Following a virtually four-decades-long profession within the wooden flooring trade, Janet Sullivan retired from Lenmar in 2023. Lenmar, a wooden finishes firm, has undergone a number of buyouts – most lately going from the Benjamin Moore umbrella to Gemini Coatings’ profile of manufacturers. Sullivan remained a constant presence with Lenmar all through these adjustments.
Through the years, Sullivan was concerned closely with the Nationwide Wooden Flooring Affiliation (NWFA). She loyally attended the NWFA Wooden Flooring Expo, participated in quite a few faculties, served on the board of administrators and varied committees, and even earned the Vanguard and Grasp Craftsman levels. Right here, she appears again on her profession and shares recommendation with others within the trade.
How did you get began within the wooden flooring trade? I began at Lenmar in March of 1984, within the accounting division. They requested if I used to be fascinated by studying the gross sales aspect of issues. Sadly, two months into it, the person coaching me handed away, so I needed to get into it in a short time and leaned on my distributors to achieve a variety of data.
What are a number of the largest adjustments in wooden flooring finishes over time? The humorous factor is in wooden flooring finishes, there haven’t been a variety of adjustments. There have been a variety of VOC adjustments by way of what you’ll be able to promote, the place you’ll be able to promote it, and the dimensions you’ll be able to promote. On the water-based aspect, there have been a variety of adjustments with one part or two part and a variety of totally different producers stepping into the end aspect of the enterprise.
From if you first joined the trade to now, what has it been like seeing the quantity of girls within the trade develop? It’s very thrilling to see extra females within the trade and, I’ve to say, the acceptance of girls within the trade. After I began, one factor I used to chortle about was that I by no means needed to wait in line to go to the lavatory at any wooden flooring occasion.
Is there a chunk of recommendation you’ll supply to wooden flooring professionals that you simply want you had recognized early in your profession? Encompass your self together with your friends and study from them. I didn’t come from a wooden flooring background with my household or something. I even went again to high school for chemistry in order that I may perceive the workings of it. I used to have lunch with the chemist to learn the way they develop a product. Educate and encompass your self with friends.
What is going to you miss about working within the wooden flooring trade? My prospects, the chums I’ve made, and Expo. To me, that was a household reunion. There have been solely about 300 folks on the first conference I went to. You bought to know the core folks very well, and I made friendships with them fairly shortly.
What are you wanting ahead to doing in retirement? My husband and I personal an RV, so we goal to hit the entire decrease 48 states, spending the night time in each state. And simply to do extra journey. We at all times say it’s important to have time, cash, and well being. Money and time are okay, however well being, you by no means understand how for much longer you’ll have that, so we’re touring. Once we come house, we like to be with our household and pals and host many occasions at our home. So, I’ll simply be having fun with life.