
TAYLOR ANGEL
30, Vice President
ANGEL’S DISTRIBUTING INC.
While her name might be on the Pennsylvania company’s sign, Taylor Angel started in customer service, taking the time to identify and introduce products that helped customers and employees alike. Now, as the vice president—and the third generation to run the family business—she carries out the mission to provide great service, high-quality products, and competitive pricing. She gives back to the industry by sharing her knowledge on podcasts and donating fabric to learning opportunities like IWCE’s Artisan Atelier.
JUAN BECERRA
38, CEO
JDB 305 INTERIORS LLC
Immigrating from Venezuela eight years ago and settling in North Miami, FL, Juan Becerra always caters to the local community first. His company, JDB 305 Interiors LLC, is dedicated to the advice, sale, production and installation of rolling blinds and curtains. Juan’s commitment to excellence and innovation has earned him projects with renowned entertainers and influential social media personalities—and solidified his reputation as a leader in the window decor industry.
ADAM BRESTELLI
33, Lead Installer
COASTAL CONCEPTS LLC
Working alongside his younger brother, Travis, Adam Brestelli takes every opportunity at Connecticut’s Coastal Concepts LLC as a learning experience. Over the last few years, his growth and technical knowledge have skyrocketed, earning him rave reviews from clients. Adam makes sure to keep up with changing industry standards by completing training. He enjoys helping people professionally and personally and became a certified life coach to achieve the latter goal.
TRAVIS JAMES BRESTELLI
32, Owner and Founder
COASTAL CONCEPTS LLC
In 2017, Travis Brestelli began Coastal Concepts with one industry connection, his mentor Angelo Karpetas of A&M Designs, that connection and a readiness to learn how to run a window treatment business got him started.He was able to identify what was missing in the industry and tailor his company to deliver personalized in-home consultations, exceptional customer service and quality products. Travis’ one van operation has grown into a 4,000-square-foot showroom, a multistory warehouse, a fleet of five vehicles and a growing staff and a business grossing over $3.5 million per year in sales. He pays it forward by mentoring fellow professionals.
LEONARD BURKHARDT
38, Lead Installer
VITALIA INC.
In his first year at Pennsylvania’s Vitalia Inc., Leonard Burkhardt has elevated the standards of window treatment installations with his attention to detail and unwavering dedication to his craft and the customer experience. His ability to turn challenges into opportunities and think outside the box sets him apart from his peers. Leonard’s ingenuity has saved projects and contributed significantly to the success of the company.
SARAH BETH COBB
25, Digital Marketing and Communications Strategist
MERMET USA
Sarah Beth Cobb has set new benchmarks for how the window covering industry operates in the digital landscape. After joining Mermet USA in April 2022, her skills in leveraging social media platforms and her analytical insights set her apart from her colleagues, earning her a promotion after a year and a half with the company. Sarah volunteers her many skills with Upstate International, a South Carolina nonprofit that empowers people and businesses of all nations.
DELANEY CORRIGAN
23, Commercial Sales Specialist
EAST GREENBUSH WINDOW COVERINGS
After COVID-19 motivated her to graduate college a year early, Delaney Corrigan started at New York’s East Greenbush Window Coverings by preparing project bids for the company. She helped the company grow its revenue from $500,000 in 2020 to more than $1.2 million in 2022. In addition to completing manufacturer training, Delaney tutors middle and high school students.
LINDSEY DESALVO
37, Product Manager – Textiles
TEXSTYLE, A DIVISION OF ROLLEASE ACMEDA
Within five years at Rollease Acmeda, Lindsey DeSalvo has used her knowledge of being green to lead the charge for more sustainable products. She educates consumers and industry professionals on the topic and inspires competitors to keep up with her. On top of her many responsibilities and caring for her two young children, Lindsey plays the violin in New York’s Westchester Orchestra.
NOAH GEBARA
22, Installer
EDISON INTERIORS
In the truest sense, Noah Gebara stepped up to run his father’s installation company, J. Edison Interiors, while he battled stage 4 cancer. He started working part-time at the family business in college. Still, the diagnosis prompted Noah to join the family business full-time, even taking over operations during his father’s treatments. In that time, he worked diligently to become a certified Hunter Douglas installer, and his goal has shifted to one day run the company.
BRIANNA GOODWIN
38, President and CEO
CONTEXTURE
Starting at Massachusetts’ Contexture in 2005, Brianna Goodwin rose to become president and CEO in 2017. She’s taken the company from a local family-operated commercial window treatment dealer to a 20-state firm, growing 200% since her promotion. Brianna successfully rebranded the 38-year-old organization and became the sole owner in 2023. Outside of business, she’s the mother to a 3-year-old boy and is expecting her second child in January.
RACHAEL HARVEY
38, Owner
REFURNISH
Based in Music City, Rachael Harvey started her workroom, Refurnish, in the late summer of 2022. She’s grown from one seamstress to six and earned seven-figure sales in her first year. Rachael’s goal is to provide a fresh face and valuable service to the Nashville area. She bolsters this mission by taking advantage of educational opportunities and being a member of a local workroom group. In her spare time, she volunteers with Adopt a Golden, a nonprofit specifically dedicated to the breed.
JONNY MATUICHUK
36, Senior Product Manager
ROLLEASE ACMEDA
Throughout his four years at Rollease Acmeda, New Yorker Jonny Matuichuk has been known as open and honest for the betterment of personal objectives and industry direction. He’s grown his position to manage a team and closely mentor them. Jonny’s the mind behind many innovative products soon to be released by Automate, a division of the company. He’s personally and professionally passionate and can often be found inventing and problem-solving.
JOSE F. OROZCO
35, Operations Manager
THE SHUTTER STORE
From emigrating to the U.S. and not speaking English to taking over Nevada’s The Shutter Store operations, Jose F. Orozco transformed from an introvert into a respected and appreciated industry professional. He was able to achieve yearly revenues exceeding $6 million. Jose has assisted in creating DIY YouTube videos, some of which are used by competitors, and he’s excited to attend his first IWCE next year.
SARAH JANE PAILLUSSEAU
32, Owner
A SHADE ABOVE
Sarah Jane Paillusseau started out in hospitality, where she met the previous owner of her now company, A Shade Above. As COVID-19 hit and they were both sent home from their jobs, the owner approached Sarah to buy the Hawaiian window treatment business. Knowing nothing about the industry, with intensive training, she was able to take on the company double the revenue in the second year of ownership—all while caring for two young children.
RICHARD POPLIN
33, Regional Sales Manager
WT SHADE, A DIVISION OF INPRO
The window treatment industry has been Richard Poplin’s home for six-plus years, five of those at North Carolina’s WT Shade. He stays on top of design trends, safety, and sustainability and he’s passionate about ensuring designers are educated on the importance of window coverings. Richard serves as a sales leader for 23 states, a mentor to his co-workers and a resource to dealers nationwide.
JAY RAMIREZ
39, Founder
VERAFINI
Utilizing his ten years of experience in the window shade industry, Jay Ramirez started Verafini, a service-based business to help dealers with installation, job site assessments, delivery, final measure, and training. He operates out of South Florida, but his work has connected him with dealers and contractors across the U.S. and in countries such as Argentina, Canada, and Haiti. While Jay has been focused on the industry, he takes time to be a March of Dimes ambassador.
OSHANE STERLING
30, Co-owner
STERLING WINDOW DESIGNS
After emigrating from Jamaica to Massachusetts’ Martha’s Vineyard in 2013, Oshane Sterling started his new life as a furniture deliveryman for a home furnishing store. Because of his performance and personality, he was moved to the window treatment department, again excelling in his role. COVID-19 saw a restructuring of the company as it was, so Oshane partnered with former boss Helen Koch to start their own business, Sterling Window Designs, in early 2022. He became an American citizen in 2019.
CHRISTINA TRAN
39, Purchasing Manager
POLAR SHADES, INC.
Christina Tran has spent 16 years with Nevada’s Polar Shades, Inc., understanding what it takes to operate and run a successful manufacturing roller shade business. While her primary role is purchasing manager, she does a lot of behind-the-scenes work on a daily basis and refuses to step away from the office. Outside of her responsibilities, the other thing Christina as dedicated to is her dog, Pocki.
OLIVIA URSINI
33, General Manager
COASTAL CONCEPTS LLC
For more than three years, Olivia Ursini has been a vital member of the Coastal Concepts LLC family. She’s grown from a freelance content creator to a company-wide general manager and project administrator in this short time. Due to Olivia’s efforts, the company is now an Alta Window Fashions Diamond Premier-level dealer and a Color Lux Platinum partner. She won second place at this year’s Grace Awards for her Ingenious Installation entry.
SHARON VAN GULIK
25, Branch Manager
VAKO BLIND AND CURTAIN COMPONENTS
In her position for nearly six years now, Sharon van Gulik has left her mark on a worldwide scale at the Netherlands’ Vako. She manages the daily operations of the American division of the company, as well as dealing with sales, customer relations, marketing, setting up international exhibitions, and social media. She’s established an extensive network of contacts in her work in the window covering business and endeavors to make a difference as an ambassador for the industry.
