Spotlight on Dish & Decor’s Employee, Kelly

I should start at the beginning. (Please read to the end to find out my favs.) In September of 2021, I was throwing a party for 70 people in our barn. I had spent all spring and summer at thrift stores collecting dinner plates with a wheat pattern…all mismatched. I also ordered dark gray tablecloths and napkins online for big round tables and cocktail tables. My bright idea was that I would be able to sell these after the party. Big mistake for several reasons.  And my wheat patterned plates have yet to sell on several websites, so there’s that. They are stacked in my basement.  And do you happen to know HOW LONG it takes to iron the huge floor length tablecloths that are delivered with huge wrinkles? Took me an entire day. I considered sending these to a dry cleaner, but that price was astronomical. I should have rented the linens!

This brings me to my introduction to Janet and Dish & Decor. I still needed flatware and wine glasses. Who really needs 70 wine glasses? I googled flatware and glass rental near where I live, and Dish & Decor Vintage Rental popped up.  At that time, this was located in her home in Crystal Lake.  Perfect! I called and made an appointment to meet with her and her pretties. Her “design center” was in her basement surrounded by shelves upon shelves of rental items. Glasses of every color and shape. Plate collections to die for. This was heaven to me as I love these things. Her living room had no furniture as it was filled with crates ready to be delivered. She had quite a system going. I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. Janet readily helped me pick flatware and wine glasses. And I learned that she would deliver, pick up and wash everything. What a deal!  In hindsight, I should have rented plates and table linens as well. Would have saved me a lot of time and energy.  I have rented from Dish & Decor for every event I have hosted since. I’m no fool! 

So…as Janet and I chatted; we hit it off. Our love and passion for all of her beautiful rentals was evident. I had retired from teaching a few years prior, and I was in need of a part time job.  As it turned out, Janet was looking for a part time employee. That was my interview, and I started the next week. As time went on, Janet discovered that one of my strengths was writing.  Janet was in need of someone to work on her social media presence and eventually her blogs. I was no expert on social media, so it really has been trial and error. And I am still learning, but it takes a job off of Janet’s plate. I went from dishwasher to her wordsmith, as she likes to call me. 

The story continues.  Janet eventually moved her growing business out of her home to a building in Algonquin. We now work in an incredible space. So much has changed, and all for the better. Her Design Center is stunning. The inventory is vast. Her warehouse is organized and packed ready to deliver. Her commercial washing station is state of the art. She now has a team of full time and part time employees. I have truly enjoyed this part time gig, and Janet is amazing at what she does. 

Morals of my story…
***Rent do not buy! This business is a wonderful example of eco-friendly re-use. You will be surprised at how economical it really is when you consider she will deliver, pick up AND WASH! Her inventory is AH-MAZING! Janet has rentals for the smallest of dinner parties to huge extravagant weddings. 

***Last but not least, remember that you never know who will be put in your path. I am coming up on four years with Dish & Decor.  I am truly wanted here, as Janet often says. The best part is the collaboration, which keeps me going with new ideas.  Janet rapid fires her thoughts while I take notes. My opinions and ideas are, as are the rest of teams, included in many aspects of Dish & Decor. We have fun too! Janet has built this biz from the ground up.  I am proud to be a part of this woman owned business. AND we even roped my husband into Dish & Decor! He helped with many of the updating projects in the new warehouse. So, you just never know how things will turn out. Check out the four tied wooden stand below…he made two of these for us! 

Married for 44 years.
Mom of a daughter and a son.
Grandma of four grandsons and one granddaughter.
Graduate of Eastern Illinois University and National Louis.
Retired high school Special Education teacher and middle school Language Arts teacher.
Loves entertaining, gardening and keeping up with the grandkids!