Inspiring Conversations with Susan Pilato of Mantra Inspired Furniture

Today we’d like to introduce you to Susan Pilato.

Hi Susan, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
My journey began as a commercial interior designer with a passion for creating spaces that positively impact the people who use them. At 26 years old, I co-founded PC&A Business Environments, and over the past 25 years I have had the opportunity to help grow the company into one of the region’s leading commercial interior firms. Throughout that journey, I developed a deep appreciation for the role that furnishings play not only in design, but in the long-term health of our environment and communities.

That passion ultimately led me to found Mantra Inspired Furniture in 2018. I saw an opportunity to challenge the growing culture of disposable “fast furniture” by creating commercial furniture built from solid American hardwoods, designed to last for generations rather than years. From the beginning, Mantra has focused on authentic sustainability—looking beyond marketing claims and certifications to examine the true lifecycle of a product, from sourcing and manufacturing to longevity, repairability, and eventual reuse.

Today, that vision has expanded even further with the merger of Created Hardwood into the Mantra family. Created Hardwood brought decades of craftsmanship, manufacturing expertise, and a shared belief in the value of solid wood furniture. Together, we are combining design innovation, American manufacturing, and a commitment to stewardship to create a stronger platform for the future.

Looking back, my path has never been about simply building companies. It has been about building opportunities for employees, craftspeople, designers, and future leaders while helping shape an industry that values people, quality, and long-term thinking. I am incredibly excited about this next chapter as we continue to grow while staying true to the principles that brought us here: authenticity, sustainability, craftsmanship, and service to others.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Like most entrepreneurial journeys, it has certainly not been a smooth road. There have been many moments of uncertainty, difficult decisions, and lessons learned along the way. Starting and growing PC&A as a young woman in a traditionally male-dominated industry came with its own challenges. I often found myself having to prove my credibility, earn trust, and navigate situations where there was no clear roadmap to follow.

Building Mantra Inspired Furniture brought a different set of challenges. Launching a manufacturing company centered on solid American hardwoods and authentic sustainability required us to challenge industry norms and educate the market on why longevity and craftsmanship matter. There were times when taking the harder path meant slower growth, but I have always believed that staying true to our values was more important than taking shortcuts.

Most recently, the merger of Created Hardwood into the Mantra family has brought both exciting opportunities and new challenges. Merging two organizations, integrating teams, aligning systems, and preserving the strengths and cultures that made each company successful requires tremendous effort and thoughtful leadership. While the process is not without its complexities, it has reinforced my belief that growth comes from embracing change and being willing to evolve.

Through every challenge, I have learned that resilience, surrounding yourself with great people, and remaining focused on your purpose are what carry you forward. The obstacles have shaped me as a leader and made the successes that much more meaningful.

Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Mantra Inspired Furniture?
Mantra Inspired Furniture was founded on a simple but powerful belief: sustainability should be authentic, not a marketing strategy. We design and manufacture commercial furniture from solid American hardwoods, creating products that are built to last for decades rather than years. Our focus is on helping organizations make investments in furnishings that support both beautiful design and responsible stewardship of natural resources.

Today, Mantra has grown even stronger through the merger with Created Hardwood, bringing together innovative design, generations of woodworking expertise, and expanded manufacturing capabilities. Together, we are creating a company that is uniquely positioned to serve the commercial interiors market with products that combine craftsmanship, durability, and environmental responsibility.

What sets us apart is our commitment to looking beyond certifications and industry buzzwords to focus on the true lifecycle of a product. We believe the most sustainable piece of furniture is one that remains in service for decades, can be repaired or refinished, and never needs to end up in a landfill. Every piece we create is designed with longevity, adaptability, and timelessness in mind.

We are known for our solid hardwood conference, collaboration, and workplace furniture, as well as our ability to bring warmth, biophilic design, and authentic materials into commercial environments. Our products are found in corporate offices, higher education facilities, government spaces, hospitality environments, and other organizations seeking quality that endures.

What I am most proud of is that we have stayed true to our mission while growing. We have built a company that challenges conventional thinking around sustainability and encourages the industry to ask better questions about materials, product lifespan, and environmental impact. We are not simply manufacturing furniture; we are helping reshape the conversation around what responsible design and furnishing should look like.

I want readers to know that Mantra is more than a furniture company. We are advocates for American craftsmanship, healthy forests, authentic sustainability, and investment-grade furniture that creates lasting value. Our goal is to leave behind a better industry than the one we inherited—one where quality, transparency, and stewardship are once again at the center of how products are designed, manufactured, and used.

Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
One of the most valuable lessons I have learned is that mentorship and networking are not really about collecting contacts—they are about building genuine relationships. The mentors who have had the greatest impact on my life were not people I sought out because of their title or influence. They were people whose character, experience, and willingness to share honestly resonated with me.

My advice is to be curious, ask thoughtful questions, and never be afraid to reach out to someone you admire. Most successful people are willing to share their experiences if they see genuine interest and authenticity. At the same time, mentorship should not be viewed as a one-way street. Even early in your career, you can bring value through your perspective, enthusiasm, and willingness to contribute.

Networking has worked best for me when I focus on serving others rather than asking, “What can this person do for me?” Some of the most meaningful opportunities in my career have come from relationships built over many years through volunteer work, industry organizations, community involvement, and simply showing up consistently. People remember those who are authentic, follow through on their commitments, and invest in relationships over time.

I would also encourage people to seek mentors from different backgrounds, industries, and life experiences. Some of my greatest lessons have come from individuals whose careers looked nothing like my own. Diverse perspectives challenge our thinking, expand our understanding, and often reveal opportunities we would never have seen on our own.

Most importantly, remember that mentorship is not a destination – it is a lifelong journey. As you grow, different mentors will enter your life for different seasons, and eventually you will find yourself in a position to mentor others. That, to me, is where the real impact happens.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.mantraif.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mantrainspiredfurniture
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mantrainspiredfurniture
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/mantrainspiredfurniture