Beth Anne Branden | YWCA Women of Excellence
Beth Anne Branden
Regional President
BA Designs
Beth Anne Branden is the Regional President of BA Designs, a company she founded in 1995 in Topeka. She currently leads operations in tandem with its parent company Pure Workplace Solutions. From 1995-2017 she was the owner and president of BA Designs and Superior Installation Services. She transitioned to Regional President in an effort to make time for additional entrepreneurial and personal passions. With over 30 years of interior design experience, Beth Anne has built a career where solution-minded customer service has always been at the forefront.
Beth Anne is a Topeka native graduating from Washburn Rural High School in 1980 and the University of Kansas in 1985 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in interior design. She desires for Topeka to be the best place to work and live, and has had the privilege of serving on the Family Service and Guidance Center Foundation board, the Marian Clinic board and Go Topeka board. She currently serves on the Youth Entrepreneurs Topeka Advisory board, Small Business Council and Arts Connect board. Beth Anne sees Topeka as a community that will continue to thrive and provide support and inspiration to all entrepreneurs.
Born to Harry and Kay Craig, Beth Anne continues a family tradition of being a business owner. The family business, Martin Tractor Company, was a partner and support system to BA Designs in its early years. With its world class customer service, top notch employees, and mentorship, the people and spirit of Martin Tractor inspired and taught Beth Anne to be the leader she is.
Since 1998, Beth Anne has worked alongside her husband Russ in business. In addition to running BA Designs together, they also started a new company, Built Interior Construction in Kansas City in 2015. In her spare time she enjoys spending time with family including her children Matt and Kathleen, reading, and spending time in the Flint Hills at Lake Wabaunsee.
TK: What inspires you?
BETH ANNE: At this point in my career, what I find inspiring is any opportunity where I can pay it forward; any nuggets of wisdom that I can share that might help advance another entrepreneur.
TK: What advice do you have for others?
BETH ANNE: Pursue what you are passionate about. Keep your passions at the forefront of what you do, but always be ready to adapt to an ever changing business world.
TK: What is the greatest lesson you have learned on your journey?
BETH ANNE: While I have learned countless lessons, one that comes to mind is that you will fail at some point along the way. But the most valuable lessons come from those failures. Whole heartedly embrace the failure and the wisdom you will always carry afterwards.
The YWCA is on a mission to empower women at all stages in their careers. Diversity in leadership is particularly vital to our vibrant business community in the Greater Topeka Area.
The YWCA is celebrating 31 years of recognizing Women of Excellence in our community with the theme “Dare to be Powerful.” We dare to be powerful, despite whatever obstacles may present themselves along the way.
“When I dare to be powerful, to use my strength in the service of my vision, then it becomes less and less important whether I am afraid.”
- Audre Lorde
