The founder of Kitchen & Bath Concepts in Houston and a past NKBA National President reflects on a four-decade career. By Dianne M. Pogoda
An entrepreneurial spirit, being unafraid to take (calculated) risks and a desire to improve people’s lives by improving their spaces have always driven Peggy McGowen, CMKBD, ASID, CAPS.
McGowen began her career in 1980 at a design firm affiliated with the American Institute of Kitchen Dealers — NKBA’s predecessor — but in 1986, found herself at a crossroads.
“I had already attended KBIS several times and was inspired by exciting products, seminars and people I met there, which generated thoughts of doing my own thing,” she recalled. “On the morning of April 1st, 1986, I was driving to an appointment and saw a ‘For Lease’ sign at an interesting building. I went back that same day, signed a lease and filed paperwork for Peggy McGowen Associates Inc., dba Kitchen & Bath Concepts. That was April Fool’s Day, 1986 —no joke!”
In the 36 years since, she built a highly respected business in the Houston area; earned Certified Master Kitchen & Bath Designer, CAPS (Certified Aging in Place Specialist) and Registered Interior Designer — Texas credentials; helped establish NKBA Chapters in the Southwest; served as president of the Texas Gulf Chapter and of the National organization, and won numerous design awards. She’s an ASID Professional Member, a sought-after speaker for local and national home shows and conferences, including KBIS, and has judged design competitions for the NKBA, NARI, Sub-Zero and more. She has served on advisory councils for manufacturers such as Dacor, KitchenAid, Sub-Zero, Wood-Mode and others.
Both of her daughters, Marci McGowen Daly and Micqui McGowen, have worked with her at KBC, both earning CKBDs. “At the time, we were the only family in NKBA history to have three people with those certifications simultaneously.”
Marci married and left Houston for Los Angeles 20 years ago, and has not worked in the industry since. Micqui and Peggy now both hold CMKBDs, and Micqui has also been active in their local chapter, active in establishing three chapters in Texas, and has served on the NKBA National Board and national committees.
Now, after 42 years in the business, Peggy McGowen is at another crossroads. “Micqui has been my partner for over 10 years. She has recently taken over management of our company and will soon be its sole proprietor,” Peggy said. “Working with my daughter has actually been pretty awesome, even though we don’t always… hardly ever… almost never see things the same. Sometimes that’s funny, sometimes not, but we always laugh about it later and make better decisions because of it. She’s smart and savvy (not the same thing), and an exceptional designer with a demand for detail. It has been great traveling with her to industry events all over the world over almost 30 years. As I transition into retirement, I’ll miss all that.”
Peggy reflected on her remarkable career, where the industry has been and where she sees it going.
Tell us a few of your career highlights.
Peggy McGowen: I was part of a group of people who established the “Southwest States” chapter, which included all of Texas, Oklahoma and Arkansas. This was too much territory to cover or attend meetings, which usually had to be weekenders. Later, when I was Chapter President, we helped Oklahoma and Arkansas form their own chapters and I conducted officer training for their new officers. Then a few years later, I spearheaded the effort to break Texas up into three separate chapters, and our chapter became the Texas Gulf Coast Chapter. In 1993-1994, I was National President of NKBA. It was an honor and privilege to serve. Almost 30 years ago, my first President’s address at KBIS was about setting our sails for the winds of change. That talk would be perfectly appropriate for today.
The best and most lasting part about my presidency are the friends and contacts made across the K&B industry and beyond. The experience expanded horizons and created contacts that have continued to be helpful and enjoyable in my professional and personal life.
What do you think of the current state of the industry?
PM: Kitchens and bathrooms are necessary spaces, but not necessarily luxury items. However, since people had to mostly stay home for the past two years, they now want to remodel, upgrade and “luxurize” their homes…starting with the kitchen and bathrooms. I think the second half of 2022 and into 2023 could be very good for our industry, providing product availability improves and the labor sector goes back to work. Customers are ready for us!
There have been so many innovations and changes in the industry in the past 40 years. What stands out to you?
PM: Technology! Across our Industry as in most all others, technology has been instrumental in the rapid changes regarding how, when and where we work — especially in the past two years because of the COVID pandemic. Client and corporate Zoom meetings on a computer from home or on a phone from The Beach Club, and Educational programs available 24/7 via the Internet.
Also voice activation — it may not really be the greatest product innovation, but it sure has made complicated products easier and more fun to operate. Appliances, plumbing and lighting — oh, and Alexa, she’s so smart!
As for design, I’ve seen trends cycle through the decades. Cabinet styles, colors, finishes and detail come and go, maybe they’re tweaked a little, but the really significant product and design changes are in how technology has been incorporated into product and process. I have tear sheets from a 1986 article in KBB, titled, “Angular Island Topped in Slate.” It’s a contemporary kitchen in which, if the countertops, backsplash, a few appliances and top-mounted sinks were replaced, would look no different than many new contemporary kitchens being installed today.
What do you think has been your “special sauce” — the secret to your success?
PM: My “special sauce” for success as a designer and business owner is a blend of care, creativity and competence. Approach every client as a consultant — not as a salesperson. Then the sale happens naturally and easily. And by the way, the first sale with every prospective client is selling yourself.
People must know that you care before they care what you know. However, you must be trained and experienced in order to be competent in your craft — a creative consultant with a reputation for solving problems and producing amazing projects. My advice to emerging K&B professionals is to never stop learning! Become a specialist, the expert people want to hear and hire.
What’s next for you?
PM: While I am “officially retiring” from ownership, management and administrative duties for Kitchen & Bath Concepts, I may not ever retire from active consultation and seminar presentations at KBC for consumers, designers and industry partners. I enjoy doing it, and it has been a source of good business for us. I did a whole house in Alaska for a client who attended one of our seminars. She lives in Houston in the winter, and Alaska in summer. Also several kitchens in California for people who also have homes in Houston — mostly from seminar presentations. I continue to attend KBIS and other shows and conferences, and keep up with Industry news through KBB, KBDN, and other trade publications for ASID, NAHB and NARI. I also write occasional articles for local publications about kitchen and bath design, product trends and related topics.
