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 —
Katharine Martin.
We can start with how you landed in the furniture industry. Can you tell us about that?
Katharine Martin: I started my career in fashion retail, and about four years ago, I decided to pivot into the furniture industry, focusing on e-commerce because I was ready for a new challenge. With my background in both fashion and décor purchasing, and working closely with design trends, furniture felt like a natural next step where I could apply that experience in a new way.
What steps did you take to become the Senior Site Merchandiser of Raymour & Flanigan?
KM: I received my Bachelor’s degree in Business Management with a specialization in Fashion Merchandising. Throughout my career, I’ve had the opportunity to work across several areas of retail, including visual merchandising, store management, and purchasing. Those experiences gave me a well-rounded perspective on the business, from the customer experience to the operational side, and they’ve all played a role in shaping how I approach my work today.
What do you love about working in the furniture industry?
KM: What I love about the furniture industry is that the products become part of people’s everyday lives in their homes. These are pieces people use every day and often keep for years, so they become part of how someone lives in their space. It’s also exciting to see how much innovation is happening right now. Customization has become much more accessible, allowing people to tailor pieces to fit their style, space, and needs in ways that weren’t as common years ago. It’s also been fun to watch new technology make its way into furniture, from immersive audio to built-in coolers, bringing together both functionality and luxury in new ways.
“Taking the time to recognize and communicate your successes is important, both for your own confidence and for others to understand the impact of your work.” – Katharine Martin, Senior Site Merchandiser at Raymour & Flanigan
What are some unique challenges of a career in furniture?
KM: Furniture is a very high-consideration purchase and a personal one for most people, so customers can spend months researching and thinking about what they want. During that time, they’re taking in a lot of information from different places. One of the challenges is finding the right balance—providing enough information to help them make a confident decision without overwhelming them. At Raymour & Flanigan, we work hard to make that process feel easy and supportive across every channel. Whether someone is visiting one of our showrooms or shopping online, the goal is for them to feel comfortable and confident in their purchase.
Is there a project or success story you are most proud of?
KM: One project I’m especially proud to have helped lead is the recent launch of our 3D customization tool. It reduced a custom ordering process that used to take over 30 minutes down to about a minute and a half, while also adding visuals so customers can see exactly what they’re creating. The project required collaboration across five teams, both internal and external, and we launched it in under 6 months. It’s been incredibly rewarding to introduce a tool that helps simplify a complex buying experience for both our team and our customers.
How important is having a network of other women as you mature in your career?
KM: It’s incredibly valuable to have a network of women you admire and trust as you grow in your career. Having people you can bounce ideas off of or talk through challenging situations with really helps you gain perspective and continue learning. I’ve been lucky to have a few mentors along the way, including my mother, who has had an amazing career in healthcare leadership. Watching how she approaches leadership has taught me a lot about supporting a team, navigating challenges, and leading with integrity and empathy.
If you could offer your younger self one piece of advice, what would it be?
KM: I would tell my younger self to be confident and remember to share your wins. It’s easy early in your career to focus on the work and move on to the next thing without acknowledging what you’ve accomplished. Taking the time to recognize and communicate those successes is important, both for your own confidence and for others to understand the impact of your work.
“Having people you can bounce ideas off of or talk through challenging situations with really helps you gain perspective and continue learning.” – Katharine Martin, Senior Site Merchandiser at Raymour & Flanigan
What values are most important to you as a leader?
KM: One of the most important values to me as a leader is investing in your people. It’s important to give them opportunities to take on new challenges and trust them to figure things out. I also believe it’s okay to let people make mistakes along the way, because that’s often where the most learning and growth happens.
What keeps you energized?
KM: Bringing great products to life and helping others are what keep me energized. Whether it’s seeing a customer excited about furniture they love in their home, supporting a team member as they grow in their role, or working through challenging problems for the business, those moments keep me motivated.
Katherine’s career journey highlights how a diverse retail experience, strong mentorship, and a focus on customer experience can shape a meaningful career in furniture. By embracing innovation and collaboration, she continues to help simplify the buying journey while bringing great products to life for customers.
Thank you, Katharine, for sharing your career journey with us.
