Coverings 2024 Recap!
Thank you to everyone who came out to Her Story with WIFI at Coverings 2024 in Atlanta!
Storytelling was the highlight of our networking event, featuring Tanja Kern, editor and publisher at Floor Trends and Installation; Emily Holle, creative director at MSI; Crosby Hall, chief administrative officer at Louisville Tile; and Amy Rush-Imber, editor-in-chief of Floor Covering Weekly. They shared their career journeys in the floor covering industry.
Tanja Kern, who serves on the board of directors of WIFI, shared how her passion for writing stories as a child turned into a career covering the flooring and installation beat as an editor and publisher. She highlighted some WIFI events and programs, including the mentoring program, scholarships, and upcoming Power Hours.
Emily Holle shared how she began her career in visual merchandising. At the time she faced doubts about making an hourly wage despite her college degree. However, Emily saw it as an opportunity to learn and grow. Along the way, she identified her own strengths in design and visual storytelling and applied them wherever she could in the companies she worked for. She emphasized the importance of recognizing where you can provide value within a company and seizing opportunities:
"… If you really think you've got a great idea, don't be afraid to share it, speak up."
Crosby Hall, from Louisville Tile, shared a similar sentiment. She learned early on the power of her own voice as a fourth-generation leader in her family's business. She discussed how being involved in WIFI’s mentoring program has given her even more confidence in using her voice. Inspired by her mother's resilience in a male-dominated environment, Crosby emphasized the power of female leadership:
"... Women have some superpowers that men don't... lean into those skills that you have."
Amy Rush-Imber, a WIFI board member, shared that her original goal was to be a professional dancer. She drew on her experience navigating challenges such as injuries, strict coaches, and critical judges to prepare her for a career in journalism. Her story illustrates the value of transferable skills and perseverance. Drawing from her experiences in dancing, Amy stressed the importance of storytelling in professional success:
"What is your story? What is your elevator pitch? What do you do? What is your value at? This is your story, and your story can be engaging and the compelling reason for your career's success. Learn to tell it."
The event highlighted the impact of women in the flooring industry. From identifying your strengths to finding your voice, women like Tanja, Emily, Crosby, Amy are driving meaningful change. Coverings 2024 served as a platform for networking, sharing experiences, and empowering one another! Check out photos from this event here.