Meet Becky Costello, the VP furniture sales at AOI Corporation.
Tell us a little about your business.
My furniture team is a group of professionals who prides themselves on experience and dedication to a wide variety of services, including sales, interior design, project and move management, and furniture installation and delivery. We represent over 100 brands of commercial furniture with our main product line being the Herman Miller family of brands. AOI Corporation (www.aoicorp.com) represents three business units that cover the entire built environment: construction, furniture, and modular construction/walls.
How did you get started in the business?
During an industrial design class in college, I fell in love with furniture design/construction while creating my own furniture pieces. After graduating with an interior design degree from the Art Institute, I moved back to Nebraska and worked for a residential furniture store. Wanting to utilize my space planning and drafting skills more, I looked and eventually found my home and passion at a commercial furniture dealership.
What has been your most important achievement professionally?
I’m a 2014 ICAN Defining Leadership graduate as well as a recent Gallup Boss to Coach graduate. Ongoing learning is one of the most important things I can do. I’m thankful for an employer who encourages and supports my personal and professional growth.
Tell us a little about your family.
I’ve been married to my husband Jim for 13 years. We have two awesome kiddos, Maddie is 12 and Jimmy is 9. We also have a calico cat named Bean. We love our Field Club home and neighborhood!
What is your favorite thing to do on a day off?
Cook something delicious with homegrown veggies from my garden! I love to try new recipes but also test out new methods to recreate old standards. In some circles, I am famous for my jalapeño jelly!
What is the most unique or interesting thing about you that most people probably don’t know?
I’m an artist! I recently completed an online sketchbook revival class and cannot wait to recreate some of those sketch exercises as full paintings.
Who inspires you?
My kids. They are kind, hilariously funny, and wicked smart. They bring out the best in me and each other.
What is your favorite quote or the best piece of advice you’ve ever received? – “Infinite are man’s expressions of beauty and love; open your eyes, your ears, and your heart to them and you will unite the peoples of the world.” – Alexander Girard
If you could choose only one descriptive word to be remembered as, what would it be?
Creative.
What local nonprofit organization(s) are you passionate about or involved with, and are there any special reasons why?
Ronald McDonald House Charities Omaha because they provide a place for families to stay together when they need each other the most. I’ve been able to cook and serve homemade meals to these families.
What is your favorite book or the last good book you read?
A Man called Ove by Fredrik Backman.
What is your favorite TV show?
Wanda Vision.
What is your favorite local restaurant?
Carter & Rye for breakfast, Greek Islands for lunch, and Vis Major for dinner.
If you could have dinner with one famous person from the past or present, who would it be?
Banksy.
If our readers would like to contact you, how should they do so?
(402) 896-5520; rcostello@aoicorp.com; www.aoicorp.com.