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Finding Peace
May 31,
2012 by in UnCategorized 
By Home Furnishings Business in on June 2012
We live and work in a hurry-up, go-get-em, 24-7 kind of world. Furniture retailing is go, go, go constantly, and its true that you really have to love it, or its best to leave it.
The psychology behind vacations and downtime is stronger than ever, and studies show that people are more productive, more creative and overall better employees when they haveand really usedowntime.
This month, we thought it would be interesting to ask some notables within the industry what it is that they do to recharge and restore when the workplace gets to be just a wee bit much. Activities range from the extravagant trip to some short, quiet time alone. On the following pages, youll find those stories, and heres hoping youll be inspired to take some time to rest and relax this summer.
The Horizon Ahead
For people like Ronny Bensimon, the charge and challenge of moving the business forward is enough to keep their batteries full.
What recharges me? said the president and COO of Los Angeles-based Deardens. Youll probably hate hearing this, but I want to see what the next step in our business is. I can go play golf or do whatever else, but is that going to recharge me?
We do what we do for a lot of hours, so we have to find a way to enjoy it. For me, its what can I do next to grow the business?
Of late, thats been looking for ways to expand the stores reach during a period when customers arent buying as much furniture.
We looked for things where our customers had needs, Bensimon said. We brought in someone for each of three new areas: jewelry, prescription glasses, and cosmetics and skin care. Since were a finance house, if we can find a good partner and fill those needs we can expand our reach.
Family First
Ron Page said he was later in life than usual in appreciating what was truly important to him, what really made him feel at ease and content. For the senior director of merchandising at High Point-based home furnishings retail buying group Furniture First, that boils down to two things: family and friends.
Pages first grandchild is what brings him the most joy right now: Shes five years old. Im so happy to see my daughter, whos the love of my life, have a daughter herselfnow I have two girlfriends.
Page said he spent so much time working on retail floors and in wholesale that he missed out on a lot of his daughters early years, but hes making up for it now.
She asked me to promise to spend more time with my granddaughter in her formative years, he said. It means so much for me to be there to teach her thingslearning to read and write, the computer, the iPad, walking the dog.
The only other thing I do is take busmans holidays and visit our retailers on my own time. Really, to me that is relaxing, and its fun. Those members are my friends, and its so rewarding to help our members be successful.
Head for the Hills
Howard Haimsohn, owner of Lawrance Furniture in San Diego, believes recharging ones personal batteries has two aspects.
One, when youre crushed at the end of the day; two, when you can really get away for a true vacation, said Haimsohn.
When it comes to total escape, Haimsohn and wife, Julie, find that getting completely off the grid in the high mountains is perfect.
Weve done a couple of long High Sierra hikes, and Ive found out something interesting, he said. Hawaii is wonderful, its the ultimate in relaxing, waves, ocean, everything. And while you can relax, if you take these communications devices, how much do you really get away?
When we do these hikes, theres no cell serviceyou are disconnected. I remember how after the first two and a half days, I realized I hadnt talked to anyone but Julie.
Haimsohn also finds a peaceful mind-set in fly-fishing.
Thats incredibly relaxing because of the beauty of where you are, he said.
For a simpler break, the Haimsohns enjoy kicking back after a long day behind the house with a glass of wine, just enjoying the evening light, breeze and birds.
On weekends, we like to take a long walk in one of the neighborhoods around San Diego, Haimsohn added. There are so many great places to exploreCoronado, La Jolla. We have long conversations while were out, and we try to keep the talk away from work.
Desert Retreat
Dave Harkness didnt have far to travel for last months Home Furnishings Industry Conference (HFIC) in Palm Springs, Calif.
The president of Harkness Furniture in Tacoma, Wash., and his wife have bought a condominium in nearby Palm Desert, which has provided a nice retreat from the stress of work and the rains of the Pacific Northwest the couple has long called home.
Weve been getting down here more often than we used to, Harkness said. The weathers such a nice change, were so accustomed to rain.
Its allowed us to take up stuff we wouldnt have the time for when were at home. Tennis, golf, weve gotten a couple of bikes.
As with several other retailers responding to our query, Harkness also finds conferences such as HFIC and furniture Markets rejuvenating.
I love these conferences, because some of my best friends in the world are here, he said. No matter how long its been, when were together its like we were never apart.
Beat Down
A resumption of playing the drums after a 10-year hiatus gave Lael Thompson a physical and mental outlet after a hard day, in addition to providing a constant source of mental stimulation and personal enjoyment.
I started playing in middle school, but quit at the end of high school, said Thompson COO at Broyhill Furniture Collections of Denver. I started again two-and-a-half or three years ago. ¦ The drummer at our church left, so Ive been playing there for a year and a half.
He even built his own studio at home: Comfort Air had some scrap foam, so I had it shipped to me. I completely framed and foamed a spare bedroom for soundproofing, so I can play away while Savannah (Laels wife) is watching TV in the next room.
He said playing drums is an amazing release.
If I can sit down on those drums for an hour when I come home, no matter what happened during the day I can walk out of there with a little exercise and a clear head, Thompson said, adding that he inherited his love of drumming. My dad was a professional drummer for a long timehe played with Jerry Lee Lewis for a while. All that wild streak that I have comes from my dad. If I wasnt in furniture, Id been in music in some form or another.
And additional benefit of drummingor playing any musical instrument: Theres research that shows when you learn to play an instrument, no matter your age, your brain re-maps itself, and works differently. It actually improves your problem-solving ability.
Get Physical
Alex Macias is a young guy with energy to burn, and doing just that is his favorite way to blow off steam and take a mental vacation.
Get the blood pumping, get the sweat flowing, said Macias, vice president of Del Sol Furniture, Phoenix. When things are bad at work I have a hard time finding the time for myself, but now that business is better Im doing better with that. The number one thing I enjoy is hitting the gym to work out or hitting the trail for a hike.
Macias combined the two recently when he participated in a the local Warrior Dash a couple of weeks before last months Home Furnishings Industry Conference in Palm Springs.
That was the most fun Ive had lately, he said. Its a 5K race, which isnt too far, but its also an obstacle course. It was on a Sunday, and I came into work that Monday real energized.
Run JR, Run
Access to ocean breezes and wide open spaces just calls for runners to kick it up a notch.
Thats the case with JR Capo of Miami Gardens, Fla.-based El Dorado Furniture. His choice for unwinding: a good long run on the beach.
Its the perfect way to unwind, he said. Im by myself, listening to the ocean and waves on the beach.
Work Hard, Play Hard
Thats the motto of Ron Werner and Jim Hering, owners of Boulder, Colo.-based HW Home, and the duo takes every chance possible to travel. And, travel they do.
In fact, they were gearing up for a trip to Paris when we spoke, and planned to take in a few days at Roland-Garros 2012 (French Open) for Herings birthday. They also plan to walk the street, enjoy several cafés and see things that are culturally beautiful, Werner said.
Were big advocates of great travel, he said. Its a phenomenal escape for the mind.
The iPhones will be off, he said.
Werner and Hering have taken many great travel adventures, including trips to Israel and Machu Picchu in Peru where they were hiking.
On LockDown
Valerie Watters has, shall we say, a unique way of taking a break from a full slate of work and community commitments.
Her technique wont come as a surprise to anyone who knows the energetic Valeries Furniture & Accents in Phoenix, though.
Youre going to laugh, but I have what I call my lockdown days, she said. I turn off the phone, shut down the computer and go into my game room, where I also have a queen size bed.
I shut the curtains and watch Doris Day movies with my five dogs. I eat munchies, drink beer and nap. Theres nothing like Doris Day to get recharged. About every three months, I just have to take off that way.
And while she doesnt have to leave home to do it, lockdown really does constitute a refreshing break.
Im go-go-go, Im very involved in my community, Im very involved in my business, and then theres my ranch, Watters said. Sometimes I just need to make myself stop.
Easy Escape
What he does to recharge depends on the type of recharging he wants to get, says Jim Fee, vice president and co-owner of Stoney Creek Furniture in Stoney Creek, Ontario.
On one hand, he gets a lot of energy out of attending furniture Markets and industry events such as the Home Furnishings Industry Conference in Palm Springs, Calif., where he took a moment to share his favorite ways to unwind.
Events like where we are now get you recharged with ideasyoure stepping outside your own box, Fee said.
For true unwinding, he has access to an environment far removed from a retail floor, but an easy drive awaya house on Lake Erie.
There are white sandy beaches, its like being at the ocean, he said. If I can get out a little early on Saturday, I can be out there in time for dinner with my wife and kids. I usually take Sunday and Monday off, so it really is a nice break during the summer months.
I love walking by the water, hearing the water. For the ideal vacation, I need waves and water.
Sail Away
The smell and feel of the open ocean and the breeze blowing in your face can send the stress running for Peggy Burns and Richard Tubman of Acton, Mass.-based Circle Furniture.
We go sailing, Burns said. We love to sail because theres nothing more wonderful and relaxing. Weve been in the Boston Harbor more than anyone else.
The couple owns a sailboat that stays anchored in the Harbor for those quick sails.
Recently, they chartered a boat in Tortola in the British Virgin Islands with three other couples who are also sailing enthusiasts.
It was absolutely the best vacation ever, Burns said. You pack lightly; you go to all the places where boaters hang out and everyone is relaxed. The only things to do are sail, snorkel and read.
Perfect.
Isolationism at its Best
Sherry Sheely of Sheelys Furniture in North Lima, Ohio, admits she has a challenging time taking downtime. Husband Dale acknowledges that self-described fault with a heavy nod of his head.
That said, Sherrys ideal for disconnecting looks like this:
I want to be at the beach, in the sun, with a book or my reader with a drink in my hand without anyone around, she said. If I can feel the warmth of the sun, I can start to relax.
The Sheelys also like hiking out West, but theyre looking forward to a trip this summer to Turks and Caicos to celebrate Dales 60th birthday in style.
Spin Away Stress
Back in its heyday, the hula hoop was the kids toy of choice.
Today, the ring has made a comeback as an exercise tool, and Mary Frye, executive director of the Home Furnishings Independents Association, hoops while watching television.
I do not cook anymore and I dont plan to cook anymore, but I do love to watch the Food Network, she said, adding that her favorite show is Chopped.
During the show, Frye has her three-pound weighted hula hoop spinning around.
I do love knowing about cooking, Frye said. I just dont like to do it.
As for the hula hooping. Its a great way to stay fit and burn some energy.
Born to Fish
Jerry Baer of Baers Furniture in Pompano Beach, Fla., is always at the ready with a great boating story, and that story is likely followed by a great fish tale.
No surprise where youll find Baer taking a breakon the water somewhere with a fishing pole in his hand.
We cruise, and we fish, he said, adding that he was headed to the Bahamas last month.
Were not surprised.
Its Wicnic Time
Living in Southern Florida near the water gives Pedro Capo of El Dorado Furniture in Miami Gardens easy access to his passion and mode of relaxation.
No doubt, the boat, he said, of how he restores his mind from those hectic days.
The fresh air, the speed of the boat and the wind, he said. Its all perfect.
He and his wife Ana Mary Capo enjoy heading out on the water frequently to enjoy some quiet time with a wicnicthe phrase they created for a picnic on the water.
Its peaceful and calming, Capo said.
Blue Skies
Running stores as far apart as the Twin Cities of Minnesota and Naples, Fla., keeps Mike and Suzanne Schumann of St. Paul, Minn.-based Traditions Classic Home Furnishings very busy, but in their spare time, they enjoy traveling.
Mike has family in Germany so we enjoy going there, said Suzanne. We also love Italy, France and the Virgin Islands.
On his own, Mike literally takes the high road.
When I have a couple of extra hours on weekends, I like to fly gliders, he said.
Flowers Feed the Soul
For some, theres just something fulfilling and restorative about digging in the dirt, planting a seedling and caring for it until it matures.
Andy Thornton, co-owner of La Différence in Richmond, Va., takes to the great outdoors and the garden. He and his wife and co-owner of the store own a home on the James River that spans several acres.
A renovation and a lot of grounds to maintain keep him sane and busyalong with the dirt on his hands and feet.
Just Chillin
Dianne Ray has an easy recipe for shaking off the effects when she has a stressful day at work.
I do one of two things, said Ray, president of Garden City Furniture, Garden City Beach, S.C. One is, I go home, get in my bathing suit, get in my floater in the pool with a glass of wine, and just chill out, as they say.
The other thing I do to clear my head is do some power shopping. Ill go look at dresses, shoes, maybe hit Target, just to see whats out there. I try to get my mind off furniture and see how the other part of the world is playing. I dont know why, but it energizes me more than anything, but it also relaxes me.
In addition to pool and power shopping, Ray said shes a big reader: That does relax me, too.
Another World
Want to escape the grind and bustle? Try getting out of your element.
Thats what diving does for Rick Howard, owner of Sklar Furnishings in Boca Raton, Fla.
This industry doesnt offer you gobs of free time, just snippets, and you have to take advantage of them, Howard said. I love to get out on the water, I love to dive. Youre jumping into another world where you have this incredible peace, and all the life in this world just comes to you.
You dont have to dive deep ¦ Youll find more beauty and tranquility than anywhere else I know. For me, getting out on the water just lets the air out.
Howard likes a change of scene as well for recharging, as in travel for touring or to visit family.
Our kids are pretty spread out, he said. My daughters in Toronto, thats a great place to visit; and my sons in Scottsdale, so thats a very different environment.
On the River
Chris Sanders is a very busy man these days, and its hard for him to get away and clear his head.
I dont do it enough, I can tell you that, said Sanders, vice president of sales and marketing at Everton Mattress, Filer, Idaho; and 2012 president of the Western Home Furnishings Association. When it does happen, its in a drift boat on a river with a fly rod. It doesnt matter if the fish are biting. It gets your blood pressure under control so you can breathe. Usually thats in western Montana or Idaho.
Sanders tries to get out the river to fish at least a few times every summer.
Ill shoot for maybe twice a month for a couple of days depending on the river conditions and weather, he said.