Back in August of 2010 (after getting the news that I was a finalist for Shark Tank), I reached out on Linked In to a furniture designer I didn't know in Santa Barbara who is the VP of the American Society of Furniture Designers. Knowing virtually nothing about manufacturing outside of my garage, I asked her if she could give me some advice on figuring out where I might be able to manufacture my products and what that looked like from a cost perspective. Much to my surprise, Katie called me almost immediately. I still remember where I was when I heard her message because I was so shocked she called to help. I have reached out before to many design professionals but either haven't gotten no response or got the standard, "good luck but I don't see how that's possible." From that first call, Katie has been and continues to be an integral part of the growth of Mod Mom Furniture. It was Katie who recognized that Amish manufacturing would be a perfect fit and she introduced me to L&J Woodworking.
KATIE HATCH - Business Development, Design, Sourcing
Katie's extensive educational and professional experiences facilitate her ability to develop new approaches to designing traditional, transitional, and contemporary furniture and home furnishings. Katie Hatch Design, a Division of Zumus Inc. provides design and consultation services to the home furnishings industry. In addition we provide industry trend information for all price points and demographic ranges, and designs to suit your particular needs. Katie Hatch Design services include concept sketches, color renderings, CAD details, specifications, and color panels. With extensive experience in outsourcing Katie understands the opportunities, obstacles, and demands of sourcing in a global economy. Katie has worked closely with Agents and Factories in China, Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam, Mexico, Brazil, and the United States. Katie Hatch’s designs have been sold in numerous retailers including independent stores, mass merchants, specialty stores, big box stores, and club stores. SPECIALTIES: International Sourcing and working directly with factories and their sample teams in order to perfect designs in the most efficient and economical manner. Understanding design and trends and blending those aesthetic values with business acumen. http://www.katie-hatch.com/I've known Lauren Tucker since the days of my faux Dorothy Hamil haircut in elementary school. We've gone from spinning on the floor together as kids to developing distribution models for selling modern furniture. And we still have the same belief in each other that we did when we were ten. Lauren is a sought after business development professional who has put her whole heart into helping grow Mod Mom Furniture internationally as well as stateside.
LAUREN TUCKER - Global Trade & Distribution, Logistics
Lauren Tucker is a highly respected International Trade and Distribution expert with fifteen plus years experience working with both large and small companies in all parts of the world. She is currently the Managing Director at RedigoGlobal in the UK/US and is fully committed to helping Mod Mom Furniture grow both nationally and internationally. Lauren is a graduate of Brunel University MBA, Entreprenuership and Management for the Future, 2005. Miami University, BA. www.redigoglobal.comJulie Sunich came into my life when I lived in Charlotte, North Carolina. She knew me back when I was teaching executives how to use Microsoft Word (one of my many careers.) We lost touch for about twelve years but found each other again through Facebook. I'm so fortunate to have such an amazingly talented woman handling the PR side of Mod Mom.
JULIE MARTIN SUNICH – Public Relations Strategy
Sunich has over 30 years marketing communications management experience with several Fortune 500 firms including: Apple Computer, Citicorp, Harcourt Brace Jovanovich and the New York Times Magazine Group, as well as extensive account management background in the advertising and public relations industry. Currently, Sunich is the principal owner of Full Circle Communications, working as a communications consultant and writer for such clients as: Lilly Pulitzer, Town Toiles, The Arizona Republic, Cox Communications, Legacy Custom Design Remodeling, Mod Mom Furniture, and as a professional resource for the Florida Virtual School’s journalism department. Sunich has received recognition for her fiction writing from Western Michigan University and has been awarded several ADDY awards from by the American Advertising Federation. She is a graduate of the University of Colorado at Boulder, with a Bachelor of Science in Journalism.Lastly, there are few words to describe how thankful I am for my father's influence in my life and continued support and guidance with regards to Mod Mom Furniture. My dad, Barry Parsons, is officially the VP of East Coast. In addition to handling manufacturing details and sales and marketing functions, he puts his woodworking skills to use on occasion. In August of 2011, he built the Mod Mom trade show booth by hand in his garage.
BARRY PARSONS – VP East Coast
Barry Parsons is an experienced carpenter, a retired educator/football coach/athletic director, and an experienced sales and marketing executive who currently handles quality control. Barry is an excellent communicator who has developed a fantastic relationship with Ray Yoder of Amish manufacturer, L&J Woodworking and is an integral part of all national and international sales and marketing events.
