Impressions of The 13th Floor: A Summer With Our Intern Foster Richardson

Impressions of
The 13th Floor

A Summer with our Intern: Foster Richardson

At JDouglas, we believe in investing in future leaders—and this summer, we’re thrilled to welcome Foster Richardson to the team as our newest intern.

Foster is a rising senior at High Point University, majoring in Sales. Originally from Rye, New York, he brings a vibrant mix of curiosity, professionalism, and a love for connecting with people—traits that already make him a standout at JDouglas.

Foster joined us in Spring 2024 after a friend introduced him to the company, describing it as an ideal opportunity to step into the sales world. Although he had no prior sales experience, Foster dove in headfirst—and hasn’t looked back. “Working with JDouglas has truly been eye-opening,” he says. “It’s shown me how much I enjoy this work, and how valuable relationships and attention to detail are in this industry.”

As an intern and Market Assistant, Foster thrives on making connections. He especially enjoys discovering “small world” moments—when clients or reps know someone from his network—which reinforces how interconnected this industry is. “That’s been my favorite part so far,” he shares. “The people. The conversations. The learning.”.

Off the floor, Foster makes the most of his time in Atlanta—soaking up the sunshine, stopping by Candler Park Market, or planning his next round of golf. He also enjoys diving deeper into our brands and products, with the Bilal Chandelier from Arteriors currently topping his list of favorites.

When asked to describe himself in three words, Foster didn’t hesitate: eager to learn. It’s a simple phrase that perfectly captures his curiosity, cleverness, and drive to grow—qualities that have already made him a valued part of the JDouglas team.

Foster will be returning to High Point University for his senior year. He plans to work for us during Fall and Spring Markets, if his schedule allows. After graduation, he hopes to land a role in tech sales, ideally in a position that keeps him energized, challenged, and connected to innovative work. For now, he’s soaking up every opportunity here—learning the ins and outs of the furniture world, building his network, and growing more confident in his skillset.

Welcome to Atlanta, Foster, we’re excited to have you with us this summer!

You can read more of Foster’s fun, thoughtful, and youthfully honest answers to our Q&A below. We loved getting to know him better, and we think you will too!

At JDouglas, we believe in investing in future leaders and this summer, we’re thrilled to welcome Foster Richardson to the team as our newest intern.

Foster is a rising senior at High Point University, majoring in Sales. Originally from Rye, New York, he brings a vibrant mix of curiosity, professionalism, and a love for connecting with people. Traits that already make him a standout at JDouglas.

Foster joined us in Spring 2024 for the Spring High Point Market after a friend introduced him to the company, describing it as an ideal opportunity to step into the sales world. Although he had no prior sales experience, Foster dove in headfirst, and hasn’t looked back. “Working with JDouglas has truly been eye-opening,” he says. “It’s shown me how much I enjoy this work, and how valuable relationships and attention to detail are in this industry.”

As an intern and Market Assistant, Foster thrives on making connections. He especially enjoys discovering “small world” moments when clients or reps know someone from his network, which reinforces how interconnected this industry is. “That’s been my favorite part so far,” he shares. “The people. The conversations. The learning.”

Off the floor, Foster makes the most of his time in Atlanta, soaking up the sunshine, stopping by Candler Park Market, or planning his next round of golf. He also enjoys diving deeper into our brands and products, with the Bilal Chandelier from Arteriors currently topping his list of favorites.

When asked to describe himself in three words, Foster didn’t hesitate: eager to learn. It’s a simple phrase that perfectly captures his curiosity, cleverness, and drive to grow qualities that have already made him a valued part of the JDouglas team.

Foster will be returning to High Point University for his senior year. He plans to work for us during Fall and Spring Markets, if his schedule allows. After graduation, he hopes to land a role in tech sales, ideally in a position that keeps him energized, challenged, and connected to innovative work. For now, he’s soaking up every opportunity here learning the ins and outs of the furniture world, building his network, and growing more confident in his skillset.

Welcome to Atlanta, Foster. We’re excited to have you with us this summer!

You can read more of Foster’s fun, thoughtful, and youthfully honest answers to our Q&A below. We loved getting to know him better, and we think you will too!

Elevator to 13

13 Questions With Foster Richardson

You’ve met him on the floor—now get to know him a little better! We asked Foster 13 quick questions to get a glimpse into his personality, passions, and perspective as he takes on his summer with JDouglas.

Describe yourself in three words

Eager to Learn.

What made you decide to attend
High Point University?

High Point university was a very simple choice for me, I wanted to attend a school that had a modern and new feel to it with smaller class sizes to enhance my academic achievements.

What has been the best part of
High Point University?

The best part about High Point are the opportunities I have had since enrolling in 2022. Working for JDouglas is definitely the best one of them, but on top of that, I have been able to meet with high-ranking members of many different companies to learn and connect with them about what it takes to be successful in today's day and age.

What have you learned in your time with JDouglas both as an assistant and as an intern, thus far?

Since being with JDouglas, I have learned a lot about myself. The way I see a floor and how I connect with people on said floor sets me apart from an everyday person and I was unaware of these ideas until I began working in the sales industry. It truly raised my confidence and allowed me to become a better member of the JDouglas team.

What are you hoping to gain from your internship with JDouglas?

I am hoping to gain a detailed understanding of the ins and outs of the company. Yes, JDouglas has many unique aspects and tendencies that set them ahead of their competitors, but they also have very similar morals and details to any other company. Hopefully, my time here will introduce me to the basics that I need to be able to succeed within any company and any position I am put in within my future.

Being a High Point University student and now a temporary part of JDouglas, what are your initial perceptions about the furniture industry?

At first, all the furniture industry was to me was showing up, connecting with people, and hopefully being able to sell some furniture, and then getting back to my normal life after market. I had no idea the time and details that were behind the scenes. Since being in Atlanta, I now have a newfound respect for each and every person and the role they play in making sure everything is perfect.

What has been surprising to learn or has unexpectedly challenged you since starting your internship?

An unexpected challenge was learning all the details about each and every product and spending time understanding how each and every one of them are made and produced. Realizing how much each rep knows about each product shows me how far away I am from being a leader in this craft. I never understood the precision and details that go into each and every show.

How would you describe the difference between Atlanta Market and High Point Market?

The pace at which people move and the type of people at each given market. High Point is a lot more northern and moves at a much quicker pace; people want to get in, see their products, place an order, and move on to the next. Down in Atlanta, it is way more common for someone to come and sit down, have a glass of water or some complimentary snacks, hang out with their Rep, catch up about life, and then begin to put together their order.

Has interning in the design industry changed how you view interiors or products?

Yes, 100% I now have a full understanding of the time and details that go into each and every showroom.

If you could describe your overall experience with JDouglas using a few words, what would they be?

Eye Opening, Welcoming and Educational.

What advice would you give future Market Assistants or JDouglas Interns?

Externally, always have a smile on your face and never miss the chance to have a conversation with someone. Internally, there is something to learn each and every day so keep your ears open and pay attention.

What’s been your most unforgettable stamp in the passport so far? Why? Or Best adventure you’ve had with a suitcase (or a backpack)?

This past May (2025), I had the opportunity to live in France for a month. While taking a financial management class, I also got to travel throughout the south of France. During my time there, I visited Aix-en-Provence, Eze, Monaco, Nice, and several other cities along the French Riviera and Mediterranean coast. It was truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience where I learned so much about French culture, people, and geography. I hope to return someday and revisit all the places I loved—and maybe explore even more.

What are your goals post-graduation?

My Goals after graduation are to find a job that does not feel like work and keeps me happy and entertained for many years to come.

Describe yourself in three words

Eager to Learn

What made you decide to attend High Point University?