Minnesota State Chapter
Events
January
24
Ferguson Golden Valley | 8:00 AM
Around the Industry in 80 Minutes: Your Passport to Opportunity
Not a member yet?
Expand your network and become established in the local kitchen and bath community.
Sponsors
Featured Sponsor
Ferguson - Diamond Sponsor
Ferguson is a leading value-added distributor in North America providing expertise, solutions and products from infrastructure, plumbing and appliances to HVAC, fire, fabrication and more. We exist to make our customers’ complex projects simple, successful and sustainable. Ferguson is headquartered in the U.K., with its operations and associates solely focused on North America and managed from Newport News, Virginia.
Featured Sponsor
North Central Sales - Bronze Sponsor
NCS is a manufacturers’ representative agency that is committed to exceeding the expectations of the manufacturers we represent and the customers we serve. We do this with our team of industry professionals that employ ethical consultative sales skills to build strong relationships with our manufacturers, wholesalers, specifiers, and contractors. NCS is committed to investing in technology that allows us to effectively manage sales activity, metrics, and jobs to maximize sales efforts. We are focused on continued growth and identifying ways we can improve to outpace others in the market.
Chapter Sponsors
Member Spotlight
Kailee Klevan
How long have you worked in the Kitchen and Bath Industry? In your current position?
I’ve been working in the industry for 7 years. I started my career working for a custom home builder in Mankato, MN for three years, and have been with Beyond Kitchens in Rochester, MN since 2018.
How did you get involved with the kitchen and bath industry?
I’ve wanted to be an Interior Designer since I was a kid (8th-grade job fair to be exact!). Before going to school for design, I job shadowed my aunt, who owned a design firm and was an Interior Design instructor at Alexandria Technical College. That was such an exciting and eye-opening day to me and solidified my decision to pursue interior design. While in college, we studied all different areas of design, and that’s where I became passionate about Kitchen and Bath Design and knew that was the direction I wanted to go.
What do you love about working in the Kitchen and Bath industry?
I love that it’s so much more than selecting the pretty finishes. It’s the technical drawings, details, and specifications that are so important in designing a successful kitchen or bath. I thrive on detail and organization which are important skills to have in this industry. Of course, the pretty finishes are always fun too, but there’s so much more that goes on behind the scenes to get to that beautiful, finished space than one might think.
What should people in the Kitchen and Bath Industry know about you and your business?
Beyond Kitchens is a full-service, design-build remodeling company. We are involved in the early design stages, all the way through completion. We design, create construction drawings, and are the General Contractor for all our projects. Our passion for what we do shines through in every aspect of our business, and we strive to create an ideal space for our clients in the present, and for their future.
Membership Spotlight - Megan Dent
How long have you worked in the Kitchen and Bath Industry? In your current position?
I’ve worked in the design industry for over 12 years but started working with Michels Homes, a custom home builder, in the beginning of 2021.
How did you get involved with the kitchen and bath industry?
After earning my Bachelors of Fine Arts degree and working in the interior design industry for a few years, I decided to return to school to become a certified Kitchen and Bath Designer. At first, I thought that this specialty would just be a great addition to my career as an interior designer but I loved the kitchen and bath industry so much that I actually decided to shift my focus and work primarily in the K&B industry specializing in cabinetry and space planning. But I didn’t leave behind the interiors world entirely since I use so much of that experience and knowledge in designing kitchens and bathrooms.
What do you love about working in the Kitchen and Bath industry?
I didn’t realize how technical, as well as architectural, the kitchen and bath industry is until I started working with cabinetry. As a wannabe architect, I was pleasantly surprised when I realized that my role as a K&B designer allowed me to do so much space planning, creating environments and developing plans.
What should people in the Kitchen and Bath Industry know about you and your business?
I work for a company who’s been building and remodeling homes for four generations. Michels Homes provides the quintessential boutique building experience. Delivering quality craftsmanship, tailored designs, and effective project management for an unmatched and personalized building experience.
I am thankful I get to be part of this amazing company.
Northern Contours
Missy Sjerven
VP Marketing - Northern Contours
How long have you worked in the Kitchen and Bath Industry? In your current position?
I started with Northern Contours in 2006. Prior to that, I had experience in security (yawn) and incentive travel planning (delightful).
How did you get involved with the kitchen and bath industry?
Northern Contours is a component manufacturer selling engineered cabinet doors, drawer fronts, and accessories to cabinet manufacturers, closet companies, and professional refacers. We also own the brand Renuit, selling refacing products and installation services in Canada, and manufacture for Front + Center, an online entity selling refacing supplies direct to professional remodelers in the US.
What do you love about working in the Kitchen and Bath industry?
We have a very tight-knit industry filled with creative and inspiring designers who are also very down-to-earth and approachable. The product and design teams up and down the supply chain are collaborative and great to work with. I love that I can walk down a cobblestone street in Cologne, Germany during Interzum and run into 20 people I know. We are an adventurous group.
What should people in the Kitchen and Bath Industry know about you and your business?
As engineered materials continue to gain acceptance at the consumer level, look to Northern Contours to provide expertise in innovative and on-trend products for your customers. By outsourcing a portion of manufacturing, you can reduce your lead times, free up capacity, and reduce your inventory levels.
Catherine Deutschlander
Catherine Deutschlander, CID, CAPS, MN-AS, CKBD
Business Name: CW Design
Title: CEO.Founder
How long have you worked in the Kitchen and Bath Industry?
I fell in love with Cabinetry back in 2004 while attending Century College for Kitchen & Bath Design. I was in the Commercial side of Interior Design and was getting burned out from doing more space planning than designing. I went back to school to be hired in the Residential side of Interior Design since I took the Commercial side when I graduated in 1998. When attending Century College for Kitchen & Bath Design my dream was born. I wanted to be a Certified Kitchen & Bath Designer.
In your current position?
Starting my own Interior Design Business was always a part of me. I finally received the courage to start CW Design in July 2020. It took the passing of my amazing sister, Renee, to make it a reality. She always believed in me, and it was time for me to believe in myself. I no longer wanted to live for “Others” but for who GOD/Universe created me to be. It was time to close off fear of failure and open to love and believing in myself. CW Design is about knowing what you are capable of… You have the ability. You are the hero. I am the guide along the way. As my sister Renee has shown me in my lifetime. 😊
How did you get involved with the kitchen and bath industry?
After graduating from Century College with a Certificate in Kitchen & Bath Design I knew this was my calling. I have been in the Kitchen & Bath Industry for 18 years and am still loving it. It has changed and evolved based on technology and Global Awareness.
What do you love about working in the Kitchen and Bath industry?
The clients! Every project is so different than the next because of their unique personality and the scope of their work. I'm always striving to be better than yesterday and understanding their experience helps me to do that. As my 90-year-old father has told me “Don’t try to be perfect. Try to be better than yesterday.” This is what I do and strive for on every project. I can honestly say I am better today than I was almost 2 years ago when I started CW Design.
What should people in the Kitchen and Bath Industry know about you and your business?
My two beautiful, lovable, younger children are both autistic. They were the #1 reason for starting my own business. I had to step away from what I knew and embrace the unknown. They have helped me gain a better perspective for my clients; to understand it from their point of view. It’s amazing how looking through a different lens changes everything. CW Design is built around Integrity, Family, Passion, & Legacy. I strive for these values daily in my business and personal life. I want to be remembered as amazing person with a beautiful soul who is passionate for design, family, and life 😊.
Sawhill - Custom Kitchens & Design, Inc.
Membership Spotlight: Matt Cook, President of Sawhill Custom Kitchens & Design Inc.
How long have you worked in the Kitchen and Bath Industry?
I have worked in the Remodeling Industry for over 25 years doing many Kitchens and Baths as well as all other parts of the home. After joining a firm 20 years ago, I helped grow it into a National firm serving the Denver, Minneapolis St. Paul and Chicago markets.
How long in your current position?
I have been with Sawhill for 2 years now.
How did you get involved with the kitchen and bath industry?
While drawing up plans to launch a new kitchen company from scratch, I was informed about this great company “Sawhill” that was looking for a new owner. I met the owners and found two wonderful people who built a great company. Sawhill had everything I wanted in a business. A charming luxurious kitchen and bath company withgreat values, reputation, designs, vendors, trades and a beautiful showroom in IMS. It was the perfect find vs starting a new business. An advisor once told me, “Don’t try to become the Picasso, find the Picasso” and I was blessed to find Sawhill.
What do you love about working in the Kitchen and Bath industry?
I Love the people. The kitchen is the heart of the home and our customers find such joy in sharing their dreams while watching them come to life with our process. I love, respect and appreciate our customers, designers, project managers and trade partners. Our team takes such pride in what they do and truly give best of themselves to make our customers happy, while forming long lasting relationships well beyond the project completion. When we are finished with a project we leave our customers a place where they can improve the function and enjoyment of their daily lives. A place to make special memories for many years to come. From family dinners and gatherings with friends to holidays, 1st birthdays and 50th anniversaries. The kitchen is the heart of the home.
What should people in the Kitchen and Bath Industry know about you and your business?
Sawhill has a strong commitment to the people we work with. We listen closely to our customers and provide them with a design, finish and experience custom fit for their needs. Our team of designers, project managers and trade partners work together to provide and excellent outcome on each project. Our people support each other while striving to learn and become better people along the way. We are not a “one shoe fits all” design firm. We find great joy in figuring out the puzzle of a small kitchen in an old house with traditional stylings to a designing a large contemporary kitchen in a new home.
Tracy Hains
I’ve worked in the Kitchen and Bath Industry for more than 15 years. In 2005, I started Che Bella Interiors to bring professional, honest and knowledgeable interior design services to clients across the Twin Cities.
How did you get involved with the Kitchen and Bath industry?
I’ve always had a love for interior design and followed my heart back to my passion when I started Che Bella Interiors in 2005. My previous background in HR and recruiting shaped my focus on customer service, which has led to long-lasting design relationships with our clients.
What do you love about working in the Kitchen and Bath industry?
I take great pride in helping people design spaces that are both functional and beautiful – and that’s particularly important in high visibility spaces like kitchens and baths. Creating a beautiful, function kitchen and bath is part art, part science. I love collaborating with clients to listen to their vision and goals and then expertly lead them through the design process with the highest commitment to honesty, integrity and beautiful results. It’s a joy to help clients realize their design dreams and create spaces that are both comfortable and beautiful.
What should people in the Kitchen and Bath Industry know about you and your business?
Che Bella Interiors has a strong commitment to excellence. When I opened the firm in 2005, I set a high bar, recognizing that I could never settle for being just average. Clients invite us into some of their most intimate spaces, including their kitchens and baths, and I don't take this responsibility lightly. My colleagues and I take great care to listen to what our clients want, rather than giving them a design plan that we think they should have based on current trends or fads. Our goal is for the finished project to be an authentic reflection of our client.
We also hold a Residential Contractor's License that allows us to serve in a leadership role of general contractor for remodeling projects. This allows us to provide a highly specialized understanding of what is needed to get the job done and create a more seamless integration between design and construction. Designing a beautiful project is one thing, but understanding and leading the client through the mechanics of how to construct it brings it to a whole new level. We not only set the vision, but we bring the expertise and experience to help bring it to life.
Mike Lotz
Mike Lotz of Bluestem Remodeling.
Lead Kitchen Designer and Cabinetry Specialist
Has worked in the Kitchen & Bath industry for 5 years in my current position and 24 years overall.
One day in my previous line of work I parked in front of the Purcell Cutts house in Minneapolis, which led to an interest in Architecture and ultimately to kitchens is how he initially got involved in the industry.
He loves the process of improving the form, function, flow and feel of a space and leaving the homeowner with a more enjoyable day to day experience. Also - the homeowners!
At Bluestem Remodeling, I work as part of an integrated team of specialists to execute our design build projects. We are also a cabinet dealer , which enables me to design and sell cabinets to outside contractors.
Marlene Hernick
March Membership Spotlight!
Marlene has been working in the Kitchen and Bath industry since 2004.
How did you get into the kitchen and bath industry? When I started participating in the ASID Showcase Home. I designed a bathroom for a historical home in Crocus Hill, St Paul, MN.
What do you love about working in the Kitchen and Bath industry? Creating functional, safe and sustainable spaces that reflects the client’s personality and style.
What should people in the Kitchen and Bath Industry know about you and your business? The goal of MOH Design is to recommend each client products that are safe and sustainable that works with the budget.
Amanda Magnuson
Amanda is a Kitchen and Bath Designer at Cornerstone Cabinets & Countertops.
Originally I went to school for Interior Design learning about Kitchen & Bath Design but ended up working in the custom window treatment, paint & wallpaper, custom framing and decorating world until the economy bottomed out in 2008. I took some time off to go back to school for Architectural Drafting & Estimating completing my degree in 2013 and was hired right out of college for a Kitchen and Bath showroom. I fell naturally into the kitchen & bath industry and found the Architectural Drafting & Estimating degree gave me a solid foundation.
Jessica Curry
December MN NKBA Chapter Spotlight
I Started Interiors by J.Curry in 2015, we will be coming up on our 6th year in business this February.
I’m very passionate about this incredible kitchen and bath industry and have worked hard to get to where I am and continue to set more goals to grow the business and expand further. Recently with the challenge of what the pandemic has brought we have shifted to offering some more remote zoom out of state consults and designing which has been a fun experience.
Samantha Dagestad
November MN State Member Spotlight.
I have worked in the Kitchen and Bath Industry for seven years and within the last year partnered with my husband, who is a contractor, to add the design element to Dagestad Construction.
My husband Earl and I love being able to combine our skills to help our client’s dreams come true. We complement each other perfectly (one of the many reasons I married him) and we give our clients complete confidence that their project will not only be done correctly but will also look and function the way they need it to.
KBIS 2022!
KBIS 2022!
