Meet Terry Griffin of The Griffin Company in Kenwood

Today we’d like to introduce you to Terry Griffin.

Terry, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I was working in the contract furniture industry for a company that moved to western suburbs. I didn’t want to go so I went back to college and completed my degree. Upon completion, I began working for a high-end furniture manufacturer based in NY. I represented them here in Chicago. After 3 years, I started my own multi-line rep group keeping the company for which I was working and added several others.

Through the years, I have lost lines and gained others. I now represent several high-end Italian furniture lines and one line that manufactures furniture in the US. I am known for the high-end European lines to which I am drawn, and the classic Emeco chairs that I love. I have been around for a long time, and plan on staying focused and in tune with the furniture industry.

Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has not been a smooth road. Some years have been successful, others not so much. The recession was trying, to say the least. No one was in the market for high-end anything. I tried to reinvent myself in the lower end market, but it was not a good fit for me. It is a different sales strategy, one to which I was not accustomed. So I sweat it out, persevered, and made it through. It was probably the hardest time of my life, other than losing my sibling and my parents. But what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger. I am a firm believer in that.

This last year was also tough. The election put a damper on sales for several months. Things are still not where I want them to be, but again, perseverance is key. For the most part, I have had some very good years and look forward to ‘reclaiming my time’ with them. I love what I do and plan on continuing in this sector, or similar areas.

Please tell us about The Griffin Company.
I represent high-end furniture manufacturers, all but one of them are Italian. I sell their products in Illinois and Wisconsin. I visit design and architecture firms, and present the products to the interiors teams in these companies, usually over a catered breakfast or lunch; sometimes with wine and cheese after work hours. Establishing relationships with the designers is key. If they like you, they will specify your products on their design projects. If the food is good, they will remember you.

I am known for my outgoing style and the fact that I am African American. There are so few people of color that do what I do that it is pretty hard to forget me. I am 6’ tall with a short blond hair. Pretty hard to forget. Add that to the Italian furniture lines and the fact that I speak fluent French and do 500-mile bike rides across Iowa every year, there you have it. These are what set me apart from the others. What else do I need?

As a company, I am proud of still being in the game. I could have easily bailed and taken a 9 – 5, but I chose not to. It may have made my life easier, but definitely not as fulfilling. This company makes me fend for myself. It makes me deal with unpleasant things and allows me to celebrate my victories. They are my victories that come about because of me. I make them happen. And I applaud myself.

Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
My favorite childhood memory is very simple and some may think of it as being uneventful. But I remember it like it was yesterday.

One Christmas, one of my gifts was a pink blanket from my parents. I remember being asleep, but briefly waking up and sensing something being draped over me. It made me feel so warm and loved. When I woke up on Christmas Day, I was under the softest, warmest blanket ever. I realized that this was what I sensed when I briefly woke up. For some reason, I have never forgotten this. I had a very special and loving childhood, but this has stayed with me throughout my life.

I also remember when my sister died. She was eight years old and I was six. It was a very difficult time for my parents. When I was a teen, my mom told me that she didn’t want to live after my sister’s death, but she did because of me.

Pricing:

• Emeco 111 Navy bar and counter stools – $300 list
• Alias Kobi dining chair – $621 to $682 list
• Driade Miss Lacy – $2690 list
• Giorgetti Branca chair – $7500 to $9600 list

Contact Info:

• Website: www.thegriffin-company.com
• Phone:  (773) 268-0950
• Email: info@thegriffin-company.com

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