Thrive In Design

S2, E3: How Relationships Play A Role In The Design Process with Bob Habian

In this episode, Nicole Lashae Ben, CEO of Thrive In Design, and Bob Habian, Co-founder and CEO of Tect App, Inc., chat about how relationships play a significant role in the design process.

Architects and interior designers have complex design processes, which require specifying hundreds of materials. Those materials have technical information and nuances that, typically, only the product manufacturer and its sales reps are well versed in. When there is a solid and fruitful relationship between the architect/designer and manufacturer, commuication is essential and leads to great product decisions.

Bob Habian, AIA, today's guest, is an architect and entrepreneur, who is often referred to as a "licensed puzzle builder and problem solver." He has dedicated the majority of his career to solving one of the most important challenges facing the building industry, and that is, communication between product manufacturers and design professionals, particularly at the earliest stages of a project, when important product decisions are being made.

Listen in for some great insights on how Bob approaches this problem with Tect App, Inc. and how product manufacturers can position themselves to be a resource rather than just aiming to make a sale.

 

Guest: Bob Habian
Email: bob@tect.com | LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bobhabian

Learn more about Thrive In Design:

Contact: thriveindesign.co/contact | Instagram: @thriveindesign | Facebook: @thriveindesign 

>>> Register for the next Thrive In Design live training here. 

S2, E2: #DESIGNCHAT Integrating Tech Into Interior Design & The Client Experience with Jessica Mann-Amato

In this episode, Nicole Lashae Ben, CEO of Thrive In Design, and Jessica Mann-Amato, Design Principal and Co-Owner of Mancini Duffy, chat about integrating tech into the interior design process and client experience.

Jessica leads Mancini Duffy through transparency emphasizing company culture and technology. Mancini is a 100+-year-old tech-driven design firm in NYC whose clients include Peloton, Soho House, Boqueria, American Airlines, Brooklyn Nets, and NBC Sports. Mancini’s co-owners run the firm like a start-up with technology as the key driver of all initiatives. Mancini is a diverse firm — 51% of the firm is female — nearly twice the industry norm.

In 2020, Mancini’s designers revolutionized the design process by inventing the patent-pending The Toolbelt, a software that allows Mancini’s clients to explore and manipulate the 3D models of their spaces using Virtual Reality to explore and make adjustments to the designs in real-time. Utilizing The Toolbelt, Mancini’s designers can do in 3 hours what it takes most architects 3 weeks to do. Jessica has layered technology into every facet of Mancini’s design process. She utilizes The Toolbelt to lead clients through proprietary 360 Design Sessions, immersing them in their spaces and allowing for a truly collaborative, interactive design process.

Listen in for some amazing insight on technology, innovation, and how interior product companies can integrate into the emerging design process.

Guest: Jessica Mann-Amato

Company: Mancini Duffy

Email: jmannamato@manciniduffy.com | Instagram: @mancini_duffy | Facebook: @ManciniDuffy 

Learn more about Thrive In Design:

Contact: thriveindesign.co/contact | Instagram: @thriveindesign | Facebook: @thriveindesign

>>> Register for the next Thrive In Design live training here.

S2, E1: Why Your Marketing Budget Isn’t Leading to Specifications

In this kick-off of season two of the Thrive In Design podcast, Nicole Lashae Ben, CEO of Thrive In Design, dives into the reasons why your marketing budget isn't leading to specifications. So often, interior product companies think about increasing their marketing budgets to lead to more brand awareness. But, what happens when you have more eyes on your brand without a proper system in place to convert awareness to sales? 

In this episode, Nicole will share:

• An overview of the Thrive In Design proprietary method for interior product manufacturers
• The top strategies that interior product companies should consider when spending their marketing budget
• Building a sales funnel that leads to ROI

 

Learn more about Thrive In Design:

Contact: thriveindesign.co/contact | Instagram: @thriveindesign | Facebook: @thriveindesign

>>> Register for the next Thrive In Design live training here. 

S1,E12: #DESIGNCHAT: Spec’ing Products Based On Environmental Psychology with Deon Bent

Today, we have Deon Bent, who is an interior designer and owner of Noed Interiors. Her firm is a design haven that focuses on the environmental psychology aspect of design as well as curating a unique space for every client. 

 

After obtaining her BFA in Interior Design from the Art Institute, traveling the world, and experiencing other cultures, Deon quickly realized the need for a design service that focused on fostering an in-depth relationship with the client and developing an understanding of their relationship to space before beginning the design process. 

 

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Get in touch with Deon Bent, Principal Designer of Noed Interiors

Instagram: @noedinteriors 

 

Learn more about Thrive In Design

Contact: thriveindesign.co/contact | Instagram: @thriveindesign | Facebook: @thriveindesign

 

>>> Register for the next Thrive In Design live training here. <<<

S1,E11: How Color Influences Product Development with Peggy Van Allen

Today is going to be an exciting conversation about color. We have Peggy Van Allen as a guest. Peggy is the President of Color Marketing Group, which is an international association for color design professionals which identifies the direction of color and design trends and translates them into salable colors for manufactured products; she is also a designer and color anthropologist.

 

Peggy’s educational background in graphic design has been the foundation for a very interesting career. She’s been able to do trend research, visual merchandising, and color palette development. Peggy’s unique skill set allows her to visually communicate the complexities of color in a way that is both inspirational and educational for her company Colorfuel. 

 

Peggy is motivated to de-mystify color while keeping the magic so that her clients can go to market with the right color at the right time.

 

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Guest: Peggy Van Allen

Color Marketing Group: https://colormarketing.org/ | Color Fuel: https://www.color-fuel.com/

 

Learn more about Thrive In Design

Contact: thriveindesign.co/contact | Instagram: @thriveindesign | Facebook: @thriveindesign

 

>>>Register for the next Thrive In Design live training here. <<<

 

S1,E10: Elevate Your Brand Image & Strategy with Rena Williams

Today, we have Rena Williams as a guest on the show. Rena Williams is a brand image coach and consultant with over 15 years of experience in strategic  branding and marketing. Through her company, Rena T. Williams Consulting, Rena helps professional,  high-achieving women elevate their brand so they can increase their pricing and attract their ideal clients.  

After co-founding her own lifestyle brand, SoRen Tea, Rena knew that other entrepreneurs needed help  with positioning their brand to attract the right opportunities. Rena focuses on infusing personality into  brands, enabling them to be more authentic and relatable. Her coaching and consulting techniques are  driven by data, strategy and innovation, positioning her clients to be the premier and obvious choice for  their clients.  

Today, Nicole and Rena discussed:

• The definition of brand strategy and why it is important for every business
• Rena's signature framework to elevate your brand image and experience
• AND... Why it's important for A&D sales reps to consider their personal brand 

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Get in touch with Rena Williams

Website: https://renatwilliams.com/ | Instagram/Clubhouse/Twitter: @renatwilliams

 

Learn more about Thrive In Design

Contact: thriveindesign.co/contact | Instagram: @thriveindesign | Facebook: @thriveindesign

>>>Register for the next Thrive In Design live training here.<<<

 

S1,E9: Top Resources A&D Sales Reps Need To Succeed

Our guest today is Sasha Denisov, who is currently a Senior Sales Representative at Luton. 

 

After graduating with her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Interior Design from Syracuse University in 2012, Sasha leaped into a career in the design and construction industry. In her current role at Lutron, her focus is on driving sales within the home automation market. Based in Toronto, Canada, Sasha works closely with the A&D community, builders, and contractors to offer lighting solutions in luxury residences. 

 

In this conversation, Nicole and Sasha discuss:

• Sales strategies for A&D representatives
• The best way to take a consultative approach 
• 3 resources level up your interpersonal sales skills

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Get in touch with Sasha Denisov 

Instagram: @_sashadenisov or @lutrontoronto | LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sashadenisov/

 

Learn more about Thrive In Design:

Contact: thriveindesign.co/contact | Instagram: @thriveindesign | Facebook: @thriveindesign

>>Register for the next Thrive In Design live training here.<<

S1,E8: Using Design Thinking To Yield Innovation with Chris Stulpin

On today's episode, Nicole Lashae Ben and Chris Stulpin dive into the topic of design thinking and how interior product companies can use it to yield innovative products, services, and strategies.

Chris Stulpin is the former Chief Creative Officer for Tarkett North America, a division of Tarkett. In this role, Chris led the design, product management, marketing and project management teams, driving the company’s innovation roadmap and customer experience journey. Currently, Chris works closely with the architecture and design community, IIDA and consults to many leading manufacturers.

As a leader of Design Thinking initiatives, Chris completed studies at the Paris School of Architecture’s D School. He also completed studies in innovation at the London Business School. His education has been the foundation of leading executive leadership teams in Design Thinking fundamentals. 

Chris is a member of thought-leadership communities including the Design Futures Council, IIDA Industry Roundtable and Trend Union. Chiris has even had the pleasure of designing ad campaigns for Barney’s NY and Giorgio Armani.

Hear Nicole and Chris discuss:

• The fundamentals of design thinking 
• How services can help interior product companies differentiate themselves from competitors 
• Why circular design is something to think about in the near future

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Connect with Chris Stulpin

Email: cdstulpin@icloud.com  | Instagram: @cdstulpin | LinkedIn: @christopherstulpin

 

Learn more about Thrive In Design

Contact: thriveindesign.co/contact | Instagram: @thriveindesign | Facebook: @thriveindesign

Register for the next Thrive In Design live training here.

S1,E7: DESIGN CHAT: How Two Designers Impact the Built Environment with their CASE Method

While serving as a hairstylist and makeup artist for countless brides, Jameelah Watkins discovered the beauty and ethereal nature of event design. She joined forces with her friend, Ebonee Clark, and the two of them began curating events. 

 

The women quickly realized that they formed a powerhouse. Their combined artistic insight made them successful with event design and, before long, interior design. With their passion kindled for design, they began creating beauty in spaces of all sizes. 

 

Jameelah and Ebonee both had an artistic upbringing, competing in art competitions locally and nationally in high school. After college, they tried pursuing other endeavors in life, but lifestyle design, through interiors and events, reignited their passion for art. Since co-founding Lauren Wesley Designs, the two of them have made it their goal to create beautiful works of art in spaces and experiences-and to help clients design a life they love.

 

Guests: Jameelah Watkins & Ebonee Clark, Co-founders of Lauren Wesley Designs

Website: https://laurenwesleydesigns.com/interiors  | Instagram: @LaurenWesleyDesigns 

 

Learn more about Thrive In Design

Contact: thriveindesign.co/contact | Instagram: @thriveindesign | Facebook: @thriveindesign

 

Register for the next Thrive In Design live training here. 

S1,E6: Three Things Every Interior Product Company Needs To Consider

Today we have Nicole Lashae Ben, CEO of Thrive In Design, talking about the method she uses to help interior product companies implement modern sales strategies that get them noticed by more interior designers, get their products used in more projects, and systematically (and legally) steal business from their competitors. 

She’s sharing the top three things she hopes every interior product company starts to consider.  If you’re trying to increase your brand awareness and revenue, while still staying relevant in a digital age, this episode is for you.

Here’s what she shares:

1. How is your company appearing in the market? 
2. How is your team consulting designers? 
3. How is your company executing a sale? 

Learn more about Thrive In Design

Contact: thriveindesign.co/contact | Instagram: @thriveindesign | Facebook: @thriveindesign

 

Register for the next Thrive In Design live training here.