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" YES, I BELIEVE 2016 will be even better [than 2015]. The biggest opportunity will be the number of clients who are interested in doing a remodel. The greatest challenge will be to keep abreast of everything new in the market, as clients are much more in tune to that due primarily to programs such as those on HGTV, etc. Also, we have to remind them that projects cannot be accomplished in 20 minutes plus commercials." Patricia Comose, managing member The Kitchen Planners Chapin, SC " I BELIEVE 2016 will be a better year than 2015 as we see a growth in the number of clients who are looking for our expertise. I think this can be attributed to the growth and better trust in the economy, which is allowing people to spend where they used to be more cautious." Naftali Landau, president Exclusive Cabinetry and Design Far Rockaway, NY " YES, 2016 SHOULD be better than 2015, but there will also be challenges. Presidential election years are always challeng- ing, purely because the typical consumer who has discretionary money to spend becomes more cautious in big election years." Adam Abrams, CKD, president Designer Cabinets Granite & Tile Cleveland, OH " I'M UNSURE RIGHT now about 2016. I feel that 2015 was a bit slower than 2014. We still have a good workload in front of us. Web design will really put us ahead of our game. We are working on getting a [Web site] made. The cost is high, but the payof will be worth it. My challenge is keeping costs low enough to compete with other vendors, but still be able to make the proft needed. The costs of health insurance and business insurance rise every day." Anne Weis, owner Weis Woodworks Highland, IL " I AM HOPING 2016 will be better. We are working harder than ever for less proft. We compete [with the Internet] for every dollar. Millennials do all of their research online and don't care much for quality (nor large homes). The baby boomers are scaling down and watch- ing every penny. It has been difcult." Jodi Swartz, owner Kitchen Visions Natick, MA " 2016 SHOULD BE equal to 2015 in growth. Clients are better educated about the kitchen industry and their choices are more diversifed. The challenge is to keep our show- room as up-to-date as possible with samples. It's very time-consuming and costly." Kathleen Tomlinson, v.p. Interior & Residential Designers Frankenmuth, MI " I DON'T EXPECT any change. Raising prices to match material expenses is a chal- lenge. Some potential customers seem to think we can do business as a nonproft organization." Janet Senour, CAD operator/ assistant/ofce manager Rose Construction Bellingham, WA " WE ARE CURRENTLY seeing a slow- down and expect it to continue. The biggest growth [will be] in commercial work, especially in downtown areas. The greatest challenge: qualifed workers." Monica Fazi, ofce manager F.D. Berardino Tile Eastpointe, MI " WE ALL HOPE and pray for each year to be better than the year before. The greatest challenge will be 2016 being an election year, as this seems to put things on hold in people's minds, to wait and see who gets into ofce." Michelle Blaine, owner Blaine Construction Franktown, CO " IT LOOKS LIKE 2016 will be better. Skeptics who were hesitant to believe that fnancial conditions justifed adding onto their homes are [now] making the decision to do so. The greatest growth opportunities for our frm will result from new networking, marketing and changes in the local law that now allow for small rental units in single-family homes." Janyce Myrland, president Dream House Drafting, Inc. Kapolei, HI " YES. ACTUALLY, I fnd my biggest growth opportunities [are] in design work. There is so much work in this area that I can't get subcontractors to bid [on] the jobs after they are designed." Glenn Sullivan, president G.R. Sullivan Construction Bradenton, FL "I HOPE SO. The greatest challenge is defnitely fnding strong subcontractors to part- ner with that have the crews for the increased construction happening. Everyone is busy and the workforce is slim." Christie Board, CKD, CBD, owner, designer Board by Board Prescott, AZ " YES, WE EXPECT to see 10-20% growth for 2016. High-end customers should see the largest growth. Challenges will be fnding the additional employees to keep up with [growth]." Mark Schwanz, president Jaymark Cabinets Boise, ID " 2016 WILL DEFINITELY be a great year. Our growth will come from expanding our reach with custom cabinets. The ability to work with clients over a greater distance through technology will help grow our bottom line. Our greatest challenge is not having a showroom. Due to the cabinets being constructed on a per order basis, we do not have the clients' cabinets installed on the foor to see." Colleen Coleman, owner CMC Design Studio Saratoga Springs, NY Expectations for 2016 Get Mixed Reviews Kitchen & Bath Design News recently asked dealers and designers in the kitchen and bath industry: " Do you expect 2016 to be better than 2015? What do you see as the biggest growth opportunities for this year? What do you see as the greatest challenges?" WHAT DO YOU THINK? Email your feedback, contact information and the subject, 'Market Pulse' with your message to Janice@SOLAbrands.com 8 Kitchen & Bath Design News • January 2016 MARKET PULSE READERS' OPINIONS ON INDUSTRY-RELATED ISSUES