Todd Grand
President and owner, Ethan Allen Baton Rouge
The furniture business has been part of Todd Grand’s life for as long as he can remember. A fourth-generation furniture salesman, Grand’s family has been in the business since 1934. As the president and owner of Ethan Allen in Baton Rouge, Grand says he feels fortunate to be part of a brand that is so well known and well respected around the globe. He is bullish on Baton Rouge, convinced that the city is poised for good growth, and he is looking forward to capitalizing on that growth to one day expand Ethan Allan’s footprint across south Louisiana.
One thing people often don’t realize about Grand’s business is that Ethan Allen in Baton Rouge is locally owned. “We hire locally, spend locally and are very vested in the success of our community,” Grand says. Keeping decisions local and close to the customer has allowed Grand and his team to implement positive change, as well as focus on staying relevant in today’s intensely competitive retail landscape.
Being part of such a classic brand does have its challenges. Grand finds that some people have a misconception that Ethan Allen is “just your parents’” furniture store. He enjoys when customers discover the new showroom full of eclectic styles. “People are blown away when they see how we incorporate modern technology into the design process to design truly custom pieces,” Grand says.
His most satisfying professional accomplishment is the success he has experienced relocating the business to its current location on Perkins Road after 40 years in another location. For Grand, the response has been tremendous. “Our customers love the convenience of shopping with us, and they love the layout of our new showroom,” he says.
In January, Grand and his wife welcomed their new baby girl into the world, which Grand says has completely changed his morning routine, but for the better. “A good start to my day is waking up and spending some time with my daughter and then trying to make it to work on time and in the same pair of clothes I started with,” he says.
The most rewarding part of the job for Grand is seeing his employees grow and reach their goals, as well as watching design projects for customers come together. Grand and his team take pride in the trust customers place in their hands by allowing them to work with something as personal as their home. “Seeing the expression on their faces after a successful install is very rewarding,” he says.
