Business for a Better World: Q&A with nora fleming founder
Company: nora fleming
Address: 3 Grant Square #104, Hinsdale
Phone: (630) 231-2500
Website: https://norafleming.com/
Industry: Home decor
Number of employees: 20
An interview with Nora Napientek, co-founder:
Q: Describe your company.
nora fleming is a company built on love and family. Our products are designed to simplify entertaining, giving our customers more time to enjoy their guests.
Q: Do you plan to hire any additional staff or make any significant capital investments in your company in the next year?
We have hired a new operations director and a new marketing director this year. We are very excited to welcome them to the nora fleming team.
Q: What will your company's main challenges be in the next year?
Finding new ways to add new verticals while also honoring and expanding our current offerings.
Q: What's the hottest trend in your industry?
Mixing and matching old and new products. Simplifying, sustainability and honoring traditions.
Q: Does climate change affect how your company does business?
We have to plan further in advance because many of our partner companies overseas have blackout dates due to power supply issues. We also are dedicated to completely fill containers even if we have to wait for product longer as we know the cost to the environment of sending partial containers.
Q: What does your company do to reduce the effects of climate change?
Our product overall helps with sustainability by lowering the consumption level of plastics and paper by having one platter for every event or occasion. We try to keep our office green. This year we gave everyone their own coffee mugs and water jugs and got rid of anything disposable.
Q: Is your company minority-owned? Woman-owned? If so, what are the challenges of being a minority- or woman-owned company?
We are women owned. Unfortunately, we came to be due to the passing of my brother. Most of the people in our company are moms. I’d say that honoring motherhood goals and career goals for these employees is probably the largest challenge for us.
Q: What does your company do regarding DE&I (diversity, equity & inclusion)?
We welcome all people.
Q: Does your company donate time or money to any philanthropic causes? If so, what causes?
We did an entire line of minis dedicated to St. Jude over the last five years. We were able to raise close to $1 million for the research hospital. As a company of 20 people, we are so proud of this accomplishment.
Q: Does your company do anything else to make your community better?
We are constantly striving to make our world and community a more safe and enjoyable place. Most of our products are made with a give back angle. People have constantly asked for us to create colored plates, we came up with a way to honor this request and keep our commitment to simplicity. We created a line of nine colored silicone rims that fit around the rim of our best-selling size platter. Each color represents a local nonprofit organization. A portion of the proceeds for each color will go to that charity. We have found that our customers find great joy in adorning their tablescapes while knowing they are helping worthy causes.
Q: What do you do to make your business a good place to work for your employees?
We have a lovely hybrid schedule which allows our employees more time to be with family and friends by cutting out unnecessary commutes. We do have an all-hands-in-office day on Thursdays, which allows for brainstorming and interpersonal connection. We also have a “day of delight” each month where we get together and do a personal growth project or team-building event. We are always open to honoring co-workers’ desires for any outside classes or seminars that they feel will help them personally or professionally.
Q: Do you have a business mantra?
We are dedicated to our small mom-and-pop boutiques. As we have had growing pains it has been difficult to say no to large POs from big box customers, but we have made a pledge to stay loyal to our “shop small shop local” business model.
Q: What is one interesting fact about your company that most people may not know?
We are only a company of 20. Most people in the industry think we are much larger.