Hernando, Mississippi, United States
I am an accomplished designer with extensive experience in the home furnishings industry, specializing in lighting, accessories, accent furniture and wall decor. My passion lies in creating thoughtful, market-driven designs that bring brand stories to life and drive growth. With a design philosophy rooted in storytelling and balance, I craft products that resonate with diverse audiences while remaining timeless and functional. My hands-on approach spans managing international teams, collaborating with artisans, and working closely with cross-functional leadership to ensure every product is purposeful and marketable. Deeply attuned to market trends and shifts, I focus on creating livable, lifestyle-aware designs that connect with consumers and elevate brands.
Freelance Designer
• Designed award-winning lighting products that led to industry recognition and increased sales. • Collaborated with cross-functional teams to innovate and improve lighting design processes. • Implemented creative solutions to enhance customer experience and drive brand growth.
Spearheaded the design and development of lighting and home accessory products, overseeing the entire product lifecycle from concept to market launch. Collaborated with international factories across Asia, ensuring quality control and meeting production timelines. Led the design and development for mid to high-end collections, contributing to a significant increase in annual sales. Worked closely with sales teams to integrate design feedback, improving product performance based on consumer insights and market trends. Traveled extensively for material sourcing, supplier relationship development, and manufacturing oversight. Participated in the planning and merchandising of four major showrooms across the US. Developed custom products for clients in an OEM capacity, providing tailored solutions to meet specific needs. Collaborated with the marketing team to produce collateral sales materials and look books, playing a key role in setting company-wide trends.
Developed and expanded Surya’s product offerings into hard goods, including lighting, accessories, and accent furniture. Created a separate supply chain for the hard goods division, ensuring seamless production and delivery processes. Led the development of lighting and accessories, the fastest-growing category during my tenure. Collaborated closely with international vendors and factories, ensuring quality production and on-time delivery of new products. Contributed to strategic planning, ensuring that new product categories aligned with the company’s overall brand identity and market leadership.
Led the Lighting and Accessories category for a globally renowned high-end company, overseeing international and domestic product development. Managed a team of 10 engineers and draftsmen, transforming design concepts into fully manufacturable products, ensuring top-tier quality and precision in production. Played a hands-on role in the manufacturing process, with the company operating its own factories, making the role deeply involved in end-to-end production. Directed Outside Engineered Manufacturing (OEM) for prestigious companies such as Ralph Lauren, Aerin Lauder, Markor, and Restoration Hardware, producing custom-designed products for these elite brands.
Played a key role in the foundational growth of John Richard, a high-end wholesale company specializing in accent products for furniture stores. Developed award-winning lighting collections that elevated the brand’s reputation and positioned John Richard as a leader in the wholesale accent product industry. Traveled extensively, attending international trade shows in Paris, Milan, and Frankfurt, as well as domestic events, to stay ahead of industry trends. Participated in merchandising of John Richard’s 30,000 sq. ft. showroom, creating visually compelling displays that enhanced customer engagement and sales.