She summarizes: "Our goal is to give our clients everything they need to make their kitchen or bathroom function - and look the way they want it to within their budget."

Dream a Little Dream

From the remnants of her fateful dream to present day, the company has tripled its annual sales goals - a feat that earned Gray "Woman of the Year" honors at the recent DreamMaker Bath & Kitchen national convention

But she swiftly suggests that it's a combination of multiple factors, including the firm's code of values, an organizational structure that maximizes each staff member's strengths and a focus on client needs that has led to the firm's success.

"We also attribute our success to the franchise system, the support from the corporate office and the training opportunities that DreamMaker Bath & Kitchen [has provided us]," she says.

She also adds that each staff member is given a clearly defined role within the company and is thereby treated as an integral part of the DreamMaker team.

"We hold daily huddle sessions where we read our code of values and discuss the issues of the day," Gray offers. "During weekly management meetings, we discuss up-to-the-minute sales, production and financial reports, as well."

As a result of this approach, Gray adds that the firm is now able to make her clients' dreams come true, as well.

"Our business philosophy is to utilize and improve systems to create a consistent experience from the first phone call to the completion of the project," she says.

She concludes: "I don't have a grandiose statement to other woman about running a business. It has been just a matter of taking the gifts I've been given and allowing myself to be stretched."

Touch and See

One of the factors that set the firm apart from its competition is its showroom, Gray believes. Though relatively small at 648 sq. ft., it still manages to showcase a wide array of amenities. "Other contractors in our area cannot give clients a 'touch and see' experience [like we can through our showroom]," she notes.