Life & Work with Stacy Wray

Today we’d like to introduce you to Stacy Wray

Hi Stacy, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I found my design life as a byproduct of working for a General Contractor about 12 years ago. I was initially hired to be the Director of Operations for his expanding custom home building & renovation company. Very quickly, I morphed into the selection’s specialist as well as the project manager over all renovation projects. I was designing his spec home projects along with making all of the selections with his customers. When I relocated to Atlanta 6 years ago, I was looking for project management work and ended up finding ProSource; a one-stop-shop private showroom for Trade Professionals. I was in design/construction heaven! Now I get to design every day for renovation and new build projects. I also oversee updating our Showroom Selling Centers and bring in new materials for our Trade Professionals and their clients. I am so fortunate to work side by side with the incredible team here at ProSource along with some of the top designers & contractors in Atlanta! To say design is my life is an understatement. I am always amazed how one step leads to another. I am thankful for the journey and the lessons along the way. If anyone is reading this and feels “stuck” or wondering how what you are doing now will lead you to where you want to go… hang in there! Learn as much as you can from each opportunity and the various paths & lessons will all come together at the right time. You will look back and see how everything, even the jobs you didn’t love, has been working together for your good!

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I am not aware of this smooth road you speak of… Relocating to Atlanta was a big adjustment as well as a challenge “starting over” looking for the next right move in a new city. I am so grateful to have found ProSource as it allowed me to have a great work-life balance, keeps me in design daily and I get to use my knowledge of construction to help my clients on their job sites. It has taken several years for me to feel well versed on the sales side of materials and learning can be very challenging! Our showroom features over 30,000 samples ranging from tile to cabinets to hardwood flooring to door hardware & newly introduced Lighting Selling Center! Somehow, I was supposed to know each product, manufacturer, feature and benefit as well as what would help achieve the overall design. Even though I had been designing for 6 years up to this point, being the customer versus the salesperson is very different. It was very humbling continually saying, “That’s a great question! Let me check into that and get back to you with some answers.” Even after 6 years of product placement work with designers, I still find myself not knowing something and that response bubbles up. Staying humble is key and I remind myself if it worked then it will still work today.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
My position at ProSource has several rivers. I am first and foremost the General Manager of the showroom. It’s my responsibility to walk with our team, ensure everyone is supported, trained, coached up as well as help our trade Professions and their customers. I function as a liaison with the manufacturer’s Sales Reps, plan our Semi-Annual Sales Events (April & October) with our team and host learning events in our showroom. In and around that, I personally assist a handful of designers and contractors in their projects. I love being able to be a part of bringing new life to older spaces or help customers create a brand-new space from the ground up! I would say I am known for being invested… invested into our team here at ProSource, invested in each project I get to design, invested in our Trade Professional’s businesses. I believe what sets ProSource of Marietta apart is our goal is for our Trade Professional to walk in the showroom door and feel like they walked into an extension of their business. We are family here and they are a part of our family!

What were you like growing up?
I am the youngest of 7 children so it was always busy growing up. I have always been a creative person with a TYPE A personality. I’m originally from California and a beach girl at heart so, despite being driven personally, I appreciate being laid back and relaxed as well. Being the youngest of 7 means I like winning, and I know how to outwork pretty much anyone in the room. No one is going to tell me I can’t do something…. another youngest of 7 traits. When I was growing up I was either riding on the gas tank of my dad’s dirt bike in the California Hills or I was playing dress up! There really was no middle ground for me. I have dabbled in photography, painting, playing piano and writing. Once design and construction became a part of my life, I typically have some kind of renovation project going at my personal home. I’m always creating!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.prosourcewholesale.com
• Instagram: prosource_atlantamarietta
• Facebook: ProSource Altanta-Marietta