About The Best of Bess
Why Work With The Besst?
Designers, architects, and authorized purchasing agents have a variety of options to locate and buy commercial interiors. In addition to price and lead time, there a number of critical decisions to be made:
Are the right specifications selected?
What are my options to customize?
How will freight costs affect my budget?
Will my items arrive on time and as expected?
Are my selections durable enough for commercial venues?
For over 10 years, The Best of Bess has provided these answers to facilitate the successful purchase of commercial furnishings direct from manufacturers. As independent manufacturer’s representatives, these services are offered at no additional cost, providing buyers in the Carolinas with product knowledge, timely service, and a comprehensive menu of contract-grade interiors at true wholesale prices.
Who We Are
The Best of Bess partners with industry-leading manufacturers of commercial furnishings, serving as their respective sales representatives in North and South Carolina. The office is headquartered in Charlotte, NC, offering a mix of in-person and virtual assistance to buyers throughout the Carolinas.
Our experienced team maintains a simple line of communication to help buyers manage complex commercial projects. Rather than spend time in a myriad of online chats and customer service menus, The Best of Bess provides one point of contact for all represented lines. Services include assistance with product selection, customization, order management, and timely updates to meet installation deadlines.
Bess Rosefield Ehmcke
Principal
Bess Rosefield Ehmcke founded The Best of Bess in 2011, combining a passion for design with a background in merchandising in the acclaimed North Carolina furniture market. Her industry and product knowledge offers buyers in the Carolinas an attentive and trustworthy resource for commercial projects nationwide. Since starting the business, she has served as Lead Representative for over 20 domestic and international manufacturers of furniture, fabrics, lighting, and art.
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Bess began her career in the textile industry where she independently designed and merchandised her own fabric and upholstery lines for 10 years. She collaborated frequently with interior design professionals, furniture makers, and fabric manufacturers to create custom solutions for commercial and residential projects. Her creative contributions have been featured in Elle Decor, Furniture Today, and Casual Living magazines.
Bess transitioned to a full-time sales role in 2011, successfully forging partnerships with industry-leading manufacturers in the United States and Europe. She continues to expand her resources for the Carolinas market, focusing on domestically-sourced, quality furnishings at a variety of price points.
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Bess has supported and collaborated with professional groups in the design, architecture, and hospitality industries including NEWH, IIDA, and USGBC. She is a former member of the Executive Committee of the NC Chapter of NEWH.
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Current Home:
Charlotte, NCFavorite Pastimes:
Visiting the Mountains and gardeningCan’t Live Without:
Navigation apps and laughter
Blythe Hooker
Office Manager
Blythe Hooker has worked with The Best of Bess since 2014, providing marketing, administrative, and sales support services. Blythe transitioned from Digital Marketing Consultant to Office Manager in 2021. Her expanded, client-facing role includes technology development and project management assistance to to keep clients up-to-date and on schedule.
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Blythe spent 10 years in B2B marketing, business development, and sales for professional services firms. She began serving as an independent consultant in 2014, helping traditional, relationship-driven businesses incorporate remote marketing and sales technology to increase efficiency and grow revenue.
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Blythe has helped organize plan, and market professional events in collaboration the NC Chapter of NEWH.
Her outside charitable contributions include leadership positions at the Jamie Kimble Foundation for Courage, the Charlotte Chapter of the United States Tennis Association, and youth coaching and fundraising for the the First Tee of Charlotte.
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Current Home:
Asheville, NC, but a digital nomad at heart. She has lived on three continents and counting.Favorite Pastimes:
Tennis, Cooking, and Making Plans for the Next Big AdventureCan’t Live Without:
A laptop, a mobile hotspot, and a good hat
Project Experience
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Hospitality
Corporate Hotel Standards
Hotel Guest Rooms & Public Spaces
Timeshares and Vacation Condos
AirBNB & VRBO Rentals -
Senior Living
Clubhouses & Community Spaces
Independent Living Residences
Dining Rooms
Wellness Centers -
Restaurants
Indoor & Outdoor Dining Areas
Event Spaces
Bar Areas
Lounges & Public Spaces -
Institutional
Government Offices
Libraries
International Airports
Houses of Worship -
Higher Education
Student Dormitories
Community Centers
Greek Houses
Indoor & Outdoor Dining Areas -
Healthcare
Examination Rooms
Wellness Centers
Dining Areas
Public Spaces -
Private Clubs
Indoor & Outdoor Dining Areas
Lounges
Locker Rooms
Ballrooms -
Corporate
Reception Areas
Shared Workspaces
Cubicles
Boardrooms
About Our Manufacturing Partners
Every Best of Bess manufacturing partner goes through a careful vetting process to ensure compliance with the following standards
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All represented lines have a proven track record for producing and delivering commercial-grade products.
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The Best of Bess focuses on commercial interiors that are made in the U.S.A. or in facilities owned and operated by American manufacturers (also referred to as “vertically integrated”). This allows for a more transparent production process and cost-efficient shipping.
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From the mountains to the sea, buyers in the Carolinas have a wide range of styles and budgets. The Best of Bess menu of resources offers a variety of stocked, quick ship, made-to-order, and custom selections to accommodate a variety of specifications and price points.