by EASTON, Md. — Decorating Den Interiors named Suzanne Christie, a 30-year franchise owner from Clearwater, Florida, as its Franchise Owner of the Year, the highest business award presented by the company.
Christie has consistently been in the top 25% nationwide for sales, has won 11 international design awards and has seen her work published numerous times in a variety of national magazines.
“What an outstanding legacy Suzanne has created,” said Sue Pelley, vice president of retail sales. “She not only operates a very successful business but has enjoyed the loyalty and respect of hundreds of happy clients. Additionally, her franchise peers held her in such high esteem, that they elected her to serve them for three years as chairperson of the company’s franchise-led nine-member Leadership Council.”
“She has freely given of her time to serve on a variety of our company’s focus groups prior to new programs being adopted internationally. Her wisdom, outgoing personality and business knowledge has made her the perfect choice for Franchise Owner of the Year,” Pelley added.
“I feel so honored, to have been chosen Franchise Owner of the Year,” Christie said. “It is an award that I have always admired and am thrilled to have been chosen. There are so many wonderful and deserving owners within our company who deserve this award, so to be selected is a true honor. Decorating Den Interiors is such a wonderful company, and I cannot imagine my design career without it. I certainly would not be as successful without this wonderful organization. I love what I do, and I love Decorating Den Interiors.”
Rising Star
Brooke Coffman, who started her franchise in Frisco, Texas, in 2024, was named this year’s Rising Star. “This award recognizes an owner who has already made a strong impression through dedication, enthusiasm and impact — and whose future success is just beginning to shine,” said Pelley. Coffman was in the Top 20 for 2025 sales. “Brooke has shown exceptional talent and the drive to grow her business even bigger.”
The awards were announced at the company’s Elevate and Evolve 2026 annual conference in Reno, Nevada.
