Designer Credits Jewish Mentors for His Success
At the age of 20, I was the youngest interior designer on staff for a company called Barker Bros, a retailer of furniture, home furnishings and housewares based in Los Angeles. We had 21 stores. I was just learning my way through the world; many noble mentors, mostly Jewish, took me under their wings.
Jews dominated the furniture industry. All of the best manufacturers were either run or owned by Jews. The pride of workmanship and the quality of product were paramount.
Family first! When we had downtime, I heard stories of survival through the Holocaust and how they left everything behind to come to the United States. I will never forget their kindness and generosity. It’s not that I did not have a proper upbringing, understanding right from wrong. It’s just that in the furniture industry, you need to understand every nuance from the ground up.
At the age of 25 I was hired away by a very prominent Jewish family here in Orange County. The name Glabman was synonymous with all the luxury brands in the home furnishings indus-try. Mr. Glabman made sure that I was polished so that I was able to represent his company and the kind of clientele he wanted to attract. He bought me my first Brooks Brothers suit.
He gave me such confidence. I was able to hold my own with the other designers in the company, even though I was still quite young. I was eager to learn; he taught me everything about the furniture industry and about buying and negotiating. I was extremely fortunate to have that insight. I will never forget his generosity and the interest that he had in shaping me as the professional I am today. I was able to understand the struggles that their family and others had gone through overcoming prejudice.
Efrem Zax was a very prominent furniture representative. He was a true gentleman, one of the kindest people I ever met. You could ask him anything. He was happy to share his knowledge of home furnishings and life lessons. I went to him many times for advice. He always made time for me.
One of the more remarkable figures in the furniture industry was Clara Markoff. She founded Marbro Lamp Co. I remember her showing me through her factory on Los Angeles Street. She took such pride in sharing everything about her incredible lamps. I grew to understand why her employees were so dedicated to the fine art of lamp making. She sponsored almost all of them to come into the United States from Russia.
All of these people live today through me. I lovingly correct people who make derogatory or false remarks about Jews. My experience with the Jewish culture has always been genuine—one of love and compassion.
Luxury interior designer Mark R. Ochoa is the principal at Abode Fine Furnishings in Newport Beach, California.