Why we're really proud of Karen Lacasse

OFFICIAL WRITE-UP FROM INFLUENTIAL WOMEN AWARDS

********************* Karen Lacasse - Exporting 2005

Changing market conditions, technological challenges and even a devastating fire in 2004 have not kept Sudbury entrepreneur and co-owner of Lacasse Fine Wood Products, Karen Lacasse from achieving business success.

Over 20+ years, the seven-employee company she owns with her husband Roger has undergone many changes, from producing furniture to branching off into the manufacture of wood mouldings, spindles, railings and flooring, to offering expertise to hobbyists and home renovators with woodworking craft patterns for domestic and exotic wood.

Passionate about e-commerce, Lacasse learned how to program and set up her own e-business Web sites.

That has lured new customers to her virtual storefront, while also providing woodworking information for crafters.

The site is attracting between $40,000 to $50,000 in new orders a year.

Lacasse Fine Wood Products posts more than $1 million a year in sales.

They ship between 15 to 20 per cent of their production to customers in the United States.

The diversity of her work and the constant challenges is what Lacasse finds most rewarding.

"I love the interaction with the customers and helping them problem solve. I love the technical changes both from the Internet and from the tooling side of things, and I love the idea of having a direct relationship between creating a plan and seeing whether it works or not."

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