In this episode, Toma Clark Haines, CEO of The Antiques Diva & Co, talks with Carissa Tarver, whose delightful demeanor and excellence in service in her role in Customer Service and Sales for Aidan Gray Living is invaluable to the company. Carissa is a lovely face to the company and her enthusiasm for helping clients is contagious. Founded in 2003, Aidan Gray turns 20 this year, proving itself as a long-standing feature in the industry. Aidan Gray represents a love for interiors, design, and authentic products that exude “European Grandeur”. Their products are made by hand with authentic materials such as solid wood, rustic metals, antique mirrors, old painted finishes and silk. It is that European elegance that is the foundation of Aidan Gray.
Carissa joined the company in 2017 with no actual prior experience in the industry but years of excellence in customer service. She firmly believes that “without a good customer service team, your company is NOT going to be what it needs to be”. On Carissa’s first day, she was tasked with making calls in the office of their new location and she asked a man who was helping with the move if he could please move a paper box into the office for her. They gladly obliged her request. and it was not until the end of the day that she realized she had made the founder of the company, Randall Weeks, move a paper box for her. When she apologized the next day, Randall told her, “No, I liked it. You were direct”.
This direct approach to communication is exactly how Carissa gets so much accomplished. Her advice, “Never ever think where you’re going to end. Just keep on pushing and then there will always be growth”.
The push continues at Aidan Gray as they level up yet again! They started with a simple zinc finial, which led to a chandelier, then sconces, then lamps, then case goods, then upholstery, then collaborations and pillows and decor and just about anything you can design – but, designed in such a way that the viewer says, “Oh I know where that came from – that’s Aidan Gray”. It is their attention to every last detail and quality that drew Toma to collaborate on her furniture line with the company. “He’s one of the only ones that I felt like was truly making the antiques of the future”, explained Toma. “His work will stand the test of time”. The latest level up includes original paintings created by Randall, which can be viewed in Atlanta and will also be showcased at this year’s HighPoint where Aidan Gray has their own building at 201 N Main Street, Highpoint, NC 27260. If you are one of the many progressive antiques dealers who are learning to embrace the idea of “more than antiques” to create a profitable well-rounded business, Aidan Grey has the type of items that blend beautifully with antiques.
To see for yourself all the beauty and what that next lovely level has to offer, be sure to check out aidangrayliving.com or follow them on Instagram @aidangrayhome. You can also reach out to Carissa Tarver directly at ct@agliv.com or call her at 469-568-8700 ext 7003, and be sure and visit them at Highpoint and at the Arbors this year at Round Top!
This episode is brought to you by The Antiques Diva Collection by Aidan Gray .
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