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| Clair
David Office Furniture and Design
Kim
Marion
By Barbara L. Roose
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Kim
offers assistance helping customers pull together
the wall colors, window treatment and accessory choices
that will accentuate their new furniture purchase.
 Business
owner Kim Marion grew up in Chicago near O’Hare
Airport. While growing up, Kim thought she might be
an interior designer. After a few classes, Kim changed
her mind and thought she might go into architecture.
But one thing Kim never thought of during her early
years was that she would ever own a business in Toledo,
Ohio.
In 1979, Kim’s former husband had a multi-state
sales territory, and Toledo was the most convenient
place to settle their family. After a number of years
at home with her children, Kim answered an ad for
Globe Furniture Rentals. In 1988, she was hired, and
over the next 10 years, Kim would fulfill roles in
outside sales and management.
A new commercial furniture outlet franchise, Office
Furniture USA, was being built nearby. Curious, Kim
went over for an informational interview. She wasn’t
looking for a new job, but as a recent divorcee, Kim
knew she would be raising her children on her own.
“I was very impressed with what the franchise
had to offer, and so I accepted a job as a manager.”
The owners of the franchise were out of Michigan and
had a hands-off attitude, so Kim had the autonomy
to take care of the business. Years later, Kim realized
that autonomy allowed her to gain the necessary knowledge
she would use later in her own business.
After seven years, Kim left that position, and shortly
later the Holland location of Office Furniture USA
closed its doors. Then, Kim had an idea....
She contacted the Office Furniture USA headquarters
in Alabama and began the process of acquiring a franchise
of her own. Luckily, the home office personnel remembered
Kim and were pleased that she was interested in owning
a franchise. Kim, however, faced the familiar difficulties
many business owners encounter while trying to secure
financing. Kim’s sales mentality drove her to
push forward during the difficult process of getting
the funding needed to launch her franchise. Her advice
for would-be business owners: “Be persistent;
keep going.”
Kim approached two employees she worked with at Office
Furniture USA to work with her in the new business.
In January 2005, Kim began operations out of her home
and moved into her showroom in April 2005. She loved
being free to make her own decisions and to focus
on her top priority, her customers. “We wouldn’t
be here if it wasn’t for them … I understand
where new and struggling businesses are at with their
budgets, so we encourage them to let us take care
of the reception area and the conference area where
their customers are going to be at.”
Kim also has three interior designers on staff to
help create customized designs for customers who want
to add in something special. Kim offers assistance
helping customers pull together the wall colors, window
treatment and accessory choices that will accentuate
their new furniture purchase. The value-added service
is complimentary, as well as the CAD design software
that allows customers to see a 3-D rendition of their
office once the furniture upgrades are complete.
Clair David is a commercial furniture dealership that
focuses on employers with 10-150 employees. “We
do well with doctors’ offices, law and financial
firms. Probably, industrial businesses are our most
common customers … businesses who are interested
in durable, practical furniture at a good price.”
CLAIR DAVID OFFICE
FURNITURE AND DESIGN
6540 W. Central Avenue
Toledo, Ohio 43617
419-843-2300
Website: www.clairdavid.com
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Business Review highlights the best
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