Four Decades of Effortlessly Elevated Guest Experiences
bette lissak
Founder
“The key to success is change. It’s also the most fun part of business, but the minute you’re not changing, you’re slipping back.”
From modest beginnings to monumental successes, Bette’s relentless drive and ambition have shaped Paradigm Trends into what it is today. As the heart and soul behind the company, she has crafted a legacy of innovation, resilience, and unparalleled service.
1940s
Bette’s lineage is rooted in strong, indomitable individuals. During the twilight years of World War II, her father orchestrated a daring escape from Nazi tyranny using diamonds to secure passage to America. These diamonds later became the foundation of his successful diamond business on 47th Street, NYC.
Inspired by her family, Bette attended business school, which led to the opportunity to start her own wholesale company. Her thesis on starting an import/export business focused on creating great designs at great prices—a principle Paradigm Trends still follows. After graduation, Bette traveled to India and Thailand to bring her vision to life.
1980s
It was the middle of the night on January 26th, 1984 when Bette Lissak first stepped off the plane in Delhi, India. With three children awaiting her return, a hard-earned MBA thesis in her back pocket, and a dream of stepping outside of the conventional roles assigned to women in the workforce, Bette entered unfamiliar territory with tenacity, ambition, and just a dash of naivety—the timeless alchemy that sparks the journey of every triumphant entrepreneur.
In August 1984, Bette participated in her very first trade show, which was only 7 months after her first trip to Asia. Her first big sellers were vases from a selection of traditional handicrafts infused with Bette’s modernity.
1990s
Within a year of starting the business, Bette discovered product trends she could incorporate for her audience. As a result, she approached the partners she had built strong ties with during her travels, and ultimately introduced silver plating to India.
While at a trade show, a representative from a major textile and bath accessories company asked Bette to transform a metal candy dish into a soap dish. Not only did this give way to the first-ever metal bathroom accessory collection, but it changed Paradigm’s business model forever. After delving into bath accessories, Paradigm Trends expanded into wholesale bar decor, comprehensive living spaces, and furniture.
2000s
With the family unit coming full circle, Paradigm Trends began to identify the hospitality sector as its largest segment. As such, we enhanced our connections with factories in China to expand our material capabilities.
We solidified our position as a leading hospitality accessory design company by engaging the industry from multiple perspectives, catering to every kind of corporate segment involved with hotels. Our unique approach has kept us at the forefront of the industry while maintaining a keen awareness of the commercial environment in which we operate.
Now
At Paradigm Trends, we’ve fostered our relationships with our Indian partners for 40 years as we continue to prosper together. With four decades under our belt, we continue to evolve slowly, steadily, and powerfully; the company now has a reach that expands past the United States, and overseas.
We pride ourselves on our relationship-driven approach, cultivating trust, satisfaction, and unwavering commitment. Thanks to our stellar reputation, we are known for transforming the hospitality industry worldwide with effortlessly elevated guest experiences.
