Jan 7, 2011

The Butler Group, Inc. Evolves and Expands; Maintains Family Roots

Atlanta, GA – Some patriarchs wring their hands, fretting over what will become of the family-owned business in future years, as many grown children have little or no interest in joining the family business. However, Ed Butler, the chairman and owner of The Butler Group Inc., a sales organization representing wholesale manufacturers and importers of home decorative accents, personal accessories, and general gifts, is confident in his company’s future, having successfully groomed and mentored each of his three children to become valuable management partners within the business.

Ed and his wife Betty, who began building The Butler Group, Inc. in 1988, encouraged their children’s participation in the family business from an early age.  When Ed and Betty purchased the business, they exhibited at every trade show in the Southeast states, nearly 12 in all. Although they had a local staff for each show, Paula, who was in college, and Greg, who was in middle school, participated in the family’s tradeshow operation, learning to set up and take down booths and to write orders.

Over the years, Greg has carved a name for himself within the industry, learning the business from the bottom up. During high school and college years, Greg worked at Daco-Atlanta under the supervision of the warehouse manager. He learned about importing containers from China and the Philippines, warehouse operations, and packing and shipping orders to retailers. Through these experiences, Greg gained the foundation for understanding the gift and home industry and how to apply it to The Butler Group. Additionally, while in college, Greg took every art class available to him. This art knowledge paid off handsomely. Under Greg’s supervision, The Butler Group’s has earned numerous awards, including a “Best of Floor” award for Outstanding Visual Display, presented by the AmericasMart. Greg is currently the Executive Vice President of Marketing and Operations for The Butler Group; he is the final decision-maker regarding anything showroom related.

Daughter Paula Butler Kay is the Executive Vice President of Sales and Product Development for The Butler Group. After college, Paula worked with one of the world’s premier wholesale gift sterling silver jewelry companies. With a degree in Theater, she was well prepared for “show business!” She represented the firm at trade shows nationwide and traveled to Thailand and Mexico to buy and design jewelry. After a few years of traveling, Paula decided that she would like to join the family business. She began with The Butler Group as a sales rep in Georgia, developed two territories, and won multiple awards for territory growth and development. She has since experienced all facets of running a rep agency and now makes all decisions pertaining to the daily business of The Butler Group. Ed notes that Paula has a talent for networking, which serves the company well in securing new vendors for the agency. Paula was also recently elected to the Gift and Home Trade Association’s (GHTA) Board of Directors.

In recent years, the Butler family has expanded its business endeavors to include two manufacturer lines. In 2008, The Butler Group, Inc. formed a joint venture partnership with the owners of a textile factory in China and introduced Maison Chic Georgia, LLC, a unique baby gift collection. Maison Chic is one of the fastest growing baby gift lines in the United States, with more than 130 sales representatives across the country. Daughter, Christy Butler Parham, serves as Vice President and National Sales Manager of Maison Chic and has a long history of successful sales endeavors. After graduating from Mercer University, with a communications degree, Christy became an entrepreneur and began her own business selling Mary Kay Cosmetics.  During her tenure, she earned three cars while training and motivating more than 100 women to build their own Mary Kay businesses.

Additionally, in 2009, Betty formed Kaleidoscope Accessories, a fashion jewelry and handbag line exclusive to The Butler Group, Inc. Kaleidoscope has seen significant growth in its first year under Betty’s direction, adding more than 1,000 SKU’s in 20 months. The line has grown to become one of The Butler Group’s top selling lines.

Ed still acts as chairman of The Butler Group, Inc. the parent of all three companies, ensuring each entity thrives. The family recently hired Randy Gottlieb as the Director of Sales and Key Accounts for The Butler Group, Inc. and Maison Chic.  “Randy is a seasoned veteran of the gift and home industry and also a good friend,” says Ed Butler. “We trust his experience and his talent, and we are fortunate to have him join our family business. We owe much of our success to our reps and staff, as most have been with us many years, are excellent at their jobs, and have become part of our family.”

“In this era, where sales agencies are aging, our children have flourished in this industry, and we could not be happier,” share Ed and Betty Butler. “Their management of The Butler Group, Inc. afforded Betty and me with the opportunity to start two new businesses and enabled our entire business operation to grow and flourish,” notes Ed. “Christy, Paula, and Greg have brought renewed energy and youth to our business and to our industry. Already they have made their mark, encouraging fresh ideas and innovative business practices. We look forward to seeing them excel for decades to come.”

For more information about The Butler Group, Inc. (AmericasMart Bldg 2, Suite 1212), visit www.butlergroupgifts.com or call 800-241-9533.

About The Butler Group, Inc.
The Butler Group, Inc., established in 1988, is a family-owned and operated sales organization representing wholesale manufacturers and importers of home decorative accents, personal accessories, and general gifts. The Butler Group, Inc. is committed to providing customers with a diverse line package, focused and professional sales representatives, and extraordinary customer service. The organization operates a 11,000 square foot showroom in the Atlanta Gift Mart (Building 2, Suite 1212) and covers the Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North and South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia territories. The Butler Group, Inc. can be reached via phone at 800-241-9533. For more information on The Butler Group, Inc. visit www.butlergroupgifts.com.

About Maison Chic Georgia, LLC.
Maison Chic Georgia, LLC, which was formed in 2008 through a joint partnership, is a unique baby gift collection. Maison Chic is one of the fastest growing baby gift lines in the United States, with more than 130 sales representatives across the country. The company is co-owned by Ed and Betty Butler and Yuezhong Wong and Ji Huiling. Maison Chic Georgia, LLC can be reach via phone at 800-653-5048. For more information on Maison Chic Georgia, LLC, visit www.maisonchiconline.com.

About Kaleidoscope Accessories
Formed in 2009, Kaleidoscope Accessories is a fashion jewelry and handbag line exclusively distributed by The Butler Group, Inc. It is a top selling line with more than 1,000 SKUs. For more information on Kaleidoscope Accessories, call The Butler Group, Inc. at 800-241-9533, or visit www.kaleidoscopeaccessories.com (Spring designs coming in February).