Decorating Den Rebounds in 2nd Half with 40% Increase over 2019 Same Period

January 20, 2021  by Jane Chero in Business Strategy, Designer Weekly, Industry   

Despite pandemic challenges related to in-person meetings, franchisees generated six consecutive months of record-setting sales.

“With all the concerns and challenges Covid-19 has created, it also has fostered a focus on family and home,” said James S. Bugg, Jr. CEO and president of the Easton, Md.-based company. “This focus on the home has sparked a tremendous surge in remodeling and decorating projects.  In the second half of 2020, our franchisees saw an incredible 40% increase in sales compared to the same period in 2019. 43 franchisees had their highest sales ever and we added 15 new ones during the year.”

Franchisees were recognized in a virtual awards gala this month. Interior design franchise owner Debbie Demboski, of Wesley Chapel, FL., was named Franchise Owner of the Year, the highest franchisee business award presented by the company. “Debbie has been in business since 1994 and has consistently been among our leaders in retail sales and has won numerous awards,” said Bugg. “Her exceptional dedication and service through cooperation with other franchise owners, suppliers and management are excellent examples of this award’s criteria.”

The International Top Retail Sales Award recognizes the franchise owner in each country with the highest retail sales. In Canada, it was Catherine and Jerome Pulcine, of Ottawa, Ontario, whose franchise also had the highest sales overall and the highest in the history of the company. Their franchise’s decorator, Natalie Cox, was number one in Canada. In the U.S., it was Charla Traugott, of Montgomery, TX, whose decorator, Jill Shuey, had the highest sales among U.S. decorators. 

Honored as the company’s Chairman’s Circle franchisees for highest sales, in addition to the Pulcines and Traugott, were Lisa Bibawi, Dallas, TX.; Jan Bromberek, Plainfield, Ill.; Linda and Dana Coin, Sanibel, FL.; Barbara Elliott and Jennifer Ward Woods, Stone Mountain, GA.; Deanna Frazier, Plano, TX; Sandy Kozar, Knoxville, TN.; Claudia Leah, Naples, FL.; Bonnie Pressley, Fort Worth, TX; and Nola Shivers, Springfield, MO.

Region of the Year was the Eastern Tennessee region managed by Sandy and Jim Kozaar, owner of a Decorating Den Interiors serving the Knoxville, TN. area. The award is the highest honor the company bestows on a region and recognizes outstanding achievement of a role-model region.

Top Five Regions for 2020 sales were: Ottawa (Ontario, Canada), Mainline (PA.), South Florida, Gulf Coast (TX), and Central Florida. 

The Making a Difference Award, a special award for commitment and service selected by CEO Bugg, was awarded to Catherine and Jerome Pulcine, of Ottawa, Ontario. 

The Legacy Award for the Regional Field Manager of the Year was Jan Bromberek, of Plainfield, Ill., who manages franchises in Illinois, Wisconsin, and South Texas. This award is presented for outstanding personal achievements in the areas of leadership, management, motivation and inspiration. 

Rising Star Awards went to Angie Palmer, of Peachtree City, GA.  It is awarded to the franchise with the highest reported cumulative sales during their first 12 months, with the final month of sales occurring in the year 2020.

An additional 70 franchises were recognized for being in the top 30% for 2020 sales and several were recognized for 25-,30- and 35-year anniversaries. Outstanding growth of regional sales also was honored.