Today we’d like to introduce you to Cheryl Warren.
Cheryl, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
Our parent company was founded in 1948 by my father, Gershen Warren. I joined the company full time in 1985. I had graduated from the University of Illinois, Champaign in 1973 with a degree in Fine Arts and Education. In my beginning years at the company, we would receive random phone calls from artist sourcing extra wide artist canvas. With my knowledge from college, I started to source this fabric and a new division of the company was born, Chicago Canvas and Supply. Originally this division’s clients were artists and photographers. I would spend many hours conversing with artists about stretching their canvas and photographers on how to dye backdrops for photo shoots.
As we became known nationally, the business expanded to theater fabrics for movie sets, television productions, theaters and special events. It’s fun when we work with a new movie or television show, department store chain, or sports team on their fabric needs. The uses are limitless.
As we took the company to “the next level,” we’ve added other products like dropcloths, tarpaulins, truck covers, which is an entirely different clientele.
Just as this division was starting out, along came the internet. The only way to stay relevant was to learn about websites and e-commerce. I couldn’t do this alone and am very thankful for the staff that works at Chicago Canvas. Every day, we learn and make changes which keeps it exciting!!!
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?
Along the way, we learned who our competition is and what we needed to offer to make us different. I feel that we have an excellent reputation for service and quality. Talk to your customers and educate them on your products. We often need to switch customers from their original request depending on the final use of the product.
We need to be the experts and communicate our knowledge. I feel that no matter what you do, you need the right people to work with you.
In my journey of over 30 years, I have worked with so many people both in our company, customers, vendors, professionals and the list goes on and on. Each brings a new experience and a new part of your education. Take it in, learn from them and earn their respect. It is so worth it both on a personal level and a business level.
what should we know about Chicago Canvas & Supply? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
Besides working with customers, I love working with our vendors. It’s a hunt to find new products or uses for those we already carry. It’s a very creative process and exciting when we are able to tell the vendor about uses for their products.
And back to the internet – there is so much to learn. I am very involved in the process and decision making on our website.
I am very proud that my business is now moving on to the third generation. My nephew, Brad Mangurten (age 44 ) is an integral member of our team. It is unbelievably rewarding to teach him what I know, introduce him as my partner and watch him grow the business with his own ideas and hard work. It doesn’t get any better than that. It really is fun to come to work and be involved.
Do you have a lesson or advice you’d like to share with young women just starting out?
Do something you love. I loved being in business and knew as a young girl. I painted floor cloths on consignment, hand painted custom needle points and was a key line artist (I don’t think these exist anymore.) I just wanted to be in the business world and the perfect opportunity for me was the existing family business.
Don’t be afraid to fail or try different opportunities. Mom used to say, “just put on your lipstick and move forward.” Best advice ever!
Contact Info:
- Address: Chicago Canvas & Supply
3719 W. Lawrence Ave.
Chicago, IL 60625 - Website: www.chicagocanvas.com
- Phone: 773-478-5700
- Email: cheryl@chicagocanvas.com
Image Credit:
Jose Cerrato
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