The NKBA has been touting the benefits of rewarding careers in the kitchen and bath industry through our Trade UP initiative. On National Women in Construction Day, we reached out to our Facebook community asking women how they got their start in the business. We’ll be sharing these stories on this blog and in our magazine. Below we hear from women who, directly or indirectly, have family to thank for starting them on their journey.
Inspired by This Old House
Leslie Molloy, residential designer, Normandy Remodeling, Hinsdale, Illinois
Leslie Molloy never imagined the television show she dreaded would lead her to a career she loved.
“I grew up watching “This Old House” with my dad. And hating it,” says Leslie Molloy, CKD. “We only had one TV, so it was that or nothing.”
Molloy’s original career plan was nursing, but, after shadowing a nurse at a local hospital while still in high school, she realized that wasn’t the path for her. She needed a plan B.
That plan came courtesy of an art teacher who, noting her artistic ability, suggested she explore a more creative field. While contemplating her options, she thought back to her childhood and her time spent watching “This Old House” and had an epiphany. She realized she had enjoyed the first and last episodes, the planning and the reveal. Armed with a new sense of purpose, she applied to architecture and interior design schools, ultimately earning an Interior Design degree from the Harrington Institute for Interior Design.
Apparently, it was meant to be. After five years of designing kitchens and baths, she ran into Richard Trethewey, the master plumber from “This Old House,” at a booth at KBIS.
“Nerd that I am, I went over and told him that I grew up watching him and that I’m now in kitchens and baths partially because of that,” says Molloy. “I got his autograph for my dad.”
Favorite part of her job: “I’m never bored. Every design is different, using different materials.”
The Entrepreneur
Jill McGlaughlin, owner, Classic Kitchen & Bath, Harrisonburg, Virginia
Jill McGlaughlin and her husband were building their first home when she discovered an untapped talent for design. She enjoyed the entire process from working with the contractor to selecting the perfect paint colors, appliances and hardware.
While still mid build, McGlaughlin was offered a job with InnerFinish Systems, the kitchen and bath dealer the contractor had recommended, after their kitchen designer noticed how quickly she picked up on design concepts and ideas. Two years later, the owner of the company decided to downsize and offered to sell her the residential kitchen division of the business.
“I had no idea how to run a business, but I knew an offer like this would likely never come again,” says McGlaughlin. “So, I took the risk and started my company, Classic Kitchens, Inc., now known as Classic Kitchen & Bath.”
She brought one other kitchen designer and two installers with her. That was 16 years ago and those same dedicated employees are still with her, today. Since then she’s added six more to her team, one of whom is a CKD with two more currently pursuing NKBA certification.
Favorite Part of Her Job: “You can touch and feel the results. There’s great satisfaction in starting with a concept and creating a reality that makes clients happy. Not every job can offer that experience.”
The Family Business
Karen Culler, owner, Kitchen Design Gallery, Jacksonville, Florida
When Karen Culler joined her father, Carl Hasty, and her brother, John Hasty, in the custom cabinet business in 1991, it was meant to be temporary. She hadn’t planned on joining the family business.
It’s been 26 years, and Culler and her brother now guide the company. They no longer build custom, but are still in the kitchen and bath business. Her brother is the cabinet builder and handles sales and design, while she handles the accounting and human resources side of the business, along with scheduling. Culler is also president of the North Florida NKBA Chapter, which her father helped found in the early 90s.
Favorite Part of the Job: “Helping people bring their visions and ideas to life. It’s a big job and I love watching our creative design team make it happen.”
House Aesthetician
DeAnna Radaj, owner, DeAnna on Design, Clearwater, Florida
DeAnna Radaj started her career journey at age 10, when she’d join her father and uncles on trips to their rental and investment properties. During these visits, she learned about return on investment and the difference between the needs of investment property and a personal residence.
After graduating from Marquette University with a degree in marketing, Radaj worked her way up the corporate ladder with a niche retailer. There, she found herself overseeing all new store construction and remodels, as well as visual merchandising for the stores.
At 33, Radaj lost her father, causing her to re-evaluate her current career path and focus on what truly made her happy. So she quit her job and went back to school, this time for interior design, earning her associate degree from Milwaukee Area Technical College.
After graduating, she started her own design company.
“It’s been 15 years and now I primarily take distressed properties and give them eco-friendly makeovers,” says Radaj. “I’m a house aesthetician!”
She has written a column for the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) called The Business of Design and taught a class on the subject at the Chicago Merchandise Mart. She now conducts workshops and teaches best business practices to both National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) and NKBA chapters, and has been a presenter for Voices from the Industry (VFTI) at KBIS.
“They don’t teach business in design school,” she says. “I can really make an impact on students.”
Favorite Part of her Job: “I love walking into the chaos I was hired to tackle, and creating a beautiful solution that improves someone’s life.”
Whether through the family business or by watching dad’s favorite TV show, these women found careers they love. Not only on a creative level, but by being able to have a positive effect on others through their work. Women who aren’t exposed to the kitchen and bath industry may not consider it as a career option. Which is why NKBA is shining a spotlight on these rewarding opportunities. What’s your story?
