Steve, between visits: a 2-minute weekly check-in, private files, messages and meetings.
Not a big firm and not a binder. Steve led his family's company, Pride Family Brands, for 20+ years and was its CEO until 2017. Today he is the founder and owner of Middle Market Strategies, advising family companies side by side.
LinkedInFollow Steve LowskyEvery point below comes from his public record: company announcements, trade press and his own interview.
VP from 1994, then CFO, COO, EVP, president (2011) and CEO (2015–2017) of Pride Family Brands, the company his father founded with Steve and his brother in 1977. He handled the numbers, the plant and the customers.
After the family partnered with New Water Capital in 2015, Steve led as CEO and spent about 20 months on a planned transition to his successor. Succession and bringing in a capital partner: he's been through both from the family's side.
Pride designed, made and distributed its own furniture, with operations in Fort Lauderdale and Costa Rica. Steve describes "extensive near shore manufacturing experience," useful when you're weighing production closer to home.
Pride sold through more than 1,000 U.S. retail locations. His view: "Anybody can sell a retailer, but the retailer has to sell your brand." He'll push you to train the sales floor, not just the buyer.
Five principles: quality product, a great warranty, ship on time, great customer service, promote your brand. Plus three extras. Score yourself in 5 minutes with What Makes a Company Great.
Middle Market Strategies is Steve. Clients get the Front Porch app for weekly check-ins, files, messages and meetings, so he knows exactly when to call or come by.
The short version: a finance-trained operator who helped build, lead and hand over his family's company.
Portrait to comeSteve to supply a current headshot
Steve's father, Bernie Lowsky, started Pride Family Brands in Fort Lauderdale in 1977 with his sons Jamie and Steve. Together they grew it from a local retailer into an international designer, manufacturer and distributor of aluminum outdoor furniture, with brands including Castelle and SummerWinds, sold through more than 1,000 retail locations across the U.S.
Steve served in Pride's leadership for about 23 years: from 1994 as vice president, then CFO, COO and executive vice president. He became president in 2011, overseeing finance, marketing and production fulfillment, and CEO in 2015.
That year the family partnered with New Water Capital for growth capital. Steve led the company as CEO and then spent about 20 months on a planned handover of leadership to his successor, completed in early 2017.
In 2017 Steve founded Middle Market Strategies in Fort Lauderdale, which he owns and runs today, advising other family-owned companies. He holds a B.S. in finance from Florida State University and serves on FSU's Department of Finance Professional Advocacy Board and the advisory board of its Center for Professional Success.
Scores, top 3 goals and what you need help with.
Slipping goals and open questions rise to the top of his board.
With a one-page summary of where you stand.
Real screens from the app, showing example demo companies.
"If you stick to those five principles and support your dealers, which are your soldiers on the front line, I think that you have a great company."Steve Lowsky, Furniture Today interview, 2017
Placeholder: to be added only with their permission.
A short note is plenty. There's no obligation. Or call (954) 650-5540 or email steve@middlemarketstrategies.com.