Attendance is free. Light bites and refreshments will be served, and all attending can join a raffle for a chance to win a custom-made furniture piece. Enjoy 10% off storewide with Barkman Collection furniture 25% off.

RSVP at alpharettashowroom@dutchcrafters.com. The DutchCrafters Alpharetta Furniture Showroom is located at 160 N. Main Street in Alpharetta, Ga.

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Established in 2011, the DutchCrafters Amish Furniture Heritage Scholarship is awarded to deserving students attending colleges across the United States. The scholarship supports the premise that cultural heritage experiences have positively influenced students’ motivation, commitment, and achievements. Drawing from the influence of their heritage drives their academic goals, career choices and community engagement.

DutchCrafters received 200 applications for its 2023-24 Heritage Scholarship, an increase from 100 received the previous year. The three-part application includes an essay expressing financial need as well as how they will draw upon their cultural heritage to shape career aspirations, bring creative and strategic value to their employers, and serve their respective communities.

Mya Duncan will attend Charleston Southern University in North Charleston, South Carolina. She is eager to apply the pride she feels in her rich African American heritage to educate, inspire, and mentor high school students. Duncan will weave into her teaching style examples of the music, art, and storytelling traditions that helped her feel empowered and to be successful, evidenced by her 4.1 GPA. She also looks forward to bringing valuable perspectives to educational planning and positive outcomes for future employers and to enriching her community as an active volunteer. “By drawing upon my cultural traditions and values,” Duncan said, “I hope to offer creative value to my future employer and inspire my students to take pride in their own cultural backgrounds.”

Mena Morcous cites his “community-oriented lifestyle where family and religion are paramount.” Living in Egypt as a child motivated Morcous to direct his compassion and empathy to helping others. To that end, he will study physical therapy at St. Louis University in St. Louis, Missouri. He aspires to further education and training in sports medicine and pediatrics. A young immigrant from Egypt, Morcous recalls learning the value of hard work and perseverance to overcome the challenges of growing up in a developing country. “As a Coptic Orthodox Christian, I have been taught to value patience, humility, and empathy. These traits will enable me to connect with patients on a deeper level and provide a more personalized approach to their care.” Morcous shared that his volunteer activities have included organizing food drives, serving at soup kitchens, and helping in homeless shelters. That community outreach connected him to people with diverse lifestyles and instilled in him a deep commitment to give back to his community. The value added for current and future healthcare industry employers and patients will be the integration of his unique perspective with the skills needed to provide compassionate, respectful care.

Caleb Schellenberg will attend the University of Arizona in Tucson to study Business Management and pursue a career in international business or consulting. His father has been a high school administrator, imparting the vital role of education along with the valuable experience of life abroad. Living in Thailand and China introduced Schellenberg to the vital role of understanding differences in cultural behaviors. “In China it is common to exchange gifts as a way of building trust and establishing relationships in business settings,” said Schellenberg. “This practice is not as common in Western countries…Living abroad gave me a unique perspective on the challenges and opportunities of doing business in different cultures.” Schellenberg hopes to bring valuable insights and strategies to employers who are expanding their operations globally. To give back to his community, he will promote diversity and inclusivity by teaching language classes and organizing diverse cultural events featuring customs and traditions from various cultures.

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“I appreciate the opportunities for growth and leadership skills that DutchCrafters has made possible for me, and I thank my mentor, CEO Jim Miller,” said Koshes. “Being recognized by a national industry-leading organization like Furniture Today is a high point in my career. The national recognition broadens the scope of my work and speaks to my success, experience, and achievements in the furniture industry.”

When Koshes joined DutchCrafters, the leading retailer of Amish furniture at dutchcrafters.com, she knew the company offered opportunities for her growth. From 2013 to today, she has grown significantly. In her current position she is responsible for leading innovations in shipping and product delivery, overseeing the warehouse and outlet store, and managing showroom experience and expansion.

Koshes said challenges in opening a new showroom include the typical race to the finish line in time for the grand opening, adding, “team building is so important—recruiting and developing the right people who are aligned with the company’s culture and values. I am looking forward to continued showroom expansion, which is currently a major focus for the company.”

“Dr. Kari-Jo Koshes has been influential in driving revenue growth from $3.6 to $24.5M, improving profitability, launching strategic initiatives, and developing an award-winning culture, where she is often named as a role model by employees,” said CEO Jim Miller.

Making time for what’s important outside of work, Koshes created a nonprofit called Brand New Chapters. She collects and provides books for those who do not have access to reading. So far, she has collected 2,700 books. “Giving is one of our company’s core values,” she said, “and that nonprofit is my heart and soul.”

Koshes also serves on the boards of the Junior League of Sarasota and Literacy Council of Sarasota. Recently she was invited to join the Sarasota County Human Services Advisory Council. Educational achievements include earning a bachelor’s degree in general business with a minor in international business from the University of Central Florida. She completed her MBA and DBA from Columbia Southern University. Koshes is a 2019 graduate of Leadership Sarasota County and a 2023 graduate of Leadership Florida.

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The interior designers and decorators in the Designer Trade Program are supported by a knowledgeable DutchCrafters team of furniture specialists, in-house designers and skilled Amish woodworkers who craft fine American-made furniture, designed and built according to customers’ specifications.

“Staff in our Alpharetta and Sarasota showrooms offer quality selection, one-stop shopping, order assistance, customer service and expert guidance in every step of the creative design process,” said DutchCrafters Interior Designer Nancy Kirshe. “Customers handpick preferred wood types, finish colors, fabrics, furniture styles and innovative design options. Then their orders are monitored right through to the blanket-wrapped furniture delivery. Every step of the way, DutchCrafters ensures excellent quality products and exceptional customer experience.”

To join DutchCrafters Designer Trade Program, follow the steps noted in the online application: dutchcrafters.com/content/designer. For more information, please contact DutchCrafters Interior Designer Nancy Kirshe, nancy@dutchcrafters.com, 941.867.2231.

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“Heather brought a lot of retail management experience to her role, and her skill set translated well to her work at DutchCrafters,” said Kari-Jo Koshes, director of stores and fulfillment. “Heather grew from Sarasota Showroom Manager to Showroom Operations Manager based on her ability to oversee one showroom while aiding DutchCrafters’ expansion into new showrooms.”

Anderson’s extensive retail management expertise includes 15 years of professional merchandising, customer service, talent development, financial analysis, and team building in addition to her passion for home décor design trends. She enjoys connecting customers with the creative process of designing built-to-order, heirloom-quality, American-made Amish furniture in the showroom design center.

“As we embrace showroom expansion,” said Anderson, “it is an exciting challenge to be overseeing more than one showroom’s training, merchandising, and operations.”

DutchCrafters is excited about the hands-on experience their showrooms offer customers. Customers love to participate in creating the furniture they will treasure for years to come. DutchCrafters Furniture Specialists present options and help people envision the best fit for their space and personal style. Customers recognize, and are impressed with, the quality furnishings they see, touch and experience in the showrooms. They are surprised by the variety of styles, lighting, wood types, finish colors, upholstery, hardware and custom features they can select from the design centers. DutchCrafters provides different ideas and options, so customers can select their one-of-a-kind furniture that expresses the look they love.

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“We are honored to receive this Top 5 Dealer award,” said Miller. “Customers notice the quality of Urban Barnwood Furniture, and we enjoy the trusted partnership we share.”     

The annual Top Dealer awards are based on aggregate revenues from the sale of Urban Barnwood Furniture, located in the heart of Amish country in rural Ohio. The woodshop partners with more than 230 dealers, including DutchCrafters Amish Furniture.

In alignment with increasing customer preferences for sustainable furniture that helps the environment, reclaimed barnwood furniture represents a strong upward trend in the furniture market. The salvaged barnwood is precisely processed, kiln dried and handcrafted with pride by Amish artisans in the woodshop. The result is handsome, high-quality furniture that is environmentally friendly and built to last.

“Customers are drawn to Urban Barnwood Furniture’s character, uniqueness, history, and custom options, as well as our six- to seven-week lead times,” said Fell. “What Urban Barnwood looks for in partnering with dealers is people who are passionate about selling heirloom-quality American-made furniture and understand the differences in the quality of the furniture we build. And long-term relationships are important.”  

About JMX Brands

JMX Brands is a niche retailer, selling more than 15,000 products on a variety of websites, including its flagship Amish furniture site www.dutchcrafters.com. JMX Brands also has DutchCrafters Showrooms in Sarasota, Fla. and Alpharetta, Ga. and an outlet store in LaGrange, Ind. JMX Brands was a 2016 Florida Company to Watch and the Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce’s 2017 Retail Business of the Year and 2021 Medium Business of the Year. It has been named one of the Top Places to Work in Sarasota-Manatee for 2020, 2021 and 2022, and Best Places to Work by Furniture Today magazine for 2021 and 2022. JMX Brands was named to Newsweek’s prestigious Best Online Shops for 2021 and Fastest Growing Online Shops for 2022, and it was named a 2023 Next 1000 company again by Digital Commerce 360. The company has an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau and was listed six times as one of the fastest-growing private companies in the United States, according to Inc. Magazine’s prestigious Inc. 5,000 List.

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Benefits include a $50 VISA gift card each time a referred client purchases furniture from DutchCrafters exceeding the value of $2,500. Referring realtors and home builders can receive an unlimited number of gifts cards. The referring business will also be recognized on DutchCrafters social media platforms.

“We serve as a resource for new homeowners and repeat customers when they relocate or choose to remodel their homes and offices,” said Nancy Kirshe, interior designer and showroom furniture specialist. “We developed the rewards incentives to show our appreciation for client referrals. This Rewards Program is a collaboration that builds trusted relationships and gives clients exceptional customer experiences.”

DutchCrafters showroom staff in Alpharetta and Sarasota provide expert guidance including selecting furniture styles, wood type and finishes, hardware and other options that make DutchCrafters furniture one-of-a-kind.

Easy online rewards member registration is available at www.dutchcrafters.com/content/rewards. For more information, contact Nancy Kirshe, in-house interior designer and showroom furniture specialist at Nancy@dutchcrafters.com or 941-867-2231.

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Carder began her career in e-commerce and retail store management in Atlanta where she managed four e-commerce platforms and a busy retail store. Prior to that, she trained and worked in hotel management where she discovered her passion for excellent customer service and quality guest experiences. Eleven years of professional experience and her outstanding people skills gave Carder the right combination of talents for this position.

“Tina cares about the employees and the customers. Her people-first approach makes her a rockstar at delivering an exceptional customer experience,” said Director of Stores and Fulfillment Kari-Jo Koshes.

“Customers are as impressed as I am with the pieces in this showroom,” said Carder. “They are delighted to find out they can create their own custom furniture with DutchCrafters, and they like to come in where they can see, touch and experience the furniture.”

Carder grew up in Georgia, and especially enjoys the areas of Alpharetta, Atlanta and Sandy Springs. Recalling the first time she visited the DutchCrafters showroom, she said, “I knew I wanted to come to work every day in such a beautiful place and make DutchCrafters Alpharetta the best it can possibly be.”

When she is not working, Carder volunteers with several Atlanta area community organizations that help women with children recover from challenging situations: Marr, Mary Hall Freedom House and Georgia Council for Recovery. To relax, she enjoys outdoor activities including biking, hiking and kayaking.

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JMX Brands is one of three finalists in the Medium Business category. The Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce (GSCC) has announced 27 finalists in nine categories. Winners will be announced at the 2023 Frank G. Berlin, Sr. Small Business Awards luncheon presented by the Herald-Tribune at the Hyatt Regency Sarasota on Friday, June 23. 

“We are proud to be in outstanding company as one of 27 respected businesses chosen as finalists for these honors,” said CEO Jim Miller.

More than 115 applications were received for the nine award categories, compared to 68 and 67 applicants in the previous two years. The finalists in all nine categories are judged on several criteria, including innovation of product or service, business growth, and their contributions to the community.

“Our Chamber is all about celebrating small businesses,” GSCC president and CEO Heather Kasten said. “This awards ceremony gathers more than 500 community members to honor and recognize the people and the local businesses behind our region’s rapid growth – after all, small businesses are the heart and soul of our community.”

In addition to the nine businesses announced as finalists for small, medium and large business categories, another18 companies were selected as finalists for awards recognizing their companies’ contributions in community impact, minority business, non-profit business, rising star, woman-owned business, and workforce development and innovation awards.

To register for the 2023 Small Business Awards luncheon, visit the Sarasota Chamber’s website event page. 

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The Next 1000 database ranks North American mid-sized online retailers by annual web sales. For 2023, JMX Brands ranked 35 in housewares/home furnishings and 1411 overall.  This is the 11th time JMX Brands has been named to a prestigious Digital Commerce 360 list.

The vision guiding JMX Brands and its flagship brand, DutchCrafters Amish Furniture, is to become the undisputed leading brand of Amish furniture, winning through exceptional customer experience. This goal is summarized in two words: delivering excellence.

“As we celebrate our 20^th Anniversary as an industry disruptor, bridging the gap between heirloom quality Amish furniture and online customers hungry for these products, we continue to be laser focused on the vision to provide exceptional customer experiences, online and in stores,” said CEO Jim Miller. “We are pleased with the success that has followed the vision. We are especially excited and proud of growing beyond an internet-only experience with our showrooms’ expansions.”

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