eNewsletter 198: Twenty-Seven Years and Counting
“It’s wonderful to see the longevity of our staff, and nice that a company retains its employees. It says a lot about Cantoni and the quality of the people working here.” Lorna Hunter (started 2002), GM Atlanta
27 YEARS AND COUNTING
Trends change, people change, and over the course of 27 years, Cantoni has changed. However, along with founder Michael Wilkov remaining at the helm, there are several things we’ve chosen to keep the same—like our commitment to the growth and satisfaction of our employees, and the Triple C service we guarantee customers. (Cantoni. Customer. Commitment.) We figure, why tinker with the thinking we believe is the cornerstone to our longevity?
November marks the month when we allow ourselves to consider surpassing more than a quarter century of success, so we hope you’ll humor us as we take a look at “the way we were.” Check out our 27th anniversary photo gallery for a glimpse at what we once thought was chic, and join us on a trip down memory lane via a few heartfelt stories submitted by employees who bravely jumped on our bandwagon and have since enjoyed the journey.
IN THE BEGINNING...GREAT DESIGN!
There has always been Michael’s vision and passion for great design, but back in the 80s, a handful of others were instrumental in helping to launch the Cantoni concept. A staff of two handled buying, selling, warehousing, cleaning and deliveries.
“We adopted the “just do it” attitude way before Nike,” jokes Michael. “Mainly out of necessity! We were lean and mean in the early days, but we all shared a belief in the functionality and aesthetics of well-made modern design.”
Roxanne Mead, current VP Operations and General Manager Dallas, (joined the company in 1988, and is our most senior employee besides Michael), also remembers the time when “hands-on” was a literal description. “The designers did everything! We decorated and cleaned the showrooms, and even created handmade price tags.”
Compare that to our current inventory tracking and design software, as well as the services offered in our full-scale, conceptual design studio, and we can safely say we’ve come a long way, baby.
In speaking to the evolution of our business, Michael Farmer (started 1993), GM Houston adds, “One of the most interesting changes in the furniture business has been in the area of technology. We see it in the product manufacturing process and the use of newly developed materials, and we see it in the detailed, computer-aided presentations and 3-D renderings we are able to create for clients.”
"My favorite story is one about Michael's oldest daughter, Robyn. She had to be four years old at the time, and was running and playing on the floor with her cousin at the original location on Preston. Michael asked them several times to go to the back room to play, and after the third time Robyn, looked at her Dad and said 'to the bach?' or 'to the back,' mimicking Michael's South African accent. I couldn't help but laugh, as did everyone who heard it did. What a wonderful life I've had at Cantoni!" Debe Cabeza Booker (started 1988), Dallas Designer
“Luckily, MW walked past a trash can and found my employment application. He called me out of the blue and asked me to interview for a job in Houston. I came in, and accepted the position. That was 13 years ago. I still remember how impressed I was the first day I walked into the Cantoni showroom on Alpha. I had previously worked in the furniture industry for 12 years and had never seen a showroom like it.” Darren Scribner (started 1998), Distribution Center Manager
SURPRISE, SURPRISE
We find ourselves continually surprised when customers say that before venturing in, they thought the offerings at Cantoni would prove to be out of their price range. In fact, many of our own employees initially shared the misconception!
Jennifer Harrod, our web mistress (started 2000), recalls her initial impression, ”I remember getting the call to interview at Cantoni and thinking there was no way I would fit in with all the cool, sophisticated employees and clients. But after working at Cantoni for a very short time, I had a surprising revelation that the staff was an interesting group of people—a family, really—full of talented, dedicated individuals.”
Houston design veteran George Saba (started 1999) agrees, “Cantoni is not simply a furniture store, but a full-scale design and concept studio where anybody can achieve their dream—regardless of their budget or square footage.”
Another common misconception is that Cantoni only offers hard modern décor—when nothing is further from the truth. Michael Farmer explains, “We have a great range of price points, and our collection is incredibly diverse. Guided by the expertise of our designers, clients find they can create both warm and transitional settings, as well as more modern and contemporary perspectives.”
CH, CH, CH, CH, CHANGES
“I remember my first Warehouse Sale in May 1994. It was at our original warehouse on Simonton. There was no Internet, no air conditioning, no GERS (Cantoni’s POS system) and no Windows or Excel spreadsheets. We worked with this massive old-school greenbar printed report from an older system to see what we had in stock. Everything was manual, from sale orders, to all the money and credit card receipts. At the table we had long lines of clients waiting on us to hand-write the sales orders. Coming together as a team and getting to interact with so many of our clients was exhausting, but also really satisfying.” Lynne Porter (started 1993), VP Finance
"So many things have changed over the years. Like our training, which is now exceptional compared to what it was like when I started. My first day it was literally, 'here's your desk, here's the phone, now answer it!' I was at a tiny desk in a big open room with no computer or voice mail system. I was answering the phone taking written messages while doing catalog updates and quotes. Meanwhile, the designers were each doing their own floor plans, by hand. Yes, we've come a long way, but we still have that plucky spirit that has kept us in business for 27 years!" Tracey Stuart Rabalais (started 1996), Houston Operations Manager.
THE ONE THING
Having a great store is certainly the goal, but creating success while maintaining a wonderful work environment is ideal. In asking our employees for their take on Cantoni’s “secret to success,” one simply-put answer says it all: “MW,” wrote Darren Scribner. Michael Wilkov’s leadership, dedication, and vision continue to inspire us all. Here’s to 27 years and counting…
CALLING ALL CANTONI FANS! It’s been interesting to hear the perspective from our employees about how we’ve grown over 27 years, and we’d love to hear from you, too! Do you have photos or a story you’d share with us? Perhaps a picture of an iconic piece of furniture you purchased at Cantoni? Or, a tale you’d like to tell about your unique design experience? (Because we recognize every design experience is unique!). If so, post your thoughts on our Facebook page or on Twitter (links below), or email Stuart Tinsley at: stinsley@cantoni.com
To learn more about Cantoni, or to get social about our 27th Anniversary, click the corresponding link below.
• The Cantoni Story
• Cantoni—from 1984 to now! Slideshow
• Cantoni's Facebook Page
• Cantoni's Twitter Page
• Cantoni's Blog
