Design Trade Service, a private e-commerce platform exclusively for interior designers, said it has secured $3 million in investment funding through Carofin. The company, led by Chief Executive Officer Greg Wyers, also has added three executives to its team: Mike Delgatti, Will Wittenberg and Betsy Wittenberg.
Delgatti, former president of Hooker Furniture, is a board member and manufacturer liaison. Will Wittenberg, who has 17 years of experience as a sales representative for Klaussner and other major manufacturers, is manager of vendor development. Betsy Wittenberg, who has 12 years of experience as a sales representative, is manager of membership growth and development.
Design Trade Service, launched in 2015, provides interior designers with a private, password-protected e-commerce platform, giving them immediate access to products from furniture vendors and manufacturers at low designer net pricing, according to a news release.
“With the help of our new financial partners, Design Trade Service will expand our free designer membership to build one of the most powerful buying groups in the furniture industry exclusively for interior designers,” Wyers said. “Additionally, we will continue to provide manufacturers one point of professional contact for all designer orders, as well as free marketing, ordering and logistical support for all designer orders and deliveries.”
The company’s service provides an avenue to a streamlined ordering process, allowing designers to combine orders for products from different vendors onto one order with one point of contact throughout the fulfillment process.
The infusion of funds will be used to expand the company’s membership, strengthen its platform, and hire additional customer service reps and logistical support staff to oversee shipping and coordination for both designers and manufacturers.
“Carofin worked tirelessly to secure our growth financing through a U.S.-based family office and a prominent international venture capital firm,” Wyers said. “This financing is transformational to the positive trajectory of our business, and we’re thrilled to double-down on our growth plans.”
