Jan 7, 2008

Homespice Decor Celebrates 10 Years as a Leader in the Rug Industry

Tucker, Ga. – Ten years ago, when most people associated braided rugs with their grandmothers, a 24-year-old entrepreneur had a vision of changing how braided rugs are designed and produced – and who buys them. Now celebrating his company’s 10-year anniversary, Junior Gupta, president of Homespice Decor, continues to envision innovative ideas for his company and the rug market. Having already achieved massive sales growth and numerous awards and recognitions, Gupta says he is just getting started.

“I like a challenge, it’s what motivates me,” says Gupta. “And rising to one challenge means it’s time to prepare for the next.”

Gupta had an interest in braided rugs from a very early age, but first got into business with his father creating and selling quilts under the name J. Quilts. He soon began experimenting with leftover material from his quilts to create braided rugs and found that the use of the fabrics rather than yarn offered a new variety in color and interest. Once the company added braided rugs to its offerings, they quickly became its top-selling product – leading to a new direction for the firm and a name change to Homespice Decor.

“Rugs are what I have grown up with,” Gupta says. “I started going to trade shows and selling rugs when I was 14. To migrate from quilts to rugs was stepping into more familiar territory for me and I feel like I’ve returned to my true passion.”

That early experience – accompanying his father to business meetings at age 11 and learning to master trade show sales at age 18 – taught him the importance of understanding the market, serving it effectively and setting new standards. It helped him develop his drive and determination to challenge himself and make significant contributions to the industry.

Gupta first captured the market’s attention in 2000 with the introduction of the rectangular braided rug, a concept that revitalized the braided rug market offering a more contemporary look for the new millennium. Gupta once again broke tradition in 2005 with the introduction of the indoor/outdoor Out-Durable(tm) rug created of an Olefin fiber that withstands all elements.

The award winning designer and manufacturer of braided rugs has become recognized for its ability to push the envelope – using the technique of braiding as an art form to create new products. The unique approach has won the company a widespread customer base, the distinction of Vendor of the Year in 2006 from Country Business Magazine and inclusion on the prestigious Inc. 5000 list of fastest-growing companies.

New products like the stunning SUPERNOVA(tm) – a hand-made braided rug with a circular pattern at the center and rows of braids spiraling out to the edge – and the cutting-edge Penny Braid Combination rug – a design that features a center, wool penny motif surrounded by multiple rows of braids – have customers and retailers wondering what will come next. And it will surely be something different.

The company’s success is owed much to Gupta’s ability to think outside the box. With 3,000 stores now distributing its braided rugs, Homespice Decor is doing 500 times the business it achieved in its first year. As for his corporate philosophy, Gupta is committed to excellence, day in and day out.

“We continually listen to our customer to deliver a superior product and live by our founding principles of ‘do unto others as you would have others do unto you,'” says Gupta. “And in the process, we end up distinguishing ourselves in the field.”

Gupta, who has proven himself a leader in the rug industry, still strives for company growth and industry improvements and now professes a goal of seeing a braided rug in every home in the United States. For 2008, Homespice Decor, a firm known for its ability to introduce eye-catching color combinations, is introducing nine new colors in its top-selling braided rug category – one of its largest product launches to date. Gupta also hints that something exciting is in the works for an April 2009 introduction.

When asked what he envisions in five years, Gupta often quips that he will be selling flying carpets. “Maybe a sports version or a hybrid,” laughs Gupta. “We are trying to get a hold of Aladdin to test them out.” While he most definitely hasn’t lost his sense of humor, given his achievements of the past 10 years, Gupta is ready to tackle the next decade with innovation and determination in an industry he so warmly embraces.

About Homespice Decor

Homespice Decor is one of America’s leading designers and manufacturers of braided rugs and accessories. In 2000, the firm rekindled national interest in traditional braided rugs with its introduction of rectangular-shaped braided rugs, and, in 2007, introduced two revolutionary designs – the SuperNova and the Penny & Braid Combination Rugs. The firm was recently honored with the prestigious Vendor of the Year Award by Country Business magazine and recognized in Inc. magazine’s inaugural Inc. 5,000 List of America’s fastest-growing private companies. Homespice Decor’s product line includes Cotton and Wool Braided Rugs, Cotton Braided Accessories, Out-Durable(tm) Braided Rugs and accessories for indoor and outdoor use, Hook Rugs, Penny Rugs and Table Runners, Woven Rugs, Custom Size Braided Rugs, Scatter Rugs, the SuperNova Rug and the Penny & Braid Combination Rug. Braided rugs are available in oval, rectangle, round or square shapes and have a satisfaction guarantee.