“Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life.  Don’t be trapped by dogma - which is living with the results of other people’s thinking.  Don’t let the noise of others’ opinions drown out your own inner voice.  And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition.”  

-Steve Jobs

BUSINESS BIO

I have 35 years of Sales, Senior Management and Executive Leadership experience in the Contract Furniture Industry. For 24 years I worked for CRI, a major dealership in the Bay Area for Herman Miller with revenues of $76 million. The last 10 years I was Vice President of Sales and Marketing, and served as a strategic Board Member and Stock Holder.  My major strengths -- leadership, communication, business development, managing a business and project management -- complement a strong drive to adapt to circumstances and achieve success.

 In addition to CRI, I worked with Knoll, OUI, a Steelcase Dealership, and Deepa Textiles, rounding out my tenure in the contract furniture industry.  The years in the Bay Area, the birthplace of Interior Design, enabled me to establish longstanding relationships with the Architectural and Design Community.  My passion is Architectural History, but it comes second to the design of furniture.  I am a descendant of Michael Thonet of Gebruder Thonet, who pioneered a radical invention for steam bending solid wood to create bent wood chairs during the 19th Century. 

I have helped companies in virtually every industry headquartered in the Bay Area through direct sales, project management, and leadership services.  I have established relationships with Corporate Real Estate and Facilities at Apple, Pixar, Visa, Wells Fargo, Gilead,  Splunk, and Accenture, and many other companies.

I began my own business, The Collins Group, LLC, providing coaching for leaders and managers, and business consulting to the contract furniture industry. Contribution to others’ successes in personal or business areas is what I strive for.