Today we’d like to introduce you to Michelle Ward.
Michelle, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
When I was young, before I even knew what space planning was, I would draw and design rooms with furniture on paper, on the sidewalks with chalk- even in the snow of my backyard. Space planning and the way people interact in those spaces has always been interesting to me. I studied art and design in college and my husband John studied marketing. After we married, he was working in sales in the office furniture industry and I was a technical illustrator- so it was a natural progression for us to start our own office furniture dealership and merge our best skills. Ours backgrounds complement each other. And since we’ve been together since high school, we can pretty much finish each other’s sentences. In fact, sometimes he knows what I am thinking before I even say a word. Some people have told me they would find it difficult to work with their spouse, but for us it clicks. I actually can’t imagine not working with John, I would miss his input and support.
We started Office Horizons in the summer of 93′. Over that time, John has built up a loyal customer base. He’s a great project manager and very responsive to his customer’s needs- whether they need one office chair or a whole floor of furniture the attention to detail is always the same.
Over the years, our company has experienced economic booms and weathered recessions. We often joke that Office Horizons is like the little engine that could. I believe that’s because both John and I are always striving to work smarter, increase our product knowledge so that we can continue to offer quality products at good price points.
Recently, we invested in new software that allows our customers to see their furniture selections in 3D. The illustrations are in full color and very realistic. Customers really enjoy being able to see their furniture before they make this big investment. Of course, I am absolutely thrilled with this new software. I laugh when I think about how far I have come from drawing with chalk on the sidewalk.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Like every small business we have certainly had our ups and downs. I think the hardest time for us, and for everyone in this country, was after 9/11. Everything just shut down for a while. But it was difficult to complain about our lack of business when we knew so many people in our country were struggling with real loss and injury.
Those times teach you to keep your head about you. When you run your own business this many years you have to accept the ebbs and flows of the economy. Patience is not only a virtue in the office furniture industry it’s a necessity.
Please tell us about Office Horizons, Inc.
Our customers consist mostly of mid to large corporations. We sell work stations, private office furniture in both laminate and real wood veneers, office chairs, conference tables and lab benches. We offer full space planning and 3D visual impression of all furniture.
If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
John and I were always good at making changes when practices or procedures were not working to our advantage. I would say that it’s important to rip the bandage off as quickly as possible when you have to pivot to a new way of doing things. Taking half measures sometimes isn’t enough.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.officehorizons.com
- Phone: (978)649-7685
- Email: mward@officehorizons.com
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