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Getting to know Alex Macias Vice President Del Sol Furniture Phoenix, AZ
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Alex plays just as hard as he works
How did you come into the home furnishings industry? Alex: I joined our family business in 2007. Back then I didn’t have
a title. I guess you could say I was in charge of doing everything no one else wanted to do, or didn’t know how to do. Before 2007 I had worked in several areas of the business—cashier, deliveries, sales, and I eventually got into buying. I’m currently the vice president and oversee all operations related to the retail part of our business.
What changes have you seen in the industry? Alex: With only seven years in the industry and really only three
actively participating in industry events, it’s hard to say. Everyone has told me it was a blessing that I joined the industry during the recession because it taught a valuable lesson: There are ups and downs and you need to save for those tough years, it’s a cycle. It seems business is much better for those of us who made it through. I have also seen a big focus by retailers and vendors to recruit and mentor the next generation. As the years pass, I see more and more young faces at markets and conferences, and I see them taking on bigger roles. The companies that have embraced this have seen a quick return on this investment.
Why do you think it’s such a challenge for our industry to recruit and retain the next generation? Alex: It’s a shame this industry doesn’t have better PR. The first
thing people think about when it comes to running a furniture store is that it means long hours, working weekends and holidays, and dealing with employees and customers. I would have to say, in the seven years I’ve been in the business, that is not my only impression. The furniture industry is a lot of hard work but it’s also so much fun. I hear a lot of complaining and negative comments from the current generation running the industry—business isn’t what it used to be, the Internet is destroying the industry, people aren’t buying as much furniture, vendors are commoditizing the product, customers’ expectations are too high, employees are hard to recruit and keep, etc. Why would your son or daughter want to join a business or work in an industry that you constantly complain about? Change is upon the industry and those who realize it’s an opportunity will do well. Like Randy Pausch, said, “Complaining is not a strategy.”
Next Gen NOW Spotlight
Alex at a Glance
What social media do you use? Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pintrest (but I can’t quite figure it out). Who do you follow on Twitter? Friends, businesses and organizations I care about, competitors, Game of Thrones!
What’s the best advice you ever got? This is a hard one. I’ve had a lot of great mentors in school, my family, and in the industry. I would have to say the best advice I ever got was from my mother; she taught me not to over think and to act. She would tell me that if you wait around for things to be perfect you will be waiting a long time. Make the best decision with the information in front of you, check results, learn and adjust. If you weren’t doing this, what would you be doing? I’m so blessed to do what I do. If I wasn’t working at Del Sol Furniture I would probably be working 80 hours a week at some law office. I’m not sure what I would do if my parents fired me. I don’t see myself doing anything else at this point. What do you do for fun? Books, movies, working out, tennis, softball, mud runs, travel, playing the clarinet, going out with friends, checking out new restaurants. I am not the type to stay home and hang out. I like to be out doing things and checking out new places. What’s your fave piece of furniture in your house? My place isn’t very big so this pretty easy. Not a lot to pick from. I would say my sofa, it’s comfortable yet contemporary. It’s hard to find comfortable contemporary furniture! Next Gen NOW (NGN) is a community of young, passionate, engaged industry professionals whose mission is to give a voice to the needs and goals of the up-and-coming future generations. NGN also strives to educate the industry on how, and why, it should attract and keep young talent. The NAHFA supports NGN by facilitating meetings and educational opportunities and introduces the industry to its members through these pages. Connect with NGN members at ngnow.org or on Twitter @ngnow.
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Next Gen NOW Spotlight
Continued from page 23
In your opinion, what challenges do our industry face in general?
to buy, have great customer service, give me ads/coupons that are relevant to me, and if I don’t like it – I’m sending it back.
Alex: Technology! It’s incredible how behind the furniture industry
Which companies do it right? Amazon, Zappos, Macys, Costco, Apple, Chick-fil-A, and Ikea.
is compared to other retail industries. I think this has a lot to do with not embracing the new generation that grew up with computers and the Internet. I really think this is a great opportunity for our generation to come in and change this. It’s also a great opportunity for young entrepreneurs who are looking for an industry to make a difference in. I don’t understand why people are scared of ecommerce. Online retailers will never have what a good brick-and-mortar furniture store has; a showroom full of furniture with expert associates. Buying furniture is hard, people need help. I don’t care if you give me 20,000 sofas to pick from, I want to ask questions and sit in it.
As a consumer (not just of home furnishings products)— what do you expect and want from a shopping experience? Which retailers get it right? Alex: Make it easy for me to buy. If you don’t have log in with
Facebook button – hassle! If you don’t have a pay with Paypal, Amazon, Google wallet option– hassle! Make me wait two weeks for delivery – hassle! No returns – hassle! Make it easy
You are one of the founders/leaders of the NGN group—why are you so passionate about this group and why do you feel it’s important to the industry? Alex: I love our family business, my job, and this industry. The
mission of this group is a perfect fi t for me. Th ere are great people in this industry and our group has come across so many wonderful mentors! There is so much opportunity right now in the furniture industry and this generation has everything it needs to run with it. I want to help recruit, network, and promote all of these young people so we can get this rolling faster! There are so many talented individuals that are on the verge of making a difference. It’s a shame at times it’s their own parents holding them back, or even their direct boss. I’m so lucky my parents have allowed me to have an important role in our family business. I hope other parents and business owners will see the potential. We will make mistakes, but we learn fast and we don’t quit!
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