Amy Mendez

I attribute my success to my drive, consistency, and determination. I have an internal motivation that keeps me moving forward, and I wake up ready to work and accomplish what I set out to do. I believe consistency plays a major role in success, so I work according to a structured schedule and make a conscious effort to keep myself, my projects, and the people around me on track. My passion for what I do has become an important part of who I am, and that drive continues to push me forward.

There are two pieces of career advice I live by:

"Don't just sell a product-solve a problem and create an experience."

Your interaction with a client from the beginning sets the tone for their entire experience and establishes their expectations. You're there to solve a problem, but how you make someone feel while doing it is just as important. I always want my clients to remember not only what I created for them, but the experience they had working with me.

The second is:

"Your reputation is built one client at a time."

We all know the saying, "Rome wasn't built in a day." The same thing goes for your career and your reputation. Success doesn't happen overnight. It's built through consistency, relationships, hard work and the impression you leave with each person.

Plant a few seeds along the way, nurture them well, and eventually you'll look back and realize you've built a beautiful garden.

My advice is to stick with it and understand that nothing worthwhile comes easily. You have to be willing to put your all into your career and not give up when you encounter challenges. There will inevitably be bumps along the way, but those experiences are opportunities to learn and become stronger.

I also encourage young women entering the industry to develop strong product knowledge and technical skills. Learn the programs and tools used in your field, including CAD, so that you can confidently communicate with clients and demonstrate your expertise. Most importantly, believe in yourself. Walk into a client's home with confidence, knowledge, and pride in what you do. Know your industry, know your product, stand firmly behind your expertise, and continually work to improve.

One of the biggest challenges in our field right now is timing. Clients often want their projects completed quickly, particularly before the holidays or when seasonal residents return to South Florida. While we are excited to serve those clients and bring their projects to life, quality custom work typically requires approximately time, while some clients would prefer to have everything completed within a week. Bridging that gap between a client's desire for speed and the time required to deliver high-quality craftsmanship is an ongoing challenge. It is important to help clients understand that quality and thoughtful design are sometimes worth the wait.

My family means the world to me, and maintaining a healthy balance between my career and family is extremely important. I work hard, but I also make time to enjoy life and be present for the people I love. The flexibility of my career allows me to balance my professional responsibilities with my responsibilities at home. I am proud of my son, who is currently attending the Fire Academy, and for my younger daughter, who is in second grade. Because my husband travels, I have to be especially intentional about maintaining balance at home while continuing to meet my professional responsibilities, keep my clients happy, and manage large projects. It requires a lot of give and take, and I take pride in how I balance my family, my career, and the commitments that matter most to me.