Atlas Twp.- Beth Gray grew up with big business, but ended up in small business–a transition she will never regret.
A native of Center Township, Penn., where her father and family members worked in the the steel industry for several decades–Gray left the rural industrial region on the banks of the Ohio River for the corporate world.
Employed as a marketing representative for Oster Corporation, makers of small appliances including commercial blenders (bar mixers), to the restaurant, bar, and food service industry, Gray moved to the Detroit area in 1975.
About 1980 Gray received a memo from Oster Corp. to fly to Chicago for a meeting.
‘They called us together in a room and told us we were laid off.?
The downsizing was the result of Allegheny International, Inc. accusation of Sunbeam Corporation–which included Oster, says Gray.
‘So I took off my three-piece suit and donned a sweat shirt and blue jeans,? laughs Gray. I then went and did what I really wanted to do.?
Now unemployed Gray attended classes in home construction at Henry Ford College in Dearborn as part of retraining and later classes at Lansing Community College.
‘My classes gave me an overview of how to build a house including the costs and other matters,? she said. ‘I can now better explain to the builder how a kitchen goes together.?
Combined with her strong sales background today Gray successfully operates Cabinet Design Studio from her township home.
From new construction to remodeled homes, Gray offers the knowledge and experience necessary to meet customers specific needs.
‘I listen and I work well with someone who has saved those dream kitchen plans. Customers today are much more educated and more informed about kitchen products.?
Gray can work with or without a contractor and can guide customers from rough ideas to completion within a variety of budgets.
‘I love what I do and it shows.?
Beth Gray at The Cabinet Design Studio is available by appointment only (810) 577-3735. Or at the showroom, 624 Livernois, Suite 100, Ferndale Mich. 48220. (248) 544-4849. Wood-Mode, Brookhaven and Homecrest available.
www.CabinetDesignStudio.com