Thrive In Design

Integrating sustainability in the design industry is not merely a trend but a fundamental shift towards responsible and conscious practices. Design, at its core, influences how we interact with the world, and incorporating sustainable principles into this process is the key to a positive environmental and social impact. From material selection to production processes, designers play a crucial role in shaping a more sustainable future.
Beyond reducing environmental impact, sustainable design also encompasses social responsibility, sustainable labor practices, and promoting diversity and inclusion. In this episode, Sarah shares her journey and passion for sustainability, sustainable sourcing, renewable energy, the link between social impact and sustainability, and the future of sustainability in the design industry to help us enhance our resilience and efforts in sustainability.
Sarah is the Global Sustainability Director at Milliken, where she plays a pivotal role in catalyzing transformative change by integrating sustainability into operations spanning industrial, manufacturing, NGO, and government sectors. With a keen focus on mitigating risks and fostering cross-functional collaboration, Sarah excels in building strategic relationships with senior leadership and partners to drive Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) performance. Her passion lies in reshaping perspectives on material inputs and advocating sustainable and responsible agendas for manufactured products.
Let's jump in!
Key Highlights from the Episode:
[00:01] Episode intro and a bit about our guest, Sarah Enaharo
[01:51] What inspired Sarah to pursue a career in sustainability 
[03:48] Sarah’s day-to-day role as a Global sustainability director at Milliken
[04:37] Transparency and material health trends and technology 
[06:28] Breaking down and implementing sustainability in interior design  
[08:48] What sustainable sourcing is in an organization
[10:18] Renewable energy and how it’s linked to sustainable sourcing 
[12:08] How sustainability promotes justice and social impact
[15:18] How we can incorporate sustainability into our processes
[17:07] Blindspots interior product companies have when integrating sustainability 
[19:48] Adopting sustainability into your processes and turning it into profitability 
[20:56] Sarah’s hopes for sustainability in the design industry now and in the future 
[23:08] Where to learn more about Sarah and Milliken's sustainability efforts
[23:18] Episode wrap-up and calls to action
Notable Quotes: 
Sustainability is personal; we have to look internally at how we can reduce our consumption, reuse, and recycle. 
Looking for sustainable sourcing means you are sourcing responsibly and being a good steward of the environment.
To make sustainability visible and understandable for people, start where they are and make it relatable. 
Sustainability is a journey, and gaining a firm understanding of greenhouse gas emissions is the first step in mitigating climate change.
The design industry has the power to change and help mitigate climate change based on the decisions it makes regarding building materials.
Resources Mentioned: 
Milliken CSR report: https://www.milliken.com/en-us/sustainability/reporting
Connect with Sarah 
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-robinson-enaharo-msc-755b9113/
Learn more about Thrive In Design: 
Website: https://www.thriveindesign.co/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thriveindesign/
Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/thriveindesign/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/thriveindesign/
 
Register for the next Thrive In Design live training here: https://training.thriveindesign.co/
 
Get your copy of "The Ultimate Guide to A&D Sales": https://www.thriveindesign.co/brand-reps.

AI is an amazing revolution for the interior design industry. The old ways of doing things are long gone, and embracing this new normal is inevitable. Interior product companies that have integrated AI are making massive strides, but they don't merely ask for ideas and implement them blindly. This is because AI will only provide generic strategies and ideas based on the general industry, not your specific product company or location, as we shall demonstrate in this episode. You will realize that you cannot entirely rely on Artificial Intelligence without practical consultancy and coaching.
Since we all know that customer experience determines the success or failure of an interior product design company and its designers, we will use the showroom experience to ask CHATGPT to provide us with online and offline strategies and tips for improvement. Are you curious to see the magic? Hit that play button now!
 
Key Highlights from the Episode:
[00:01] Episode intro and why you need to listen to the episode with Melissa Marsh
[02:37] Why using AI is becoming inevitable in what we do
[04:35] CHATGPT experimentation on ways to improve customer experience
[06:15] The 5 touch points for an exemplary customer experience
[10:02] CHATGPT prompt
[12:41] Offline strategies that ChatGPT shares
[14:12] Weaknesses in those AI recommendations
[15:27] Online strategies provided by AI from the experimentation
[19:28] The missing pieces in the CHATGPT response 
[20:26] How to fix the shortcomings with Thrive in Design consultancy
[21:40] Episode wrap-up and calls to action
Notable Quotes: 
For artificial intelligence to be intelligent, it first needs human intelligence.
To improve your awareness and revenue for your interior design company, you have to be in tune with the customer experience of designers. 
Good customer experience equals more brand awareness and more revenue.
Learn more about Thrive In Design: 
Website: https://www.thriveindesign.co/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thriveindesign/
Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/thriveindesign/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/thriveindesign/
 
Register for the next Thrive In Design live training here: https://training.thriveindesign.co/
 
Get your copy of "The Ultimate Guide to A&D Sales": https://www.thriveindesign.co/brand-reps.

Integrating Artificial Intelligence (AI) into design and architecture marks a transformative leap into a future where innovation meets efficiency. AI's impact is profound, streamlining the design process by analyzing vast datasets, predicting trends, and generating design possibilities in a short amount of time. The evolution of AI and its effective integration into the design processes with clients requires intelligence as a foundation for processing accurate and relevant data.
In this episode, Melissa Marsh shares more about AI, its intersection with real estate and interior design, and how they leverage it in their processes with clients. Melissa's pioneering work underscores the potential of AI, where data-driven insights guide decisions in crafting spaces that respond to aesthetic considerations and align with the needs and behaviors of the occupants.
Melissa is the founder and executive director of PLASTARC, a social research workplace innovation in real estate strategy consultancy. Her work leverages the tools of social science and business strategy to help organizations make more data-driven and people-centric real estate decisions. Melissa combines quantitative and qualitative social science research with architecture expertise and is dedicated to shifting the metrics associated with the workplace from sq ft and inches to occupancy satisfaction and performance. This holistic approach enables PLASTARC to recommend evidence-based interventions that make the built environment more people-centric and responsive, promoting individual wellness and business success.
Let's jump in!
Key Highlights from the Episode:
[00:01] Episode intro and a bit about our guest, Melissa Marsh
[02:38] Melissa's journey in work experience design and change management 
[06:19] PLASTARC and how it serves real estate and collaborates with the design industry in its work
[08:34] How Melissa collects data, contextualizes it, and makes it actionable for clients  
[12:17] Melissa's first introduction to the AI and her hesitant and excitement
[17:12] How Melissa has been leveraging AI in her processes with client
[21:01] Challenges with AI in the world of design and architecture 
[23:29] What you need to consider when it comes to ethics with AI 
[27:16] The evolution of AI and its intersection with real estate and interior design
[32:02] Integrating AI in product design and personalization in mass customization 
[34:57] Episode wrap-up and calls to action
Notable Quotes: 
The number one energy leak in buildings is human behavior.
To design better buildings, we have to understand people and the human operating system. 
The problem with AI for the real estate industry is that we need intelligence first.
AI is just data processing, so if we don’t have the data on what the desirable condition is, then we don’t have the foundation to inform the data processing. 
Giving people information and feedback about their physical and digital space experiences helps the transformation and change journey.
Connect with Melissa Marsh
Website: https://plastarc.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissaemarsh/
Learn more about Thrive In Design: 
Website: https://www.thriveindesign.co/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thriveindesign/
Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/thriveindesign/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/thriveindesign/
 
Register for the next Thrive In Design live training here: https://training.thriveindesign.co/
 
Get your copy of "The Ultimate Guide to A&D Sales": https://www.thriveindesign.co/brand-reps.

Welcome to Season 5 of Thrive in Design! As we celebrate this milestone, we delve into some of the hot topics covered in Season 4. AI and sustainability were our main focus in 2023 within the interior design sphere, and their significance will only grow in 2024.
Interior designers often express concerns about AI replacing their creativity and altering various roles in the industry. However, from our previous conversations and this season's discussions, you'll come to realize that AI is not something to fear but rather something you can embrace, regardless of your role in the industry.
In the realm of sustainability, we will explore how it integrates into your process of enhancing brand awareness and revenue for your interior product company. 
Additionally, we'll discuss key considerations for 2024 and beyond. To add an engaging element, we'll incorporate storytelling into the mix, demonstrating its relevance to the success of your interior design business concerning both AI and sustainability.
Are you ready to jump in?
 
Key Highlights from the Episode:
[00:01] Episode intro and what’s in for you today
[02:22] How Thrive in Design started
[02:59] How it started in 2019 as Nicole Lashae Consulting LLC
[04:24] Setting out to reach the market
[05:12] Leaving the interior design and the first virtual summit
[08:48] The Covid-19 ‘aha’ moment & opportunities that rebirthed the love for interior design
[12:57] Prevalent challenges in the interior design that Nicole leveraged on
[14:08] How generational gaps affect the design process and specifications
[15:49] 2021 rebranding into Thrive in Design and what the focus has been
[17:10] What to expect in season 5
[19:47] Episode wrap-up and calls to action
Notable Quotes: 
Interior product companies struggle to get their team up to speed by leveraging social media, social selling, online sales funnels, and creating a consistent message across platforms.
Many interior designers are scared of AI replacing them, especially as A&D Sales reps.
Storytelling is an amazing pillar of the branding and marketing of your interior product company.
 
Resources Mentioned:
ThinkLab Reports: https://info.thinklab.design/reports
Learn more about Thrive In Design: 
Website: https://www.thriveindesign.co/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thriveindesign/
Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/thriveindesign/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/thriveindesign/
 
Get your copy of "The Ultimate Guide to A&D Sales": https://www.thriveindesign.co/brand-reps.

Nicole started Thrive In Design to help interior product companies take a deep dive into their customer’s journey and reimagine an experience that doesn't solely depend on in-person interactions. For the last 10 years, she has helped interior product companies, including Koroseal, Lamin-Art, and USAI Lighting, collectively gain millions of dollars in sales.
 
Nicole started as an Architectural Sales Representative in the New York City design market. When tasked with a sales goal each year, she always started positioning products the traditional way... making contact with design firms, presenting products, landing a spec, and following the spec until the sale was processed. 
 
Join this conversation and learn more about her journey, how she has progressed and how she can take your interior product company to the next level. Get reintroduced to A.C.E The Journey, her proprietary research method, and the four ways you can work with Thrive In Design.
 
Ready to jump in?
 
Key Highlights from the Episode:
[00:01] Episode intro and what’s in for you today
[01:15] Something disturbing that has happened in Nicole’s company
[04:27] The mission of Thrive In Design
[06:15] Our clientele
[08:21] How Thrive In Design can best serve you
[08:45] A.C.E The Journey - Our Proprietary Method 
[10:17] Our four core service offerings
[10:35] Customer journey audit and strategic planning
[13:27] Leveraging social selling in interior design
[17:50] Speaking engagement opportunities 
[19:01] Quick recap 
Notable Quotes: 
Obstacles have hidden opportunities.
Understand your customer’s pain points and devise ways to address them. 
Learn more about Thrive In Design: 
Website: https://www.thriveindesign.co/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thriveindesign/
Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/thriveindesign/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/thriveindesign/
 
Register for the next Thrive In Design live training here: https://training.thriveindesign.co/
 
Get your copy of "The Ultimate Guide to A&D Sales": https://www.thriveindesign.co/brand-reps.

Biophilic design brings numerous benefits to both individuals and the environment. Connection with nature can profoundly impact our overall well-being. By incorporating living walls into interior spaces, we can seamlessly bring the beauty and vitality of the natural world indoors. These living walls not only serve as aesthetically pleasing design elements but also contribute to air purification, sound absorption, and environmental enhancement and foster a sense of tranquility and relaxation, effectively reducing stress levels and improving psychological health. In this episode, Lily Turner delves deeper into the world of biophilic designs and explores the installation and benefits of green walls. She shares valuable insights on how to ensure you choose the appropriate green wall system that seamlessly integrates with every aspect of your project for the long term.
 
Lily is a biophilic designer and living wall specialist. She currently serves as a Director of Green Walls at Urbanstrong, an award-winning Green building firm based in Brooklyn, NY. Urbanstrong has a mission to integrate nature into cities in a way that efficiently promotes profitability, health, sustainability, and beauty. The Urbanstrong team has installed hundreds of thousands of square feet of green wall projects throughout the greater northeast over the past decade. Their projects have included iconic landmarks, schools, offices, restaurants and condos. Today, Lily works closely with architects, designers and contractors to best offer a technology suited to their budget, design parameters and skills. 
 
Read to tune in?
 
Key Highlights from the Episode:
[00:01] Episode intro and a quick bio of today’s guest: Lily Turner
[01:44] Lily's career journey and what inspired her passion for biophilic design 
[04:26] Lily's process bringing the outside into the built environment 
[06:50] Urbanstrong and their mission
[07:06] How Urbanstrong promotes profitability, health, sustainability and beauty
[10:10] How companies can bring biophilic design into their workplace
[11:40] How Lily's biophilic design conversation with a developer differs from a designer 
[13:28] Things specifiers need to consider within green wall systems 
[16:09] When to reach out in your design process to ensure you have the right system
[17:36] The installation process and maintenance of living walls
[19:52] How to reach out and learn more about Urbanstrong 
[21:07] Episode wrap-up and calls to action
Notable Quotes: 
Whether you want green infrastructure or design for aesthetics, air purification, or just to absorb sound, green wall systems can be very beneficial.
Biophilic interiors are where we are moving; it’s progressive, and it’s needed; it’s not an amenity, but a necessity.
Your green, living wall will likely outlive you.
Let’s Connect:
Lily Turner 
Website: https://urbanstrong.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lily-turner-29aa9871/
Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/urbanstrongnyc/?hl=en
Learn more about Thrive In Design: 
Website: https://www.thriveindesign.co/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thriveindesign/
Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/thriveindesign/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/thriveindesign/
 
Register for the next Thrive In Design live training here: https://training.thriveindesign.co/
 
Get your copy of "The Ultimate Guide to A&D Sales": https://www.thriveindesign.co/brand-reps.

Interior designers are vital in shaping how we experience and interact with the built environment. By embracing technology and sustainability, they can create innovative spaces that look aesthetically pleasing and prioritize environmental consciousness. Join this conversation with Robert Ancill and learn more.
 
Robert Ancill shares how his passion for positively impacting people's lives through their living spaces led him to pursue a career in interior design. He founded TNI Design, a design agency that creates beautiful interior and architectural designs for homes and businesses. With restaurant design as one of his specialties, he highlights the impact of technology on this industry and provides a glimpse into the future of interior design. 
 
Additionally, he emphasizes the significance of sustainability in interior design and how it can revolutionize the field. Designers can prioritize beauty and responsibility by using eco-friendly materials and creating energy-efficient spaces.
 
Ready to jump in?
 
Key Highlights from the Episode:
[00:01] Episode intro and a quick bio of today’s guest: Robert Ancill
[01:43] What inspired Robert to pursue a career in design
[05:58] The birth of Robert’s brainchild; TNI Design
[09:50] The importance of a defined methodology in approaching design projects
[11:39] Why mood boards are no longer necessary in interior design 
[12:42] How Robert has witnessed the evolution of restaurant design
[16:40] How different clients are embracing sustainability in their designs
[19:27] Integrating Technology in interior design and Its Future
[23:11] How AI will disrupt interior design
[24:22] How product manufacturers can support interior designers
[26:50] New and exciting things that Robert is working on
[29:48] The best ways to reach out and connect with Robert Ancill
[30:06] Episode wrap-up and calls to action
Notable Quotes: 
Most interior designers find themselves in the career out of their love and passion for impacting people's lives in their space. 
Having a defined working methodology in interior design is not always easy. Every client has their desires and ideas that should always be respected.
Sustainability has been gaining traction in the interior design landscape and will be the next big thing in the industry. 
AI is a double-edged sword. It reduces the need for human workers, helping businesses cut a lot of expenses on human capital, while on the other hand, people lose jobs.
Let’s Connect:
Robert Ancill
Website: https://www.tnidesign.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tnidesign/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robertancill/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/thenextidea
Learn more about Thrive In Design: 
Website: https://www.thriveindesign.co/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thriveindesign/
Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/thriveindesign/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/thriveindesign/
 
Register for the next Thrive In Design live training here: https://training.thriveindesign.co/
 
Get your copy of "The Ultimate Guide to A&D Sales": https://www.thriveindesign.co/brand-reps.

As an A&D (Architecture and Design) sales representative, your role involves understanding the design process from a unique perspective. You must understand the nuances of aesthetics, functionality, and client preferences each day. Leveraging AI can significantly enhance your days’ outcomes by empowering you to be more productive and appear in the market with a more profound impact. AI tools like Chat GPT and Crystal Knows serve as game-changer, allowing you to expedite vital information that can enhance your marketing and prospecting. With the ability to process data and generate information in seconds, AI enables you to address customer queries, provide design recommendations, and offer personalized solutions promptly and efficiently. Embracing AI in your sales process can be a strategic advantage, optimizing your overall productivity and success in the competitive A&D sales industry.
 
In this episode, your host, Nicole, shares more about AI that are helpful for any architecture and design sales representative. Tune in and learn how you can leverage these five tools to enhance your creative process and create an amazing customer experience.
 
Tune in?
 
Key Highlights from the Episode:
[00:01] Episode intro and what in for you in today’s show
[02:03] Nicole's experience as an A&D sales rep and what she believes reps desperately need 
[04:21] How to A.C.E. the customer journey to provide an amazing experience   
[06:10] AI tools that A&D sales reps can use to better their sales and creative processes
[07:42] Ways to use ChatGPT as an A&D sales rep
[11:30] AI tool, Crystal Knows and four other tools, and how to use it as a rep to prospect 
[16:22] Wrap-up and end of the show
Notable Quotes: 
As an A&D sales rep, you are always a designer in a different way.
As a sales rep, how you appear in the market ties into your brand awareness.
AI is a game changer; it can speed up sales processes to a few seconds. 
Let’s Connect:
>> Download the PDF of 5 AI Tools for A&D Reps:
Website: ai.thriveindesign.co
Learn more about Thrive In Design: 
Website: https://www.thriveindesign.co/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thriveindesign/
Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/thriveindesign/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/thriveindesign/
 
Register for the next Thrive In Design live training here: https://training.thriveindesign.co/
 
Get your copy of "The Ultimate Guide to A&D Sales": https://www.thriveindesign.co/brand-reps.