Today we’d like to introduce you to Brad Schweig.
Hi Brad, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
Sunnyland Outdoor Living has been in my family for 52 years but actually been in Dallas since 1946. Freed’s Furniture purchased the business in 1977, and my grandparents, Aaron and Pearl Freed Klasuner purchased it in the late 70s. My father became involved in the late 70s, and I have been working here full-time since 2006. My two kids have been featured in some of our radio ads, so we now have a 4th generation involved in the business.
I have been in a variety of roles since I started from officing out of our warehouse to senior technology director to my current role of Vice President of Operations. I am also the buyer for the Big Green Egg line and I produce the North Texas EggFest each year which is a culinary event that benefits the Texas Restaurant Foundation this year.
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
For work, it has been challenging at times. I had the experience of working in corporate America for nearly 2 years, and the way a small business runs is definitely different than a major company. You don’t always have the resources you need to be able to be on the same playing field as the big players out there. On the other hand, it’s nice at times that when you want to put something in place you just do it. There isn’t any going to levels of management and corporate and the board – you can just make it happen.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next, you can tell us a bit more about your business?
For over 52 years, family-owned-and-operated Sunnyland Outdoor Living has furnished North Texas homes and businesses with quality outdoor furnishings. Known for its knowledgeable and friendly staff, Sunnyland transcends the normal buying experience by providing exceptional selection and unsurpassed customer service seven days a week. Our outdoor furniture is meant to last for many years or even decades – we have even heard stories of parents passing down their old furniture down to their children. So many people today end up buying what we call “disposable” furniture – it might look just like what we carry and cost 1/4 of the price, but it’s not the same on the inside. The cushion will fade and flatten, the paint will peel and blister, and in a few years, it will be put out on the curb. We look at our product as in investment constructed by reputable manufacturers made with fade-resistant fabrics, powder-coated finishes, UV-inhibitors, and industry-leading warranties; The difference truly is in the details.
Sunnyland is the recipient of numerous national and local awards, including 14 International Casual Furniture Association’s Apollo nominations, 4 ICFA Apollo wins, Best of Big D’s Reader Choice Award, Home Furnishings Association’s Retailer of the Year, and Governor’s Small Business Award for Corporate Social Responsibility.
Sunnyland Outdoor Living hosts the 6th Annual North Texas EGGfest on Saturday, October 22, 2022. This family-friendly event features teams competing on the Big Green Egg to win bragging rights as the 2022 North Texas EGGhead of the Year. Guests will be able to vote for their favorite items prepared on the Big Green Egg. Celebrity judges include: Sara Blaskovich of the Dallas Morning News, Taryn Jones of CBS11, Roni Proter of Dinner Reinvented, and Chef Randy White of Live Fire Culinary. Guests will enjoy tasty samples, live music by Jake Odin and receive special deals on Big Green Eggs and quality outdoor furniture. Carter Bloodcare will be hosting a community blood drive at the event as well. Funds raised will benefit the Texas Restaurant Association’s Education Foundation.
What do you think about luck?
2020 was a great example of both good luck and bad luck
In March 2020, it looked like the end was near. Our business shut down for 6 weeks, we didn’t know for a while how we were going to take care of our employees or pay our bills, and I had no idea of what to expect. We do have online shopping, but it makes up a small part of our business as it’s hard to tell the difference between two different sofas that look similar online but are very different in person both in quality and price.
We opened back up on May 1st, and I thought that people were not going to leave their homes to go shop in person again. I was wrong – despite being closed for 6 weeks, 2020 was a great year, and 2021 was even better as people spent more time creating perfect patios so they could entertain outdoors.
Contact Info:
- Website: sunnylandfurniture.com and northtexaseggfest.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sunnylandfurniture/ and https://www.instagram.com/ntxeggfest/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sunnylandfurniture and https://www.facebook.com/ntxeggfest
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/sunnylandpatio
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/SunnylandFurniture
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/sunnyland-outdoor-living-dallas
Image Credits
Brad Schweig
Deborah Holt
Sunnyland
