By:
Alice Mendoza
Student
Intern
University
of Guam
Sylvia M. Flores, proud business owner of Furniture
Trends & Design Inc. began her business venture in the furniture retail and
design more than 30 years ago. Before that, Flores attended many Home
Furnishing Shows in San Francisco, Las Vegas, High Point, North Carolina, and
the Neocon Shows in Chicago. She then took the corresponding course of the New
York School of Interior Design. She gained the knowledge and numerous
experiences in kitchen design, closet organization, and the use of colors in
the home and offices. As Flores’ passion for home interior grew, she saw the
need to provide quality, selection, and value furnishing for the community.
Today, Flores owns businesses in both Guam and Hawaii such as an antique shop
and a home furnishing retail store, and real estate and interior design
services.
Through the help of the Guam Small Business
Development Center (SBDC), Denise Mendiola-Hertslet assisted Flores by walking
her through the process of setting up her business plans which she quotes “is
very important when you need bank financing and understanding the importance in
being registered to quality for potential Federal bids.” The start-up process
was relatively easy for Flores because of her relationships that she built with
the suppliers and was familiar with the process of purchasing and shipping.
However, one of the biggest challenges she experienced in that process was
obtaining a large sum of capital needed for inventory, shipping, rent, and
operations. In the end, she obtained
some bank loans and through personal partnerships was able to fund her
business. Overcoming those challenges was rewarding, but when the first
container of inventory arrived, she considered that to be her most memorable
triumph. Furniture Trends & Designs Inc.’s short term goal is to
reinvigorate the community and their long term goal is to expand and infiltrate
the island with the best quality and tasteful furniture they can provide that
her clientele loves and that will fit their needs.
Today, Sylvia M. Flores continues to run Furniture
Trends & Designs Inc while being a single mother of two and a grandmother
of five beautiful grandchildren. To all other individuals interested in
starting a business, Sylvia’s advice is to “Stay with the course, chase your
dreams, and don’t be afraid of competition. Make sure that your ultimate GOAL
is customer satisfaction.”
To view Furniture Trends & Designs Inc.
furnishing selection, visit their shop located at the Appliance Galleria
Building (Old Sears) in Upper Tumon from 10:00 am – 5:00 pm Monday through
Saturday.
For more information on how the Guam SBDC can assist
you start-up or expand your business, please contact our office at 671-735-2590
or visit our website at www.pacificsbdc.com.
