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WORKROOM OF THE YEAR: LESLIE EXCELL, EXCELL IN DESIGN GROUP
For 15 years, Leslie Excell with Excell In Design Group has been providing top-quality window treatments, bedding and upholstery services to designers in Florida. Excell got her first job in a workroom over 30 years ago. The owner served as an incredible mentor for her and inspired her to open her own company when she was ready. In addition to supporting her team, who she says inspired her to do great work every day, Excell is a passionate advocate for other women-owned businesses in her community.
To others looking to win big in the 2022 VISION Design + Workroom Competition, Excell recommends planning ahead. “When making submissions, it is best to have projects with several photo options, including shots to showcase details, along with a full description of each item that expresses how the project progressed,” she says.
Lightning round with Leslie Excell
What is the best piece of advice you have ever been given?
Focus on a solution with a sense of urgency whenever something goes wrong. Also, to be customer-focused. Our motto is “Always give customers more than they expect,” a variation of a quote from author Nelson Boswell.
If you were talking to 20-year-old you, what piece of advice would you give?
Put your own needs first. You have nothing to prove to anyone. Having my son at 18 years old, I constantly felt the need to prove to everyone around me that I could still be a wonderful mother while pursuing my dreams. Not everybody believed that this would be true for me.
When you’re under pressure, what do you do to keep things under control?
I have been on a spiritual journey for quite a while now, and once the pandemic shutdown happened, that down time allowed me to go even further with adding meditation to my routine. Meditation allows me to set an intention for the day and has taught me to take a minute and just breathe whenever I am under pressure or have hit an obstacle.
Favorite drink?
I can never have enough Champagne!
Favorite quote
