Catching up with Megan Vickers, the new president of Soft Touch Furniture™, can be both easy and hard.
Easy in that if you listen for the noises a pair of happy dogs make, you'll probably find Megan somewhere nearby. But hard because she could be anywhere on the Soft Touch campus, and perhaps beyond. Maybe she's in her office talking to a customer; maybe she's in the shop going over the latest manufacturing machinery; maybe she's meeting with a supplier; or maybe she's offsite at a tradeshow. She might even be filling in and answering the phone (seriously, how many company presidents ever answer the main phone line? Megan will.)
Megan is about as hands-on as it gets, and exemplifies a leadership style rooted in family values, strong ethics, and a vision for innovation. Let's take a closer look at the journey, achievements, and insights of Soft Touch Furniture's leader.
Megan Vickers is not just the company president; she's the daughter of the founders of Soft Touch Furniture™, Bob and Terri Chudakoff.
Her parent's commitment to integrity, quality, and customer satisfaction has deeply influenced her leadership style and vision for Soft Touch Furniture™. Megan had a front-row seat to Soft Touch Furniture's growth and saw firsthand how instrumental honesty, consistency, and transparency were to the company's success. And these are principles that she upholds as she leads the company to new heights.
As a testament to her commitment to these core values, Soft Touch Furniture™ was recently honored with the prestigious 2024 BBB Torch Award for Ethics under Megan's leadership. This award highlights the company's strong commitment to honesty, customer service, and excellent products which are everything they are advertised to be. Megan attributes this success to several key practices: maintaining transparency in all business dealings, fostering a respectful workplace culture, delivering consistently high-quality products, engaging in fair and honest marketing, and actively participating in corporate social responsibility and community involvement.
She also makes sure Soft Touch Furniture™ "walks the talk". To hear her tell it: "It's easy for a company to say they are honest and ethical, but customers, vendors, and employees saying it is what truly matters. And that's what we strive for in every interaction. And we're very quick to take ownership of issues as well. Listen, I never want us to make a mistake, but when we do, I'm the first one to admit it, and instead of passing blame, I'll say 'ok, how can we fix this for the customer, and then improve our processes to keep it from happening again?'. I watched my parents conduct business this way, and it's how I strive to be. It matters."
Taking over a business from your parents is not easy – there's a legacy you want to honor, but at the same time, you have your own ideas as well. Megan has navigated these challenges with strategic planning, effective communication, and a collaborative approach. She credits her seamless transition to the support of her team and the guidance of her parents, who are just a call away if some advice is needed. Megan emphasizes that facing and overcoming business challenges is part of the journey, and with strong leadership and thoughtful decision-making, these challenges can be successfully managed and will assist in the company's growth.
One of Megan's significant responsibilities is balancing the rich legacy of Soft Touch Furniture™ with the inevitable challenges that new technology, ideas, and changing consumer preferences bring. She maintains the company's heritage by upholding high standards of quality, focusing on serving the customer and helping them realize their unique vision through custom-built furniture. Simultaneously, Megan drives innovation by investing in research and development, learning about and embracing new technologies, and staying attuned to market trends that seem to change more rapidly than they did in the past. This approach ensures that Soft Touch Furniture remains relevant and competitive while honoring its foundational values.
Megan is particularly excited about several upcoming projects at Soft Touch Furniture™. The company is redesigning its website and has invested in new precision machinery to both enhance its manufacturing capabilities and further accentuate the skill of Soft Touch Furniture's artisans. These innovations help solidify the company’s position as an industry leader, showcasing their commitment to quality craftsmanship and continuous improvement.
Remember the dogs we mentioned in the beginning? Balancing a demanding role with one's personal life is challenging, but Megan finds joy and balance by integrating her interests with her professional responsibilities. And her dogs are an integral part of her daily routine, even accompanying her to work, where they bring a smile to everyone's face. Megan also emphasizes the importance of family, striving to attend her children's activities and promoting an employee-friendly, family-first company culture.
Growing up, Megan saw firsthand how important the local community was and how vital it is to take care of our environment. She continues her family's long-standing tradition of local involvement and is a long-time member of several community groups. The company also consistently donates to and sponsors local charitable events. In addition, Soft Touch Furniture™ is committed to doing business in an environmentally sustainable manner, and has long been a champion of using green products and responsibly sourced materials whenever possible. And these efforts are increasing under Megan's watch.
Looking ahead, Megan envisions a future where Soft Touch Furniture™ continues to honor its heritage while driving innovation and company growth. Her passion for furniture design, customer satisfaction, and staying on top of industry trends keeps her motivated and inspired.
Megans' journey with Soft Touch Furniture™ is a narrative of leadership, family values, and a forward-thinking vision. Her dedication to upholding a legacy while driving the company toward new heights is the reason she comes to work every day, and under her guidance, Soft Touch Furniture™ is further expanding its tradition of excellence and innovation in the furniture industry.