Decorator, art gallery owner honored

Mandy Summers, owner of M. Gallery Interiors in Lexington, has been named the Greater Lexington Chamber of Commerces 2012 Small Business Person of the Year this month.

Summers operates an art gallery and interiors store in the Old Mill property in Lexington. A single mother of two, she also volunteers in the community and is helping design a downtown memorial.

Summers recently spoke to The State about the business award and her life:

Tell us about yourself and your work.

I am a certified interior decorator and I do consulting in peoples homes and businesses, as well as run a retail gallery where I sell decorative items for your home. I represent 20 different artists and exhibitors and carry everything from rugs and original artwork to architectural salvage pieces and jewelry. My goal as a decorator is to help my clients identify their individual style, and then assist them in selecting furnishings and accessories that will help them achieve the look and feel they desire. I have lived all over our beautiful country, as my father was a linguist in the Air Force, and have been blessed to have travelled extensively all over the world. I feel that my exposure to so many different cultures has broadened my horizons and given me a unique perspective on life. I am the proud mother of two wonderful children, and a precious rescue dog, so I am also very realistic about selecting both beautiful and practical items for your space.

Have you been surprised by the recognition youve received by winning the award?

I have been thrilled by all the positive feedback about the gallery, and incredibly flattered by the wonderful reactions to my designs and community projects. I cant tell you what it means to me when people come into the gallery and say, I just loved what you did at the American Cancer Society Dream Home or I just came from my neighbors house you worked on, when can you come to mine? There is no greater compliment than to have a client tell me they cant wait to tell their friends about the way I have transformed their home or office. The publicity from receiving (the award) has afforded me some wonderful opportunities not only have I been able to get the word out about my business; but, I have been able to share my personal story and hopefully encourage others to be passionate about giving back to the community.

You started your business in the midst of the Great Recession. What important things have you learned about yourself?

I am stubborn, determined and blessed! I believed in the concept of my gallery and fought very hard to get banks to believe in it too. I was turned down initially, but persevered and convinced First Community Bank to take a chance on me as a new business startup. The next hurdle was gutting and reworking my space. I refinished floors, painted walls, gutted countertops and replaced every light. My children, my family and my friends all worked tirelessly by my side to get the job done. It took us nearly a month and a half to do it all. It was then up to me to fill this wonderful new urban industrial gallery we had created. I began begging artists and exhibitors to let me represent them and believe in my concept of housing everyone under one roof. (I now have a waiting list.) I opened up shop and two weeks later the stock market plummeted. I kept praying, handing out business cards, attending every event I could get invited to and donated to every charity that came through my door. I volunteered to speak at schools, civic events and even retirement homes I told anyone and everyone about my gallery. I have never worked so hard or enjoyed what I do so much. All I can say is no guts, no glory! Believe in your dream, believe in yourself, work hard, give back and have faith in Gods plan for you. Im so glad I did!

Roddie Burris

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Decorator, art gallery owner honored