Maggie Wilkins is with C&M Wilkins, Inc., a distributor exclusively of Fieldstone Cabinets and a company with a reputation for excellence in cabinetry craftsmanship. Sturdy and attractive, Fieldstone Cabinets will add elegance to any room where they’re installed. Not only are they beautiful, but Fieldstone Cabinets are also competitively priced and ESP Certified (Environmental Stewardship Program) or “Green Friendly Product” In 1998 Maggie developed a non-profit “Building Group” who helped build inner city homes for disabled individuals. This non-profit organization was called “Eureka” and is still helping the community today. She also served as a business advisor on several boards in the arts and business community. She makes it her commitment to support community wellness through her industry. In 1999 she was nominated "Woman Entrepreneur of the Year". In 2000 she won the "Woman in Business" award. Her international design experience, coupled with management expertise, has proved to be a great asset to her in offering the Midwest her innovative design & management skills. In addition, Maggie incorporates the knowledge she gained as a 5-star chef into her kitchen designs. Maggie’s skill has been to create beauty in a diversity of settings. You can see one of her designed kitchens in the January 2008 Chicago Home Improvement Magazine. Her mission behind her company, C&M Wilkins, Inc., is to take clients’ dreams beyond design and construction, to touch their lives, enrich their environment and expose the possibilities of their surroundings. C&M Wilkins has been successfully serving the Chicagoland area including Barrington, Lake Zurich, Buffalo Grove, Arlington Heights, Wilmette, Highland Park, Glencoe, Evanston, Lincoln Park and towns in-between.
What is your background and how did you get into your business/career?
It seems that I have been an entrepreneur all my life. I was born in Scotland, came to New York and then lived in Canada. I always had a love for design and found interior design a perfect fit. As I child I would change the look of my bedroom every year, creating an ambiance that seemed to reflect my stages of growth.
My younger years at school were very difficult for me. I could not learn to read or write. In the 60’s, no one could figure out why I could not learn. Later it was discovered that I was dyslexic. The school would tell my parents to make sure I got married early so I had someone to take care of me because I would never get a job without reading or writing.
When in High School, I used my entrepreneur spirit and bargained with the school - if I won the school awards (I was such a good athlete) they would give me grade 12. And they did. I presented my portfolio to an interior design collage to become a student that year.
After 3 years in college they found out I could not read or write and dismissed me from the school. Again, using my entrepreneur vision, I wanted to learn about building so I became a laborer in a construction company. After one year of drywall, tile and building, I became the manager of the job site. I gained a deeper understanding of design that later served my company, as I became an expert in interior design. At that time all my business deals were done with handshakes and verbal agreements. In 25 years I never had an issue and I know it is because I made it a rule that I would not work with anyone I did not trust or believe in as a person.
I had a passion to be a chef and I closed my design business to train at a French International Culinary School. I became a cook in a few of Canada’s most famous 5 star restaurants, such as Joe Fortes in Vancouver, where I worked my way up to be manager. Within six months I increased lunch sales 22%. At that time I was the only woman manager ever to run this establishment, let alone increase sales 22%. Talking with other restaurant managers, one shared with me that they could not find a designer to create their new restaurant look. I asked if I could create something for them with no expectations. Two months later I re-opened my design company and became a designer for many restaurants in the city. I had the gift of knowing building interior design as well as the needs of a working restaurant kitchen and customer service. I seemed to fit all their needs.
During this time I learned about my being dyslexic and I developed my reading and writing skills. This took my life to a whole new level. It was magical; it gave me many more business opportunities. At 43 years of age I met my husband who is a Chicago builder and we opened our company, C&M Wilkins. We are booked with clients until 2009. Each year I make a point of learning something new and 2007 I received my certification as a kitchen designer and opened up our cabinetry department. I have been published for my kitchen design. Coming from the Pacific Northwest I have been learning Green Products for 20 years. This past month I founded my new cabinetry company in the Pacific Northwest called “4Green Cabinet Solutions.” It is a certified green product that meets the public needs. 4Green is owned by me and I have only one dynamic, powerful woman working for me. In a short time it has flowered into something to be seen.
What is your business and how is it unique?
I have several businesses (Designer, CD Producer, International event co-coordinator and more.) What is most unique is that I do not do business by the book. I do it by what is true and right for me. Even when I worked for someone – I only took work that fueled my passions. I look at the ethical value and the vision of the company. I will never take anything on that is not in line with my vision. Even when I choose the grocery store where I buy my food … EVERYTHING I do in my life must line up with my vision.
Who are some of your clients; what do you especially appreciate about them and how have they reacted to your service or product?
My clients are individuals and companies who must live in beautiful, passionate living spaces, who are willing to look at their dream and allow it to come true in any budget size. The money is second – the passion and ethics first. It is that we have a common appreciation for each other with a confidence in what I have to offer them. All my sub-contractors feels the same way as I do. I make a point of only working with the best that I can find in my budget. I am willing to do the work.
What do you like best about what you do?
I like that I am working with people and products I am passionate about. My first focus is on the people and how we connect; my second is on the product and last is on the budget or finances. And I enjoy each step of the way that I get to help dreams come true.
What role does passion have in your work?
My work is only passion. If I am not passionate about what I do, I do not do it. It is passion that enlightens me and people around me. It is passion that makes my product stand out from anyone else. It is passion that brings joy and success to all that I do.
When you first started were you able to visualize your expected final outcome?
My entire project starts the same way. I make a point in everything I do that I am totally aware of who I talk with, what we are talking about and why we are talking of that. From this I am guided and it could be a word someone says or a billboard I see. My new project 4Green Cabinet Solutions came from a friend’s statement. She said to me “If you are not green you are mean.” That sparked passion in me and from that moment on, I look for the environment that expresses that passion. I opened 4Green Cabinet Solutions in the Pacific Northwest because of their passion for that statement and within one month I have sales of $22,000.00 and more contacts on the table.
Can you tell us about that final outcome – what will your business look like then?
My business C&M Wilkins is booked until 2009 and 4Green Cabinet Solutions now is partnered with the Royal Bank of Canada, which is the sponsors for the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver, Canada. I am a spokesperson for the focus on green, that it can be beautiful and cost efficient. All we have to do is choose. The manager of the Royal Bank of Canada and I will be meeting in October to set the form for this partnership.
What were you top three obstacles/challenges?
Challenges:
1. To know where to put my time and energy.
2. Balance family life (two boys – 13 yrs and 17 yrs) with work needs.
3. Make time for my personal inner well being.
How do you deal with doubt, fear, and self recrimination?
I feel this is all part of the growth process in life and business. To me doubt is the sign to create a plan of direction and doubt than is removed. Fear is something I love because I know behind fear is victory. I see all my fears as a mask to victory using fear to direct me to victory.
If you had the opportunity to get the best advice from a business guru, and could ask only question, what would your question be?
If you have one word to describe you in business, what would that be based on the guidelines you use for continued success?
As you look back, what is the one thing you wish you knew when you started? Any regrets?
When I started my business I was the only woman in my field and found that I worried a lot but that taught me lessons I use today. I have no regrets.
Do you believe luck has something to do with you getting to where you are now?
To me there is no such word as luck – it really means awareness. People say to me everything you touch turns into gold. I say everything I touch I love with all my passion and it flowers because of that. So to the outside world it may look like luck but it is my awareness and will that I respect all things in my personal path and in business.
What is the best piece of advice you have for other women on their way to their Optimal Level?
I have witnessed that many women judge a lot. They judge what they do, what other woman do and most of all what men do. I never focus on what men do in business with me. I only focus on what I do in business. Judging is cancer in business. Each time you judge you allow that business cancer to grow and reflect what you offer.
Any additional comments you would like to make?
If you are not doing what you love – look at why your fears are not turning into your victories. When we see that being a woman in business is our greatest gift, we will have a tool box that stands out. Optimal Level is a place to develop these tools. I respect that and I am honored to be part of this wonderful company. It is a gift to build success in what I think will be a new way to develop business.
