Richard Chan, Artmax

That the company is doing well in a time when so many are struggling is a testament to the strength of the Chans' working partnership and their shared belief that four things are key to Artmax' success: quality, design, customer service and marketing. And as Maria emphasized, "not one, not two, but all four of these factors are crucial to making us who we are and where we stand today."

It also helps, of course, to have a passionate, creative designer and experienced businessman running the company. Richard's early exposure to the industry came through his family's business in southern China, where manufacturing was based on the product designs provided by wholesalers and distributors from the United States and around the world.

In 1988 he left his native Macau for Chicago, where he studied for several years, developing a passion for fashion, furniture and architectural design in the process. A couple of years later, he decided to take his own designs back to the family business and, with Maria, launched Artmax, named for "the maximum of all art form."

As a designer, iron is one of Richard's favorite media, though he also enjoys working with fabric, stemming from a lifelong interest in and knowledge of textiles. As such, he's successfully combined the two and incorporates the textures in moldings, accessories and sculptures.

Today, Artmax's customer base includes home furnishings retailers, interior designers and hospitality professionals, and several years ago the company added a volume-oriented furniture division, Aura Designs.

Although home for the couple is Chicago, Richard spends half of the year traveling, overseeing production, visiting customers and working the trade shows. He also directs the company's team of designers in the United States and Far East and is responsible for Artmax's strategic and long-term planning.

The company exhibits in permanent showrooms in Atlanta, High Point and Las Vegas, and just completed the roll-out of a new Web site and password-protected showroom for the trade at artmaxfurniture.com. "In recent years, Internet media and information has brought about big changes in not only the furniture industry but in every phase of our daily life," Richard said. "It has not only improved speed and efficiency, but also allows us to access a lot of information and accomplish a lot of tasks simultaneously." He has also looked to the Internet for new discoveries in media, material and techniques that have been incorporated into the development of new designs and concepts.

As a designer, Richard said he is challenged by the ongoing pursuit of new trends. As a businessman, he said his challenge lies in the opening of new markets, both domestic and international. As a couple, the Chans hope to keep meeting those challenges through their shared dedication to providing "quality products and original design while supporting their dealer network with the best possible customer service."