The
DPHA Faces-of-Our-Future Program recognizes up-and-coming influencers
in the decorative plumbing and hardware business. This program will
profile DPHA members with 10 or less years of experience. Each
month from June through October 2018, members will be inducted into
the Faces-of-Our-Future Club, and their stories will be featured in
DPHA's weekly newsletter, Connections. This week we recognize Noel
Garcia, Jr. of DSA (Decorative Sales Associates) in Miami, FL.
Noel has literally grown up in the DPH industry (his father
is Noel Garcia from DSA), but didn't officially join the DPH industry
until 4 years ago. From the start though, Noel has been unafraid of
presenting product or asking for an order. As one of his nominators
said, "Noel has proven his dedication to the DPH industry by diving into
learning the technical side of the business. He takes the time to go to
customers' homes and solve issues they are having, whether it be a
thermostatic valve problem or something as simple as a vanity drawer
being misaligned. His dedication to learning the ins and outs of
decorative plumbing and hardware shows his passion for his career as
well as his dedication to growing a family business that was established
25 years ago."
Another nominator added, "Our industry's newest generation
tends to rely on electronics, data and the Internet to get ahead, but
under the guidance of his family, Noel has become the ultimate hands-on
rep. He shows up when he is needed, he follows through with his promises
and he truly understands what is needed from him from both his
manufacturers and dealers. Noel understands the need for training, the
need for keeping up-to-date literature and he knows the value of
building lasting relationships. He shows a great desire to learn new
things and is not afraid to take on any challenge that is given to
him."
Connections: How long have you been in the DPH industry?
Noel: Full time for four years,
but I've been visiting accounts, setting up displays and going to
service calls whenever I could tag along with my dad, Noel Sr., since I was 10.
Connections: What has surprised you about the industry?
Noel: The biggest surprise is how
everyone knows everyone from coast to coast . It's like a large family
filled with great people that want you to learn from.
Connections: What is the biggest challenge you have faced in our industry?
Noel: One of the biggest challenges I'm
faced with is getting showrooms to adapt to new products - too many
times, showrooms are scared to try new products or lines. Many
showrooms also complain about the internet and their competition, but
then still support companies that don't really support them.
Connections: What do you enjoy about being in this industry?
Noel: I consider myself a people
person and I really enjoy the interaction with everyone from
showroom staff to manufacturer's customer service team to sales
managers. Since you spend so much time interacting with these people,
they become like an extended family.
I also enjoy putting displays together - this really helps in
understanding how things should be installed. Unlike many others, I
don't cringe when I have a service call - I see it as an opportunity to
learn about real world issues and educate contractors on products as
well as the benefits of buying from a brick-and-mortar showroom. You
don't get this service when you buy online.
Connections: Anything else you would like to add?
Noel: I'm humbled and thankful to be have been nominated for such a prestigious honor.
If you would like to nominate someone for inclusion in the Faces-of-Our-Future program, click here to download the nomination form, complete it and send your nomination to Jim Babbitt via email at jbabbitt@dpha.net or
fax to 866-623-6180. It takes only a few minutes to complete a
nomination form, but isn't that time well spent for recognizing someone
who is making an impact on your business and/or our industry?
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