Meet Ivey Grant | Account Executive + Marketing Creative

We had the good fortune of connecting with Ivey Grant and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Ivey, what role has risk played in your life or career?
I think about risk how I imagine most people think of risk – fearfully. It takes away a sense of control I am always desperately trying to keep in my life. Now, after the initial panic that something horrible could go wrong in taking the said risk, comes the quiet reminder that something equally more beautiful and wonderful could bloom as well.
The deterrence from risk is fear, and I have always believed that fear is a horrible reason to not pursue something. So, when any risk in my life presents itself, I choose to lean into the little voice inside of me and listen to her. If I know fear is the only reason holding me back, then I know it is time to jump, work hard, and see what is waiting for me on the other side.
I have taken the risk and thrived in careers, friendships, new endeavors, and situations I didn’t believe myself capable of. I have also taken risks and learned hard lessons through years of tears and difficult growing pains. I believe in order to evolve and grow into the best version of yourself you have to constantly be taking risks- little and big – to learn and adapt, challenge yourself, and understand new perspectives. But, ultimately, the real risk is never taking a chance on yourself at all.
Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I graduated from the University of Georgia with a Bachelor’s in Marketing thinking that I would get married, and be a stay-at-home mom. This is what I had always seen for myself. I immediately started working as a showroom manager/ marketing coordinator at a Gwinnett-based Commercial Furniture Dealership – and realized quite quickly I could not do this for the rest of my life. There HAD to be more to my life than this. That is when I lept to a different Commercial Furniture Dealership, turnerboone, as their A+D Market Manager. This is where I fell in LOVE with working. The type of love where you didn’t get the Sunday scaries, where you were exhausted but so fueled by the work that you you were doing you jumped out of bed in the morning ready to go. I helped build their A+D Program over three years and really thrived in having the creativity to connect with clients, utilize social media as a selling tool through a global pandemic, and by having the autonomy to build my schedule based on what I was experiencing in real-time in our market. The biggest lesson here for me was how Laura Boone and Ellen Turner took a chance on me… and how that chance paid off ten-fold. I knew absolutely nothing about the industry, and they didn’t look at that as a disadvantage, but as an opportunity for a fresh perspective and approach. I then took the leap to the company where I am now, Interface, selling commercial flooring. I was offered this role, and was fearful of the change, but felt that small voice in the back of my head reminding me fear is a horrible reason to shy away from change. So, I took a leap of faith again. I have learned so many invaluable life lessons at this new company and done a lot of “growing up” as they say. I continually dabble here and there in the realm of marketing and social media as I find it intriguing and a tool of the future, but whose to say where that will lead!?
I think in all of my previous career experiences I bring an authenticity to the table that can’t be manufactured. I am who I am and stick to my core values and integrity in all risks or decisions I make unapologetically.
I am most proud of my relationship with my husband. We have been together for over 12 years, married for one and a half. We met in high school and attended different colleges. Did long-distance all through college and post-college. I don’t know what the right word is to describe what we have, but it is genuine, sweet, and real. We are both deeply independent, and high-achieving individuals, but we work hard to cultivate a relationship that both of us can thrive in, and I truly am so proud of that.
In the same hand, I am most excited about what stage of life we are in right now! I feel like we are hitting that time period where there is no right “next step” and we can really do…whatever we want?! What a crazy thought! That comes with a lot of responsibility, too of figuring out… what do we actually want out of life? What are our goals? It can be overwhelming, but also really exciting to feel like any venture is at your fingertips.
I got to where I am today by working hard, obviously, and being connected. It is so true that it is WHO you know, not WHAT you know. Taking chances, and not being afraid to be the dumbest one in the room. Asking a lot of questions… a lot… of questions…
The main thing I want people to take away from this is if you feel a stirring in your heart… a discontentedness… listen to it! What is it trying to tell you!? Too many of us live life just going through the motions, at a dead-end job because we are too scared to jump. Lean in, listen to your soul… and always take a chance on YOU!
If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
oooh, what a fun question! We would probably start out with a workout at The Forum Athletic Club doing a Fast Twitch workout, simply because it is the hardest thing I have ever done in my life and you feel like you conquered something serious afterward. Then, of course, we’d go get Brash Coffee from Atlanta History Center- their fall seasonal syrup is my absolute favorite and tastes like a cinnamon-toast warm hug. Then we would walk down to my local favorite boutique, Cheeky Peach, in Buckhead before getting lunch at Souper Jenny. I would take my friend to walk around in Garden Hills or Virginia Highlands to look at all the historic houses and pick which ones are our favorite. I would also make sure to show them where all my favorite book nooks and Tiny Doors ATL are located. We would end that day with wine at The Lucian in Buckhead where I would buy her a special book and dessert at Jeni’s Ice Cream. One day we would get massages at The St. Regis because their spa is perfection (Kristin is the best). We’d spend one day exploring the West Side at Ormsbys, PuttShack, and O-Ku… maybe even the classic Northside Tavern. We would spend one day doing Clermont Lounge Rooftop – maybe stay the night there since the hotel is so cute and explore all that Ponce City Market has to offer. We’d take a cooking class at Irwin Street Cooks, have dinner at Le Colonial or St. Cecelia, and round out our trip with a leisurely walk through the historic Oakland Cemetary.
Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Man, what a timely question for me! I have had a really hard year, but despite it all, I have felt SO supported this year in a way I didn’t even know I could. From a career perspective, I feel like I owe a lot of credit to my father- he is the wisest council I have and my biggest cheerleader while somehow also serving up brutal honesty. I had two really great mentors/bosses Laura Boone, and Ellen Turner who taught me at such a young and pivotal age in my career how to think differently and really celebrated an unconventional approach in the business world which I am forever grateful for. And, I am of course, grateful to my steady, and supportive husband. He really embraces my over-the-top personality and helps me shine even brighter when the hard days dim my light.
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