Community Highlights: Meet Carrie Hamblin of Facings of America

Today we’d like to introduce you to Carrie Hamblin. 

Hi Carrie, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Originally from South Florida, I moved to Phoenix in 2003 to complete my degree in interior design. I had never been to Arizona before and was excited for a new opportunity and to live in a new place above sea level (haha). My parents, my cat, and I packed up and drove across the country to my new home. While working toward my interior design degree at Scottsdale Community College, I worked as a design assistant for several interior designers and learned all aspects of the trade. I completed my bachelor’s degree at Northern Arizona University and was ready to officially start my career! After working directly with homeowners designing custom cabinetry, furniture, and window treatments, I found a home in sales at Facings of America. Throughout my career at Facings, I have worked in sales, marketing, product development, and now as Operations Manager. I wear many hats and I love each one. My most important accomplishment over the past nine years has been becoming a mom to two incredible boys, Franklin and Henry. 

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I see struggles as opportunities for growth. I have learned so much about myself, most importantly that I am an incredibly resilient person. I can make it through anything and take a valuable lesson away from any situation. Over the last decade, I have lost my dear father to cancer, been through a divorce, and was diagnosed with lupus. But, I have to manage one thing at a time, one day at a time. Perspective is everything, and for all of these challenges, I have a wonderful life and I’m grateful for every minute! 

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Facings of America is a distributor of tile and natural stone. We create a meaningful place for both our clients and our staff. Facings is a place like no other and I’m incredibly proud to be a part of this company. I have seen the evolution of the company over the past nine years and it’s incredible what big things can be accomplished by making small moves every day. Though tile and stone is what we ultimately provide, what sets us apart is the extremely talented staff we have and our ability to make connections for our clients. We focus on relationships and act as a conduit to help grow our clients’ networks. Besides our daily work, I am most proud of the impact we have made on our community. We have committed to giving back through volunteer work and fundraising for local charities like the Arizona Animal Welfare League, Phoenix Rescue Mission, and Feed My Starving Children. Our greatest accomplishment in giving back to the community is the work we do with the Arizona Animal Welfare League & SPCA. We created and have hosted Design for Dogs since 2015 and have raised over $125,000. Design for Dogs is an incredible event with the highlight being the doghouse design + build competition where local designers, architects, and builders design + build innovative and unbelievable doghouses to be auctioned at our event. All proceeds from the event benefit AAWL & SPCA allowing them to care for and rehome thousands of pets in need throughout Arizona. 

Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
I believe that finding a mentor should be organic and that having multiple mentors will bring the most value to your life. It’s so important to consider the source and be open-minded to new and different thoughts and ideologies. The more I learn, the more I realize how much I don’t know, and that’s OK. Networking is just about being curious and being your authentic self. If your motive is to learn from who you’re meeting and genuinely get to know someone, you’ll be successful. 

Contact Info:

• Email: chamblin@facingsofamerica.com
• Website: www.facingsofamerica.com
• Instagram: instagram.com/facingsofamerica
• Other: www.designfordogs.org