Barbara Messer, president of Kitchen & Bath Distributing, Inc., in Iowa City, is practicing her craft in her hometown… and loving it. Motivated by the steadfast pursuit of customer satisfaction, Barbara goes above and beyond to save retail customers and contractor’s time, money and stress. This is why it is no surprise Barbara Messer was named this year’s Associate of the Year by the Home Builders Association of Iowa.

Barbara began her interior design career at kitchen & Bath Distributing, Inc., in 1989 as she earned her degree from Kirkwood Community college. Since buying out the original owner in 1996, she has built this family-friendly company into a major design firm with a reputation for delivering high-quality service, expert advice and whatever it takes. Barbara says she and her staff of six have earned the trust of retail and contractor clients by delivering on promises.

Kitchen and Bath Distributing is a 4,000 square-foot showroom that includes a complete working kitchen and a great room to showcase some of the latest products in home building and remodeling. Approximately 75% of her business focuses on working with contractors in building and remodeling projects. The other 25% concentrates on working directly with homeowners on everything form simple projects to dramatic home transformations.

Barbara says her favorite projects are ones during which she and her staff makes a personal connection with the customer. “We want people to be happy and peaceful in their homes.”

Although Barbara spends as much time as possible with her two daughters, ages 6 and 9, she still makes it a priority to be involved in the Home Builders Association because of the many ways it helps her build her business. By attending functions, actively supporting events like the local Parade of Homes Bus Tour and serving on the Remodelors council, she has make the connections so key to success in a referral-driven business.

Making connections, delivering on promises, and making design dreams come true… that’s Barbara Messer.