Oct 2, 2019
1. INTRO
We met Ray and Joanne Hallare at the Design Influencers Conference
in Atlanta in February. We were introduced to them by Mally
Skok, a South African born designer, textile/wallcovering artist
and friend who lives in Boston. She was working with them on
a furniture collection.
Ray and Joanne work with their family factory in the Philippines that has been manufacturing furniture for over 30 years for high end brands in the US.
We are happy to introduce this brother and sister duo and have them tell us a bit more about them and their company.
A. What did you do prior to starting
Dowel Furniture?
B. What was your motivation for starting
this company?
i. How did you
figure out how you wanted to position yourselves as a new furniture
company in this industry?
1. Tell us about your collections and how
licensing became a viable business model?
2. Who are your current design partnerships
with?
3. Tell us how you met Mally Skok and how
the collaboration came to be.
a. What do you look for in a designer
partnership?
C. I love that you can customize pieces for
designers – how does that work?
D. How do you work together as
partners?
i. Do you agree on
most business decisions?
ii. What are some
lessons your parents have taught you of their 30 years of
experience in this industry?
E. ANNOUNCEMENTS
i. Dowel Furniture
will be in the IHFC Building on the main floor – Interhall #112
which is a great place to be with lots of traffic. You must
see this furniture in person. If you have already seen it,
they have redone most of the collection in different finishes and
fabrics. You will also see Ray and Joanne’s friendly faces as
they are always smiling and have great energy!
ii. Interesting
Panel: Ray will be on the panel entitled “How to Work with
White/Private Label: The Benefits of Building Your Own Brand
. This will be moderated by Jill Wage of Traditional
Home. Other panelists are Lynai Jones of Mitchell Black,
Mabley Handler – Hamptons Interior Designer and Michelle
Nussbaumer, Dallas Interior Designer, textile and furniture
designer and author. Sunday 10/20 from 3:30 to 4:30 in Suites
at Market Square Seminar Room.