Celebrating Women: Rhapsody, Saira and Sherry

International Women's Day is an opportunity to recognize and celebrate the incredible achievements of women around the world. At QE Home, we are fortunate to have a team of exceptional women who are integral to the success of our business. 

As we continue to honour this occasion throughout March (because we think one day is not enough), we're highlighting some of our staff members who are devoted to delivering exceptional service to our customers and creating an environment at work that makes QE Home proud to be serving thousands of customers across Canada.

These remarkable women have overcome challenges, demonstrated grit, and pursued their passions to achieve success in their careers. We are proud to have such a talented and diverse group of women on our team, and we will continue championing their success!

Read the first three blogs:

Celebrating Women: Avneet, Ellie and Jo

Celebrating Women: Joanne, Marlene and Lori

Celebrating Women: Maryam, Michelle and Naomi

Meet the passionate and optimistic Rhapsody, Store Manager at our Cottonwood location, who describes her career in retail as a pathway that “chose her”. With her natural ability to connect with people, and a genuine passion for finding the best solution for her customers, it’s easy to understand why.

Rhapsody started her career in retail at the age of twenty, shortly after having her first child, and quickly found success, rising the ranks to landing a Manager position early in her career.

Despite excelling in this area, she’s also undertaken various endeavours outside of retail, including studying interior design and working in financing and HR, but nothing seemed to fit. She realized she missed the energy and customer interactions of retail.

That's when she met Deb and Tanya from QE Home. The relationship she built with them and her customers was so beautiful that Rhapsody felt a new energy and sense of renewed purpose. She was drawn to the non-traditional retail environment and felt that it was the perfect job at the perfect time.

Rhapsody's passion for her job extends beyond just selling bedding. She educates her customers on fabrics, sustainability, and styling advice. Rhapsody enjoys building relationships with her customers and creating a cozy and safe haven for those facing difficult circumstances, such as single mothers, or those who have recently gone through separation or divorce.

According to Rhapsody, passion is not a trait that can be taught, but rather it requires an inherent "fire in your belly." Her undeniable passion, coupled with her genuine empathy and authenticity, are among many other qualities and strengths that have factored into Rhapsody’s success during her tenure at QE Home.

Despite facing challenges that might have left others feeling disheartened, Rhapsody stands out with her positive outlook on life. She has a remarkable ability to transform her personal experiences into valuable lessons and use them to support and uplift others.

When speaking to how she juggles her numerous obligations, she expresses her tendency to thrive in chaotic environments. and describes her job as a passion that never really feels like work. Nonetheless, she acknowledges the significance of establishing boundaries and cultivating relationships that allow her to maintain a healthy balance. 

Rhapsody's achievement of purchasing her first house in her early twenties as a single parent is an impressive accomplishment that speaks to her drive and tenacity. She recognizes the importance of having an identity beyond just being a mother, and this mindset has been a driving force in her life. Rhapsody's journey serves as a testament to what can be accomplished with patience, perseverance, and self-belief.

She believes that a comfortable and cozy home can make a huge difference in a person's mental health and wellbeing, this insight allowing her to provide the best advice not only to her customers, but her own family. As part of her daily routine at home, Rhapsody ensures that making the bed in the morning is ingrained, believing that it provides a small sense of achievement that has a beneficial impact on their general wellbeing and perspective.

Rhapsody's unique perspective is a source of inspiration for us all, and it is with great pleasure that we honour her as an invaluable asset to the QE Home team.

Introducing Saira, a skilled Sleep Stylist based at our Conestoga location, who brings with her a wealth of creative talents from her thriving career as an interior designer. Along with her exceptional dedication to her craft, Saira has also conquered a multitude of obstacles throughout her life.

Originally from Pakistan, Saira immigrated to Canada with her father and mother, who she tells us was not only the first computer programmer in Toronto, but also an excellent homemaker and nurturing mother to Saira and her younger brother.

After getting married at the age of eighteen, Saira accompanied her husband, who was serving as a Major in the Pakistan Army, to different parts of the world, including England and Pakistan. During her husband’s deployments in war zones, Saira’s primary focus was on raising their three children. She made it her mission to establish a sense of stability wherever they went while also contributing to the local communities.

Although being a military wife presented numerous challenges, Saira did not let the difficulties deter her. Her family unit were confronted with some truly unimaginable situations while living overseas, but Saira remained determined to contribute to the community and pursue her interests. She taught vocational classes on hand and machine embroidery, which sparked a lifelong passion for design.

Saira’s passion led her to start teaching other sisters, wives, and daughters about colour combinations and design trends. She taught them skills so they could help their families from home and designed quilts, cushions, covers, and knitting. These pursuits helped establish three to four successful businesses, and provided Saira with a deeper sense of purpose and tremendous joy.

Inspired by her maternal grandmother's philosophy that bedding should be beautiful and comfortable, Saira began designing her own bedding and accessories, using cotton from her village and stitching them with her grandmother. In a year, she designed thirty duvet covers and matching accessories for an exhibit, going on to donate proceeds to a charity, in her grandmother’s name.

Moving back to Canada in 2011, Saira stumbled upon QE Home in her first year back in the country, after visiting a shopping mall, where she was captivated by the visually striking bedding from a distance. Upon feeling the fabric, she purchased her first QE Home product and became a loyal customer. In 2014, she was encouraged to apply for a position, and, utilizing her proficiency in textile design, she embarked on a new journey as a Sleep Stylist.

Ever since, Saira has found deep fulfillment in helping customers bring their vision to life. She is proud of the positive impact her work has had on women around her, including teaching them design skills and providing them with job opportunities.

Saira’s biggest strengths come from her dedication to her craft and her ability to overcome challenges. She lives by the motto that everything happens for a reason, and believes we're presented challenges in order to grow. Her advice for others is to never give up and to keep pushing through challenges.

She is proud of the positive impact her work has had on women around her, including teaching them design skills and providing them with job opportunities. She is inspired by the strong women in her life, including her mother and grandmothers, who have always been her biggest supporters.

Saira's life has been a tapestry woven with diverse experiences, brimming with mighty challenges and great successes, but the profound influence Saira has had on those whose life she has touched cannot be overstated. We’re humbled to be a part of her remarkable journey!

Meet Sherry, a dedicated and hard-working woman, and an integral part of the team here at QE Home’s Head Office in Vancouver, BC.

With 14 years of experience in the bedding industry, Sherry started her career abroad, originally from Taiwan, Sherry had immigrated to Canada in 1991 and completed high school and university here. She found a passion for bedding while working for a bedding company in Taiwan, where she had moved as an adult.

After many years, and now a mother, Sherry made the decision to return to Canada to provide better prospects, education, and quality of life for her expanding family. In 2014, Sherry started working at QE Home, first as a sales associate, then as an assistant manager. Her previous experience in the bedding industry, combined with her strong sales skills, made her a valuable asset to the team.

Her talents and experience proved to be a major asset, and she was eventually promoted to the position of Store Manager at our Park Royal location. In 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic hit British Columbia, Sherry was given the opportunity to switch to a web and operations position, where she could apply her expertise to a new challenge and further develop her skillset.

As a result of the pandemic, QE Home shifted its focus to e-commerce and fulfillment operations, and Sherry played a pivotal role in adapting to this new business model. As e-Commerce Fulfilment Manager, she worked closely with other members of the operations department, identifying opportunities for change and making a significant impact within the company.

Sherry's dedication and hard work did not go unnoticed, and her unwavering commitment and diligence are still apparent today, as she continues to serve as a reliable source of expertise and the cornerstone of the team.

Sherry is a strong and determined individual who cares deeply about her family and colleagues. She approaches her work with the utmost dedication, always looking for ways to improve and make a positive impact on those around her. She is someone who sees problems and brings solutions to the table, and according to Sherry, she was able to embrace her natural entrepreneurial mindset with the encouragement and support of her work mentor, Jenny.

Sherry also extends her appreciation to the broader team at QE Home, acknowledging the friendly and encouraging work environment where everyone's viewpoints are respected and recognized. Expressing gratitude for the supportive atmosphere at work, Sherry emphasizes the value of leading with empathy. She believes that compassion is key to fostering a culture where everyone has the opportunity to voice their ideas, have a constructive influence, and help bring about positive changes.

When it comes to career, her advice to others is to stay patient, and just keep working towards your goals – no matter how small the steps, they all help to create a big impact. Sherry exemplifies this personal philosophy while working cooperatively with others or when she’s setting goals for her family.

Those who have had the chance to work with her can confirm her ability to inspire confidence and motivation, leaving a positive impact wherever she goes.

Sherry personifies all the values that QE Home aspires to deliver - her dedication to quality and exceptional service is complemented by her compassion and commitment to bringing comfort and happiness to the lives of those around her. We are so delighted to highlight the wonderful person she is, and conclude our series with a member of our team who has represented QE Home in both our stores and now at the Store Support Center.

Join us in celebrating Sherry and the powerful representation she embodies for the strength of women.

These stories reflect the fortitude, endurance, and perseverance that reside within us all. Despite confronting life’s obstacles, these women have demonstrated an unyielding spirit and a constructive outlook towards life, ultimately accomplishing their objectives and leaving a positive influence on the world.

By commending and acknowledging the achievements of women like Rhapsody, Saira, and Sherry, we hope to encourage and embolden others to follow their own dreams and refuse to give up. They hope that sharing their journeys might provide a source of motivation and a reminder that even amid adversity, the human spirit has the capacity to rise stronger and more resilient.

Meet more of our wonderful team by visiting one of our stores, and stay tuned for more content like this by subscribing to our email newsletter and by following us on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and Pinterest.