Today we’d like to introduce you to Marianne Gamsby.
Hi Marianne, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I started my career as an intern at a custom millwork shop in Colorado. I was quickly promoted to project manager and oversaw multiple projects around the country, dealing with everything from design, CAD drawings, manufacturing, and budgeting. After college I was recruited by a previous supervisor for a new millwork company they were opening in South Carolina. I moved to South Carolina and worked in the CAD side of the business before I was again promoted to project management. I was the point person on multiple projects, travelling to jobsites around the country, and working closely with both suppliers and customers. It was at this job that I met my husband; and we decided to move to Myrtle Beach to open a More Space Place franchise with his parents. My husband worked in the manufacturing side of the millwork trade and his parents were small business owners before opening the franchise; the four of us together each brough a unique piece of the puzzle to our new business. We opened in 2006 and have 2 retail locations which I manage and a warehouse that my husband oversees. His parents retired to Florida in 2017 and the two of us have been managing the business since that time. We have grown to 14 employees and complete on average 4-6 jobs per week. Our jobs range from simple designs to large development projects.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Along the way it has been a bit of a struggle for me, but I was warned that it might be when I was in college. I was informed that I was in a male dominated field and I would have to prove myself to get the respect of others. Early on I realized I had a spotlight on me, and I would need to perform at a high level. I do not look the part of the typical construction/project manager but when I spoke up and showed that I was qualified people took notice. After that realization each step in my career was slightly easier than the one before. After my husband parents retired I took over the everyday running of the business on top of the design services; this has been a big learning curve. I have had to learn everything from employee management, bookkeeping, advertising and everything else that comes with running a small business. I am still learning everyday and I still have struggles, but because of my past I know I can work through anything.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about More Space Place ?
We are America’s Murphy Bed store, and we also create custom closets, offices, pantries, laundry rooms or any other room in your house. Our team does in home measurements, custom designs and works hand in hand with clients to bring their vision to life. More Space Place is a franchise; our designs are sent to our manufacturing facility in Florida where they are fabricated. Once everything is completed, we received the product and install the creation in the customers’ homes. Throughout the process we are able to cultivate a relationship with our customers that lasts years; the majority of our business is from word of mouth. I feel you cannot get any better advertising than a happy customer; our customer service is what I am most proud of. I had a client tell me that ‘I sweat the small stuff’ and they really appreciated that. I am a firm believer in taking care of the littlest of details and that is something I learned early on in my career. We offer functional and beautiful products, and I feel lucky to be able to bring a smile to someone’s face with my designs and service.
Who else deserves credit in your story?
I have had a few mentors throughout my career, and my brother is at the top of the list. He has been with me through all of my ups and downs and has given me words of encouragement, criticism when needed, and played a huge role in my success. He has always been a sounding board for me, listening to my ideas and never trying to rein me in. I have always found comfort in knowing he is there when I need him, personally or professionally. Once my husband, his parents and I opened More Space Place all 4 of us had clear jobs and we each respected the others position. We never tried to overstep into the others field, and I feel that is why we have found success for almost 20 years. We were a team and I believe that is the key to success. I continually tell my employees that we are a team, and we need to work together. The client becomes a part of the team and should be treated as such. We have had many reviews alluding to this and I could not be prouder of myself and my team.
Pricing:
- Dependent on job
Contact Info:
- Website: https://morespaceplace.com
- Instagram: morespaceplace_n_myrtle_beach
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MoreSpacePlaceMyrtleBeach
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marianne-gamsby-a27023148/
