In celebration of Women’s History Month, we’re happy to bring our Women in Furniture Series, spotlighting accomplished women shaping the furniture industry. While strides have been made towards gender diversity, the industry lags behind others. At 3D Cloud™, we stand behind and empower outstanding women propelling the industry forward. So, grab your favorite brew, take a seat, and delve into the inspiring journey of —
Elizabeth Garcia.
Elizabeth’s design journey began at Syracuse University, where she learned to blend research, visualization, and communication for effective storytelling. As Chief Creative Officer at Th.inc!, she helped launch private label brands at Walmart and Target, designing and developing merchandising programs. Now, as SVP of Creative and Design at Scott Brothers Global and BrandJourney, she collaborates with top retailers and manufacturers to create impactful, cohesive brand programs. Her experience makes her an excellent candidate for our Women in Furniture series. In this article, she shares her career journey and insights into the furniture industry.
We can start with how you landed in the furniture industry. Can you tell us about that?
Elizabeth Garcia: My former husband and I founded a design company together in San Francisco, CA. We worked with many brands and retailers to develop and launch coordinated home collections. Furniture was an area that our clients wanted to expand into, and we were excited to be able to round out our collections. We knew one of the top designers from Pottery Barn, so we partnered up and connected with some amazing factories to develop our collections.
What steps did you take to become an SVP of Creative and Design at Scott Brothers Global?
EG: Starting in my career, I wanted to learn as much as I could and asked to be in as many meetings as I could. I strived to find creative solutions and aligned myself with the people in the company that were successfully growing the business. I learned how to apply my skills, and through success and hard work, they became essential to the process of design, product development, branding, and sales. This exposure to the entire process was key in helping my career take shape and continually contributes to my role today.
Why furniture? What do you love about working in the furniture industry?
EG: Everyone needs furniture! It is the foundational part making a house a home. Obviously, the floors, walls, and structure are important. However, the furniture is a very large part of personalizing a home — with pieces you invest in and keep for more than a moment. All the other decor keys off the furniture. The finish and fabrics of a living room, for example, influence the colors, styles, and trends for rugs, pillows, lighting, etc. I love working in an industry that largely sets the tone for many other aspects of the home.
What are some of the unique challenges of a career in furniture?
EG: In my opinion, some of the challenges for a career in furniture seem to revolve around the industry’s ability to pivot to meet the customers where they shop. Retail is changing very quickly, and these days, it can be difficult to predict which strategies will create the biggest success with customers.
“Align with leadership, learn how to be valuable, and practice being a problem solver.” – Elizabeth Garcia, SVP of Creative and Design at Scott Brothers Global
Is there a project or success story you are most proud of?
EG: I am most proud of the work we are currently doing with Drew & Jonathan with Rooms to Go. Our brand, coupled with the vision and commitment Rooms to Go has devoted to the project, has created a wonderful success for us both. RTG is a great example of a retailer that knows their customers and how to navigate the challenges our industry sometimes faces. Our entire team is very pleased with what has been accomplished through our partnership.
What advice would you give to younger women considering a career in the furniture industry today?
EG: I always advise learning as much as you can about the industry and many of the aspects it takes to bring a product from concept to customer. I always suggest visiting stores and talking to the employees and even customers. In my experience, this is the best way to learn the business, and discover the white spaces that can be filled with new ideas. Also, as I mentioned earlier, align with leadership, learn how to be valuable, and practice being a problem solver. Early on, I would ask to be in as many high-level meetings as leadership would allow so I could listen, watch, and learn. Understanding how big decisions are made and what is valuable to the company is important.
How important is having a network of other women as you mature in your career?
EG: Having a network of women is the most amazing experience and is incredibly important. There is something special about women and our ability to connect and communicate. It is always exciting to see women in furniture along in their career who are still accomplishing so much and inspire me to do my best and keep learning.
If you could offer your younger self one piece of advice, what would it be?
I would tell my younger self to be confident in the journey and trust my instincts. Success doesn’t happen overnight, and expertise is acquired over time. Be patient, consistent, and dedicated to learning new things!
“I believe when your team is confident and trusts you, the best work can be achieved. People want to learn and be a part of something exciting.” – Elizabeth Garcia, SVP of Creative and Design at Scott Brothers Global
What leaders inspire you right now and why?
EG: We recently launched a new brand agency and have our first few clients. I am inspired by their stories and how they have built their brands and their businesses. I am in awe of people that can build something from scratch that truly reflects who they are and what they value. It is a privilege to learn from them and help them grow even further.
What values are most important to you as a leader?
EG: As a leader, I like to bring out the best in whomever I work with. I believe when your team is confident and trusts you, the best work can be achieved. I believe people want to learn and be a part of something exciting. As a leader, I try to bring new things to the table that will help our team and our company grow.
What keeps you energized?
EG: Is coffee a bad answer? Truly the work keeps me energized. I have referenced this many times already, but learning something new and taking on new challenges keeps me excited and working to my best ability.
Do you know of women in the furniture industry who exemplify excellence?
EG: Women such as Florence Knoll and Ray Eames of course. However, I am also very inspired and proud of our all-women team who absolutely exemplify excellence. I have never worked alongside so many women until now who enjoy collaborating and working hard to achieve our goals. I don’t think this is something many people know about our company. It is a pretty amazing thing!
Elizabeth Garcia’s career journey is a testament to the power of perseverance, creativity, and leadership in the furniture industry. Her insights highlight the importance of learning, adaptability, and fostering strong connections–especially among women in the field. As we continue to celebrate women shaping the furniture industry, her story serves as an inspiration for future leaders.
Thank you, Elizabeth, for sharing your career journey with us.
