Managing a Marble Mining Company for Four Generations
Awarded the Women in Stone Pioneer Award
"If you follow your dreams, anyone can achieve what they desire"
"If you follow your dreams, anyone can achieve what they desire."
Susan Morse, CEO of Fauskemble Marble, a marble mining company now in its fourth generation, is regarded as a pioneering woman who has dedicated 40 years to the stone industry, where female workers are rare. During the '3daysofdesign,' the largest design festival in Northern Europe, held in Copenhagen, Denmark, CEO Morse opened her showroom and, in an interview with Asia Economy on the 19th (local time), expressed her hope to inspire other women with her story.
Susan Morse Fauskemble, CEO, is posing with an award presented by the Natural Stone Institute in the United States on the 19th (local time). Photo by Lee Hyunju
Since the 1880s, Fauskemble Marble has been selling natural marble quarried in the Pauske area of northern Norway, near the Arctic Circle. CEO Morse explained, "There are more than 1,000 types of stone materials to choose from in the market," adding, "That is why I always consider what value we can add to other people's projects." She continued, "I have always tried to explain how long the materials last, how they can be used, and how they can be combined with other materials to be incorporated into larger designs."
In recognition of these achievements, CEO Morse received the 'Women in Stone Pioneer Award' this year from the Natural Stone Institute, which is based in the United States. She was recognized for her dedication to sustainability and innovative management, having started at the very bottom of the marble factory and spent 40 years focusing solely on this field. She is the first recipient of this award from outside the United States.
When CEO Morse first entered the marble mining business at the age of 20, she was the only woman on site. She recalled, "At work, I was always assigned only phone duties, and that was the most difficult part," and "I had to fight every day just to get work." However, she never gave up. She added, "I wanted to make a change," and "I endured by imagining customers smiling every day as they received beautiful marble countertops."
She also confessed that working with stone was not easy for a woman. While working in Saudi Arabia, there were no women's restrooms in the building, so she had to secretly use the site manager's private restroom. At a factory in Greece, the only women present were those working at the reception desk. Nevertheless, she put on her work clothes without hesitation, carried out quality inspections and large-scale checks, and completed numerous projects.
CEO Morse is confident that the experience she has built can give hope to women around the world. She cited the fact that she never set limits for herself during her 40 years working with stone as a key factor in her success. She said, "I have never thought of myself as a 'woman.' I always thought of myself as a 'human being,'" adding, "I hope people do not think, 'I can't do it because I'm a woman.'"
CEO Morse also advised that planning and execution are important for success. She said, "When I return from work, I organize what I need to do next and take action," adding, "I always try to plan my time well and work efficiently." She further emphasized, "You must always have time for yourself during the day," and "If you don't have time for yourself, life becomes difficult."
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