“Joan and I clearly stated our purpose when we began Premier Designs more than 22 years ago, and it is still the same today: to enrich every life we touch. This means that we must all serve, care, and share, striving to add something positive to each life we come in contact with, expecting nothing in return.”
— Andy Horner,
Co-Founder and C.S.O.
Born in Belfast, Ireland, Andy Horner had a childhood poor in material things, but rich in spiritual devotion and an unflagging work ethic as modeled by his mother. He and his family emigrated to Woodstock, Canada, in 1931. He first met Joan in elementary school and they became friends in high school. They began dating only after he returned from World War II in August of 1945, and in March of 1946 they married. Four years later, Joan and Andy arrived in Dallas. Andy’s business career spans more than 50 years and includes executive positions with companies such as Johnson Wax, Xerox Corporation, and Home Interiors and Gifts.
Joan Horner served alongside Andy at Home Interiors and Gifts, working with regional groups within the Home Interiors sales force. For many years, Joan assisted and traveled extensively with that company’s founder, Mary Crowley. Joan, who serves as Executive Vice President of Premier, has been instrumental in overseeing design and selection of the jewelry product line. She is a prolific encourager, writer and inspirational speaker.
Joan and Andy Horner have been married for more than 60 years and have five children, 14 grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. Andy Horner was 60 years young when he and Joan founded Premier Designs. “I spent many years in the corporate world, driven by the bottom line,” Andy recounts. “However, at age 60, I discovered a secret. Yes, we need good products and good management and good plans, but the secret is the people. Premier was founded with this belief. You cannot give without getting, and you cannot do anything enriching for someone else that will not enrich your life in turn. Our best days are ahead. We can never run out of lives to enrich.”
“My mission in life,” says Joan, “is very simple: to keep it personal! That’s also my mission for the
Premier Designs family. So much of modern living is high tech and high speed, yet our culture is lacking in the social graces and relational touches. The corporate world is high tech, too, with the end goal of making a profit as fast as you can and as efficiently as you can. Our purpose at Premier Designs is to influence peoples lives, not just their pocketbooks, and to build relationships. People are always more important than profits. People are our greatest asset!”
