Ms. Susan Mullins began a career in design as a stay-at-home mom. She built a business from her home that grew to expand to customers nationally, such as Neiman Marcus, Disney Studios, and hundreds more retail outlets. Her designs were primarily clothing and wall designs that were sold through retail stores. The business expanded to their own facilities and was eventually purchased. After enjoying her ‘early retirement’, she was anxious to get back into another design business that would not have all of the employees, overhead, facilities, and administrative burdens. She wanted to enjoy the creativity in the career that she had chosen.

She developed a whole new way of looking at furniture - the “Pop-in Lock System”. Furniture that can be “popped” together when needed, and stacked away when not. She designed solution for everything from baby furniture to beach furniture, to office furniture and even dining room tables and chairs. The furniture can be put together without nails, be disassembled and then stored in a small space. Great for temporary furniture needs like guest rooms, dorm rooms, or SCHOOLS!

One of the “Life Lessons” that Ms. Mullins shared with the students was to try what you know you can do in your heart. If you have a passion for something, try it. Don’t worry that you will fail, because failure is just one more stepping stone towards success. If you find that you are not where you want to be or doing what you want to be doing, don’t be afraid to come up with a new plan and start again. New starts are just beginnings on the foundation of all the successes and failures that you have had in the past. Keep building, keep changing, and keep trying!

She also shared that perseverance is another key to success. She overcame many obstacles that did not dissuade her from success, not once, but twice. She was faced with many people who did not understand what she wanted to accomplish and where her market would be for her furniture designs. When she was on the brink of success, her presentation to a large corporate conglomerate did not achieve the results that she had hoped for. Instead of buying her products, they used her ideas to develop a line of their own. She never stopped believing in herself and that determination has resulted in new successes even now.

Ms. Mullins was insightful and entertaining, but even more she was committed to continuing her work with the students and gave us wonderful ideas on how we could work with Design 1-2-3 in areas of design, marketing, and production. If you are interested in more information, please contact susan_mullins@design1-2-3.com or email the Life Academy at lifeacademy@tmschallenger.org.