Made in the Shade is extraordinarily pleased to introduce Steve and Susanne Leming as the new owners of Made in the Shade West Valley, Arizona, located in the greater Phoenix area. This highly educated couple will bring a significant degree of energy and determination to their new business and we expect that the diversity of skills they’ve acquired over the years will set them on a fast track to success.
Professional background
Susanne has a long history as an educator, spending the last 8 years teaching kindergarten. She retired in 2008 to spend more time with their children. Steve has a great understanding of how to interact with the public. Over the past 30 plus years, Steve has been a chef, a restauranteur, worked in telecommunications, mortgage, finance and higher education. He has never met a stranger and loves dealing with customers. Susanne holds a master’s degree in education and Steve has a MBA, along with a Master in Leadership.
What hobbies/interests do you enjoy doing in your free time?
We love to travel to new places and explore areas away from the tourist destinations. We typically take day trips throughout Arizona and you’ll usually find us roaming through antique stores. Our go to vacation is the beaches of Southern California, which is a short five-hour drive to the sun and the sand. Additionally, we love to spend our weekends touring model homes to look at interior designs.
Tell us about your family and their interests.
We have been married for 29 years. Our children, 27, 24, and 23 are all performers who sing, dance, choreograph, act and direct. We get together on a weekly basis for food, movies, game nights and swimming in the pool along with their extended family and friends. Our house is the gathering location for the family. We have always placed a value on family and continue to do so.
What appealed to you about the Made in the Shade opportunity?
We were looking to open a franchise due to the positive outcomes associated with a franchise versus opening your own business. We researched many opportunities that did not require a store front. We absolutely love home décor and visiting model homes to see how they are decorated. We decided, after purchasing motorized shades, that window treatments would be a great fit for our love of decorating and of helping people. We sensed the feel of family and Christianity when speaking with Eddie and Cathy. This coupled with the Made in the Shade business model made it an easy decision to take the plunge into the window covering industry.
What is your best MITS contact number and business email?
Phone: (623) 606-5990
email: steve@mitswestvalley.com
