Meet Nola Shivers and Jennifer Green of Missouri

Daughter is Heart of the Business

Once daughter Jennifer became fully involved in Nola Shivers’ franchise, she soon became the face, personality and heart of the business. “Everyone loves Jennifer, from vendors, clients, to the truck drivers delivering furniture,” says Nola. “She has the most amazing personality, welcoming everyone in and making them feel comfortable, and appreciated. She really is the best PR person you could ever want.”

“The second I walked into their office for the first time, she welcomed me with open arms and immediately built a good relationship with me,” said Employee Benefits Counselor Clayton Mitchell. “I was making a cold call, just stopping in to introduce myself and see if I could be of service. The business became a client, and Jennifer became such a friend that if I was having a bad day and was in the area, I’d drive over to see her. I knew she would cheer me up.”

A home economics graduate, Nola recalled that it was time for her to pursue her life-long dream of decorating, when a Bible Study friend asked if she could help in her Decorating Den franchise. Nola was elated and became a “decorator”.   That was in August of 1995. Tragically, Nola’s friend died of cancer two years later and Nola ended up acquiring the business.

“Jennifer had long wanted to work with me,” Nola said. “Periodically she helped out part-time. When she attended her first Decorating Den International Conference, she was blown away. She fell in love with Decorating Den and all of the people she met.  That was the year (2012) we were named Franchise Owner of the Year. It was a special moment to have her there for that. She has a business administration and marketing degree, and around that time, we were finally able to make her full-time. She has been a perfect fit and today, she is one of our firm’s Managing Partners along with our designer Heather Malachowski.”

Meet Nicole Lloyd Beat and her Mom, Cathi, of Ohio

Fueled by Her Legacy

“Nicole has been involved in the wonderful world of design from her childhood,” said Cathi Lloyd, “She stamped flyers with my name and phone number, and stapled rubber bands so that we could go out and hang them on doors in my target neighborhoods. I’d take her and a couple of her friends on Saturday mornings to hang flyers on doors, and then to McDonalds for lunch and payment for jobs well done. We were new to St. John’s, Indiana, so those flyers were our primary marketing tool.”

“After 30-some years owning my business, I was thinking of slowing down,  possibly retiring or selling my business,” Cathi said. “One of my greatest joys was when Nicole called to say she wanted to work with me. business.  This was the shot in the arm that I needed.”  Nicole had been living in Sylvania, Ohio, where Cathi and her husband have their roots, so the Lloyds relocated and relaunched their franchise with Nicole and Cathi forming The Lloyd Design Team.

“Inspired by Mom’s entrepreneurial spirit and success, I took my first steps into business through Mary Kay after graduating from college,” Nicole explained. “It was the perfect fit—it allowed me to be both a devoted wife and a present mom to our three babies, while also learning invaluable lessons in people skills, work ethic, and the power of a positive attitude. Those foundational skills led me to the honor of driving pink Cadillacs. But soon, it was time for a shift—from painting faces to designing spaces. Design is truly in my DNA, and today, I pour my heart into creating beautiful, meaningful environments that reflect each client’s unique story.”

“Sharing this journey with Nicole brings special energy to our business and to every new project,” Cathi said.  “She brings fresh ideas, a sharp eye for detail, and a passion for design that perfectly complements my own experience. Watching her grow into such a talented designer fills me with pride, and collaborating with her makes even the busiest days more fun.”

Meet Patrice and Elizabeth Hawkins of North Carolina

Doing What We Love, Side by Side

When Patrice Hawkins of Charlotte, NC, retired from Bank of America’s tax planning division in 2004, she followed her lifelong love of design and purchased a Decorating Den Interiors franchise. Her daughter Elizabeth, then a senior in high school, joined her for a summer internship just a few years later. “That experience sparked a major life shift for me,” Elizabeth said. “Inspired by working alongside Mom, I changed my major to interior design and officially joined the business full-time after graduating in 2010.”

Over the years, what began as Patrice’s second act has grown into a thriving family-owned business. Elizabeth now wears two hats—continuing her work with Hawkins Designs while also serving as Sales Training Specialist for Decorating Den Interiors’ corporate team. “I get to help empower other franchise owners to build their own successful businesses,” Elizabeth says. “It’s very rewarding.”

On the design side, Patrice and Elizabeth have led Hawkins Designs to win multiple sales awards. “We get to blend creativity, strategy, and foster deeper family bonds,” says Patrice. “For both of us, the greatest joy of working together goes beyond beautiful spaces—it’s about building a legacy, supporting one another’s strengths, and sharing the satisfaction of doing what we love, side by side.”

Meet Julie Cochrane and her Mom, Mary Zimmerman

Fortunate to be Two of the Lucky Ones

When Mary Zimmermann purchased her Decorating Den Interiors franchise in 1989, her daughter, Julie Cochran, had just had a baby and had decided not to return to her previous employment. “I joined Mom in the business by helping with bookkeeping, marketing, and other office work,” Julie says. “As my  children grew older and entered school, I began to help with some of the decorating tasks and then gradually transitioned to working with clients.”

In 2009, Mary decided to retire and Julie purchased the franchise. “For the past 16 years, Mom has been a ‘sounding board’ as I have continued to run the business that brought us together as business partners.”

“Working together as a mother/daughter team was full of great memories. Lots of good times were shared … as well as just a few that were not so good,” Julie recalls. “We have always had a healthy respect for each other and though the challenges of working a business together can sometimes be stressful and expectations are sometimes different, both of us communicated well and ‘made it work’.”

“Going to work and building something successful each day with someone you love so much was an opportunity that most people never get to experience,” explains Julie.

“Both of us feel so fortunate that we were two of the lucky ones,” Mary adds.

Meet Sara,  her Grandma, Phyllis, and her Mom, Debbie Demboski, of Florida.

Not Two, but THREE Generations

With a degree in fashion, merchandising and business, Debbie Demboski worked for several retail companies, before starting her franchise in 1990.

“My Mom, Phyllis has been an essential part from the start,” says Debbie. “Daughter, Sara, was a baby, so Mom was a huge help. She’s still my office manager, and at 94 shows no signs of slowing down.”

When Sara had her own young son, she wanted more flexibility, so in 2014 she became the third generation in the franchise. She worked in the office for a year before deciding to go full on and take advantage of all the educational opportunities we have.

“It’s been 10 years and a million smiles and laughs,” Sara told a reporter from New Tampa & Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News. She noted that ‘while they keep their relationship professional at work, the mother-daughter bond is there under the surface’: “Sometimes Mom looks at me a certain way,” Sara laughs, “and I just know that means to hand her the flat-head screwdriver.”

Debbie’s time these days is divided between local decorating, running the Central Florida region of DDI franchises, and slowing down for travel and personal time. “That works since Sara is serving both new and long-time clients with such excellence,” says Debbie “For me, the greatest compliment is when a past client of mine tells me how great Sara is.”

Such as Sheila and Joe Merchant, who started working with Debbie about 10 years ago and more recently with Sara. “I wouldn’t go anywhere else,” Sheila told the reporter. “Sara has now done every room in our house.”

“These years have flown by quickly and I have enjoyed working with Debbie, Sara, and all of the decorators in the region,” says Phyllis.  “Nothing compares to how wonderful a daughter, friend and a boss Debbie has been.  What a blessing that all three of us have been able to work and build the business together to continue for the next 35 years!   I am planning on staying in my position as long as I am able….or am terminated! “

Meet Pat and daughter Niki Johnson, of Texas.

The Joy and Privilege of Working with Mom

Having worked together in another business, it was natural for Niki Johnson to team up with mother, Pat, when she opened her franchise in 2021. “With its family-owned foundation and strong sense of community, DDI has the kind of business and working relationship we wanted—personal, supportive, and grounded in shared values,” Niki said.

“Growing up, I had a front-row seat to Mom’s entrepreneurial spirit,” Niki recalls. “Watching her pursue and excel in various ventures was an education in resilience, leadership, and the power of self-belief. Her success was never just about business—it was about creating something meaningful through sheer determination and heart.”

“Working with my daughter is one of the greatest privileges of my life,” says Pat. “It’s deeply satisfying to contribute to something she’s so passionate about—and to see her talent and vision come to life in the spaces she transforms. We each bring different strengths to the table, and there’s a natural trust and rhythm in how we collaborate. There’s also something special about seeing her growth, not just professionally but personally. I am proud every day to be part of what she’s building.”

As the design assistant, Pat collaborates with vendors, contractors, and installers to accomplish each client’s goals. Pat is also the contact person for booking appointments and provides extensive experience in the digital marketing world.

“Mom is my greatest inspiration,” Niki says. “She taught me that with faith in yourself, dedication to goals, and courage to keep going, anything is possible. Her intelligence, tenacity, and unwavering work ethic have shaped the way I approach both life and business. More than a role model, she has been my biggest cheerleader. I am endlessly thankful for walking this path with her by my side.  Not only is she my business partner, but she’s also my best friend. I’ve always believed that if I grow into even half the businesswoman she is, I will have achieved something truly meaningful.”

Meet Deanna Kovach and her Mom, Janice Hinzman  of Ohio.

A Fresh Start Available Right at Home

Janice Hinzman had operated her Decorating Den Interiors franchise for 15 years and was thinking of retirement. When her daughter, Deanna Kovach, had left her job in 2005 and returned to Delaware “for a fresh start,” she didn’t think that fresh start would involve a brand-new career owning an interior decorating business. “But when Mom offered her franchise to me first, I took her up on the office, knowing that I could rely on Mom’s experience, that Dad would help with bookkeeping, and Decorating Den Interiors had a superb education program,” Deanna said. “It was a bit of a change of life for me and offered a stable solution to come back to Delaware to begin fresh. I grabbed that opportunity and as they say, ‘the rest is history’.”

“Yes, we have worked together but not in the traditional sense,” Deanna recalled.  “We rarely, if ever, collaborated on a project.  We did a few but Mom mostly deferred to me to handle leads that came in, making appointments, handling them and moving through the process. It was a teaching situation that would and has allowed me to do this solo.”

“Working their Decorating Den franchise has afforded me the benefit of continuing a well-established local business,” Deanna says. “I have many of Mom’s original clients as now my own.  There is an immense feeling of satisfaction from being able to do that.  For Mom and Dad, leaving the business in what they call ‘my capable hands,’ gives them the peace to continue on in retirement.’

“Dad, though, still keeps a close eye on things and at age 89 he still manages the financial part which is a tremendous help to me – it’s one less thing I need to worry about! So much has changed and I have certainly been blessed to be able to work the business and the benefits that it brings.”

Meet sisters Barbara (L) and Jennifer (R), and Barbara’s daughter, Hope Christine, of Georgia.

Two Sisters and a Daughter

When Hope Christine Hall addresses the two owners of the Stone Mountain, Ga. Decorating Den Interiors franchise, she might call one Mom and the other Aunt. Mom is Barbara Elliott.  Aunt Jennifer is Barbara’s sister, Jennifer Ward-Woods. Hope started as her mom’s executive assistant some 20 years ago in the early years of the franchise.

Today, known as The Sisters and Company, the franchise boasts a team of eight that make up a firm that frequently is the number one sales producer among the 250-some North American franchises in the Decorating Den Interiors system. Their glamorous interiors have earned them the company’s highest design award, Designer of the Year, twice.

Hope’s responsibility expanded to serving as media manager extraordinaire, an important cog in the sisters’ wheel of success. She has been a leader in showing other Decorating Den Interiors franchises how to have a notable online marketing presence.  Most recently, Hope has advanced to operational manager.  “Her skills and time with us allows her to have knowledge of all aspects of our business,” Barbara said.

But it is the camaraderie that she values most and is the foundation of the team’s success. “It is my family,” says Hope. “But growing our family with other designers and people who work in the office has been truly amazing.”

Mother Barbara adds more emphasis. “This type of family-focused and loving atmosphere enables everyone to do what they do best: make their clients homes a breathtaking space they can enjoy for years to come. Jennifer and I grew up in a tight-knit family, and we try to foster that in our studio.”

The result is family-oriented business that earned the moniker “Trailblazers,” from the national publication Furniture Lighting & Décor. Indeed, they are.

Meet Jane Nichols and daughter Rebekka of North Carolina

One of our newest franchisees is Jane Nichols of High Point, NC. She has been both practicing and teaching interior design for four decades. The last three have been under the discerning eyes of daughter Rebekka. “We share the same values, warped sense of humor, and passion for the pups,” Jane said, “but we differ widely on our personal fashion style.”

“I am boho chic with colored jean jackets, slouchy sweaters and tropical kimonos, while Bekky is black heels, black pencil skirts and tailored black and white blouses. But we have been known to trade off from time to time, borrowing the Patagonia or the London Fog coat and sharing Kate Spade handbags and cushy Uggs.”

Mom said she “never encouraged or discouraged daughter from being an interior designer” As life would have it, though, while Jane earned her design degrees, Bekky discovered her own unique pathway to design, via degrees in hospitality/tourism and event planning.

“As Bekky learned on-the-job to space plan banquet halls and design pipe and drape booths, we both realized how many similarities there are between temporal design-planning for hotel and corporate events and more permanent design-planning for homes and businesses,” Jane explains. “Both rely on the same thoughtful organization skills, understanding how best to employ design principles, and imagining creative ways to service and delight our clients. When Jane chose to open her franchise, she says she invited Bekky to envision a future business together, where both could leverage their skills in planning, design, logistics and marketing, but mostly, how they could complement one another’s talents.

“I likely learned my strong work ethic from Mom,” Bekky said. “But I think Mom is learning the art of work-life balance from me and stepping away from the studio more often to enjoy a dog-walk and a drink on the deck (wine for her, beer for me)” laughs Bekky.

“Yes, we continue to teach and learn from each other,” Jane adds, ”and we both cherish the opportunity to build the Nichols + Rose franchise together, step-by-step, and each walking at our own unique pace, whether in heeled boots or pink sneakers (and ideally with Abba playing in the background).”

 

Meet Lynne Lawson (R) and Laura Outland of Maryland.

More than a Teammate, More than a Mentor

“My husband, Bruce, and I were introduced by mutual friends to Laura when she was 15,” Lynne recalls. “Her mom had passed away three years prior, and as Bruce and I were childless, the friend thought we all both might benefit from mentoring her.”  Today, the three of them are The Lawson Dream Team Decorating Den Interiors in Columbia, Md.

While their business name refers to “making our clients’ dreams come true,” it might also relate to their own dream coming true in having the family Bruce and Lynne could not have and replacing the one Laura had lost. “We quickly formed a family-like bond, which continued to grow,” says Lynne.  “Laura is our daughter, in every sense of the word. And she’s the best teammate in the world.”

Ironically, “I didn’t think I was creative and was pursuing a technical career path in high school,” Laura explains.  The Lawsons hired her as a fabric-sample librarian for a few hours a week, to give her a part-time job and to help bring some organization to the office.  “Ha Ha. We found she was in fact super creative,” Lynne laughs. “It was natural, then, to make her my design assistant.”

Encouraged by the Lawsons, Laura went on to design school, where she excelled. “Laura brought the academic design slant to our business,” says Lynne.  “She then became a designer, she’s super talented.  Bruce calls her my Mini-me, in that we are very much alike in personality, work ethic, temperaments, etc.  We feed off each other, challenge each other, and collaborate on most of our large projects.”

The proof is in awards and client satisfaction. “Love, love, love Lynne and Laura,” reads one review.  Lynne and Laura have won numerous design awards including Designer of the Year three times, have had a room on the cover of an international decorating book, and have led continuing education events for the company.

“We are not only blessed with a wonderful daughter, but also a talented designer, and best friend,” Lynne said.