HIGH POINT — A 30th anniversary is cause for celebration for any company in the home furnishings arena, but Lifestyle Enterprise is adding the 30th designation to another company milestone.

Lifestyle Enterprise is now working with more than 30 factories and raw-material suppliers around the world, along with more than 130 sourcing employees. As manufacturers and retailers continue to seek creative solutions to the ongoing challenges facing the home furnishings industry, each milestone is significant, it said.

Lifestyle Enterprise was founded by Hsieh’s father, William Hsieh, in 1996. At the time that Hsieh entered the High Point Market as a small furniture product importer from Taiwan, the concept was still relatively new and the company faced numerous challenges. Undaunted, Hsieh continued to build retail relationships focused on the concept of providing value to furniture retailers through innovative furniture products and expansive sourcing. Thirty years later, Lifestyle Enterprise has grown into an international furniture enterprise that serves major retailers across the globe.

“Through perseverance, strong relationships and a commitment to doing business the right way, Lifestyle continued to grow, expanding its sourcing capabilities, product offerings, manufacturing partnerships and international reach,” said Michael Hsieh. “Today, our teams work closely with manufacturing partners to develop, source and control the production of both case goods and upholstery, emphasizing unique product features, competitive value and consistent quality.”

Next generation, next chapter

Hsieh and his sister, Jodie Hsieh, are now positioned at the helm to lead the company into its next chapter. As CEO, Hsieh has worked to build a strong leadership team and support staff to support customer relationships and build the foundation for continued growth. Over the past three years, he has focused on expanding Lifestyle’s product portfolio and global manufacturing network while also maintaining the principles established by his father.

As part of his leadership strategy, Lifestyle has expanded beyond its traditional furniture categories into a growing number of product segments including: massage chairs, cabinet beds, immersive sound headboards and immersive sound upholstery, new motion and technology-driven furniture and specialty categories designed to create new opportunities for furniture retailers.

The company’s international sourcing network has also continued to expand, and Lifestyle is working with additional factories and countries to identify the unique capabilities, materials and manufacturing expertise different regions can offer.

This bunk bed introduction has lights, storage on the side, and an area for hanging clothes, with a desk underneath.

“Our objective is straightforward,” said Hsieh. “We find the right manufacturing partner, in the right country, with the right capabilities to deliver unique products, high quality and strong value to the retail customer.”

Investment in online, physical markets

Lifestyle Enterprise also marked its 30th year of business with investments in both physical and online sourcing opportunities and spaces.

In the physical space, the company made a substantial investment when it purchased a High Point landmark — the city’s former post office in downtown High Point — creating an architecturally significant backdrop for its showroom and product launches.

In the digital space, Lifestyle continued its successful Hsieh Days online market, selling more than 650 containers during a three-day event available only to registrants and featuring special discounts only available as part of the initiative. Lifestyle followed Hsieh Days with its Rollback Event in July, a two-week online-only sourcing event with limited-time buying opportunities for dealers that generated sales of more than 200 containers during the summer season.

Hsieh noted that the digital initiatives underscore Lifestyle’s commitment to meeting buyers wherever they want to source.

The investment in physical space allowed Lifestyle to bring its case goods and upholstery divisions together under one roof, a move designed to create a more convenient and comprehensive buying experience for its retail customers. Additionally, the central physical location positions Lifestyle Enterprise in the heart of High Point Market, a highly visible backdrop for events like the planned 30th anniversary celebration during the October market.

“On Friday evening, we will host customers, friends and industry partners for an anniversary celebration,” said Hsieh. “We’ll have a full selection of food prepared by a Grill Master, along with refreshments, music and a DJ to add to the evening’s festivities. This event will provide us with an opportunity not only to celebrate our history, but also to thank the retailers, suppliers, sales representatives, employees and industry partners who have contributed to our company’s success over the past 30 years.”

Lifestyle will also showcase special product offerings during High Point Market as part of the 30th anniversary. And while the notable year is a celebrated milestone, Hsieh added that the company’s focus is on continued growth through expansion.

“We’re expanding product categories, expanding global sourcing capabilities, expanding manufacturing partnerships and expanding the value Lifestyle can provide to its retail customers,” he said. “And along with the growth and international reach, the foundation of the company remains unchanged. The retail customer comes first. Values matter. Quality standards matter. Relationships matter.

“Those principles helped my father build Lifestyle Enterprise from a small importing company into an international furniture organization, and they remain at the center of our company’s vision for the next 30 years.”

Source credit: This article is adapted from the Furniture Today feature “Lifestyle Enterprise marks 30 years, 30 factories.”