Company Name: Absolute Procurement
Your Name: Carrie Gates
Local Rep’s Position/Years?: Principal and Founder, 12 years
IIDA member since: 1998
IIDA Oregon Chapter Board involvement: Chair of Professional Development and Forums (previously, not currently)

Absolute Procurement is a certified woman-owned business providing FF&E procurement and installation services throughout the Northwest and nationally. AP partners with designers and developers to project manage and execute the FF&E vision on schedule, within budget and according to specification. We also have a lot of fun doing it and connecting with those we work with!

What is your favorite IIDA event and why?
I have always loved the Design Excellence Awards – it’s such a fun time to celebrate the hard work our design community puts forth and unite to recognize each other’s talents.

What is your favorite product/service offered by your company and why?
AP offers a personalized procurement solution, we work closely with developers to understand their goals and tailor our services to suit the project’s unique needs. Our detailed project management and customer service based approach allows us to establish trusted long-term partnerships with our clients. The truly best service is giving our design partners the ease of mind that we have thought about everything that could make this a seamless process for them and for their clients they recommend us to.

What aspect of your company are you most proud of and why?
The amazing team we’ve built! Our tightly knit, highly collaborative team is the backbone of our business.  Not only does our team excel at providing an unsurpassed service to our clients, they are gracious and supportive to one other.

What value do you see in being an IIDA Oregon Chapter Annual Sponsor?
Coming together as a community to support one another and the local firms in a myriad of amazing ways in addition to giving back to those who have paved the way for us and mentored us.

What impact do you see the IIDA Oregon Chapter having on the A&D community in Oregon?
It’s a platform for us to come together. Coming together, supporting one another and uniting our ideas with similar goals is priceless. 

What is your personal mantra?
“What you seek is what you find.” My family values curiosity immensely; we do our best to foster that at Absolute Procurement, as well. 

What gets you excited about design?
I love the union of form and function. Figuring out that puzzle is just as important in design as it is in procurement, so I love seeing that intersection between what a space needs AND how to make it beautiful.

On a typical Saturday where can we find you?
The farmer’s market, in the garden + kitchen, and hiking – I’m obsessed with fresh vegetables, cooking, making nut milk and enjoying it all with my family and friends…and then getting out in nature to work it off :) 

Interesting fact?
I worked 12 years as an Interior Designer and have now worked 12 years as the principal of Absolute Procurement. Joining these two worlds of interior design and project management couldn’t be more rewarding! SO EXCITED to see what the next 12 years (+) at AP has in store! It’s been such a fun ride!

Fun Fact #2!
I have 2 daughters, just a year apart. They are best friends and 100% unique. This year I coached Girls on the Run and it was exciting to see them interact and have them as assistant coaches. We have been having fun with our herbal CSA (Rise up Remedies ), making tinctures, oxymels and teas. They love being creative and it’s been inspiring watching them grow and explore their own worlds.

Find AP on Instagram! @absoluteprocurement @carrieagates