What Rockford women are doing
What Rockford women need to know
Selling memories
Midwest Stone Source's 'hard workers' know the importance of a kitchen
“We’re all hard workers,” she says. “That’s what it’s about. Being proud of the day you put in.”
Phillips and her unrelated co-owner, Denise Phillips, started the business six years ago, fabricating and selling natural-stone countertops and flooring, including tile, carpeting, hardwood and laminate. They moved to a 25,000-square-foot space at 915 23rd St. in Rockford two years ago. While the shop employs 15 men, six of the eight showroom employees are women.
AMY J. CORRENTI | ROCKFORDWOMAN.COM
Denise Phillips (left) and Jodi Phillips are the owners of Midwest Stone Source in Rockford.
Jodi thinks the product lends itself to a female sales force.
“Women understand that the kitchen is an important place in the house,” she says. “That’s where memories are built. You entertain in that room. Families meet there. You’re not just selling them some countertops and flooring.”
The company caters to architects, interior designers and cabinet designers, but many customers are homeowners. When couples come in to shop, “usually the women make the decisions. The men are along for the ride.”
Her female employees may relate better to other women, she says. And while many men have similar talents, women generally “pay a little more attention to detail. They have a natural talent for putting color arrangements together.”
Phillips, a Rockford native, pursued a career in social work until she realized she would soon burn out. She entered the corporate world, working as an HR director for a company that sold diamond tools. That launched her interest in stone fabrication and inspired her present venture.
“I got bored,” she says. “You can only sell so many saws and core bits.”
Jodi Phillips
Born: Rockford
Education: Harlem High School; Rock Valley College; bachelor’s degree in social work, Illinois State University; work toward a master’s degree in business administration, Webster University in Chicago
Family: Father is retired from Chrysler Corp. Mother works for the secretary of state. Sister teaches junior high in Belvidere.
First job: Bank teller.
Current job: Co-owner of Midwest Stone Source. Designs and assists others in designing homes, handles administrative duties and paperwork, oversees sales force.
Born: Rockford
Education: Harlem High School; Rock Valley College; bachelor’s degree in social work, Illinois State University; work toward a master’s degree in business administration, Webster University in Chicago
Family: Father is retired from Chrysler Corp. Mother works for the secretary of state. Sister teaches junior high in Belvidere.
First job: Bank teller.
Current job: Co-owner of Midwest Stone Source. Designs and assists others in designing homes, handles administrative duties and paperwork, oversees sales force.
Being designated a 100 percent woman-owned business may help get some referrals, she says, but it might discourage some business in what still is a traditionally male field.
Her employees don’t work on commission or under a traditional hierarchy. Teamwork is better than competition. Job 1 is customer satisfaction. “Everyone’s on one playing field,” she says. “We all bring special skills to the table. Service is our No. 1 goal.”
Her sales crew: Two women in their late 30s and six people who are older than 50. Phillips prefers the stability of a more mature staff.
“They have a lot better work ethic. They know the value of a dollar. And they give 150 percent.”
Unlike at some women-dominated workplaces, her employees don’t have potluck lunches. They do, however, bring birthday cakes. The men in the shop don’t, but then they don’t have to.
“The women do their birthdays, too,” Phillips said.
She ponders whether there are any disadvantages to having a mostly female sales force. She sees no stereotypical cliques or cattiness. Gossip is not a problem.
“I don’t know why we don’t get gossip. Either there’s not enough people, or I’m lucky.”
