Introducing the powerful team of babes that make up the Article furniture trade team – Jill Cross, Hayley Dryndahl, Tanis Glass, Chad Camacho, Nicole Liu, Kathy Dam, and Alex Shafran.
Founded on the basis of creating a new kind of furniture company, Article is a Canadian furniture brand based in Vancouver, BC engineering remarkably better furniture experiences. The company’s founders started Article with the conviction that furnishing your home could be radically better than it had been traditionally. Making great design and quality materials accessible and ensuring that the whole process from browsing to delivery was fast and delightful. The Article furniture trade team is made up of Jill (Trade Program Manager), Hayley (Account Manager), Tanis (Account Rep), Chad (Marketing Manager), and the support team of Nicole, Kathy, and Alex.
The team focuses on growing the business through anticipating, collaborating and supporting the needs of Article’s design and commercial industry partners.
What does babes supporting babes mean to you?
Jill: It means letting go of your ego and using feelings that can often create roadblocks to inspire yourself instead; for example, using jealousy as motivation. It also means recognizing that we’re all stronger as a collective and we each have our own awesome set of skills and achievements. We should celebrate these things in both ourselves and each other.
Champagne, wine or sparkling water?
Alex: Wine! Nothing beats a good glass of rosé in the summer by the pool, or a nice full-bodied red in the winter with a hearty bowl of pasta.
What are 3 apps that make your life easier?
Alex: The Mindbody app is perfect for booking my workouts, the Starbucks app because I live through my mobile orders, and the Amex Mobile Banking app so that I can review my statements and check on my points (I’m always looking up how to redeem travel and flight points for my next trip).
What person or organization would you love to collaborate with and why?
Hayley: We love working with local Vancouver companies and other brands and businesses in our neighbourhood and community. As an online furniture retailer, it’s a real treat to have trade members here to view the product first hand and to be able to see the finished product in the flesh!
A few companies on our wish list include the Aquilini Group, Joey Restaurant Group, Tap Restaurant Group, and 49th Parallel Roasters.
What is your must-have beauty product?
Kathy: I can’t live without lip liner! One of my favourites is the Iconic Nude Lip Pencil by Charlotte Tilbury.
What motivates you on a Monday morning?
Tanis: Coffee and Ariana Grande.
What is the best piece of advice you have received in business?
Jill: Don’t be afraid to live outside the box and be true to who you are — be loud, be weird, be innovative and never stop striving to be better.
What do you do when you feel like giving up or that you’re failing?
Hayley: I think about why I started in the first place.
Did you always want to be in the furniture industry?
Jill: I was a bit of a misfit toy growing up, but even at an early age I would use design as an escape. I went from spending hours creating dreamy spaces for my Barbies to graduating with an interior design degree and getting the opportunity to work with amazing product every day. I can definitely say I am very grateful!
What have you read lately that you’ve enjoyed?
Tanis: I’ve been reading The Vanity Fair Diaries by Tina Brown, My Year of Rest and Relaxation by Ottessa Moshfegh, and Call Me By Your Name by André Aciman — before I watched the movie.
What was your first job?
Nicole: I worked at my mom’s flower shop! It was a family business so I just about did everything I was told to do, but I mainly worked as a cashier and blasted all my favourite songs.
Tell us about a Babe who has supported you?
Jill: They say it takes a village and the core of my village would have to be my family. Both my parents came from big families with very little resources, financial or otherwise. They’ve both worked incredibly hard, creating an example of the power of persistence and how believing in yourself can bulldoze fears of failure. My sister is the yin to my yang, my safe space, and my sounding board. First off, I’m in awe of her — she’s a super mom of four beautiful monkeys. She always supports me without judgement, and without hesitation will tell me to “smarten up” if I’m being too self-critical.
What is the most fulfilling part of your career?
Team: Getting to work with innovative companies, designers, developers across North America to create and fit out really cool and beautiful spaces.
Do you have a nighttime routine?
Nicole: Before bed, I always have to have a sip of water, put on lip balm, and then wear my eye mask to sleep. The most important thing, however, is making sure my cat, Duckie, has her own spot on my bed. She cuddles up next to me and sleeps the whole night.
What are three things in your bag or on your desk that you couldn’t live without?
Alex: Dog treats. I bring my pup Lola into the office every day, so I always make sure to have something for her in my desk. Also, coffee because I can’t live without my morning cup. Lastly, an avocado… there always seems to be a perfectly ripe avocado on my desk because avo toast is never a bad idea.
What city feels most like home to you?
Kathy: Vancouver will always be my home. I love living close to the water and spending time outdoors, especially in the summer.
What quality are you working on yourself right now?
Tanis: Becoming a “chill girl” — this is an ongoing team joke for us and for everyone it means something a little different. For me, it means taking the time to breathe, relax, and give myself a second to think before reacting, and to not let a situation handle me. It’s a nice reminder to slow down.
What is your company doing to give back?
Hayley: We work with non-profits across North America and grow our network weekly. We focus our donations on charities with the greatest need for Article’s furniture. Article also loves animals and has had the opportunity to work with organizations such as PADS to give back to local service dogs. Have an exciting project? We would love to help! Apply for the Article Trade Program.
Keep up with Article on Instagram @article.
Introduction written by Lindsay Pearce.
Photography by Ryan Pugsley.