When you walk into Rod & Panel, a spacious 3,000-square-foot showroom in the Scottsdale Airpark, you’re greeted with more than just fabrics, draperies, and wallpaper samples. You’re stepping into the life’s work of an entrepreneur whose journey from Pennsylvania to Arizona — with stops in Seattle, Colorado, and back again — has been guided by a love for design, teaching, and community.

Stacy Shriver's story begins on the East Coast, where she grew up before moving west in her early twenties. After spending time in Seattle, she came to Arizona, graduating from Arizona State University with a degree in business management. Her academic path didn’t stop there; she went on to earn a PhD in Business Management at the University of Colorado, Boulder, later serving as an adjunct professor at the same university.

But Arizona always called her home. When the chance to buy Rod & Panel arose in 2012, she leapt at the opportunity, returning to the Valley with her daughter, Sidra, who is now a junior at Northern Arizona University. Alongside Sidra, she shares life with her longtime partner, Gabe, and two beloved rescue dogs, Mookie and Raisin.

Her relationship with Rod & Panel goes back decades. Founded in 1987 as a wholesale-only showroom for window coverings, fabrics, and wallpaper, the business was started by a husband-and-wife team who later became her mentors. She first joined them in 1999 while finishing her undergraduate degree, working part-time in the Tempe location. Over four years, she gained hands-on experience and saw the business move to Scottsdale.

Even after leaving for Colorado, she stayed in touch. During a spring break trip in 2012, she met the couple for dinner. They revealed they were ready to sell — and immediately thought of her. “Of course I was interested,” she recalls with a smile. Within months, she was back in Scottsdale, ready to make the business her own.

Today, more than a decade later, she has expanded Rod & Panel to include retail in addition to wholesale, a move that has kept the business thriving as the market evolved.

Rod & Panel specializes in custom draperies but offers far more. Clients will find the full line of Hunter Douglas window coverings, a wide selection of designer fabrics and wallpapers, and professional measuring and installation services. Motorization options are available for those who want modern convenience, and the showroom provides inspiration for those uncertain about their direction.

“I love helping people pick fabrics that are going to look gorgeous in their homes,” she says. “It’s my favorite part of the job, and I never charge for it.”

Her approach is rooted in honesty, integrity, and craftsmanship. She works closely with local installers and workrooms — all small businesses themselves — ensuring every product is carefully crafted and installed to last. That local-first philosophy not only elevates quality but also strengthens Scottsdale’s business ecosystem.

Her commitment extends beyond her showroom. A passionate supporter of Stealing Hearts Rescue, a local large-breed dog rescue, she has adopted four dogs from the organization, including Mookie and Raisin. She has a special place in her heart for senior and hard-to-place dogs, finding joy in giving them a second chance at life.

Through her business, she often runs fundraisers benefiting the rescue, donating a portion of sales to support their work. “It’s one of the most rewarding things I’ve done with my life,” she says.

Even with years of success behind her, she’s looking forward with fresh ideas. She envisions expanding Rod & Panel to provide more jobs locally and create new opportunities for vendors. Perhaps most exciting is her plan to launch internships for interior design students in the Valley. With her background as a professor, she understands the value of real-world experience and looks forward to mentoring the next generation of designers.

For homeowners considering new window treatments, she offers two key insights. First: don’t be afraid to let your drapes shine. “If you’re going to purchase custom drapes, let’s make sure they look custom,” she advises. While neutrals are safe, she encourages clients to explore small-scale patterns, tone-on-tone fabrics, or even bold, dramatic designs.

Second: plan ahead. Custom work takes time, especially drapes, Roman shades, and cornices, which can take up to eight weeks to complete. “Don’t wait until the last minute,” she says. “Now is the perfect time to get started if you want fresh window treatments for the holidays.”

From her early days as a part-time employee to her current role as owner, her story is one of passion, perseverance, and community. Rod & Panel is more than a showroom — it’s a reflection of her values, her love of design, and her dedication to both her clients and her community.

And whether she’s transforming a Scottsdale living room or giving a senior rescue dog a new lease on life, one thing is clear: she’s building beauty, inside and out.