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Voices Discovered: IV Culp
May 29, 2018
We were delighted to have the opportunity to interview President of Culp Home Fashions, Iv Culp. As a business leader, community volunteer, husband and dad – this is one busy guy!
Q: What can you tell us about Culp Home Fashions at Culp Inc.?
A. We manufacture and market decorative mattress fabrics, cut and sewn covers and upholstery fabrics. We are a public company traded on NYSE (symbol: CULP)
Q: How did you wind up in the fabric business?
A. My Grandfather started the business in 1972 as a small converter. Over the past 45 years with his leadership along with my father, we have grown to become one of the largest fabric companies for bedding and furniture in North America. I guess you could say it’s in my blood.
Q: What type of career would you have in an alternate universe?
A. Anything in sports, and understanding that I can’t play anything that well anymore – a sports broadcaster.
Q: What do you wish you knew when first starting that you know now?
A. That the most rewarding and the most challenging part of business always revolves around the people.
Q: What would people be surprised to learn about you?
A. My first job was at the 1992 Barcelona summer Olympics. As a perk of the job, I was able to attend every game of the original Dream Team.
Q: Best career advice you have ever received?
A. Stay calm and level headed. Things are never as good or as bad as they may seem.
Q: What motivates you?
A. Having success as a team. I love collaborative decisions that drive our business forward and reward our associates.
Q: Favorite book (business or pleasure)?
A. On Fire by John O’Leary. Awesome man and my favorite keynote speaker.
Q: Best vacation you have taken?
A. We love beach destination vacations with the kids – Both Bermuda and PuntaMita, Mexico stands out recently.
Q: Where would we find you on a Sunday afternoon?
A. Home with my family.
Q: Your go-to cocktail (or mocktail)?
A. Scotch on the rocks or a good Lager.
Q: What makes you truly happy?
A. Watching my kids play anything that motivates them – and Carolina Basketball.
Q: As you know, HPU is right here with incredible students looking to pursue their entrepreneurial dreams – what three pieces of advice would you give them?
A.
- Take pause on any big decisions – give it 12-24 hours before reacting.
- Always get a good night’s sleep.
- Outwork your competition.
- Go to Class!
Photography by ZoZo Photography
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Q: Where do you like to grab a cup of coffee?
A. Dunkin Donuts – I am not a fancy coffee drinker.
Q: Restaurant you can’t get enough of?
A. Sake, and all the awesome, low-cost spots – The Dog House, Jimmy’s Pizza House, Biscuit Factory, Corner Grill
Q: Local shops doing everything right?
A. Sake (especially Mimi’s amazing customer service and memory), Nabil Alterations and Tailoring, Terrys Style Shop (where the men in my family have been getting haircuts for 3 generations!)
Q: Favorite place to grab a drink?
A. Blu Water Grille, Tipsyz Tavern, Brown Truck Brewery.
Q: Excluding yours, what High Point company or business do you admire the most?
A. Old Dominion and High Point University
Q: Where would you tell a first-time visitor to High Point to go and why?
A. Visit during Furniture Market, so you can see how the city comes alive and take a tour through High Point University.
It was a pleasure speaking with IV and we are honored to share her story here.
Voices Discovered is a series where High Point Discovered asks questions to High Point businesses to share their voice. Past guests have included Michael Beaver and Sami Price.
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