Christine Ringenbach
Franchise Owner
Nevada

Background:
Christine's varied background includes 8 years of costuming and wardrobe for productions in Las Vegas, and 8 years as a high school home economics teacher. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Home Economics from Indiana University of Pennsylvania and a Masters degree in early childhood education.

Personal Life:
Married to a musician, David, with two sons and a daughter, all high school aged kids who help with the business in various ways. She enjoys sewing, reading and roller blading.

Reason for starting an Interior Decorating business:
"I always wanted a home-based business and had looked for opportunities for 20 years. I had become bored with teaching when I met a Decorating Den owner at a business meeting and knew this was the place for me."

What Christine likes best about running her Interiors by Decorating Den franchise:
"I love working from home, being responsible for my own success, being able to determine when I will and won't work. I guess what I like most is the challenge of meeting goals and the feeling of success when the customer says, 'Yes, I love it!'"

Most memorable moment:
"I especially appreciate the support and camaraderie from other franchise owners, which I think is a key factor in putting our decorators above all others in the field. I also like the way my customers become good friends who will call me just to say hi."

Business Goals:
"The goal is to work smarter, not harder and to keep my life in balance between business and family. I have successfully increased my sales goal every year."

Advice to those considering entering a career in design:
"Talk to as many interior decorators as you can. Be realistic about your expectations from the business and how much time and money you are willing to invest. Also, realize this business is a lot more about marketing and running a business than it is about design. I could never have been so successful in this business without Interiors by Decorating Den."

Marg Anquetil
Franchise Owner
Ontario

Background:
Marg worked for 17 years for a large company doing importing and exporting. After graduating from Humber College with honours in Interior Decorating, she worked for one year in Toronto as a window treatment salesperson. She had her own design business for four years before purchasing the franchise.

Personal Life:
Married for more than 30 years to her husband, Bill, the couple has done extensive traveling. They recently adopted a border collie/Burmese mountain dog from the Humane Society. Her interests include travel, cooking, decorating, photography, gardening and golf.

Reason for starting an Interior Decorating business:
"I started my own design business because I needed a change from office work and wanted to use my creative talents. I was quite happy until I saw a small ad in our local paper for a Interiors by Decorating Den franchise and decided to check out the competition," she says. She was excited about all the wonderful products offered by Interiors by Decorating Den, and the concept of taking them with her on initial appointments. "No more driving all over the city to pick up samples for clients! Also to have regional and corporate support available as well as other decorators to help you ... (and) the quality of the advertising was far beyond what I could do on my own. I decided to buy the franchise and be the competition!"

What Marg likes best about running her Interiors by Decorating Den franchise:
"I like the flexibility of the hours and the variety every day. You never have two days alike! Also the many friends I've made within the company as well as the wonderful clients I've had the pleasure of working with."

Most memorable moment:
Marg says her most memorable moment is "winning my first International Dream Room award! I have since won four more design awards and have been featured on our local cable as well as HGTV. What a wonderful opportunity!"

Business Goals:
"I've met my last goal, which was to increase sales and hire a fabulous decorator, so I can take time off to enjoy golfing and travel. My present goal is to continue to increase sales and win more Dream Room contests."

Advice to those considering entering a career in design:
"Check out IDD! The training, professionalism and support are amazing. If you have a passion for decorating and want to work hard and have a lot of fun -- check out IDD."

Kathy Dyer
2001 Decorator
of the Year
Franchise Owner
Ohio

Background:
Kathy has a B.A. in Chemistry and French from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. She worked for 10 years as an analytical chemist.

Personal Life:
She is divorced with 3 children: Chris, and twins Laura and Sarah. She enjoys flea markets, playing bridge, antique shops and travel.

Reason for starting an Interior Decorating business:
Kathy says that, when she was a chemist, friends always told her that she was doing the "wrong thing" with her life. They told her to "go decorate!" When she got a door hanger postcard from Interiors by Decorating Den on her front door, she looked into a franchise opportunity. She wanted to be responsible/rewarded for her successes.

What Kathy likes best about running her Interiors by Decorating Den franchise:
She enjoys the camaraderie with other franchisees, wholesale decorating for her own home and a flexible schedule.

Most memorable moment:
Kathy has three memorable moments: being named Franchise Owner of the Year in 1998, named to the Success Panel in 1993, and named Decorator of the Year in 2001!

Business Goals:
"I have achieved every goal I set from the beginning of my business except: I would like my work to be featured on a national magazine cover."

Advice to those considering entering a career in design:
"Forget glamour -- it's hard work! Obtain copious quantities of selling techniques. Believe in yourself and your ability to achieve."

Meet some more of our Decorators