PARTY READY BY JENA A. BUTTERFIELD
The three Cartwright sisters may have separate passions and personalities, but luckily for the family business, their differences converge under one glorious tent (rental company, that is). Today, Jill Weis, Tracey Sherwood and Laura Dalrymple are the “daughters” at the helm of Cartwright & Daughters Tent and Party Rentals based in Mahopac and serving Westchester, Fairfield, Dutchess, Putnam, Orange and Litchfield counties. Their varied expertise plus an uncanny synergy help the sisters strike the perfect formula for a family business: separate plus together equals longevity. “It’s great because we get to see each other every day,” says Weis, acknowledging the romantic ideal may have its limits. “You also have family dynamics.” Parents Jerry and Pam Cartwright started the company in 1981 as Cartwright Catering, a business with a few rental tents. Eventually everyone got involved. “Tracey would wait tables, I would help on the buffet line and Laura was in the playpen in the back room,” Weis says. “There were many times when dad dropped us off to school in the company truck. And we couldn’t get in trouble after school because we always had to report to work.” The catering part of the company was gradually phased out and the rental side grew rapidly along with the sisters. Over the years, they learned the ins and outs of the business and helped the company evolve. In the early ’90s, Jerry Cartwright added “Daughters” to the company name to honor his girls’ work and increasing involvement. “Dad is still active but has definitely stepped back,” Weis says. “And mom was very instrumental when the business started.” But as the sisters took on responsibility then began raising families of their own, Pam Cartwright’s role advanced. “Mom’s an important person that keeps it going for us,” Weis says. “She helped us with watching the kids and allowed us to be (working) moms.” And it gave them the ability to hone their expertise. “We all tried every position,” Dalrymple says. “And we evolved to what best suits our personality. Jill’s a great people person, Tracey likes to get in there with whatever power tools she can and I like to say I have an The Cartwright sisters, Tracey Sherwood, Jill Weis and Laura Dalrymple. Photograph by Bob Rozycki.
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WAGMAG.COM
JULY 2019