Carolyn Jordan
Greensboro, North Carolina

Background:
"My background is in education.  After teaching special needs children for several years, I was fortunate to become a stay-at-home mom.  During that time, however, I held several positions for short periods of time: office manager, clothing boutique manager, director of Christian education, and many volunteer positions."

Personal Life:
"I have three children who are all now in college.  We live on a farm and my extended family includes sheep and three dogs.   I love to garden, but my passion has always been decorating."

Reason for starting an interior decorating business:
"A career in design has always been a fantasy of mine.  I knew when my children began leaving the nest, I would have my opportunity to pursue my passion."

What Carolyn likes best about running her Interiors by Decorating Den franchise:
"I love meeting all the wonderful people and helping them realize the dreams they have for their homes."

Most memorable moment:
"I was selected Rookie of the Year 2002, and that was a tremendous honor."

Business Goals:
"I would like to establish a sought-after decorating business in the triad of North Carolina, then perhaps expand into management with the corporate office if the opportunity presents itself."

Advice to those considering entering a career in interior decorating:
"Stay focused, determine your target group, market, market, market, take a few risks, and enjoy the process!"

Business Goals:
"I will grow my business in the next year.   I have been happy with my sales levels for the past two years, especially given the soft economy."

Advice to those considering entering a career in interior decorating:
"You need to wear three hats to own this business: the decorator hat, the salesperson hat, and the businessperson hat.  If you can't wear all three hats, hire someone to wear one of them, but you need all three to succeed.  You can be the most talented decorator, but if you can't sell the job, or you don't manage your accounts correctly, you'll be out of business."

Suzanne Price
Derwood, Maryland

Background:
"I received a degree in hotel management and worked in meeting planning and sales management.  Later I owned my own decorative painting business."

Personal Life:
"I am married with two children, ages nine and eleven. I love to cook, paint, and entertain."

Reason for starting an interior decorating business:
"I wanted a professional outlet where I could also use my creative talents and people skills.  Flexibility and growth opportunities were important factors as well."

What Suzanne likes best about running her Interiors by Decorating Den franchise:
"I love the flexibility and being my own boss. I am the one personally reaping the rewards of all of my hard work."

Most memorable moment:
"I was selected First Runner-up Decorator of the Year in the Dream Room Contest, a true honor among decorators in our company."

Business Goals:
"I want to continue to design beautiful rooms and enter the Dream Room Contest. I am also working to build an effective, motivated team to expand my business."

Advice to those considering entering a career in interior decorating:
"If decorating is your passion and you are willing to work hard to start a business, then this is the opportunity for you."

Meet some more of our decorators

Peggy Spitaletto	Marg Anquetil	Tonie Vander Hulst
Christine Ringenbach	Gloria Rinaldi	Cheryl Smith
Bonnie Pressley	Carol Allain	Sally Kinsbursky
Roz Redmond	Rebecca Shearn	Carolyn Jordan
Susan Sintichakis	Dianne Wallis	Jill Caliri
Suzanne Price	Mary Zimmermann	Marisa Lupo & Luisa Maringola
Lynne Lawson	Jan Tomlinson	Barbara Elliott and Jennifer Ward-Woods
Jeanne Grier	Martha Gray	Cliff Welles & Judy Underwood
Karen Sanders	Anne Fawcett
Cinda Borling	Carol Gagnon
Kris Miller	Kathy Machir