Question: Tell us about your company and what you do.

Answer: Mans Lumber & Millwork is a home improvement and building company. To clear up any assumptions, Mans Lumber is not Home Depot. The company is quite different. And also, the name “Mans Lumber” is not a proclamation that lumber is manly. Mans Lumber has been a family owned and operated company since 1900 and is still run by the Mans family. Now that we’ve clarified, Mans Lumber does everything: decks, flooring, trim, cabinetry, lumber, windows, doors, design services, install services, and custom millwork.

 Maryann

 

Broadly speaking, my responsibilities fall under the umbrella of marketing, communications, and event planning. On a given day, you could catch me creating print materials, planning an event, managing co-op marketing activities, sharing content on social media, making promotional materials, or comparing competitors prices. On a good day, you’d find me hauling lumber in the distribution center…

Question: Describe an accomplishment or contribution you’ve made at your company.

Answer: Mans doesn’t have an official marketing team, so I get to work with many different departments and help streamline the marketing efforts throughout the company. I’ve also created a wider online presence through different social media platforms and other home improvement sites.

I also love communicating through visuals, so I utilize video, photos, and graphic design for branding and communications. Currently, we are working on launching a new website that will be more visual. There will also be a separate Kitchen & Bath website that will showcase the work the designers have done. Stay tuned!

Question: What makes working for your company unique?

Answer: Working for Mans is unique because the wide range of products and services offered creates a challenging task in terms of marketing. The homeowner, contractor, and builder are each customers that make up their own unique target market. It takes organization and creativity to create a marketing plan that is inclusive yet targeted. In a sense, it’s just like building a house. Each room has its own function and personality, but it’s the conglomerate of those rooms that make the house a house.

To better understand our customers, I conducted a survey of retail shopper, builder, and contractor when I began working here. It was interesting to learn about the similarities and differences in our customer base. It also showed me that there is undoubtedly a strong sense of customer loyalty at Mans. Another unique part of Mans is that the family business atmosphere breeds a sense of customer loyalty. Customers have been working with Mans for generations, which says a lot about a workplace.

Question: Why do you enjoy working in the Detroit community?

Answer: In the building industry, the Detroit community is so thankful to be busy again. It’s a definite sign of progress and a well-deserved relief. After a long rough patch, people don’t take things for granted, and they have great work ethic.

Question: What’s the biggest highlight of working at your company?

Answer: The biggest highlight of my work is learning. Marketing is like problem-solving, and I get to provide solutions. I use hard and soft skills, my left and right brain, keeping me on my toes. Plus, it’s great to work with a company that has family history and a tribe of loyal customers.