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From Customer to Colleague: Meet Steve, Vice President of Tuning USA
What’s it like to join a company you’ve known as a customer for more than thirty years? For Steve Catando, it meant seeing a familiar business from the other side.
Steve Catando worked as a Procurement Manager at DVflora, working with Tuning as one of his suppliers. When he felt ready for a change, he knew he wanted to explore the import side of the flower business. Tuning was already a familiar name, but joining the team meant getting to know the company in a whole new way. Just over a year ago, he made that move and became Vice President at Tuning USA.
A familiar business through a new lens
Steve has worked in retail, wholesale and imports, and has visited most of the world’s flower-growing regions along the way. But what does he enjoy most about the flower business? The people. He loves getting to know people from different cultures and working together across languages and time zones.
“I love that the flower business makes the world so much smaller,” he says.
Steve likes building relationships over time. He also enjoys a good laugh and tries to keep his sense of humor, even when things don’t go to plan.
More than one hat to wear
At Tuning USA, Steve works across procurement, sales, sales management and logistics. Some days lean more towards buying and coordinating logistics; others are focused on sales and supporting the sales team. Being organized and staying focused help him move between those responsibilities.
He particularly enjoys bringing in new sources of supply, something he is proud to have contributed to during his first year. Steve likes that he’s not the only one who takes on different tasks. His colleagues are just as happy to lend a hand wherever they’re needed. That’s something he really appreciates about the Tuning team: everyone pitches in, no matter their job title.
Partners, not just orders
When it comes to customers, Steve values open communication and honest feedback. He believes a supplier relationship should go beyond filling the next order. When customers and suppliers approach each other as partners, they can work through problems together.
One customer once told Steve that his help had improved, and ultimately saved, their business. It remains a particularly meaningful compliment for someone who enjoys helping people tackle the challenges of working with flowers.
Away from the flower business
Outside work, Steve loves spending time with family and friends. He has four children, now mostly young adults, and two dogs. He also enjoys cycling, boating, fishing, watching sports and playing Texas hold ’em. A few of those personal touches have found their way onto his desk: a family photo, dogs included, and a poker chip. A little bit of home, and a reminder that there’s always time for some friendly competition.
Looking back at the journey from customer to colleague, Steve puts it simply: “32 years later, I’m working with Tuning as an associate and colleague. That’s special to me.”
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