2 cent/sqft

In our last episode of this season, we tackle some of the areas of stress that we've encountered in the contract interiors industry.  We also talk a bit about what we each do to try to reenergize ourselves, which leads to a great conversation about NeoCon -- what it is, and why it is at once exhausting and thrilling!  With Neocon just around the corner, it's a great way to get a little taste of what the show is like if you haven't been!

Trey Champion has had not one but two careers in the creative field. Starting out  in the preforming arts arena and then transitioning to the construction and design field, and it was defiantly different going back to school the second time, but we will let him fill you in. Trey has made his way through the design field as a designer in two different firms where he was able to to learn the ropes and had some great mentors, that helped him along the way. Once he realized that for him the process needed to changes he shifted into rep life where he has been ever since. We were excited and fortunate to talk with Trey about his newest transition to Patcraft, and here his take on what an awesome experience the interview and hiring process was. Throughout our conversation with Trey we talk about great life lessons that I think everyone can take something away from. We hope you enjoy Trey Champion's 2cents

Ronnie Belizaire has had an amazing career thus far that has took her from the conventional path of I need to be a doctor, to the more creative path as she discovered Interior Design. Ronnie has had the opportunity to and drive to help those in need by offering her services up as an Interior Designer when she helped in the Haiti relief effort, and the stories she has from that experience are humbling and would forever hold a special place in her heart. Ronnie was able to take her career to different levels by being practical and true to herself in her journey and has had roles in design, management, furniture, facilities, and is now a thriving VP at JLL. We hope you enjoy Ronnie Belizaire's 2cents.

Ronnie Belizaire has had an amazing career thus far that has took her from the conventional path of I need to be a doctor, to the more creative path as she discovered Interior Design. Ronnie has had the opportunity to and drive to help those in need by offering her services up as an Interior Designer when she helped in the Haiti relief effort, and the stories she has from that experience are humbling and would forever hold a special place in her heart. Ronnie was able to take her career to different levels by being practical and true to herself in her journey and has had roles in design, management, furniture, facilities, and is now a thriving VP at JLL. We hope you enjoy Ronnie Belizaire's 2cents.

Meredith Campbell has been on both sides of the design coin and realized early on that life in the design firm wasn't for her. She has such great insight and wonderful stories, it's no wonder she is now working on the research side of design. She talks about some of the things that she and her colleagues at ThinkLab are working on, it not just color trends. They really get into the meat of what this industry is. It's about the how's, and the why's, and the how we can make this better. Oh and did I mention - she finished Netflix. We hope you enjoy her 2cents, and please check out ThinkLab's newest podcast coming soon "The Learning Objective. 

Naheed's career is filled with hidden gem's, from her time at Kimberly-Clark, to the 13 years she spent on the interiors team at Turner/Warner Media. She talks about what it's like to interface directly with the clients she is working for, how it can be great, and also some of the struggles. We also dive into her time on the IIDA Georgia board and how going above and beyond can help your career...especially if you are just starting out. We hope you enjoy Naheed's 2 cents.

Olivia Hutchison is a project manager at Colliers International here in Atlanta. She knew at an early age that she wanted to do something in the design field from her time as a kid with a bunch of Lincoln Logs. She has had an interesting path from school to residential design,  commercial, Facilities, and now Project management. Her journey has allowed her to have some great knowledge that has served her well in her career. She has some great take aways that we hope you will enjoy as much as we did. Here is Olivia Hutchison's 2 cents.

We sat down with Patricia Buckner to find out how she found her way into the interior design industry after being a shoe model and a marketing director for a shoe company. We talk a lot about what it means to be a rep in the industry, and what some of those pitfalls might be for someone brand new into that side of the design industry. She also tells us how she became known as the munchkin rep here is Atlanta.

Nicole Lankford has been a staple of positivity in her role at J and J Flooring. She has had an interesting path from design to sales and in our conversation she pulls back a little more of the curtain and gives some insight into what rep life is like.  She gave us her secret on how to get the corner office.

We are taking a break from our usual pattern and closing out the year with a conversation just between us.  We wanted to share a bit more about our own backgrounds, what aspects of our design educations have stayed with us, and the importance of network. 

In this episode, Bryanna Mercer joins us to share the pathway that led her to SCAD and then to KI. Hers is an interesting story because she has had her entire professional experience at one place, and has used the time to help create a position within KI that suits her skills perfectly. She discusses her early realization that she was interested in the vendor role, and how she launched from SCAD to KI. It's a great story that proves the importance of just showing up...sometimes mercilessly early.

In this episode, we have a very “rubber meets the road” kind of conversation with Catherine LaValley. She takes us on a deep dive into the details of contract furniture as she shares the arc of her career. 

Michelle Mielke takes us along her career path, which includes some unexpected moments on the way to becoming a designer specializing in Senior Care.  Join us for insight on this interesting corner of the design world, and see how it all came together for her. 

In This Episode...Nujhat Alam takes us on her journey, which starts as a designer at a full scope design firm, and lands as an Occupancy Planner for CBRE.   She talks about the differences from small firm life to large firm life and why the challenge of Occupancy planning became more of a call for her.

In This Episode...Wesley Edmonds chats with us about  her evolution from full scope design into furniture sales, ultimately landing the widely renowned OFS Brands.  We also spend some time discussing the potential hazards around acronyms in our industry; watch out for those CD's!

Christina Schmitt chats with us about her path to becoming an interior design educator at The Art Institute of Atlanta.  Her story highlights her overlapping scientific and artistic interests, and is very much a tale about having the right boxes checked off for success.

Carson Sweet is a rising star at a full scope interior design firm in Atlanta.  In this episode, she shares her insights into her life as a design professional, as well as her experience with involvement in industry organizations.  She has done a tremendous amount of volunteer work with IIDA, and has a lot to say about the value of her experience there.  

Erin Soeters offers a great comparative on her experience at a furniture dealership versus a full-scope design firm.  Our conversation highlights many of the invisible details that designers address in their projects. 

Nicolette Pizzoferrato, who is an Account Executive with Tarkett, talks about her entry into the Atlanta design market. She shares some great stories about migrating from the fashion industry to the interiors industry, and talks about her new-found flooring love. Come spend some time with us and her as she takes us from flooring base to first base. What?! Don't worry...she'll explain.

Allison is a degreed interior designer who practiced in both retail and corporate design before moving into client representation as a Project Manager.   Her design background coupled with her creative spirit makes her an absolute “knockout” in this role. 

Ashley Mile is a Commercial Furniture Sales Rep to the A&D (architecture and design) community in Atlanta.  Her conscientious nature combined with her extensive knowledge of interiors have earned her a stellar reputation in the market.  But, as much of a savvy businesswoman as Ashley is, it's the addition of her effervescent personality that infuses her dealings with an equal balance of work and fun.  Join us as Ashley shares the twists and turns that brought her from small town Tennessee to Atlanta as a designer, and then explains why she made the jump into sales. Linkedinhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/ashley-mile-6602239/Office Imageshttps://www.officeimagesinc.com