Meet Your Designers

We are a small business with big dreams. Like many people, we don’t feel comfortable bragging about our successes, but if there is ever a time to toot your own horn, I guess this is it. I spent my career in the women’s fashion industry, where I was recognized multiple times as a “Top 100 Manager” when the Limited was the top brand in women’s fashion back in the day. I managed their first and flagship store in Columbus, Ohio, where the corporate executives made regular visits, tested their new ideas, and, yes, at times, nearly drove me crazy. The lessons I learned in that experience shaped my drive to support customers and to always focus on the details of flipping a store and presenting items that capture customers’ eyes and add the small things that make items pop. I realized my talents could transfer into other areas such as retail, small business, and now interior design.

 My husband is my partner in this adventure and handles many of the behind-the-scenes things that, quite frankly, I don’t enjoy. Sometimes it’s better to be lucky than good! You know, the bookkeeping, technology, and running errands. He tells people he is a recovering high school principal, so he is used to wearing multiple hats and doing hard things. I will brag a little about him now without much detail. A decade ago, he was invited to a former president’s house for dinner as one of the top 50 principals in the country. He is also the son of an industrial arts teacher, and like most educators, he had a second job in home improvement to provide extra support for our family.

 In this endeavor, we pursue our passion and help people realize their dreams. Selfishly speaking, we get as much as we give when we see these projects come to life.

• Susan and Mark Hartman