Cleta Bennett, Fairfield

Finding Passion And Company Culture At Fairfield

Cleta Bennett might not have grown up dreaming about the home and furnishing industry, but when she found herself at Fairfield Chair she knew she was at a company she wanted to spend decades with. The key account manager will celebrate 30 years with the company this April, having started out as an administrative assistant.

Prior to working at Fairfield, Cleta was in banking and needed a change. After landing a role at Fairfield Chair she quickly fell in love with the family-owned company and everything it stood for. She’s held several roles throughout her time, having been promoted to key account manager in 2022. From her first day, she’s someone who will step up to every task with no questions asked, making her a valuable employee and allowing for her growth within the company.

Learn more about Cleta and Fairfield in the full interview below.

Q&A

Can you tell me a little about Fairfield? 

In years past I think there has been a misconception of Fairfield because of the name, Fairfield “Chair”. We don’t only produce chairs. In the beginning that was a big part of our business but as the company has grown over the past 104 years, we manufacture everything for the home – from dining, living room, bedroom, and office. We offer different categories that include senior living, commercial/hospitality and residential. Our lines are very versatile in what we offer. Fairfield is a family owned company and they are wonderful people to work for. That’s one of the major reasons why I’ve been here so long. They make you feel that you are important. That’s been the culture the entire time I’ve been here.

What led you to working with Fairfield? 

I was in banking at the time and honestly I felt like I needed a change. Banking had changed quite a bit and I was kind of burnt out on the direction it had taken. I filled out applications at a few places, Fairfield being one of those. There were several people here that I knew because of the bank I worked for. Harper, who was the owner at the time, as well as his brother John, were customers at the bank. Harper was always very quiet and came through the drive through. Some time into the interview the office manager said I’ll be right back. He came back and told me, “You didn’t tell me you know the most important person here: Harper.” In all honesty, I didn’t think he knew me, but he told the hiring manager, “Whatever you have to do, get her in the door.” I had only been here a week and a half and Harper’s assistant at the time had a stroke and no one knew where that would lead or if she would be well enough to return. A few weeks later he asked me to take on the position. He was a very private person and I think my previous position in banking, where privacy is very important, is what led him to ask me to do the job. It was a wonderful fit from the beginning. I love the Beall family! Harper was a wonderful person and was always so great to me. He passed away in 2019 but his family has remained involved in the company, mainly his oldest daughter, Anne-Lindsay, who is also a WithIt member. I feel very blessed to be here and I’m always very excited to learn more and help with what I can.

It sounds like you love Fairfield because of the culture there! What makes you passionate about the home and furnishings industry as a whole?

We are participants in High Point Furniture Market each spring and fall and it’s always very exciting to see what new developments we introduce and the reaction of the customers when they come in. Being a manager of our private label accounts, it’s exciting to develop new products for them, as well. I love seeing the new styles and watching how far the company has grown over my 30 year tenure. Attending the market every 6 months also gives me ideas on how to decorate my own home. That’s always a treat!

What would you say is the biggest lesson you’ve learned since managing the private label accounts? 

I think you have to always be willing to step up and sometimes, or lots of times, step outside your comfort zone. I’m actually looking at a little accent block in my office with a quote on it that says, “Growth begins at the end of your comfort zone.” That’s been exciting for me but it can be scary at the same time. I’ve always been the type of person who will just jump right in where needed and in this position it’s been more of jumping outside my comfort zone. It’s been exciting and rewarding, and has really helped build my self-confidence. 

How did you first get involved with WithIt? 

There were a couple of ladies at Fairfield who were members of WithIt. They attended the 2017 conference for the first time. The next year I was invited to attend with them and I absolutely loved it. You walk away feeling so empowered as a woman and you feel so much more confident about yourself and your abilities. It’s just an awesome, awesome organization. Being a networking organization, you feel like there are so many possibilities of meeting someone you can reach out to for help in the growth of your own position or company. 

Why do you feel like an organization like WithIt is valuable? 

I think it is a great networking organization. Being in the home furniture industry, you may not always know someone that can help you with something that you’re needing. Within the WithIt organization there are so many different people from all walks of the industry and life. Our membership book or the WithIt website are very good tools in finding other individuals who can help you. Attending the annual conference is also a good way to meet different people who could be beneficial in helping lead you in a direction you may not find without this organization. WithIt is a very beneficial organization to be a part of and I’m grateful that I was introduced to it.

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