Meet Sara Mansour of Zaanwood

Today we’d like to introduce you to Sara Mansour.

Hi Sara, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I started Zaanwood with a passion for design, quality craftsmanship, and creating spaces that feel both beautiful and personal. From the beginning, my vision was to bring together luxury, customization, and accessibility in one place—offering pieces that you don’t typically find everywhere else.
Like many small businesses, the journey wasn’t easy. Building Zaanwood meant learning everything from sourcing high-end brands and managing logistics to understanding what customers truly value. I focused on curating collections that combine timeless design with modern elegance, while also offering customization options so each piece can feel unique to the client.
Opening our showroom at Liberty Center was a major milestone. It gave us the opportunity to connect directly with customers, understand their needs, and grow within the community. Over time, we’ve expanded our offerings to include not just furniture, but décor, rugs, lighting, and even premium flooring and countertops—creating a more complete design experience.
Today, Zaanwood continues to grow as a brand built on quality, relationships, and attention to detail. My goal has always been simple: to help people create homes they love, while delivering a level of service and customization that truly stands out.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. Like most small businesses, there have been a lot of challenges along the way.
One of the biggest struggles has been navigating logistics and supply chains, especially when working with high-end furniture brands. Delays, backorders, and shipping issues can be unpredictable, and managing customer expectations during those times has been a learning experience.
Another challenge has been building brand awareness and trust. Since Zaanwood offers more premium and customizable pieces, it takes time for customers to understand the value compared to mass-market furniture. Finding the right audience and educating them on quality, craftsmanship, and customization has been key.
There have also been operational challenges—everything from managing vendors and pricing competitiveness to handling marketing, advertising platforms, and day-to-day store operations. Wearing multiple hats as a business owner has pushed me to constantly learn and adapt.
Despite these challenges, each obstacle has helped me grow, refine the business, and become more resilient. It’s been a journey of continuous learning, and that’s what makes the progress so meaningful.

As you know, we’re big fans of Zaanwood. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Zaanwood is a furniture and home décor showroom focused on offering a curated blend of modern, classic, and luxury design. We specialize in high-quality furniture, customizable pieces, and unique décor that customers typically cannot find in mass-market stores.
What makes Zaanwood different is our focus on personalization and experience. Many of our pieces can be customized in fabric, finish, and size, allowing clients to create something truly tailored to their space. In addition to furniture, we offer rugs, lighting, and premium flooring and countertops, giving customers a more complete design solution.
We operate both as a retail showroom and a design resource, helping customers—from homeowners to designers—bring their vision to life. From sourcing exclusive brands to providing white glove delivery, we aim to deliver a seamless and elevated experience from start to finish.

Where do you see things going in the next 5-10 years?
Over the next 5–10 years, I see the furniture and home design industry becoming more personalized, experience-driven, and digitally integrated. Customers are moving away from mass-produced pieces and looking for items that reflect their individuality, which makes customization a major trend that will continue to grow.
At the same time, the line between retail and design services is becoming more blurred. Customers don’t just want to buy furniture—they want guidance, styling, and a complete vision for their space. Businesses that can offer both product and design expertise will have a strong advantage.
Technology will also play a bigger role, from online visualization tools to e-commerce integration, but I believe physical showrooms will remain important—especially in the luxury space—because customers want to see, feel, and experience quality before making a decision.
Another shift is the growing demand for quality over quantity. People are becoming more intentional with their purchases, investing in fewer but better pieces that last longer and have more meaning.
Overall, the industry is moving toward a more curated, service-focused, and customer-centric approach, and businesses that prioritize personalization, quality, and experience will continue to stand out.

Pricing:

• We offer a wide range of price points to accommodate different budgets, from accessible décor pieces starting around $50 to high-end luxury furniture and custom pieces.
• Most of our furniture collections range from mid to high-end, depending on customization, materials, and brand.
• Custom upholstery and made-to-order pieces are priced based on fabric, finishes, and design specifications.
• We provide white glove delivery services to ensure a seamless and premium experience from purchase to installation.
• Flexible payment options, including financing, are available to make higher-end pieces more accessible to our customers.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://zaanwood.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zaanwoodinterior
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/zaanwoodhome