By Jessica O. Swink
Editor, Small Business Insight
Photo by Paul Chin, Jr.
Since opening the doors in 2006, Carrie Setliff has seen sales double each year. She and her staff bring more than 85 years of knowledge and experience to the table, and provide customers with furniture and design solutions for the workplace.
Setliff creates a high level of morale and dedication for her staff three ways: a team approach, an open door policy and constant communication.
“We have a very positive working environment,” Setliff explains. “We take conceptual ideas and bring them to reality. There is a lot of listening.”
One the differences between men and women in the leadership realm, Setliff remarks that fortunately for women, they are more detail-oriented. This is fortunate because Image Business Interiors has a mostly female employee base.
“It is still a man’s world,” Setliff explains. “However, women are making great strides.”
One of the way Setliff accomplishes this for her business is by being SWaM certified, which has helped secure contracts for business.
“We are part of the elite force of women in the area that can help grow other women-owned businesses in the area,” Setliff says. “My love is to see other businesses grow.”
By taking advantage of mentors’ help along the way, and being a mentor herself, Setliff has helped grow her business from $700,000 to more than $7 million in 4.5 years. Qualities she says help build a good leader include discipline, desire and coaching capabilities.
In addition to managing a successful company, the team at Image Business Interiors participates in events to build the community around them. In 2010, Setliff and her team worked as team leaders on The St. Mary, the charity house at the Tidewater Builders Association Homearama last fall. Net proceeds from the sale of the house will benefit the children and young adults of St. Mary’s Home.
- Who were the other 2011 SBI Minerva Award Honorees? Click here to find out!
