Decorating Den Interiors Adds Training Specialist

Furniture World News Desk on 2/28/2024

Decorating Den Interiors, a full-service interior design and home furnishings franchise company, announced that Elizabeth Hawkins has been appointed training specialist. She will play a significant role in the company’s comprehensive nine-week initial training program referred to as Decorating Den Interiors University, which consists of five components: 

• Onboarding with four online courses over five weeks along with staff support for setting up the business.
• Thirteen online courses on design, products, marketing, and sales over a week’s time.
• Instructor-led virtual education and hands-on training in marketing, sales, DDI’s proprietary Back Office Support System (B.O.S.S.), and other DDI support tools over another week.
• In-person learning at the company’s education center in Easton, Md., covering design, sales, product, and other tools over another week.
• A review week consisting of 15 online courses. 

Hawkins also will assist in developing resources for regional meetings and other continuing education, such as planning speakers and workshops for the company’s annual international conference.

“Elizabeth is a seasoned franchisee and interior designer who co-owns a franchise with her mother, Patrice, and her brother Edward,” said Jennifer Manley, vice president, retail sales.  “Elizabeth has demonstrated the creativity, knowledge and skillset that qualifies her for this role. She is enthusiastic about guiding fellow owners in comprehensively growing in the intricacies of our beautiful profession. Her background encompasses both the design and business management aspects of our franchises. “

“My love for design was sparked by spending summers in my mom’s design firm,” said Hawkins. “That led me to double major in interior design and art at Meredith College. I joined Mom’s franchise full-time in 2006.’ 

Hawkins is among the select design professionals who have earned the company’s highest design professional certification, Decorating Den Certified Decorator (DDCD). They must meet interior design, sales and training requirements and pass a three-day day assessment consisting of a multiple choice and short answer exam, a design practicum, and a presentation. 

About Decorating Den Interiors
Founded in 1969, Decorating Den Interiors franchisees benefit from an interior design business model that provides them with a proprietary business management system, national advertising, local marketing materials including a turnkey digital package, public relations assistance, continuing education, and direct access to suppliers. “We like to say it’s being in business for yourself but not by yourself,” says James S. Bugg, Jr. president and CEO of the Easton-Maryland based company.