Beatrous Joins Groovystuff

August 30, 2011  by in UnCategorized   

By Home Furnishings Business in Executive Changes on August 31, 2011

Lee Beatrous has joined reclaimed teak furniture vendor Groovystuff as manager of product design.

In addition, Beatrous will help facilitate the company's interaction with universities now participating in its student design competition, Groovystuff Design Challenge.

Beatrous, a graduate in industrial design from Appalachian State University, himself was the first-place popular vote winner of the Design Challenge in fall 2010. As a full-time staff member, he will manage the Groovystuff Design Challenge program, interfacing with the participating students and their schools to help move viable products more quickly from the prototype stage into production. 
 
Beatrous completed a six-week internship with Groovystuff prior to graduation in May of 2011, after which Groovystuff President Chris Bruning hired him as manager of product design.

"Lee was the first person I had ever hired as an intern," Bruning said. "The venture was extremely effective and productive for our company. He was able to improve operational efficiencies within the company."

Beatrous the internship matched his goals for full-time employment.

"I think the decision of where an internship should be should be based on what you want to accomplish (in your career) ... not (on) just one specific aspect" that goes into a job," he said.
 
Bruning said Beatrous' experience with the Design Challenge helped form a foundation of product knowledge that put him a unique position to bring value to the Groovystuff team.

"His interaction with customers and industry professionals at market gave him the experience and knowledge he needs to guide other students who have the talent to bring products to market," Bruning said.
 
Groovystuff is nearing the completion of its second Design Challenge competition, which included designs from 16 Auburn University students. Their products were displayed at the April High Point Furniture Market. The company is currently producing the most popular designs from the original 16 in preparation for the October High Point Market. The design receiving the most orders at the fall market will be declared the grand prize winner, and that student designer will receive a $1,000 cash prize and permanent royalties on all future sales of their design.