Guests Ray and Joanne Hallare of Dowel Furniture

1. INTRO
We met Ray and Joanne Hallare at the Design Influencers Conference in Atlanta in February. We were introduced to them by Mally Skok, a South African born designer, textile/wallcovering artist and friend who lives in Boston. She was working with them on a furniture collection.

Ray and Joanne work with their family factory in the Philippines that has been manufacturing furniture for over 30 years for high end brands in the US.

We are happy to introduce this brother and sister duo and have them tell us a bit more about them and their company.

A. What did you do prior to starting Dowel Furniture?
B. What was your motivation for starting this company?
i. How did you figure out how you wanted to position yourselves as a new furniture company in this industry?
1. Tell us about your collections and how licensing became a viable business model?
2. Who are your current design partnerships with?
3. Tell us how you met Mally Skok and how the collaboration came to be.
a. What do you look for in a designer partnership?
C. I love that you can customize pieces for designers – how does that work?
D. How do you work together as partners?
i. Do you agree on most business decisions?
ii. What are some lessons your parents have taught you of their 30 years of experience in this industry?

E. ANNOUNCEMENTS
i. Dowel Furniture will be in the IHFC Building on the main floor – Interhall #112 which is a great place to be with lots of traffic. You must see this furniture in person. If you have already seen it, they have redone most of the collection in different finishes and fabrics. You will also see Ray and Joanne's friendly faces as they are always smiling and have great energy!
ii. Interesting Panel: Ray will be on the panel entitled "How to Work with White/Private Label: The Benefits of Building Your Own Brand . This will be moderated by Jill Wage of Traditional Home. Other panelists are Lynai Jones of Mitchell Black, Mabley Handler – Hamptons Interior Designer and Michelle Nussbaumer, Dallas Interior Designer, textile and furniture designer and author. Sunday 10/20 from 3:30 to 4:30 in Suites at Market Square Seminar Room.