Mary Beth Oakes, CEO + Co-Owner
Creating meaningful relationships has always been the top priority of CEO, Mary Beth Oakes. Her positive energy and attitude are evident as she bops around the office, touching base with various team members.
She thrives on collaboration and connection - which is why she is fittingly not only as our Chief Executive Officer, but also our "Chief Energy Officer."
So, we had to ask Mary Beth, What's Your Hybrid?
“I do my best work at our space because it’s so easy to collaborate with the team members that I work with the most. I believe that while technology has made it so much easier to connect from any two locations, nothing beats the organic human interaction!”
Mary Beth Oakes, CEO
Q: Mary Beth, how long have you worked at Business Furniture + Co?
A: I started at Business Furniture + Co. in July 1992, which is 31 years this summer! I started at the front desk, greeting all guests and visitors and ensuring they had a special experience in our showroom. That same mentality sticks with me today as CEO.
Q: Do you have a designated home office space?
A: Yes, a very, very pink one! That won’t come as a shocker to anyone that knows me. Located on the lower level of our home, it’s very cozy and comfy, and the walls are covered with photos of friends and family.
Q: How many days, on average, are you in-person at the office?
A: I aim for at least 3. I serve on the board for three local nonprofits and participate in various networking events, so sometimes, I am at their offices.
Q: What does your typical work week look like?
A: No two weeks are ever the same, which I love because I appreciate variety in my work. Typically I am always in the office on Mondays and Thursdays. Although it may sound strange, I love Mondays because I have recurring team meetings to discuss sales and marketing strategy and focus on our company’s future and vision. Thursday is my other favorite day because I have lunch with our Core Leadership Team. Other days in the office tend to vary, but I am usually in the office when we host clients, have a client presentation, or have other team meetings. I usually work from home one day a week.
Q: What is your DISC style?
A: I am an “I.” People with the DISC assessment I (Motivator) personality type tend to be enthusiastic, cheerful, and outgoing. They typically have a relaxed, casual manner when speaking or interacting with others and enjoy regularly building new relationships.
Q: What does “community” mean to you?
A: A strong culture of the community is everything! It’s very important to me that our team has a strong feeling of community, where we are connected and value and support each other. The foundation of our culture is community. Spending time connecting and collaborating in our space gives us the opportunity to have empathy for each other and to build a strong community. The refresh of our space will foster a community feel, even more so than it already did!
Q: Outside of work, how do you find community?
A: While my main community is my husband and two rescue pups, family, and friends, I also love volunteer opportunities to work with others to make a difference in our community. The studio where I do Pilates has also become a great source of community and connection for me.
Q: Where do YOU do your best work?
A: I do my best work at our space because it’s so easy to collaborate with the team I work with the most. While technology has made connecting from any two locations so much easier, nothing beats organic human interaction! While I do like the option to work at home, I get more distracted there.
Q: Do you consider yourself more of an introvert or extrovert?
A: This may be a big shock, but I am an extrovert! I thrive on interactions with others.
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