Doug Mockett & Company is a leading supplier of furniture components and architectural hardware. In 1980, when Doug Mockett founded his California-based firm, it was a one-man operation out of his garage. He envisioned operating a business with no minimum order requirements. He understood the frustration of having to order more than necessary just to get one vital component. If a customer needed a single part, Mockett provided it and filled a niche in the industry at the same time. He started with one grommet available in two colors, and today the company offers an extensive range of electrical components, drawer pulls, casters, and shelf brackets, as well as kitchen and bath hardware.
Providing exceptional customer service has been a hallmark of Doug Mockett & Company since its inception. If a product isn’t suitable for a particular interior, virtually any item can be custom made to exact specifications. There’s always a real – never automated – person available to help meet clients’ needs. And with same-day shipping available for most orders, the Mockett team ensures that quality products are delivered in a timely manner, essential to keeping projects on track. The products are still innovative, no easy feat in today’s ever-changing marketplace. Most ideas for new products come from within, but the company’s annual design competition garners submissions from all over the world.
It is no surprise then that the company is also ahead of the curve when it comes to fostering a culture of inclusion and supporting the next generation of leaders. Doug Mockett & Company began its fifth decade with the announcement that Tyra Cunningham has been named president, demonstrating the company’s continued commitment to diversity and to fostering the talents of employees of all ages and backgrounds. Ms. Cunningham’s promotion signals positive forward movement for Doug Mockett & Company and the community at large, an exciting moment after the challenges of the past year. She recently told me more about her career history with the company, and how her personal experiences have prepared her for the top spot and this next chapter.
Anna Zappia (AZ): Tyra, you have worked at Doug Mockett & Company for 20 years. You began your career there as a customer service representative, and most recently served as vice president before being promoted. How did these various positions prepare you for your new role as president?
Tyra Cunningham (TC): The various positions I have held have definitely helped me better understand the business side of things and learn how to manage departments and people. The company graciously offers to further employee education with our tuition reimbursement program. The program allowed me to obtain both my bachelor’s and master’s degrees, which helped me prepare for this current position.
AZ: Tell me a bit about yourself. You are an Army veteran and a native of Los Angeles. How did these various life experiences shape your leadership philosophy and style?
TC: I had the pleasure of growing up in Los Angeles, California, and Waco, Texas. The years in Texas gave me an appreciation of nature, agriculture, and listening to my grandparents’ stories about how they grew up. Living in Los Angeles was a different experience. The city allowed me to appreciate different cultures, while the military taught me discipline and how to stay strong in the most challenging situations.
I would say my leadership style is built on empathy and encouragement—having the ability to understand others and be supportive of their needs. I allow team members to feel open to offering their feedback and suggestions, but I also know when to be assertive to get the job done.
AZ: Tell me how you came to work at Doug Mockett & Company, because furniture components and architectural hardware are not that exciting to most people. What do you like most about working in this industry and with these types of products?
TC: I found out about Mockett through a referral, and it was a great fit for me from the very start. I am very fortunate to have built my career here, because I really connect with the company culture. When people think of Mockett and architectural hardware in general, I am always surprised that most of our customer base is not aware of all the various products out there and what we offer. It’s exciting to show them the different styles, shapes, and finishes of the hardware we provide.
AZ: It’s often noted that there is a lack of diversity, and specifically a lack of women in leadership positions in our industry. Now we are seeing more representation from black women across the board, including the vice president of the United States, Kamala Harris. How does being a black woman inform what you bring to the company?
TC: I understand how important representation is. A close friend of mine saw the press release announcing my promotion and called to tell me that I am an inspiration to her daughter by showing her what is possible. That meant a lot to me.
One of the things I admire about Doug Mockett & Company is that it has always been a diverse working environment. The previous president of the company was also a woman, and our management team is rich with people from diverse backgrounds.
AZ: Can you tell me about what is coming up for Mockett this year, and if you have any new initiatives or product launches planned?
We are still a little bit in limbo between working from home and returning to the office concepts. We are waiting to see how the office landscape shapes up here in the near future. Since some businesses are fully capable of operating remotely and others still require on-site staffing to work efficiently, many companies are likely still trying to find a good balance, and we aim to continue coverage for all areas with our product offerings. While this is undoubtedly a very unusual and uncertain time, I will say that this sort of flexibility allows us to continually offer new and innovative product solutions for whatever the next frontier holds—so stay tuned.