Kinzler Close-Up is our way of shining a spotlight on the amazing things our employee-owners are doing outside of work. This month we’re featuring Seley Merrill, Office Coordinator at WD Door in Ankeny, IA.
Seley, is a dedicated WD Door office coordinator with a wide range of responsibilities but she also has a creative side that extends beyond the workplace. When she’s not handling important daily tasks at WD Door, she’s transforming ordinary spaces into stunning party venues. Her love for decorating was sparked by watching shows like Quiero Mis 15, wedding planning series, and cake decorating competitions. These shows inspired her to take on her first decorating project for her sibling’s party. From that moment on, she became the go-to decorator for family and friends, improving her skills with every event. “Seeing people’s faces when their vision comes to life is the best part,” she says.
Although Seley’s talent comes naturally, she has continuously worked to perfect her craft. She has taken classes and watched countless videos to enhance her decorating techniques, which has allowed her to create stunning event designs for baptisms, quinceañeras, weddings, gender reveals, and more. Her most memorable project was decorating her own wedding, a deeply personal experience that reinforced her creativity and skill. Her experience as a party decorator has also enhanced her role at WD Door. “As a party planner, I developed great customer service skills and communication with my customers which has definitely come in handy in my role here at WD Door,” she explains.
In 2012, what started as a hobby eventually became a business for Seley when she launched her event decorating company in California. Unfortunately, like many small businesses, it was impacted by COVID-19, leading to its closure in 2020. Although that was a difficult time, her enthusiasm remains strong, as she continues to take on small projects, knowing that even the simplest decoration requests can lead to new opportunities. She advises aspiring decorators not to invest too heavily at the start and to be patient with the learning process. While she focuses on her work at WD Door, the possibility of restarting her business in the future is always on the table.