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MONICA POLONIO FOUNDING DIREC TOR , ROC K & SOAR
ALISON SMITH FOUNDING DIREC TOR , ROC K & SOAR
How long have you been involved in the lighting industry?
always based on materials and their reaction with light, so
Monica: six years ; Alison: 10 years
I’ve spent a lot of time with manufacturers and makers to
Have you always been involved in the manufacturing side,
understand techniques and processes.
or have you come from another part of the industry?
Have you noticed more diversity in sales, manufacturing,
Monica: I come from a sales background, and when I
and marketing over the past two decades?
joined the lighting industry, I had little knowledge of the
Monica: Prior to joining the lighting industry, I came from
complexity of lighting. It was through the process of being
the textiles and furniture industry where I represented
part of a small team that specialised in bespoke lighting
luxury brands in the UK, Europe, and Russia. My sales
that I learned more about its beauty and the design
background in the luxury industry spans over 10 years. In my
process.
experience, when working with beautiful luxury products,
Both Alison and I are now heavily involved in the design
the salesperson is typically female, whereas when dealing
and manufacturing process of decorative lighting. We have
with architectural or technical products, the salesperson is
also become experienced and knowledgeable in areas
usually male. So, no, I don’t think it’s changed much.
such as architectural lighting, which allows us to design
I have represented more architectural-based products, and
decorative lighting that is also functional and works with
personally, I disliked it as it lacked creativity and I found it
other lighting in interior spaces.
very boring. But I believe that companies and managers,
Alison: Yes! My background stems from sculpture and craft,
when recruiting, seem to think that men are more suited
so I’ve always been in the realm of making. My research is
for one style or product and women for another.