meeting Susan Denham furniture designer + manufacturer …. what makes her tick

Susan Denham founder and designer of Comax Australia

What is your name?
Susan Denham

What is your nationality?
Australian

At what age did you start out in your business?
35

How many years has Comax Australia been in business?
22 years

In a word or a phrase define yourself
Driven and passionate for life and people

What inspires you?
Life

What motivates you?
Design, colour, fabrics, furniture it excites me and motivates me every day

Is it easy being a woman in business or do you feel it would be easier being a man?
I don’t think there is any difference and I have not found it difficult it just means that sometimes I need to be tough when it comes to problem solving and at the end of the day it’s how you deal with people.

What has been your proudest career moment?
Expanding my business and building my own custom designed factory, showroom and office this was and still is a very proud moment having the capability to create our furniture in-house.

What are the advantages and disadvantages being a commercial furniture manufacturer in Australia?
Our advantage is defiantly lead-time and customising the furniture interior designers love not having to wait 3 months for shipping and being able to work directly with Comax Australia.
Our only disadvantage is that we don’t always compete well with mass production that comes out of Asia but that’s not what we are really about.

What makes Comax Australia different from other furniture suppliers?
Our main point of difference is that I have design background so I’m able to understand scale and proportion which assists me when working with interior designers,  also we are one of the few Australian furniture manufactures geared to work solely with design professionals.

How often do you launch a new range or product?
Twice a year, however we are working on new designs and proto types every week all year round.

How long is the design process from start to finish?
From days to months, depending on the piece.

What is your favourite piece of furniture from your range and why?
I love the Lola range; it’s my favourite because interior designers love it too. I think it has a beautiful silhouette and buttons seem to be current at the moment.  (see images below)

They say behind every great man there is a great woman ….. so who is behind you?
Its just me love LOL no one behind me! No great woman or man….. just me ….. independent

If you could give one message to small and boutique business in Australia, what would it be?
Anything you want to do, you can do.

To see Comax Australia’s full range visit Comax Australia

Below see part of the Lola range by Comax Australia

Lola chair by Comax Australia

Lola two seater by Comax Australia

Lola Brother chair by Comax Australia

 

 

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