POSTPONED WIB- The Smithe Sister's

PRESENTED BY

MEET THE SMITHE SISTERS

Business Success the Smithe Way – 75 years in the making!

Caitie Smithe, Design Coordinator

Trend scout. Photo shoot and ad stylist. Dream crafter.

At home, one of my favorite furnishings is a carved blue chest with gold accents. It was the first piece my husband and I acquired after we were married. It’s amazingly versatile, a show-stopper that has worked seamlessly in each of the three homes where we’ve lived. I admire that it’s eclectic, but always fits in. And, it always reminds me of the beginning of our family.
I love that our company’s philosophy is “you dream it, we build it.” It’s not just words, it’s the soul of what we do. Clients come in with every imaginable aesthetic, budget, or special request, and we help them find precisely what they need and want. And, many folks come in needing help with the “dream it” part. Our team of extraordinarily talented designers guide them to create their perfect rooms.
Before joining Smithe, Caitie served as a furniture representative for Drexel Heritage, and attended University of Colorado- Boulder. While she can count her kids, it takes a whole hand to do it.

Meghan Smithe, Director of Sales Strategy
Client ambassador. Matchmaker. Solution-finder.
It’s my hope that Walter E. Smithe will be a source of inspiration for people from all over the Chicago area. It means a lot that we’ve been here for more than 70 years. I think of the three generations that came before me and am driven to carry on the legacy they worked so hard to build. I'm passionate about growing this business and making our clients happy.
And, I’m so lucky to be working alongside my talented sisters. There aren’t many people who know me better than they do, and I count on them to keep things real. Plus, with 17 children among the four of us, and working together, it’s nice to depend on one another as peers and colleagues. To learn from one another and continue to improve our family business.
Meghan joined Walter E. Smithe in 2014, with previous roles with Microsoft, Leo Burnett, and FCB. She’s a graduate of Denison University, mother of three, and baker extraordinaire, carrying on the tradition of Great Grandma Smithe.

Colleen Smithe, Director of Advertising
Strategy developer. Presence shaper. Brand shepherd.
We spend a great deal of time in our living room (aka “the front room”). We have a custom, small, gray, textured velvet sofa that fits me and my three young kids perfectly, and my husband comfortably sits on the chair opposite us. Since the room is centrally located, my kids can quickly run to the basement or to their rooms to get a different toy or book for us to read. My son and I sit at the game table and play Candyland on cold days, or my husband and I enjoy a cocktail together there after the kids have gone to bed. I love that we don’t have a TV in the room distracting us from actually talking to one another. Kids grow up fast, so it’s important for me to soak these days up.
It’s special to me that we are in the business of transforming people’s houses into homes. That regardless of space and budget, we help people find furnishings that reflect their unique personalities and dreams.

Before joining the company in 2016, Colleen worked with some of the most high-profile advertising agencies in Chicago, including Leo Burnett, where she began her career, and FCB, where rose through the ranks to VP Management Director. Colleen graduated from the University of Colorado – Boulder, has three kids, and likes cooking as a way to wind down after a long day.

Maureen Smithe, Buyer
Seeker of the exquisite and extraordinary. Quality demander. Wish granter.

The outdoor dining set my parents placed on my childhood back deck is the touchpoint for my most vivid and happy childhood memories. Gathered around that table, we would share funny conversations and favorite summer foods. When I think of that table, I’m reminded of summer and childhood and how hard my parents worked to provide a home where we all felt safe and loved.
One of the things I cherish about working with my family is that I can have a real conversation with my sisters! Outside of work we are so focused on our kids. And, collaborating with my dad, Uncle Mark and Papa means I can get to know them on a professional level—it’s a whole different side of them I’m privileged to experience.
Maureen came to Smithe in 2004. Prior to that, she worked for Abercrombie & Fitch and attended Notre Dame University. Mom to half a dozen, and a blogger on the side, she’s discovered the secret to squeezing in more hours to each day.

SMITHE SISTERS IN THE NEWS