Kathy White

Joan Miller had a love and talent for interior design. In the late 1960s she was put to the test when she was asked to design a couple of offices in the Dallas Fort Worth Metroplex. Her work spoke for itself and slowly she gained recognition by word of mouth. In 1970 she founded Business Interiors at a time when women weren’t commonly CEOs.

It was the initial dream and hard work of Miller that has inspired her daughter, Kathy White, and has put Business Interiors on the map as a very successful woman-owned business. In 1982 White joined the company and now serves as CEO. Before joining Business Interiors, she worked in public accounting in Denver. But it was her passion for the office furniture industry and her desire to work with her mother that brought her to Business Interiors. She said she’s grateful for all her mother did to create the company.

“She [faced] challenges back then that women business owners probably don’t experience much today. She’s a strong but fair per son and has been a wonderful role model,”White said. Since Miller put her thoughts into motion 38 years ago, Business Interiors has grown to be one of the largest full-service office furniture companies in the United States. Amongst receiving several other honors, it was the first furniture company in the nation to receive the Founder’s Award, and one of its major accounts has been JCPenney. White has enjoyed her involvement in the company. She says it has been rewarding to work with such a professional team with the knowledge that they are making a positive impact on their clients. “It has been amazing to experience the dynamics of our industry and to respond to the ever-changing needs of our customers,” she said.

Business Interior s is a certified WBE through the Women’s Business Council – Southwest. WBCS President Debbie Hurst said it is White’s commitment to her customers that made her the right choice for the WBCS Women’s Business Enter-prise Star. “[Business Interiors is] a very successful business with a long history of outstanding customer service,” she said. White is excited about the success of the company but feels it is something that challenges her to do better.

“Business Interiors is my mother’s legacy and I want to continue to build on the culture and values she founded,” she explained. Miller continues to be involved in the company serving as chairman of the board but it’s her daughter, White, who will continue the legacy.