For years, leaders in the home furnishings industry have discussed the importance of bringing in young talent and supporting them in their careers.
“We need a pipeline of new energy and ideas to be ready for the next 10-15 years when there is big change in our workforce with the baby boom generation retiring,” said Amy Van Dorp, the director of WithIt (Women in the Home Industry Today). “The more young people we can bring into the industry and then support them with mentorship and opportunity, the stronger our industry will be now and in the future.”
Van Dorp is often one of the first to see talented young people who are making a difference in the industry.
The three up-and-coming talents profiled below — Sydney Harris, Molly Mays Wieczorek and Karolina Zajac — are all excited about the future and the various companies they support.
“I see all three of these women as leaders,” Van Dorp said. “Sydney Harris has been on the WithIt Board of Directors for four years
and is leading our conference chairs. She is also a Hall of Fame Leadership Institute graduate.”
Van Dorp said Molly Mays Wieczorek is another Hall of Fame Leadership Institute graduate, an interior designer and someone who
has made a good name for herself in the industry.
“She is the past president of ART (Accessories Resource Team). Stepping up to be president of an organization of your peers takes
a lot of confidence and leadership. You don’t get there just because you say yes,” she said.
Karolina Zajac with Intiaro has only been in the industry for two years, but she has embraced the home furnishings industry
wholeheartedly.
“She helps companies in a very unique part of the industry,” Van Dorp said. “And she is able to communicate and teach the technology changes which are happening so fast.”
Sydney Harris, Executive Director of Organizational Development, Furnitureland South
Have you always planned to work in your family’s business, Furnitureland South?
While attending college in Charleston, South Carolina, I intentionally explored opportunities outside of Furnitureland South. I worked in several different industries, including real estate, because I wanted to test the waters and discover what path was truly my own.
What I found was that nothing quite spoke to me the way the furniture industry did then and continues to today. This industry is dynamic, creative, relationship-driven and constantly evolving. It combines business, design, logistics, technology, and people in a way that few industries do.
What do you love most about what you do for Furnitureland South?
First and foremost, it is an honor to continue the legacy my grandparents, Darrell and Stella Harris, began when they founded Furnitureland South in 1969. I am blessed to be surrounded by incredible mentors and leaders, and I truly have the best team to collaborate with and lead every day.
What excites me most is the opportunity to make our organization stronger. Furnitureland South supports nearly 600 employees and their families, but our impact extends far beyond our walls. We have the unique opportunity to partner with skilled craftsmen, furniture makers, vendor partners and manufacturers from around the world.
Share something you are most proud of doing while in your current role.
Most recently, I have been leading one of the largest projects in our company’s history: the replacement of our legacy warehouse and operations management system. The project has been both challenging and rewarding. While I am still in the middle of it, I am incredibly proud of how much I have learned through the process. It has required me to immerse myself in an entirely new area of the business and collaborate with teams I had not worked closely with previously.
This project has pushed me outside my comfort zone, stretched my leadership skills, and given me a deeper appreciation for the complexity of our operation.
What led you to become so involved with WithIt? What role do you believe that organization plays in the home furnishings industry?
My involvement with WithIt actually began while I was still in college. My dad was a supporter of the organization and offered me the opportunity to attend the WithIt Conference the summer before my senior year. Looking back, that experience was transformational. For the first time, I saw the industry not simply as something my family did, but as a place where I could build my own career, contribute meaningfully and develop as a leader. That conference challenged me to find my own “why” and encouraged me to fully embrace the opportunities this industry offers.
Molly Mays Wieczorek, National Account and Product Development Manager, Uttermost
How did you get involved in the home furnishings industry?
I started working in the home furnishings industry in college. I went to High Point University and was studying interior design and took the opportunity to work the fall and spring High Point markets and eventually began traveling to other markets across the U.S. When
I graduated, I was offered a job as the online merchandise manager at Boyles Furniture & Rugs, and I have stayed in the industry ever since.
What do you love most about what you do for Uttermost?
I love that every day is something new; there’s always a new challenge to tackle, whether it’s retaining new customers, growing business with current customers, working through current economic turbulence, or developing proprietary products for clients. I would be remiss to not also mention that I also love the people that I work with, and I truly believe this is such a gift to be in a culture of caring, fun, and intelligent people. I wouldn’t be able to be as successful in my own role without everyone that works together on the team.
Share something you are most proud of doing while in your current role.
I am most proud of the relationships that I have built in my current role and the expansion of business opportunities across the Top 100 retailers. We have added and expanded our galleries in distinctive, high-end retailers such as Furnitureland South. I am also proud of the knowledge that I have gained in working with such a variety of product categories and customers.
What led you to become so involved with ART? What role do you believe that organization plays in the accents industry?
I became involved in ART initially because I was asked to attend the annual conference, probably over a decade ago. After that, I was asked
to serve on the board of directors and I have held various positions over the last number of years, most recently as president and now as past president. ART is the heart of the home accents industry, and it provides a resource and a forum for folks to share best practices, form
true friendships outside of the typical work environment and most importantly it provides the opportunity to use our talents to give back.
Karolina Zajac, Head of Customer Growth, Intiaro
How did you get involved in the technology business?
It was a meandering road. I pursued philosophy with a focus in religious studies because I wanted to understand differing worldviews to better understand my own beliefs. Though I graduated with honors, toward the end of my degree I realized I wanted to be out in the real world versus pursuing academia. So, I looked for an entry-level sales job. Given that I grew up in the Silicon Valley area, it’s not surprising that I landed in the technology sector. My academic background helped me grasp the technology concepts, and my upbringing playing competitive sports prepared me for the pressure of sales quotas and a pretty grueling cold-calling regimen that included knocking on 50-75 business doors per day.
What do you love most about what you do for Intiaro?
What I love most is tackling the everyday challenges of growth with a team that I truly appreciate and respect. Our CEO Pawe Ciach and our founding team are incredibly smart, but beyond that they are great human beings with integrity, a sense of humor and creativity. Our tech team is the most supportive one that I’ve ever worked with, and they are constantly innovating. Aside from that, there is something very special and unique about the furniture industry. It’s an industry with beautiful design and craftsmanship, and face-to-face relationships still carry a lot of weight.
Share something you are most proud of doing while in your current role.
I’m proud that in a very turbulent economy and a hard year for the furniture industry, my colleague Karol Wrobel and I were still able to meet our growth target last year. I’m also very excited about my current project in revamping some of our presentation material to shift the
focus from technology features to the real-world impact we have for our clients.
What led you to become involved with WithIt? What role do you believe that organization plays in the home furnishings industry?
As soon as I joined Intiaro I knew that I had a lot to learn about the furniture industry and from the first market I attended, I was amazed by
how well connected everyone was. Karol spoke highly of WithIt, and I was excited about an organization that supports women. From the first event, I felt very welcome. Since then, I have been looking forward to the events and the opportunities there to connect and grow relationships. My favorite event featured a super talented, all-female band that created a fantastic atmosphere. WithIt really provides opportunities for women to connect with and support each other
