Caroline Nelson, 3D Cloud

Being Adaptable is Key

Caroline Nelson sort of fell into the home and furnishings industry by accident. After graduating with a degree in Marketing and Public Relations, she struggled to get a job due to the Covid-19 pandemic. While on LinkedIn one day someone reached out to her from a company called Marxent – now 3D Cloud – and she’s been working with the brand ever since in their social media and marketing departments.

3D Cloud recently underwent a major rebrand, hence the name change. Caroline was one of many responsible for the major undertaking. Though the company no longer goes by Marxent, it does still operate as a B2B SAAS company for retailers. Essentially, they create and manage 3D content and applications, including Product Configurators, Sectional Configurator, Room Planner with Design from Photo, Kitchen Designer, WebAR Augmented Reality, 360 Product Spins, and Instant Renders.

We sat down with Caroline to learn more about her work and her involvement with WithIt. Read below for the full interview!

Q&A

What’s a typical day look like for you?

A typical day for me involves wearing many hats! I manage the website content, write and schedule email campaigns to prospects, and manage our social media calendar while brainstorming content ideas and strategies. Also, can’t forget multiple cups of coffee! 

Have you always been in the home and furnishings industry? What led you to it?

Yes. I graduated college in 2019 with a degree in Marketing and Public Relations. When COVID-19 hit, I struggled to get my first job. I found 3D Cloud through LinkedIn and was offered the position in 2021. I have been with them ever since. I started as a Social Media Producer and have taken on more responsibilities over the past three years, such as website and email campaigns.

I didn’t realize all the intricacies that go into the home and furnishings industry. I didn’t realize it was such a family oriented industry. Everyone knows each other and it’s really cool. The clients we have are incredible, too!

What makes you passionate about your work? 

What makes me passionate about work is continuous learning and creativity. I have the opportunity to learn and grow at 3D Cloud. Every day I am presented with a new challenge and learning experience to boost my skills and knowledge. I also love expressing my creativity, whether it’s through writing email campaigns, developing a content strategy, or testing new ideas. 

What’s a professional lesson you’ve learned in this role? 

One important thing I’ve learned is that being adaptable is key. With the industry I work in, the environment is always changing. Being able to pivot and adjust to new situations, trends, and challenges is essential. 

Another lesson I learned is that failure is not the end of the world. It’s a stepping stone. Embracing it instead of sitting in it and learning from your mistakes is important for professional growth.   

How did you begin to get involved with WithIt? 

I learned about WithIt through my boss, who found the organization. We were looking for more ways to get involved and connect with those in the furniture industry. She introduced it to me and thought it would be a great opportunity for me. I started out by interviewing women within the organization for a Women in Furniture series we do during Women’s History Month. I’ve interviewed so many women, such as Laura Aldrich, Sarah Martens, Shannon Williams, Nora Gomez, and many more. I learned so much from them about how to excel in my career and bring new ideas to the table. 

I attended the Annual Conference last year. It was such an incredible experience, from the panelists, speakers, roundtable discussions, and, of course, theme night. I couldn’t wait to go back. 

Why is an organization like WithIt important for you and your work? 

This organization is important to me for several reasons:

It provides me with a platform for connecting with and learning from some of the most successful women in the furniture industry.

It’s also how I met my mentor, Kelly Peterson. Her guidance over the past year has been transformative. She has provided me with the support, knowledge and confidence I needed to navigate challenges and explore opportunities in my career and industry. 

Overall, WithIt is important to me because it represents a community of support, learning, and advancement. The networking opportunities and professional development are invaluable.

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If you’re considering WithIt membership for your professional journey, find out more about WithIt’s mission here or join today.