15 Gifted Women
Meet the women who helped make the gift business.
Meredith Schwartz -- Gifts and Dec, 11/1/2009 12:00:00 AM
Gifts & Decorative Accessories presents 15 notable women who have helped grow and shape the gift industry we have today, whether as manufacturers, sales representatives or tradeshow organizers. We offer the highlights of what made each career special, along with selected quotes from our conversation with each Gifted Woman. To see the full interviews, visit www.giftsanddec.com.
Andrea Grossman, Founder and CEO, Mrs. Grossman's Paper Company
Andrea Grossman always knew that she'd be an artist. After studying at the Art Center of Design in Pasadena, CA, she moved to San Francisco in the '60s to pursue graphic design and launched Mrs. Grossman's Paper Company from her home in 1975. In 1979, when a local store asked for heart stickers to decorate bags for Valentine's Day, Andrea cut out a heart out of artist's paper and sent it to a label printer. When the finished stickers arrived, mistakenly printed on rolls instead of sheets, Andrea realized the potential. The idea for "Stickers by the Yard" was born. Andrea was featured in People magazine as the woman who started "stickermania." Today, she runs Mrs. Grossman's out of an 110,000-sq.-ft. headquarters with 90 employees.
In Her Own Words: "When the business took off it was like someone riding a bicycle her whole life suddenly driving a racecar."
Click here for the full interview with Andrea Grossman.
Wendy Rosen, President, The Rosen Group
When a potter at a local craft show mentioned to Wendy Rosen that craft artists needed business assistance, she uncovered an untapped market. She founded The Rosen Group, Baltimore, MD, in 1981, to provide American and Canadian artists with opportunities and guidance to grow their business and compete in the global marketplace. It runs The Buyers Market of American Craft, a tradeshow founded in 1982, and publishes two magazines. The American Made Alliance, the non-profit arm of The Rosen Group, works with federal legislators and officials to create and enforce laws that promote, protect and preserve the American craft industry.
In Her Own Words: "I tell prospective employees... I don't offer jobs, I offer culture and religion... but no jobs. The culture is about art, the religion is about Made in North America."
Click here for the full interview with Wendy Rosen.
Anne McGilvray, Founder, Anne McGilvray & Company
Anne McGilvray got her initial sales experience as a salesclerk and by selling Mary Kay cosmetics while raising three children. But her career as a sales rep began when Anne went to apply for a salesclerk job and was asked instead to sell cards to local Minneapolis stores. She established her company in 1975 and quickly expanded her reach; she also began to take on other product lines. She opened her first showroom in Minneapolis, and when her husband Michael had to relocate to Dallas for business, Anne opened a showroom there, too. In 1982, Michael left his corporate job to join the business. Today the company employs about 100 sales reps across 21 states and sells about $90 million at wholesale annually. In addition, on impulse the McGilvrays opened Froggie's, a retail store which lets them gauge customer reaction to products.
In Her Own Words: "[The best gift I ever got was] the gift of a liver transplant for my husband last year!"
Click here for the full interview with Anne McGilvray.
Susan Camille Beckman Roghani, Founder, Camille Beckman
Ironically, Susan Camille Beckman Roghani became interested in personal care because of the book 100 Things for Boys to Do, which contained a chapter on extracting perfume from flowers. As a teenager, she made soap and other things, and as a young artist, made her painting supplies. It was a visit to the Monasteraki area of Athens, which houses perfumers' workshops, that inspired the idea for the Camille Beckman line of handcrafted personal care that is made in small batches. The line, created for specialty shops, debuted in 1986, and provides income for local stay-at-home mothers, who hand-tie the rosebuds that top many products. Susan also founded the Camille Beckman Fdn., which gives to the underprivileged.
In Her Own Words: "The largest challenge has been competing against foreign outsourced labor, trying to be an American-made company."
Click here for the full interview with Susan Camille Beckman Roghani.
Andrea Sadek, Vice President, Andrea by Sadek
Andrea Sadek gave more than just her name to the New Rochelle, NY-based company founded by her grandfather Charles Sadek and father Norman. With an active career of over 40 years, Andrea leads Sadek's overseas sourcing efforts and is responsible for designing a large portion of the Andrea by Sadek product line. She earned a B.F.A. from Syracuse University and an M.A. from NYU, and was a printmaking teaching fellow at NYU. After she began her design career at Edward Fields Carpets, her father recruited her to join the family business along with brother Jim (current president) and sister Lauren (vp). Charitable outreach includes The City of Hope, CA, Daniel R. Schrier Fund in Support of Brain Cancer Research and a student mentoring program.
In Her Own Words: "I love the independence and creativity that comes out of the independent store; they're really our best customers, and their challenges are our challenges."
Click here for the full interview with Andrea Sadek.
Maxine Burton, Founder, president and COO, burton + BURTON
Maxine Burton started her business journey in 1982 in the backroom of Flowers, Inc. Wholesale, a floral distributor co-owned by her husband Bob. There she realized the imprinting process for the popular new foil balloons could be used to print a message or design like a "floating greeting card." This led her to found Flowers, Inc. Balloons, which became burton + BURTON in 2006. In addition to running the company's day-to-day operations, traveling extensively and creating product lines, Maxine is actively involved in many charitable, civic and community organizations.
In Her Own Words: "I have found over the years that when I trust my 'woman's intuition,' it usually serves me well, especially when it comes to the creative process and spotting emerging trends. I also believe that being a working woman has helped me better understand the challenges that other working women face."
Click here for the full interview with Maxine Burton.
Anna Griffin, President, Anna Griffin Inc.
With artists on both sides of the family, it was no surprise when Anna Griffin got a degree in Environmental Design from North Carolina University School of Design in 1988. She honed her design skills working at The John Harland Company and Vera Wang before launching her own business creating one-of-a-kind, handmade invitations in the early '90s. In 1996, the business expanded to include a wholesale division and Griffin introduced her first imprintable invitation enabling consumers to achieve an affordable custom look and as an alternative to engraved invitations. In 2001, the company launched a line for scrapbook and paper crafting, and has since expanded into other lifestyle areas, as well as licensing programs.
In Her Own Words: "Coming up with that next great idea over and over again is the ultimate gift industry challenge."
Click here for the full interview with Anna Griffin.
Marian Sullivan, CEO, Sullivans
Floral and gift vendor Sullivans was a dream of William (Bill) Sullivan, a sales manager for a Fortune 500 company. He and his wife Marian Sullivan put his salesmanship and her business skills to work in their basement. In 1972, the Sullivan Company moved to a warehouse where Marian not only drove the product direction, but worked in the warehouse, while Bill built their account base. Bill passed away in 1987, but though the loss was devastating, Marian never thought of walking away from the company. Under her leadership the company grew and in 1994 moved to its present location — a 137,000 sq. ft. complex. Today, Marian has handed over the presidency to her son, William, but remains an active CEO. She also makes time to volunteer for her church and many other organizations.
In Her Own Words: "It was especially challenging for me when my husband died. While I was versed in all areas of the business, I missed the interaction we had as partners who would problem solve and together envision the future for our company."
Click here for the full interview with Marian Sullivan.
Ande Rooney, Co-Owner, Ande Rooney Inc.
Peter and Ande Rooney quit teaching in 1980. Drawing on Peter's background in antiques and Ande's in graphic design, they decided to create porcelain reproductions of nostalgic advertising. Ande handles the "creative end" of the business, heading the art department, and handling advertising and product development. She looks to customers for new product ideas, and adds about a dozen sign and magnet designs to their 300-item collection each year. Peter, whom Ande calls "the boss," runs the business as a whole, but decision-making is often shared and jobs overlap. Without reps, the Rooneys travel about half the year. When not on the road, they throw themselves into landscaping and renovating projects.
In Her Own Words: "The buzzword in the gift industry is 'what's new'? And that to me is a wonderful challenge; it keeps you buzzing and alive."
Click here for the full interview with Ande Rooney.
Barbara Bradley Baekgaard, Co-Founder, Vera Bradley Inc.
In March of 1982, Patricia Miller and Barbara Bradley Baekgaard were awaiting a flight in Atlanta when they noticed a lack of feminine-looking luggage. Within weeks, the longtime friends created Vera Bradley, named after Barbara's mother, to market and manufacture cotton quilted handbags and luggage. The Fort Wayne, IN, company's designs now adorn eyewear, tableware, fine linens, furniture and rugs. In the early 1990s, the loss of a friend to breast cancer inspired Patricia and Barbara to establish the Vera Bradley Fdn. for Breast Cancer, which to date has raised more than $10 million. Barbara serves on the board of the foundation as well as that of the Indiana University Cancer Center Development. Among many other honors, she received the 2006 Gifts & Decorative Accessories Industry Achievement Award.
In Her Own Words: "My personal life is really involved in my business life; they really intertwine. My dear friends are part of the business and people I do business with become my friends."
Click here for the full interview with Barbara Bradley Baekgaard.
"The rule I live by — it was actually my father's — is, you sell yourself first, your company second and your product third."
Isadora Frost, Owner, Isadora & Mizrahi
Isadora Frost was born and raised in Brooklyn and graduated from the New York High School of Performing Arts. She began working with her husband in the leather business, selling and merchandising to the shoe, handbag and garment industry. After a few years, they opened their own handbag company, which was carried in major stores and won several industry awards. Soon after, Isadora joined with the buying office, Van Buren Carr, and was responsible for keeping members such as Jenss and Nordstrom's abreast of the latest trends in gift and home markets. More than 25 years ago, Isadora and her then business partner, Michael Mizrahi, started Isadora & Mizrahi, which is now located in 7 West New York and represents such lines as Edgar Berebi, Franz Collection and Fringe.
In Her Own Words: "My family over the years has become an integral part of the business. There isn't a single client who hasn't heard about my children and my grandchildren."
Click here for the full interview with Isadorah Frost.
Shonnie Bilin, Vice President/COO, Franz Collection Inc.
Shonnie Bilin began her gift industry career at Enesco Corp. in 1981 as director of the newly formed Precious Moments Collector's Club. She soon became its spokesperson, traveling to store-sponsored events, educating collectors and meeting with club members. As demand grew, she hired additional spokes-people and created a consumer marketing division. She also developed similar clubs and programs for 12 other lines. By the time she left Enesco, she had become an EVP. In 1998, she was involved in the launch of GoCollect.com and was its CEO for four years. And in 2002, she launched the Franz Collection Inc., a collection of nature-inspired porcelain tabletop, decorative accessories and jewelry. As vice president/COO she is responsible for all aspects of the U.S. business including marketing, sales and operations.
In Her Own Words: "There were some challenges to get the men to believe in you, because we do think somewhat differently. You really had to prove yourself."
Click here for the full interview with Shonnie Bilin.
Joan Ulrich, Senior Vice President, MMPI
Joan Ulrich has been with MMPI since 1997 and oversees sales for the Chicago Merchandise Mart's Gift and Home division, New York's 7 West, and the L.A. Mart. She has been involved in the acquisition of MMPI's High Point buildings and the L.A. Mart, Beckman's Handcrafted Gift Show Chicago and the Chicago Gift Show. Prior to joining MMPI, Ulrich worked for 13 years at Enesco, where she sold high-volume national accounts. Ulrich is a Gift for Life executive board member, and a member of WithIt (Women in the Home Industries Today) and the American Craft Council.
In Her Own Words: "I will do just about whatever to be home when I need to be home, including going to LA and back in a single day. My husband is very supportive. We share our at-home duties; if we didn't do that I don't know how this would be possible."
Click here for the full interview with Joan Ulrich.
Jenny Hammons, Owner, Jenny Hammons Company
Rep principal/sales manager Jenny Hammons joined the industry in 1971 as sales/marketing manager and later vice president marketing for several companies. In 1979, Jenny became a manufacturers' rep for Small World Greetings, at which time she also hired the first Jenny Hammons associate. The year 1983 marked the opening of her first showroom in San Francisco. Jenny acquired Nancy Putney Associates in 1995, changing its name to Around the House, and later created the JH Home division. In 1998, she formed Jenny Hammons Company, encompassing Jenny Hammons Associates, JH Home, Around the House and Jenny Hammons Northwest, employing 38 and representing more than 90 manufacturers. More recently, Jenny closed JH Home, sold Around the House and moved her headquarters to Healdsburg, CA. Hammons is executive board chair for Gift for Life.
In Her Own Words: "I started in 1972 and often I was the only woman on the plane. One classic question would be 'who takes care of your children when you're traveling?' Well, my husband. Would they have asked that of a man? I doubt it."
Click here for the full interview with Jenny Hammons.
FrancesandSusan Gravely, Co-founders, Vietri
Lee Gravely and daughters Frances and Susan founded Vietri after a trip to Italy's Amalfi Coast, where they fell in love with the colorful hand-painted Italian dinnerware. Today, Vietri works with more than 40 ceramic, wood, glass, stainless steel, pewter and terra-cotta manufacturers, and the company's offerings include flatware, linens, and decorative accessories. With about 40 employees, Vietri serves more than 2,000 specialty stores, plus designers. Vietri won the ARTS award for Best Tabletop Company three times, and was named one of the top 40 Family Friendly companies. Prior to founding Vietri, Frances, who today is vice president, had an eclectic career, including marketing sportswear, selling commercial compactors and designing the first pantsuit uniforms for nursing students, as well as industrial design consulting.
In Her Own Words: "You think you have a business plan, and it always takes longer and has more complicated parts in the details than you imagine."
Click here for the full interview with Frances and Susan Gravely.
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15 Gifted Women: Isadora Frost
Nov 9, 2009 -
15 Gifted Women: Frances and Susan Gravely
Nov 9, 2009 -
15 Gifted Women: Maxine Burton
Nov 9, 2009 -
15 Gifted Women: Ande Rooney
Nov 9, 2009 -
15 Gifted Women: Wendy Rosen
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