Voices Discovered: Jason Phillips
Phillips Collection is a High Point-based manufacturer of organic contemporary furnishings, from one of a kind root tables to chairs made from seat belt straps to decommissioned oil drums turned into dimensional wall art. Over the last thirty-five years, Phillips has been recognized with the most prestigious awards in the industry for their design innovation and sustainability both locally and abroad. We had the pleasure to interview Jason Phillips, the vice president of Phillips Collection and son of the company’s founders. Read below to learn more about Jason along with some of his favorite spots in High Point!
Q: How did you wind up in the furnishing industry?
A. It was no accident that I ended up in the furniture industry. My parents started Phillips Collection the year I was born so I guess you can say it’s in my DNA.
Q: What type of career would you have in an alternate universe?
A. I would have studied architecture or automobile design. I went to school at The University of Michigan and got my degree in Industrial Design, which gave me a flavor for those worlds but my focus was always on applying those skills I picked up to furniture design.
Photography by Alisha Schwanke Photography
Q: What do you wish you knew when first starting that you know now?
A. We started from humble beginnings, and it is only in the last decade that we’ve become a truly big player in the industry. The point is, we have great focus and discipline now on who we are, our capabilities and our best opportunities. I wish I had some of these insights when I came out of college in 2005.
Q: What would people be surprised to learn about you?
A. I’m colorblind
Q: What motivates you?
A. Great design, travel and doing something meaningful to support all the people who work for us.
Photography by Phillips Collection
Q: Best career advice you have ever received?
A. Talk less and listen more.
Q: Favorite book (business or pleasure)?
A. Dune by Frank Herbert
Q: Best vacation you have taken?
A. Iceland for its beauty, the Rosewood Mayakoba in Mexico for luxury and pampering, Bali for its beaches, and Paris for a wonderful European city.
Q: Where would we find you on a Sunday afternoon?
A. At the park with my wife and three-year-old son.
Photography by Alisha Schwanke Photography
Q: Your go-to cocktail (or mocktail)?
A. Tito’s martini with bleu cheese olives.
Q: What makes you truly happy?
A. A great meal with friends and family. And binging Netflix of course!
Q: As you know, HPU is right here with incredible students looking to pursue their entrepreneurial dreams. What three pieces of advice would you give them?
A.
1. Be inquisitive and ask lots of questions.
2. Have confidence in who you are and know your strengths and weaknesses.
3.Take as many internships as possible.
High Point Favorites
Q: Where do you like to grab a cup of coffee?
Q: Restaurant you can’t get enough of?
Q: Local shops you think are doing everything right?
Q: Where do you go to unplug?
Q: Favorite place to grab a drink?
Q: Excluding yours, what High Point company or business do you admire the most?
A. High Point University for all that it has done to transform our city.
Q: Where would you tell a first-time visitor to High Point to go and why?
A. Explore the Furniture Market Campus—even off market it is a sight to behold.
We are excited to see Phillips Collection continue to grow and evolve in the upcoming years, especially when it is fueled by innovative thinkers like Jason– and a great city like High Point. You can discover the wonderful world of Phillips Collection online or through their seven showrooms around the country.
Discover our High Points,
The HP Discovered Team
Cover Image by Alisha Schwanke Photography