Maria Claypool

My greatest achievement is my customers. What matters most to me is making sure every client feels supported, valued, and genuinely cared for. My word is everything to me, and if I cannot stand behind something with complete honesty and sincerity, then I simply won’t offer it. I’ve never really liked the term “salesperson” or “representative” because I don’t see myself as someone who sells, I see myself as an educator and a guide. I help people envision what is possible in their space and work alongside them to bring that vision to life. That’s what I truly do I help people. While I may not hold some grand corporate title, I’ve had the privilege of working with clients all over the world from large corporations to individual homeowner, including Europe, Germany, Spain, Canada, Jamaica, and Australia. In the end, my greatest achievement is being available, dependable, and tenacious for the people who trust me with their projects.

Be honest, no matter what comes your way. Always be truthful with your customers. Even when a situation is difficult, if you are upfront and honest, most people will respond with courtesy and understanding in return. To me, being true to yourself means being honest and transparent in every interaction. Too many people make promises they cannot keep, and that only creates frustration and unhappy relationships for everyone involved. I believe trust is built through sincerity, reliability, and staying true to your word.

Be strong, be honest, and always be truthful to yourself, your customers, and your subcontractors. As a woman in construction, it is important to stand your ground with professionalism and confidence. While the industry has improved over the years, construction is still a field where women often have to work harder to earn the same level of respect and credibility. There will be situations where people may question your knowledge or prefer to speak to a man instead, but the best response is to remain courteous, prepared, and confident in your expertise. Always provide clear, solid answers, and if you do not know something, be honest about it, find the answer, and personally follow up. Accountability matters. I have learned through experience that when you know something is right, you must stand firm in that knowledge while still treating others respectfully. You do not need to diminish anyone else to be heard; you simply need to communicate professionally, confidently, and with integrity. In this industry, honesty, resilience, and consistency are what ultimately earn trust and respect.

One of my greatest challenges is continuing to grow the business within a very niche market. A large part of that effort involves educating people about the value and performance of our products, particularly in the acoustic sector. Many people do not realize that tin ceilings and decorative ceiling systems can also provide exceptional acoustic benefits, which are critical in restaurants, hotels, healthcare facilities, and other commercial spaces. In environments filled with hard surfaces, sound naturally bounces and amplifies, creating the kind of noise levels that make conversations difficult — something most people have experienced in crowded restaurants. Our acoustic ceiling systems address that issue directly, offering NRC ratings up to 85%, which significantly improves sound quality and comfort within a space. One of our biggest competitors is Armstrong, a well-established name that people naturally associate with ceiling systems. My challenge is not only competing with a recognized industry leader, but also increasing awareness that American Tin Ceilings and our sister company, Cast & Bevel, offer innovative alternatives with exceptional acoustic performance, design flexibility, and sustainability credentials. Both product lines are BABA compliant, LEED certified, and manufactured in the USA. Cast & Bevel’s Featherweight vinyl tiles are especially exciting because they are lightweight, easy to clean, Greenguard Gold certified, and ideal for applications such as hospitals, medical offices, restaurants, and hospitality environments. Over the years, our business has evolved from primarily residential projects to nearly 69% commercial work, and we continue expanding into major hospitality brands, including Hilton properties. For me, the key to growth is education helping architects, designers, contractors, and property owners understand that there are beautiful, high-performing alternatives to traditional commercial ceiling systems.

Honesty is one of my strongest core values and something I believe is essential in both business and life. To me, trust is built through sincerity, transparency, and doing what you say you will do. Communication is equally important. Whether in professional relationships, personal relationships, or teamwork, a lack of communication can quickly cause things to fall apart. My husband, Charles, and I often talk about the importance of communicating clearly and thoughtfully, and how there is always room to improve in the way we listen, respond, and support one another. Faith is also a guiding force in my life. My relationship with God shapes who I am, influences the way I treat people, and serves as the foundation for the values I bring into both my personal and professional life. While many people prefer to separate faith from work, for me, integrity, compassion, and purpose are inseparable from who I am as a person.