Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Henri Myers. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Henri, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. How did you come up with the idea for your business?

It’s a fun story that we don’t get to tell too often. To start, my husband and business partner Tom and I always thought about opening a little shop in London when we first started dating that incorporated all the things we love – art, flowers and really cool lifestyle items while showcasing them in a comfortable and friendly environment that allows people to come by to shop and discover new things. We changed plans and moved to NYC instead since Tom had never lived here and I had been on the West Coast for a number of years. It was nice to rediscover the city together once we were married.

When the opportunity came up to create a retail space here in the city, we jumped on it. When we were coming up with the concept we pooled our backgrounds – Tom’s background has always been in non-profit and corporate social responsibility and grant writing primarily working with British and now local and national organizations for 20 years. I have over 20 years of experience in fashion PR, marketing, branding, sales, retail merchandising and special event and tradeshow production.

Both of us oversee all aspects of what and how MAISON TEN (M10) is presented. I focus on product selection, merchandising and layout while Tom works closely with the artists and what artworks we feature. It’s exciting to pull it all together and see the reaction to how it completely changes the shape of the gallery and all the products.  The fact that every 10 weeks we come up with a new vibe for M10 and how it comes together is always exciting. We recently launched our 31st collection that’s now on show called SEXY NEW YORK.

Henri, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

MAISON TEN is an art gallery, retail concept store and events space that revolves around the number 10. Meaning, that we feature 10 categories – art, accessories, beauty, best sellers, candles, fragrances, gifts, home goods and well-being products. The 10th category is a rotating collection that reflects the theme of each 10-week showcase. Within each of those said 10 categories, we feature 10 carefully curated brands (10 artists, 10 candle brands, etc) that are available for 10 weeks before we change them up every 10 weeks so that we’re featuring all the best things we feel should be on everyone’s radar.

We’ve created a community of friends, supporters and clients who appreciate our eye and look to us for inspiration with art, gifts and fun quirky items that are accessible…It’s one big happy M10 family!

A part of our story that we don’t get to tell that often is part of what makes MAISON TEN special is that it’s all based on our love of music. Back when we were teens, Tom, growing up in Edinburgh and me here in Queens, we were obsessed with music stores and the top hits that would change every week! When we were coming up with the concept of M10, we wanted to include the idea of the top 10 but present it in a way that showed all the things we love and with the items we feel should be on everyone’s radar by presenting it in a way that would introduce exciting new items but with a nudge to shop before it changes out to the next 10-week cycle.

Our events whether in-store or off-site, also add to our growing resume of projects with the M10 touch.

Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?

Both Tom and I have always felt that the best way to build our vision is to be a part of it. Shaping and genuinely making it a space that is our extended home. We are very much the core of what MAISON TEN is and has become. It’s creative and a active space that strives to tell our stories along the way. The clients and friends we’ve made over the years (8 years July 10th), enjoy our vision and are continuously bring friends and telling others about what we do and the community that has supported us over these years.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

I think we have built our reputation mainly through our events and the changing of collections every 10-week cycle. it’s always a revolving space of products and artists and we support each one with our Friday Night Live art talk series which introduces two artists from the cycle and it gives our collectors and inquiring minds a chance to hear firsthand about the artist, their work and why they do what they do. it’s been an amazing response to these talks and our clients tune in even if abroad. it feels good that people are digging what we’re digging. we also do a series of social events that are just pure fun. we’ve had comedy shows, sketch classes, live music showcases, and then private cocktail gatherings and international workshops. it’s a space we feel is open and connected.

Contact Info:

• Website: maison10.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/maisonten/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MAISONTEN
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/maisonten

Image Credits
The Drunken Photographer