Connie Post

 Connie Post founded Connie Post Affordable Design Solutions in 1987 in Barboursville, WV, to elevate the home furnishings shopping experience through unexpected, engaging retail environments. A leader in the power of visual merchandising, she has shaped the look of more than 25 million square feet of retail and wholesale space around the globe.

After starting her career as an accessory buyer and visual merchandiser for a small furniture store, Ms. Post broke into retail consulting with a new store design for Boston-based retailer Jordan’s Furniture. The nearly 100,000-sq.-ft. store, complete with an indoor amusement park and animatronics, instantly set a higher standard for in-store entertainment. For many years, her design firm leased a showroom at the High Point Market which generated business with leading retailers from coast to coast, as well as a variety of manufacturer showrooms. In 1998, she opened Precision Millwork as a factory to produce the needed architectural elements for her projects. Ms. Post also has designed products in multiple categories, including home accents, furniture, rugs, carpeting, and pillows with a focus on consumer behavior, emerging preferences, and future trends. She authored “A Beautiful Room Can Change Your Life” in collaboration with Sherwin Williams.

The business approach of Ms. Post centers on affordability and strong client return on investment. She has demonstrated that creative store design which incorporates a strategy of fully furnished vignettes will help retailers connect more effectively with consumers and directly impact sales. Ever with female shoppers in mind, her inviting lifestyle designs are known for creating excitement, color and enabling female consumers to better envision how products will look and make them feel in their homes.

Ms. Post is a founding member of WithIt, which awarded her the Legacy Award for Lifetime Achievement, the Sustainable Furnishings Council and a judge for the ICON, Pinnacle and ARTS Awards. She supports numerous charities, including City of Hope and breast cancer research.