We are delighted to welcome and introduce Barbara and Brian Swails as the proud owners of Made in the Shade Wilmington. They both share a natural drive to succeed, and their professional experience will serve them well in launching and building their new Made in the Shade business.
Professional background
Barbara comes to made in the shade with an advantage as a degreed Interior Designer that she earned at Meredith College. She has achieved considerable success as a kitchen and bath designer, interior designer and window fashions designer.
Brian complements Barbara’s skills through bringing a strong sales background and entrepreneurial experience having owned and operated his own contracting company for many years.
What hobbies/interests do you enjoy doing in your free time?
I enjoy spending as much time with family and friends as possible. Brian also enjoys time spent with family but also squeezes in time to go fishing and going to the beach. Of course, our time to do all of those things come after attending our children’s sporting events.
Tell us about your family and their interests.
We have four children and have been married for 25 years. Our oldest attends UNCW and enjoys fishing and hunting. Our daughter attends Meredith College in Raleigh and plays for the college lacrosse team. We have a freshman in high school who enjoys playing football and baseball and we have a 7th grader who enjoys tennis and hanging out with her friends.
What appealed to you about the Made in the Shade opportunity?
We felt Made in the Shade was a great fit for our family because of their business model. Everyone was so welcoming, open and transparent from the start. We wanted to be in control of our personal growth and finances and liked that Made in the Shade did not charge royalties. The support that we have received from everyone in the company has been outstanding.
