Meet Heidi Kerr-Schlaefer | Co-Owner of Ryan Schlaefer Fine Furniture, Inc.

We had the good fortune of connecting with Heidi Kerr-Schlaefer and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Heidi, what is the most important factor behind your success?
I think the most important factor behind the success of Ryan Schlaefer Fine Furniture, Inc. is Ryan. He likes to meet with clients and homeowners. He likes to get a feel for the space in which the furniture is being placed. He designs with the homeowner and space in mind. It’s this hands-on approach that sets Ryan apart from much of the industry.

Often times, when buying pieces for a large home, second or first, a designer simply picks furniture out of a design center. And that’s good too, but when they see our pieces and need a specific size or a slightly different design, Ryan is there to help them through that process.

I truly believe that his clients have grown to trust and respect him as a person and his artistic influence as furniture designer. True success is always built on trust, and I think that’s a key reason to the success of Ryan Schlaefer Fine Furniture, Inc.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Ryan Schlaefer Fine Furniture, Inc. is a furniture design and manufacturing company. We build hardwood furniture that starts either 1) through a design collaboration with an interior designer 2) or, it’s a piece of furniture Ryan has designed. For instance, our Thirty Three Collection.

We are proud of this line of furniture. It was inspired by vinyl, which Ryan collects. He owns several turn tables, so when he was asked to design a cabinet for holding records, the Thirty Three Collection was born. It’s a versatile concentric design that has proven to be popular.

Of course, we’ve learned many lessons in 18 years in business, and a lot of it is about ourselves. I guess the fact that we’ve kept it going through recessions and other setbacks, it says a lot about our resourcefulness. Or, perhaps it just means that we’ll do anything to not have to go back to a 9 to 5 gig!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
We live in an art town. We actually moved here in 2003 because it was in the book, The 100 Best Art Towns in America. Loveland was number 8 and the author even writes that it inspired the book. This town was artsy before it was cool to be artsy.

There are sculptures all over and on every block downtown. We even have Benson Sculpture Gardens, a place we always take visitors. It’s also the site of the Sculpture in the Park, a prestigious sculpture event. It’s been happening annually since 1985.

Art is important to both of us. Ryan got an art degree and I’m a professional writer, so we both felt Loveland was the place for our business.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I think Ryan’s parents get a lot of credit for the fact that we own a business. Ryan always grew up with parents who were self-employed, and I think that influenced who he became. He says he always knew he’d own his own business one day and Joan and Kurt Schlaefer played a big part in that.

I’d also give credit to my parents who have helped us get through some rough financial times. I think without supportive parents, it wouldn’t have been possible to see 18 years in business.

Website: http://www.rtsfurnituredesign.com/

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Image Credits
Ryan Schlaefer