COLORI Eco Paint Boutique
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September 2008: Women Speak Out About Their Role in the Industry
"If you're smart about business, it doesn't matter if you're male or female." Chicago retailer Michelle Quaranta, owner of Colori Chicago, might agree. Quaranta opened her boutique paint store in May 2006 without any preconceived notions about gender bias. It was her first job in the painting industry, and she hit the ground running. Like other survey respondents, Quaranta said she has had to work hard- "but not because of gender," she said. "When I entered the market in 2006, I was building two brands:My store's Colori and (a high-end brand), which I am still building. It's been a challenge to introduce a premium paint product that designers and painters are not at all familiar with." Quaranta believes it's important for young women entering the business to offer customers something other retailers aren't providing, whether that is a product or service. "You need to stand out and create a niche," she said.
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