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Issue link: http://kitchenbathdesign.epubxp.com/i/148829
AT A GLANCE ACADIAN HOUSE KITCHEN & BATH STUDIO Location: Baton Rouge, LA Showroom: 5,000 square feet Number of Employees: 10 Major Product Lines: Fieldstone, Kitchen Craft, Omega, Dynasty, Silestone, Cambria, Caesarstone, Corian, Zodiaq, Top Knobs Design Software: 20/20 Business Philosophy: "Provide amazing customer service to clients." together to make business decisions," she says. "As much as he is a business coach, he is also a mediator." The design duo meets with their coach for two hours each week, evaluating everything from budgets and events to revenue projections, leads and marketing campaigns. "No decision is ever made quickly," Poirrier says. "We weigh, measure and test everything to make sure every decision is a good business decision. We look at ideas from multiple angles, not just another angle. And, we work everything out to the bottom line. Decisions are never made on a whim. It's never 'we can make it work.'" Poirrier admits that hiring a consultant might not be for everyone. It does take work, especially initially, but the gain has been worth the pain, she believes. Business has doubled in the past two years, team productivity is high and Poirrier insists they're in a much better place. "It's been great for me because I was never really involved in the business aspects," she says. "It has been a lot of work, but it's so much more productive. I have a ton more clients, and a ton more responsibility. But everything I do produces, nothing is done in vain. What we're doing now is beyond our dreams." their corporate chef do demonstrations, as well as local chefs," she says. The bathroom and all of the ofces will also serve as displays. "The bathroom will have a shower, although not functional, so clients can see a full suite of products," she says. "Each offce will have a theme and be equipped with cabinetry, countertops, tile and fooring. We're making sure that every time we have an opportunity to display something, we are." The showroom will also include a sample area, which will be about the same size as the display area. "We've found that clients are so overwhelmed when they're shopping that we've decided to keep the display area and sample area separate," she says. "We want the displays to serve as inspiration and, when it's time to start making selections, we can go to the sample area where we can pull door samples, tiles, countertops and hardware. Our new showroom will be up to date and on trend. There will be no stopping us!" PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE Business has improved to the point where the mother/daughter duo wants to hire a marketing company to handle marketing and event planning, where each event draws a minimum of 200 people, with some drawing as many as 1,000. "We're getting so busy with design," she says. "We want to take our marketing up a notch…to make it more professional, and we're not professional marketers. Our coach is helping us with the process." The company is also fnishing the details for a new 5,000-sq.-ft. showroom that will feature fve displays – fully fnished and decorated – one that will include a fully functioning Sub-Zero/Wolf kitchen, the only one of its kind in Baton Rouge. "We'll have • Hiring a business coach allows designers at Acadian House Kitchen & Bath Studio to focus on designing beautiful spaces, such as these master bathrooms. August 2013 ForResidentialPros.com | 25 Own a piece of history: bath furniture handcrafted from reclaimed barn wood by American artisans. Built to last for generations. www.nativetrails.net Circle No. 15 on Product Card