Darval joined Beyond Kitchens in 2008 as a project coordinator and design assistant. Over time, she took on more responsibility, and when the previous owner began discussing retirement, she asked if Darval would be interested in purchasing the company. After initially struggling to see herself in the role, Darval decided to take the leap. “I really liked what we had built over the years and thought we could make it even better. And I didn’t want to pass up this opportunity and have the ‘what ifs,’“ Darval recalls. The result? Beyond Kitchens’ revenue has almost tripled since 2022 when Darval took the helm.
Best Innovation: Shortly after the purchase, Darval moved the studio to a better location and updated the space to reflect a more modern identity. She also redesigned the company’s logo and website. Currently, backlog to start new projects sits at more than 12 months. “That feels good,” Darval says.
Ten-Year Vision: In addition to opening a new location, Darval would like to have a larger showroom space for more displays. She also sees herself growing more involved in helping the local community. As for growth, she says, “I am perfectly content and don’t want to get too big and lose the personal touch with clients. I would miss the parts that make me love what I do.”
Podcast Recommendation: Consider the Wildflowers