Podcasts about west elm

S5:E3 From Retail Pride to Human Pride: Navigating Leadership and Connection with Ron ThurstonIn this episode, Ron Thurston returns to discuss his new book 'Human Pride' and its themes of optimizing human potential in a world increasing its reliance on technology and AI. The conversation takes us through Ron's extensive experience leading major retail brands, his journey from publishing his first book 'Retail Pride' to 'Human Pride', and the crucial balance between human connection and technological efficiency. We explore various aspects of leadership, including the importance of empathy, curiosity, and the significant role of human connection in the workplace. Ron emphasizes the need for self-reflection, understanding core values, and maintaining strong interpersonal relationships despite technological advancements. Rejecting 'hustle culture' in favor of fostering meaningful connections and optimizing individual strengths, Ron highlights the need for human-centric approaches to recruitment, leadership, and career development via examples and insights from his own career. Tune in for an engaging conversation filled with practical insights and inspirational stories that underscore the power of pride and human potential in the workplace!About Ron Thurston:Author, “Human Pride: Optimizing Your Potential In A Digital Job Market”Ron Thurston is a bestselling author, keynote speaker, and bold voice in the movement to reimagine leadership in a world transformed by technology. His new book, HUMAN PRIDE: Optimizing Your Human Potential in a Digital Job Market (May 2025), delivers a powerful roadmap for standing out, staying relevant, and thriving in the future of work. With over 30 years of executive experience leading teams at iconic brands like Apple, Gap, West Elm, Tory Burch, Bonobos, and Saint Laurent, Ron knows how to build winning cultures that drive performance. His first book, *RETAIL PRIDE (*2020) became a career-defining guide for thousands of industry professionals, helping them reclaim confidence and purpose in their work.As the creator and host of the Retail in America tour and podcast, Ron spent over a year traveling across 30 states in an Airstream to spotlight the real stories and remarkable people shaping retail's future. Today, he serves on multiple retail tech supplier advisory boards, helping brands integrate AI and digital tools without losing sight of what matters most: people. A sought-after keynote speaker, Ron brings energy, insight, and inspiration to global conferences, C-suite offsites, and corporate events. His message resonates across industries: your greatest competitive advantage is human.Subscribe to our Newsletter: https://retailrazor.substack.comSubscribe to our YouTube channel: https://bit.ly/RRShowYouTube00:00 The SKUpe Newsletter00:34 Show Intro06:51 Welcome Back, Ron Thurston!07:43 Discussing Ron's New Book: Human Pride08:46 The Importance of Human Connection in Retail10:24 Optimizing Human Potential in a Tech-Driven World15:37 Defining and Standing by Non-Negotiables in Job Search22:54 The Role of Empathy and Curiosity in Leadership26:48 Challenges in Modern Hiring Practices35:11 The Future of Work: Balancing Technology and Human Connection38:15 Career Longevity and Brand Affinity in Retail41:56 Navigating the Fast-Paced Industry43:36 Adapting to Office Culture44:39 Broadening Job Search Perspectives47:40 Leadership with Empathy and Emotional Intelligence, But Without Titles51:21 The Future of Work and Technology59:11 Balancing Technology and Human Connection01:05:26 Final Thoughts and Takeaways01:09:58 Show CloseMeet your hosts, helping you cut through the clutter in retail & retail tech:Ricardo Belmar is an NRF Top Retail Voices for 2025 and a RETHINK Retail Top Retail Expert from 2021 – 2024. Thinkers 360has named him a Top 10 Retail Thought Leader, Top 50 Management Thought Leader, Top 100 Digital Transformation Thought Leader, and a Top Digital Voice for 2024. He is an advisory council member at George Mason University's Center for Retail Transformation, and is the director partner marketing for retail & consumer goods at Microsoft.Casey Golden, is the CEO of Luxlock, a RETHINK Retail Top Retail Expert for 2023 and 2024, and Retail Cloud Alliance advisory council member. Obsessed with the customer relationship between the brand and the consumer. After a career on the fashion and supply chain technology side of the business, now slaying franken-stacks and building retail tech!Includes music provided by imunobeats.com, featuring Overclocked, and E-Motive from the album Beat Hype, written by Heston Mimms, published by Imuno.

Emily Pierce and Louisa Ward represent something of a rarity in the industry: A long-running partnership that has stood the test of time, even as both of them live in different cities. Together, they've built a design firm that's made the AD100, opened a buzzy store in Los Angeles, and launched a blockbuster collection with West Elm.  On this episode of the podcast, Pierce and Ward chat with host Dennis Scully about why they like to give each other wins, what it's like to have a Hollywood director as a client, and why the magic of their design process only comes through at the installation.This episode is sponsored by Ernesta and ThibautLINKSPierce & WardDennis ScullyBusiness of Home

  Hey, hey, hey – welcome back to Design for the Creative Mind! This season, we're talking all about rookie mistakes and real talk – the stuff that's keeping so many talented designers stuck. And today? We're hitting a big one: shopping retail. Yep. I'm talking about that habit of ordering from Pottery Barn, HomeGoods, or West Elm, skipping your trade vendors, and sending clients links instead of curated presentations. Sound familiar? I get it. I've been there myself—and I've coached hundreds of designers who've struggled with the same thing. Whether it's the fear of clients balking at markups, the desire to be “helpful,” or the looming fear of liability… retail feels like the easy button. But babe—it's not. It's costing you big time. What I cover in this episode: Why retail shopping chips away at your profits, your positioning, and your authority How sending links is training your clients to bypass you Why markup is NOT a dirty word (and how to confidently talk about profit) Real talk from a designer named Lindsay who learned this the hard way The difference between being a personal shopper vs. a professional designer How to shift your business model so sourcing becomes a strength—not a stressor The mindset shift that leads to a more profitable, scalable, and luxury-level business Here's the truth: when you rely on retail, you lose control—of the quality, of the client experience, and of your income. Your design becomes replicable. Your service looks DIY. And your value? Flattened. But when you embrace trade sourcing, you gain back authority, margin, and process. And yes, you can absolutely educate your clients about it without apologizing. So ask yourself: where are you defaulting to retail out of fear or convenience? And what would shift—financially, creatively, emotionally—if you trusted yourself to lead like a CEO?   You're not selling stuff. You're selling an experience. A transformation. A feeling when someone walks into a room and says “Wow.” And that? That's worth protecting. Podcast Website and Resources: Get more info about our year-long mentorship and coaching program: https://www.designedforthecreativemind.com/business-bakery   Text BESTIE to 855-784-8299 for business tips, encouragement, and all our DFCM updates.   SIMPLIFY YOUR MARKETING, SIMPLIFY YOUR LIFE. Sidemark is an all-new, all-in-one software that organizes sales, marketing, and business services all in one convenient location. Join mysidemark.com to help grow your interior design business. Stay in touch with Michelle Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/designedforthecreativemind/  Join our Free Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/idbizlaunchpad  Get clarity on your next best step today! https://www.designedforthecreativemind.com/reviewguide   Have ideas or suggestions or want to be considered as a guest on the show? Contact me! https://www.DesignedForTheCreativeMind.com/contact   A Podcast Launch Bestie production  

P.F. Candle Co. makes one of the most recognizable candles in the world. Here's how founder and crafter Kristen Pumphrey expanded the brand to three retail stores and high-profile collaborations.

A veteran of One Kings Lane, RH, and Ralph Lauren Home, Day Kornbluth stepped into the top job at West Elm in 2023. Since then, she's been leading a quiet transformation—retooling the brand's product mix, sharpening its visual identity, and rethinking how it shows up, both online and off. That work came into full view this month with the launch of a sweeping collaboration with LA design duo Pierce & Ward.On this episode of the podcast, Kornbluth speaks with host Dennis Scully about striking the right balance between mass appeal and design credibility, why AI might become a surprisingly useful tool for creatives, and how the meaning of home has evolved from utility to something far more personal.This episode is sponsored by Ernesta and Hartmann&ForbesLINKSWest ElmDennis ScullyBusiness of Home

The Inside Stylists Podcast: Episode 152  From Fashion to Interiors: How David White Built a Thriving PR Agency in Six Months Today's guest knows interiors PR inside and out. With over 14 years in the industry, he's worked with some of the biggest names in design, from Loaf to John Lewis, West Elm to Amara. His insights into PR, social media, and brand marketing are absolute gold! Now, as the founder of David White Communications, he's helping brands get seen, heard, and talked about. If you want to know what it really takes to get press coverage, nail your brand's marketing, and make an impact in the interiors world, this is the episode for you! I'm thrilled to be talking with David White today.  Today's guest is David White  You can find them here - Insta:DavidWhiteComms Website: DavidWhiteComms.co.uk   Show notes for today's episode are here The Inside Stylist's Interior Styling Course     Find us here InsideStylists.com Instagram: Instagram.com/InsideStylists  Facebook: Facebook.com/InsideStylists Podcasts : Insidestylists.com/podcast/ Blogs : Insidestylists.com/inside-stylists-blog/

This week Melanie and I both have a case of the Basketball Sads, so we process our sports-related heartache before we catch up on the latest with Mabel and Hazel and discuss the details of our weekends.  We also talk through some activities that are potentially inspiring on the creative front, and it's Melanie's turn for Five Favorites.  Enjoy, everybody! - Join Us on Patreon - Our Amazon Shop - Fayetteville Live Show Tickets Show Notes: - our latest Patreon episode with Retha - Mississippi State's 2018 baseball team (I said the wrong year in the episode) - State's women did not in fact win against USC - Melanie's weighted vest - Helen in Birmingham - Bayonet in Birmingham - The Residence - Paradise on Hulu - Adolescence - dog enrichment activities - ecru jeans from JCrew outlet - Junk Gypsy at Round Top - Melanie's dream retreat - gauze button front maxi shirt dress - All in Motion pleated skort - cropped pull-on culotte pants - cotton gauze sleeveless swing dress - West Elm silky Tencel comforter Sponsors: - Trust & Will - use this link for 10% off plus free shipping - AG1 - use this link for a free $76 gift when you sign up - Maya Chia - use code BOO15 for 15% off - ZocDoc - use this link to download the app

This week, Selena's guest is former comedian Mandie Allietta (@SpiderMandie on Insta) who is also her sister-in-law! Mandie is a tomato candle girlie and they deep dive into this popular vegetable (fruit?) from candles to soups to sweaters. Mandie shares her candle journey from West Elm to B&BW to Sydney Hale and beyond.  They each learn some lessons and and share lots of laughs. Please subscribe, rate, and review, candleheads! (Music: bensound.com) 

This week on It's Happening: Snooki spends a day with the hawks, Joey gets bamboozled by West Elm, and more! Subscribe and Watch on YouTube This episode is sponsored by: Nutrafol - Promo code: SNOOKI I Think Not Connect with It's Happening: Instagram | TikTok | Snooki and Joey on Cameo

In a rapidly shifting market, breweries face the challenge of adapting to survive. This talk explores how thoughtful, strategic branding and package design can be a lifeline, helping breweries make the right moves to reach their target audience. We'll discuss the value of brand audits to leverage existing equity, identify smart improvement areas, and make informed decisions on hiring the right designer. Discover how investing in design—even when budgets are tight—can strengthen brand presence, foster connections, and ultimately help breweries thrive in the new economy. Key Takeaways: Harness Brand Equity Through Audits: Learn how a brand audit can uncover hidden value, helping you make strategic, equity-driven decisions for cost-effective growth. Identify Smart Improvement Areas: Discover ways to prioritize brand elements that deliver the most impact, ensuring every design choice maximizes value in a tight market. Select the Right Design Partner: Gain insight into what to look for when hiring a designer, ensuring they understand your brand's goals and can create targeted, audience-focused designs. Design as an Investment, Not an Expense: Understand how thoughtful, strategic design can become a powerful tool for connection and longevity, positioning your brand to thrive through market transitions. Elbongurk Design is a boutique branding and package design agency focused on the food and beverage space. Elbongurk is dedicated to helping brands make a lasting impression through standout, compliant, and market-ready packaging. Elbongurk's founder, Jillian, brings a unique blend of real-world and academic expertise. Before launching Elbongürk, she spent nine years as a tenured professor at a NASAD-accredited university, where she taught brand and package design, product systems, and brand identity. With a background in designing for well-known retail brands like Pottery Barn, Target, and West Elm, she understands the demands of bringing a vision to life in the competitive retail environment. Jillian has also shared her insights at the Craft Brewers Association conference and on industry podcasts, covering topics from beer branding to impactful packaging design. Stay up to date with CBP: ⁠http://update.craftbeerprofessionals.org/⁠ Join us in-person for CBP Connects Half workshop, half networking Charlotte, NC | June 9-11, 2025 Register now: ⁠https://tickets.beertrail.com/e/cbp-connects-charlotte⁠

Every one of us has broken places inside. Places in our souls where the dust gathers or the wind whistles through. Every one of us needs restoration. Photographer and portrait artist Meshali Mitchell is no different. Though, in her case, she also had a farmhouse to restore to its former glory.In this episode of the She Lives Fearless Podcast, Hosts Holly Newton and Dina Deleasa-Gonsar are having a conversation with Meshali, discussing her restoration journey and her book releasing this April!In a world where Pinterest-perfect homes flood our social media feeds, Meshali Mitchell offers a radically different perspective in her new book Restored (Revell, April 2025). As both a professional photographer and portrait artist whose work has appeared in People Magazine, West Elm, and the Today Show, Meshali has an eye for beauty. But her journey of restoring an old farmhouse became about much more than aesthetics – it became a powerful metaphor for how God restores our souls.Tune in and be deeply encouraged by Meshali's story of allowing God into every room of her heart while simultaneously renovating her home. With vulnerability and wisdom, she shares how the Lord drew her out from behind the camera to embrace His healing work in her life. Her story perfectly aligns with your mission of helping women pursue God fiercely and live fearlessly through Biblical truth.Pre-Order Restored by Meshali MitchellAlso, Dina Deleasa-Gonsar has a book release on April 8th! Pre-Order At the Kitchen Sink by Dina Deleasa-GonsarA cookbook serving up real-life nourishment from the creator and television personality of Dish It Girl.Connect with us on InstagramGet your free guide, Overcome Overwhelm:  5 Practical Steps to Find Peace and Purpose by Holly Newton 

Welcome back, dear listener. In today's episode, I got to chat with someone I've admired from afar for a long time, Whitney Rydman.   I first came across Whitney some years ago, when I was early in my recovery from migraine and I was binging Nicole Sachs's podcast, which is called The Cure for Chronic Pain. Whitney was a guest who came on the podcast to talk about her own personal recovery from pelvic pain. She had such an engaging and inspiring voice that I wanted to know more, so I followed her on Instagram, as one does. And I eventually learned that Whitney is not only an incredible person who talks about her own healing in a relatable and uplifting way, she's also the amazing graphic designer behind the websites and social media branding of many well-known names in the chronic pain recovery world, including Nicole Sachs, Alan Gordon, the Curable app and more.   But she didn't start out in the mind-body world. Whitney studied graphic design at the California College of the Arts in San Francisco and shortly after college, she was recruited as the lead designer for Jamba Juice, applying her hand-lettering and illustration skills as part of her design work for all their in-store collateral. Other brands she's worked on include Pottery Barn, West Elm, and Williamns-Sonoma. But after working as a corporate designer in the retail space for over 15 years, she reached a point of burnout and her body let her know. She discovered what she was experiencing was TMS — or mind-body chronic symptoms — and she was amazed at the results of using neuroplasticity in her recovery. Since then, she became passionate about using her design experience to service experts in the mind body space.   Whitney also winds up coaching her design clients on what has become my favorite topic lately: How the entrepreneurship journey totally mirrors the mind-body healing journey, with all of its ups and downs, leaps forward and setbacks, and I can't wait to share with you our conversation about it!    You can find Whitney at: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the.design.remedy/ Website: https://thedesignremedy.com/   And you can find me at: Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@anna_holtzman⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Email: anna@annaholtzman.com Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.annaholtzman.com⁠ Journaling Course: www.annaholtzman.com/writingtorelease --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/from-chronic-pain-to-pass/support

Join us on the Kick Your Boots Up Podcast for the last episode of Season Two as we sit down with Laura Young, President of Brighton Collectables, Inc. and Leegin, and a proud graduate of Southern Methodist University-Cox School of Business. Discover Laura's journey from Tyler, Texas, to leading major brands in the fashion industry, and hear her insights on how she navigated her path to success. Plus, Laura shares her best piece of business advice for aspiring leaders. Don't miss this inspiring episode filled with valuable lessons from one of the top executives in the industry.

ABOUT RON THURSTON:LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rthurston/Websites:Retail Pride book: https://www.amazon.com/Retail-Pride-Celebrating-Accidental-Career/dp/1544515928OSSY: https://www.useossy.comRetail In America podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/retail-in-america/id1618323713 Ron Thurston's Bio:Ron Thurston's life mission is to celebrate, elevate, and empower the people and spirit of the retail industry.With over three decades of leading retail stores and operations for top American brands like Gap, West Elm, Apple, Tory Burch, Bonobos, and Saint Laurent, Ron has honed an extensive skill set in retail strategy, management, and innovation.In January 2024, Ron co-founded OSSY, a forward-thinking retail recruiting agency. This venture is dedicated to addressing the biggest hiring and recruiting challenges in retail, reinforcing Ron's unwavering commitment to the industry.As the best-selling author of RETAIL PRIDE, Ron inspires retail professionals to embrace their unique career paths. He also hosted the RETAIL IN AMERICA podcast and tour, journeying across the nation in an Airstream trailer during 2022/2023 to uncover and highlight the remarkable stories and individuals in retail.Ron also serves on the Advisory Boards of several rapidly growing retail tech companies, including Ometria, Butterfly, and YOOBIC, lending his expertise to drive their success.SHOW INTRO:Welcome to the NXTLVL Experience Design podcast.EPISODE 71… and my conversation with Ron Thurston, retail veteran, best-selling author, podcast host and man on a mission to celebrate, elevate, and empower the people and spirit of the retail industry.On the podacast our dynamic dialogues based on our acronym DATA - design, architecture, technology, and the arts crosses over disciplines but maintains a common thread of people who are passionate about the world we live in and human's influence on it, the ways we craft the built environment to maximize human experience, increasing our understanding of human behavior and searching for the New Possible.    The NXTLVL Experience Design podcast is presented by VMSD Magazine part of the Smartwork Media family of brands.VMSD brings us, in the brand experience world, the International Retail Design Conference. The IRDC is one of the best retail design conferences that there is bringing together the world of retailers, brands and experience place makers every year for two days of engaging conversations and pushing the discourse forward on what makes retailing relevant. You will find the archive of the NXTLVL Experience Design podcast on VMSD.com.Thanks also goes to Shop Association the only global retail trade association dedicated to elevating the in-store experience. SHOP Association represents companies and affiliates from 25 countries and brings value to their members through research, networking, education, events and awards. Check then out on SHOPAssociation.orgIn this 70th episode I talk with Samar Younes is a Beirut-born hybrid artist, futurist, and creative catalyst whose work embodies a transcultural approach. Ron Thurston has spent years opening stores for major internationally recognized brands and knows a thing or two about a career in retail. In our talk we dig into the shifting the mindset of retail being an accidental career to one of choice, about with you should be proud. We'll get to all that in a moment but first though, a few thoughts…              *                         *                         * Throughout my career in the retail design world I have often heard this statement “I never planned to be in retail”.And it's often said with some slight lilt of apology, that in a way somehow as an architect it was somehow not taken quite as seriously as the design of public buildings or housing or other things that architects with a capital “A” do.What's more, when I entered into the retail design world, quite by serendipity I might add, I came into the design of stores by way of visual merchandising. I was the resident architect of a small 4 personn design and visual merchandising consulting firm on 36th street just east of Park.Working with a couple of seasoned pros, I learned that visual merchandisers were often regarded simply as window trimmers and I don't think quite got the respect that they were due for the power they had in shaping the retail experience for customers. Often seen as the silent seller, visual merchandising was a key component to how the customer journey unfolded in a shopping experience. Mannequins and other displays in the store added that extra flavor to the store as a stage set in which the merchandise was the principal actor.Architecture wasn't unimportant, but it wasn't the be all and end all of the in-store experience. You could have terrific architecture but if you couldn't get your assortment planning right department layouts an in store messaging you were likely not to perform quite as well.It was through my first employer and mentor Joe Weishar of New Vision Studios in New York that I began to really understand the power of visual merchandising in the store designers toolboxand that it couldn't be simply left to be an afterthought but had to be integral to the initial strategic design thinking of how a store would be laid out. Where those special moments of surprise and delight would occur often had little to do with architecture but a lot to do with theatrics, art, marketing, graphics – in short, storytelling.Going back to that comment a moment ago about serendipity finding me and putting me firmly in the world of retail design, it does very much align with the often heard message that “I didn't plan to be in retail.” It is in fact true, that one now is an architecture I had no awareness and probably no interest in designing stores for a living.But, that said, I actually had no shame about being in retail.Retail combined all the things that I loved:stage set design, industrial design architecture, marketing, consumer behavior, trend analysis, fashion and advertising - all of these disciplines came together in the experience that a brand or retailer would provide for their customers.The fact of the matter is, that the exchange of goods and services otherwise know as ‘retail,' is one of the key cornerstones of cultures around the world. Exchange has always been tied with ideas and that makes it extremely powerful. And, these ideas change over time influenced by the comings and goings of merchants and trends and technologies. It seems to me, and this comes from someone who was educated trained and licensed as an architect, that retail locations are probably more frequented by the general population than are the major civic buildings that would have been typically called “architecture” in the past.Think about it, when was the last time that you went to a post office, a library, an Opera House, a government building, a church, synagogue, or mosque or a courthouse?When did you last walk the campus of a university or visit a museum?And I am sure that there are some of you who will say well I did all of those yesterday but I'd also hazard a guess that they would be in the minority.now, when was the last time you went to a store a shopping mall a department store or used your phone to buy something from Amazon or some other online company?The point here is that shopping is so deeply ingrained in our everyday lives that it's inextricably tied to how we come to understand the world around us. Shopping places therefore are important and even though many people who work in the retail space find their way there as a transition between the end of one semester and the beginning of another.Students or younger members of our society are not the only people who find meaningful work in retail and who ultimately end up building their entire careers around working for retailer or brand or some company in the design and construction industry who's connected to designing and building stores.And somehow our society has often placed a judgment on what type of retail you might likely be engaged in. I have often heard the position that price point of product is somehow equated to pride in a sales associate's work or price of products being a precursor to better service but this should not be the case. Experiences in retail stores should not be better if the products it sells are expensive. Service should be excellent across the product price spectrum of retail experiences.In fact we've all probably had experiences where being in high priced stores did not render necessarily better service.The point is that you need to strip away what you sell and deliver high levels of experience regardless of the product or the service that you're providing to your customers.Providing great service often has to do with how people connect to others and the level of emotional intelligence that sales associates bring to their job every day. Which also suggests that the way we train sales associates in customer interaction protocols might likely be less about the rubric of sequential steps on how to connect – first you do this, say that, then do this, and say that – but might likely be more effective if you train on why we all need emotionally resonant, empathic connection – how empathy is built into our collective DNA.And this is where my guest, Ron Thurston comes into the story.Ron suggests that empathy, curiosity and focus translate into every job in retail. He believes that we need to teach human connection rather than sales training. I would bet that most of us can spot the ‘sales pitch' a mile away. We could almost speak the script because we have been exposed to it too many times.Ron Thurston's life mission is to celebrate, elevate, and empower the people and spirit of the retail industry.Core to his philosophy is to stop referring to your career in retail as “accidental” because you diminish you own power. Its ok to say “I choose to be the best sales associate, leader or stock person and I am proud of my role in the world of retail.”With over three decades of leading retail stores and operations for top American brands like Gap, West Elm, Apple, Tory Burch, Bonobos, and Saint Laurent, Ron has honed an extensive skill set in retail strategy, management, and innovation.In January 2024, Ron co-founded OSSY, a forward-thinking retail recruiting agency. This venture is dedicated to addressing the biggest hiring and recruiting challenges in retail, reinforcing Ron's unwavering commitment to the industry.As the best-selling author of RETAIL PRIDE, Ron inspires retail professionals to embrace their unique career paths. He also hosted the RETAIL IN AMERICA podcast and tour, journeying across the nation in an Airstream trailer during 2022/2023 to uncover and highlight the remarkable stories and individuals in retail.I was happy to catch up with Ron Thurston after his key note presentation at the SHOP Marketplace event and sit down for a great talk…             *                         *                         *ABOUT DAVID KEPRON:LinkedIn Profile: linkedin.com/in/david-kepron-9a1582bWebsites:  https://www.davidkepron.com    (personal website)vmsd.com/taxonomy/term/8645  (Blog)Email: david.kepron@NXTLVLexperiencedesign.comTwitter: DavidKepronPersonal Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/davidkepron/NXTLVL Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nxtlvl_experience_design/Bio:David Kepron is a multifaceted creative professional with a deep curiosity to understand ‘why', ‘what's now' and ‘what's next'. He brings together his background as an architect, artist, educator, author, podcast host and builder to the making of meaningful and empathically-focused, community-centric customer connections at brand experience places around the globe. David is a former VP - Global Design Strategies at Marriott International. While at Marriott, his focus was on the creation of compelling customer experiences within Marriott's “Premium Distinctive” segment which included: Westin, Renaissance, Le Meridien, Autograph Collection, Tribute Portfolio, Design Hotels and Gaylord hotels. In 2020 Kepron founded NXTLVL Experience Design, a strategy and design consultancy, where he combines his multidisciplinary approach to the creation of relevant brand engagements with his passion for social and cultural anthropology, neuroscience and emerging digital technologies. As a frequently requested international speaker at corporate events and international conferences focusing on CX, digital transformation, retail, hospitality, emerging technology, David shares his expertise on subjects ranging from consumer behaviors and trends, brain science and buying behavior, store design and visual merchandising, hotel design and strategy as well as creativity and innovation. In his talks, David shares visionary ideas on how brand strategy, brain science and emerging technologies are changing guest expectations about relationships they want to have with brands and how companies can remain relevant in a digitally enabled marketplace. David currently shares his experience and insight on various industry boards including: VMSD magazine's Editorial Advisory Board, the Interactive Customer Experience Association, Sign Research Foundation's Program Committee as well as the Center For Retail Transformation at George Mason University.He has held teaching positions at New York's Fashion Institute of Technology (F.I.T.), the Department of Architecture & Interior Design of Drexel University in Philadelphia, the Laboratory Institute of Merchandising (L.I.M.) in New York, the International Academy of Merchandising and Design in Montreal and he served as the Director of the Visual Merchandising Department at LaSalle International Fashion School (L.I.F.S.) in Singapore.  In 2014 Kepron published his first book titled: “Retail (r)Evolution: Why Creating Right-Brain Stores Will Shape the Future of Shopping in a Digitally Driven World” and he is currently working on his second book to be published soon. David also writes a popular blog called “Brain Food” which is published monthly on vmsd.com.  The next level experience design podcast is presented by VMSD magazine and Smartwork Media. It is hosted and executive produced by David Kepron. Our original music and audio production by Kano Sound. The content of this podcast is copywrite to David Kepron and NXTLVL Experience Design. Any publication or rebroadcast of the content is prohibited without the expressed written consent of David Kepron and NXTLVL Experience Design.Make sure to tune in for more NXTLVL “Dialogues on DATA: Design Architecture Technology and the Arts” wherever you find your favorite podcasts and make sure to visit vmsd.com and look for the tab for the NXTLVL Experience Design podcast there too.

Wow! @breakupwithbusy Marisa Hohaia, and her story are SO INPIRING!  It's also a reminder to all women who may feel their story isn't important to share….that YOUR story matters ❤️

In this episode, I'll share my approach to interior design and how you can elevate your own space. Whether you're moving into a new home or just want to refresh your current setup, I'll share practical tips on how to avoid common design mistakes and define your personal style. You'll also hear about my favorite go-to stores for finding stylish, high-quality furniture and decor.Timestamps:00:25 - Austin Update02:30 - Why Discuss Interior Design: I have been obsessed with design for 15 years.03:54 - Mistakes To Avoid: Learn what not to do when designing your space.07:26 - Defining Your Personal Style: How to create a home that feels uniquely you.9:06 - Best Places to Shop for Furniture/Decor: Where I find great pieces for my home.17:25 - Challenge: Do an audit of your home. Does it give you the look and feel you want?My Favorite Furniture/Decor RetailersRuggable: https://ruggable.com/Article: https://www.article.com/?srsltid=AfmBOop_MOsFpgGUIlxFevIeYxmUAfb6W1g9pjGrfzIgnbOIZmGVH8lECB2: https://www.cb2.com/?srsltid=AfmBOopJFMYpaRz7itQhzA7bQ0zMCfBVc3khtKxGbXg6gC8vuoY5DZATCrate and Barrel: https://www.crateandbarrel.com/West Elm: https://www.westelm.com/All Modern: https://www.allmodern.com/Target: https://www.target.com/Tribesigns: https://tribesigns.com/?srsltid=AfmBOoqMAq0XozLkDPBeJevFGySOt8pTwa3cMqNoJ_eMHbemWggmn5tUSupport The Showhttps://www.buymeacoffee.com/theintrovertleaderCareer CoachingDo you want to take your career to the next level?Book your free career clarity call here.EngageDon't miss our new episodes, released every other Wednesday; be sure to subscribe.Send in your career, leadership, and self-development questions, and I'll answer them on air!Email: theintrovertleader@gmail.comLinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/austinchopkinsYouTube: TheIntrovertLeaderSTS Career Coaching: www.sts-coaching.comMy Favorite Furniture/Decor RetailersRuggable: https://ruggable.com/Article: https://www.article.com/?srsltid=AfmBOop_MOsFpgGUIlxFevIeYxmUAfb6W1g9pjGrfzIgnbOIZmGVH8lECB2: https://www.cb2.com/?srsltid=AfmBOopJFMYpaRz7itQhzA7bQ0zMCfBVc3khtKxGbXg6gC8vuoY5DZATCrate and Barrel: https://www.crateandbarrel.com/West Elm: https://www.westelm.com/All Modern: https://www.allmodern.com/Target: https://www.target.com/Tribesigns:

Kristen Pumphrey & Thomas Neuberger are the co-owners of California-based fragrance brand, P.F. Candle Co. and authors of “At Home with Fragrance.” Now a 63-person company, P.F. Candle Co. started as a one-woman Etsy shop in 2008 out of Kristen's second bedroom. As fragrance experts, Kristen and Tom have scaled the business over the course of several years on their own with no formal business degree - DIY is at the core of everything they do. Today, products are sold in thousands of stores worldwide and their two brick and mortar stores in Los Angeles and San Francisco. Despite the company's growth, P.F. Candle Co. still proudly makes their products in-house, pouring up to 3,500 candles a day all while modernizing the craft of candle making.In This Conversation We Discuss:[00:45] Intro[01:32] From job loss to a creative business venture[02:45] Starting and finding success on Etsy[04:23] Switching platforms for cost savings[05:33] Scaling beyond Etsy artisan qualifications[06:10] Figuring out what's worth the purchase cost[07:12] Outgrowing Squarespace's limited customization[07:44] Leveraging social media to drive website traffic[09:15] Gaining online traction via retail partnerships[09:59] Episode sponsors[13:11] Managing sales mix changes during pandemic[13:56] A pro tip for women in business[14:58] From self-management to leading teams[16:49] Setting yourself apart to create business value[17:51] Finding motivation from team successes and growth[18:40] Preparing for competitive Ecommerce sales[20:20] Planning inventory for Black Friday, Cyber Monday[21:45] Evolving strategies from $1 million to $10 million[23:26] Prioritizing meaningful work over numbers[25:04] Face business challenges with creative fulfillment[26:09] Defining future goals for products and company[27:13] Get your scented soy candles at P.F. Candle Co.Resources:Subscribe to Honest Ecommerce on YoutubeFollow Kristen Pumphrey linkedin.com/in/kristenpumphrey/Follow Thomas Neuberger linkedin.com/in/thomas-neuberger-6180b5113/Book a demo today at intelligems.io/Done-for-you conversion rate optimization service storetester.com/If you're enjoying the show, we'd love it if you left Honest Ecommerce a review on Apple Podcasts. It makes a huge impact on the success of the podcast, and we love reading every one of your reviews!

Margo is joined for another Creative Current Events catch up with the one and only Abby Campbell. They dive into a rich blend of creative insights and practical tips to boost productivity and brand presence - and of course, a little AI. Join them as they discuss their latest favorite articles from the interwebs including Jenna Kutcher's approach to mastering Instagram, complete with her valuable hacks for time management and content organization, a groundbreaking AI copyright infringement case featuring artist Jenga Zhang, and its potential impact on the art world, a creative cat named Momo who aids in the marketing behind a pottery brand, the latest in color-matching technology with the Nix eyedropper tool, how companies like West Elm are redefining Halloween decor, and a whole lot more.   Mentioned: Reels from Hans Lorei Design https://www.instagram.com/hansloreidesign   Copyright infringement case against AI Image Generators https://venturebeat.com/ai/artists-celebrate-as-copyright-infringement-case-against-ai-image-generators-moves-forward/   Momo the Cat's pottery is selling out! https://www.instagram.com/feeeuuhh/   New color-matching-capturing gadget, Nix https://www.nixsensor.com/mini-3-color-sensor/?_gl=1*1lqdpt6*_up*MQ..*_ga*MTk0MDgxMjAyMC4xNzIzODM2Mjky*_ga_9615G94BKR*MTcyMzg0MzM1NS4yLjAuMTcyMzg0MzM1NS4wLjAuMA..&gclid=CjwKCAjw8fu1BhBsEiwAwDrsjOC-8OZ8yR2qT1KMBGyCUspMN-TpK-7_5IEECCQCPHkuw0-fqjKEDBoCM2QQAvD_BwE   Jenna Kutcher on Instagram Productivity hacks that actually WORK https://jennakutcher.com/ Article: https://blog.hubspot.com/marketing/instagram-productivity?_hsmi=318394396   Replacing the word “Unfortunately“ in the workplace https://www.thecandidly.com/2019/lets-stop-using-this-one-word-in-professional-settings   Summerween https://www.axios.com/2024/07/29/halloween-decorations-michaels-costco-home-depot-summerween   https://www.westelm.com/shop/holidays/halloween/?Kenshoo=_k_CjwKCAjw8fu1BhBsEiwAwDrsjFUqGEkX43GdLtzJqsTqyBzf_E5Lalh1H9fJjkon2LtxPyclOzl8mBoCnDYQAvD_BwE_k_&cm_ven=BrandSearch&cm_cat=Google&cm_pla=Brand_Search_Holiday_Exact&cm_ite=west%20elm%20halloween_18579335980_kwd-929824583416&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjw8fu1BhBsEiwAwDrsjFUqGEkX43GdLtzJqsTqyBzf_E5Lalh1H9fJjkon2LtxPyclOzl8mBoCnDYQAvD_BwE Connect with Abby: https://www.abbyjcampbell.com/ https://www.instagram.com/ajcampkc/ https://www.pinterest.com/ajcampbell/   Connect with Margo: www.windowsillchats.com www.instagram.com/windowsillchats www.patreon.com/inthewindowsill  

This week on Inside Hilton's Head, we take a field trip to Brooklyn, New York, to meet NYC-based artist Frank Frances! We dive into Frank's fascinating background, exploring how his upbringing has shaped his unique artistic style. Plus, we get the inside scoop on his incredible work with Elle Decor, Target, West Elm and Architectural Digest, including what it was like photographing some of the world's biggest celebrities in their homes! And, of course, we couldn't resist a speed round where things get spicy: film vs. digital—who wins? You'll have to tune in to find out!As always, thanks for listening. Don't forget to leave a review, and tell a friend to tell a friend. Your support means the world to us!

French pole vaulter Anthony Ammarati goes viral due to what cost him the medal / Jordan Chiles has bronze medal taken away due to late ruling by scoring committee. Snoop, Billie Eilish, Red Hot Chili Peppers film on Long Beach shoreline for Olympics closing ceremony (AUDIO) - Tom Cruise, Olympic Mixdown (Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg, Phoenix, & Billie Eilish) Disney's ultimate fan experience, D23, is back after two years and kicked off Friday at the Anaheim Convention Center; Concludes today. / OpenAI warns people might become emotionally reliant on its ChatGPT voice mode. A man has left people stunned after managing to put away a staggering amount of money so he could retire early / ‘I came to purchase a couch': West Elm shopper doesn't receive help for 53 minutes. So she sticks around to prove a point.

I'm not a financial advisor; Superpowers for Good should not be considered investment advice. Seek counsel before making investment decisions.Watch the show on television by downloading the e360tv channel app to your Roku, AppleTV or AmazonFireTV. You can also see it on YouTube.When you purchase an item, launch a campaign or create an investment account after clicking a link here, we may earn a fee. Engage to support our work.Devin: What is your superpower?Khaliah: I am the queen of sleep.In today's episode of "Superpowers for Good," I had the pleasure of speaking with Khaliah O. Guillory, the dynamic CEO and founder of Nap Bar. Despite her high-energy demeanor, Khaliah's secret to maintaining such vigor lies in something deceptively simple: napping.Khaliah's journey to creating Nap Bar, the world's first black queer woman-owned luxury sleep suite, is rooted in her personal practice of prioritizing sleep. From her early days in corporate America, she scheduled daily naps, often finding unconventional spots like unused conference rooms or her car to recharge. This habit not only kept her energy levels high but also laid the groundwork for Nap Bar.One striking statistic Khaliah shared is that one out of every two Americans is sleep-deprived. This widespread issue underscored the need for a dedicated space where people could get quality rest. The data is compelling: a NASA study found that a 26-minute nap could increase productivity by up to 34% and alertness by 54%.Khaliah's vision for Nap Bar goes beyond providing a place to sleep. She aims to create eco-friendly, luxury sanctuaries where people can experience restorative sleep, even in the hustle and bustle of an airport. With partnerships with brands like West Elm and Lululemon, Nap Bar offers a home-away-from-home feel, complete with bamboo pajamas and high-quality sleep gear.Her recent success includes securing a ten-year contract at George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston, showcasing the growing recognition of the importance of sleep. Khaliah's commitment to raising awareness about sleep health extends to her Wefunder campaign, a crowdfunding effort to expand Nap Bar's reach and impact.Khaliah's story is a testament to the power of prioritizing rest and the transformative impact it can have on productivity and overall well-being. As she continues to advocate for sleep health, her journey inspires others to invest in rest, ultimately leading to healthier, more productive lives.Nap Bar is currently raising capital on Wefunder.tl;dr:1. Introduction of Khaliah O. Guillory and Nap Bar: Devin introduces Khaliah O. Guillory, the CEO and founder of Nap Bar. Despite being a very high-energy person, Khaliah emphasizes the importance of sleep and naps for maintaining her energy levels.2. Importance of Napping and Rest: Khaliah highlights the benefits of naps and restorative sleep, citing a NASA study that supports increased productivity and alertness from even short naps. She shares her personal routine of scheduling naps and the impact it has had on her success.3. Founding and Success of Nap Bar: Khaliah explains the inception of Nap Bar and its growth, including securing a ten-year contract to open a luxury sleep suite at George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston, Texas. She discusses the challenges and successes in the journey of establishing Nap Bar, including MVP testing and adapting during the pandemic.4. Expansion and Business Models: Khaliah details various business models for Nap Bar beyond airport rest stops, including partnerships with West Elm and Lululemon and potential collaborations with airlines, hospitals, college campuses, and sporting venues. She mentions efforts to scale Nap Bar through innovative solutions like the Metasnooze virtual reality experience.5. Crowdfunding Campaign on Wefunder: Khaliah talks about the ongoing crowdfunding campaign on Wefunder, emphasizing its importance in making the company visible and accessible even in the context of limited VC funding for black women founders. Devin provides details on how viewers can participate and support the campaign.How to Develop Prioritizing Rest As a SuperpowerKhaliah's superpower is her commitment to prioritizing rest and sleep. By integrating restorative sleep practices into her daily routine, she maintains high energy levels and productivity, enabling her to tackle the demands of entrepreneurship effectively.In 2017, while working in corporate America and facing high stress and long hours, Khaliah decided to change her bedtime habits. She moved her phone away from her bedside to avoid the temptation of checking emails first thing in the morning. This small change significantly improved her mental well-being, demonstrating how prioritizing rest can lead to better performance and a healthier mindset.Tips for Developing the Superpower* Schedule Naps: Make napping a non-negotiable part of your daily routine.* Bedtime Ritual: Establish a consistent bedtime ritual to signal your body it's time to sleep.* Limit Caffeine: Cut out caffeine ten hours before bed to avoid sleep disruptions.* Avoid Late Meals: Refrain from eating or drinking alcohol three hours before bedtime.* Work Cut-Off: Stop working at least two hours before bed to let your brain wind down.* Reduce Screen Time: Avoid screens and social media one hour before bed to minimize blue light exposure.* Skip the Snooze: When your alarm goes off, get up immediately to avoid grogginess from disrupted REM sleep.By following Khaliah's example and advice, you can make prioritizing rest a skill. With practice and effort, you could make it a superpower that enables you to do more good in the world.Remember, however, that research into success suggests that building on your own superpowers is more important than creating new ones or overcoming weaknesses. You do you!Guest ProfileKhaliah O. Guillory:Nap BarWebsite: napbarnow.comWefunder: wefunder.com/napbarBiographical Information: The creative mind behind Nap Bar™ is Certified Sleep Coach Khaliah O. Guillory. As a previous Vice President at a Fortune 100 company, she knows a thing or two about handling stress. Nap Bar™ is the first white-glove, eco-friendly, luxe rest sanctuary in the world. We offer communities and companies onsite and en-suite custom suites infused with virtual reality experiences to help sleepy humans rest and charge. Nap Bar's™ mission is to turn sustainable rest into sustainable productivity for not only health-conscious professionals, entrepreneurs, stay-at-home parents and travelers but sport venues, airports and corporations.Khaliah has been featured in a plethora of national publications not limited to Forbes and Essence. She is also the recipient of the prestigious President Biden's Lifetime Achievement Award, amongst many others. Based on her philanthropic work in the community, Former Mayor Sylvester Turner declared October 29 as Khaliah O. Guillory Day. Upcoming SuperCrowd Event CalendarIf a location is not noted, the events below are virtual.* SuperCrowdHour, July 17, 2024, at 1:00 Eastern. Each month, we host a value-laden webinar for aspiring impact investors or social entrepreneurs. At this month's webinar, Pooja Mehta, crowdfund investor and advisor to entrepreneurs, will join us to share her dual perspectives.* Impact Cherub Club Meeting hosted by The Super Crowd, Inc., a public benefit corporation, on July 16, 2024, at 1:00 PM Eastern. Each month, the Club meets to review new offerings for investment consideration and to conduct due diligence on previously screened deals. To join the Impact Cherub Club, become an Impact Member of the SuperCrowd.* Recently, we created an AI GPT to help you learn more about The Super Crowd, Inc., a public benefit corporation, and our upcoming events. Click here to try it.Community Event Calendar* Successful Funding with Karl Dakin, Tuesdays at 10:00 AM ET - Click on Events* Business Showcase Series, July 16 at 5:30 PM ET, Spark Coworking, 8 Market Place, Baltimore, MD 21202* Community Capital Live: Lisa Nutter of Community Impact Investments - Virtual Event: July 17, at 2 pm ET* Community Capital Live: Betty Francisco and Aliana Piñeiro of Boston Impact Initiative - Virtual Event: July 31, at 2 pm ET* Crowdfunding Professional Association, Summit in DC, October 22-23* Asheville Neighborhood Economics, November 12-13.If you would like to submit an event for us to share with the 8,000+ members of the SuperCrowd, click here.We use AI to help us write compelling recaps of each episode. Get full access to Superpowers for Good at www.superpowers4good.com/subscribe

Margarita welcomes Ariel Stein, creator of @ariel.loves and @JewishFamilyMagic to the podcast. With a background in Jewish education, Ariel runs two accounts dedicated to helping families make Jewish living fun and accessible. In this episode, Ariel talks about how she started her accounts, how she's navigating difficult conversations about war with her children, and how she's thinking about college for her kids in light of the antisemitism on campuses. She leaves us with a powerful message on the importance of Jewish joy! Follow Ariel on Instagram @ariel.loves and @Jewishfamilymagic . Check out Ariel's Jewish holiday guidebooks at JewishFamilyMagic.com ! What We Discuss: 00:00 Intro & Episode Agenda 03:02 Who is Ariel Stein & what is Jewish Family Magic? 07:21 On Ariel's partnerships with major brands like West Elm, Dyson, etc. 11:10 How does Ariel feel about the antisemitism on campus as a mother? 13:48 Is Hillel doing enough to protect students on campus? 23:30 How has Ariel navigated difficult conversations with her kids re: war? 31:40 Positive feedback from followers that Ariel has received 35:08 On Jewish events & the Israel Parade 37:30 On the Nova Exhibit & the importance of Jewish joy 39:48 Closing Remarks & Guest Nomination (plus, Ariel talks about her influencer trip to the Bahamas) --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/peoplejewwannaknow/support

Join Lucy in conversation with Emily Teele, a marketing leader who most recently worked at Nike on an expat assignment in the Netherlands. Emily's impressive career spans senior roles at Sephora, Williams Sonoma, West Elm, and Uber. In this episode, Emily shares the profound changes she has recently faced, including the joys and challenges of motherhood and the loss of her own mother in the same year. This is a raw and honest story that reveals the incredible power of trusting your innermost voices and leaning into the communities that step up to care for you along your journey.Together, Lucy and Emily explore the art of surrendering and recount a pivotal coaching moment shared during COVID that transformed Emily's life and laid a powerful foundation for her journey towards newfound happiness and permission to be herself. Tune in to gain valuable insights into the power of choice and authenticity as mechanisms for navigating high-stakes career pathways amidst the beautiful chaos of life. Jump into the conversation:3:24 Lucy asks Emily what is important in her life now, what her current values are, and where she is pointing her compass.3:37 Emily shares about motherhood, bringing her baby girl into the world, and losing her own mum all in the same year. 6:47 Emily talks about the art of surrendering. She shares her “bootcamp” of transformational changes over the past five years.7:47 Lucy & Emily retell a watershed coaching moment they shared during COVID sitting on Lucy's porch.9:50 Emily talks about the athlete's mindset, “What? So what? Now what?” and her admittance that she was not ok.11:50 Lucy shares the difference between therapy and coaching.12:03 Emily shares “life is long, and it is also short” and what that means to her.13:25 The two discuss the power of choice—the power to choose what you can control. The power of naming it while also surrendering to what you cannot control.17:05 Emily shares her story of having to introduce herself to her new Nike team, knowing her life was in chaos, and wanting to be authentic and real about what is really going on for her. 17:49: Emily talks about what she admires in strong leaders.18:59 Lucy declares that Emily's coming-out party was when she allowed herself to be her authentic self without having to be her perfect self. 26:06 Lucy talks about “trying” and what this means in relation to values.28:58 Emily shares what happens when you leave yourself open to allowing your life to change; this is when something profound can make its way in.31:30 Emily shares the power of finding your Board of Advisors to support you in all facets of your work and life.  Resources: Connect with Lucy on LinkedInCheck out The Murmuration CollectiveConnect with Emily on LinkedIn and on her website.Check out what Emily refers to as the “athletes mindset.”

This week on Getting Rich Together, I had the pleasure of sitting down with the incredible Nancy Tsuei. Nancy is a force in the retail world, having built businesses and been at the forefront of brands like Bed Bath & Beyond, Millerknoll, Gap, and West Elm. But what many people don't know is her financial prowess and the inspiring ways she's evolved throughout her lifetime to create change, especially in the space of women and wealth. In this episode, we dive into how Nancy's parents shaped her relationship with money, the missteps and lessons she learned early in her career, and how she built multiple streams of income that work together to build on each other.  As she enters her "third phase" of life, Nancy is focused on exiting the corporate world to be of service to others and is working on developing frameworks for deeper human connection. I hope you find Nancy's story as moving and motivational as I did. Her wealth of experience and wisdom is something we can all learn from, no matter what stage of our financial journey we're in.      Key Topics: How Nancy's immigration story influenced her childhood Starting to build businesses as soon as possible Navigating financial trauma and learning to respect money from a young age Dealing with the ebbs and flows of finances right out of college Why everyone should invest in their 401k if they have it When Nancy started taking bigger risks with money Creating a “double helix” of income Moving into the third phase of her career away from corporate Money does not = happiness Nancy's approach to money conversations with her kids Spending on travel and experiences The role allyship will play in Nancy's legacy Connect with Nancy online: Instagram: @ntsuei LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nancy-tsuei-2906321/ Articles: https://www.forbes.com/sites/hollycorbett/2024/02/29/the-great-wealth-transfer-what-it-means-for-women-and-for-the-world/?sh=64eb43cb6525 Find more from Syama Bunten: Instagram: @syama.co, @gettingrichpod Website: https://scalingretail.com/, https://syamabunten.com/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/scalingretailconsulting  

  Retirement offers the opportunity to pursue new interests, hobbies and pursuits. But getting retirement right takes practice. How do you start? Mary Jo Hoffman shares her story of how a daily photography practice on her daily walks with her dog evolved, culminating in her new book STILL:The Art of Noticing. Mary Jo Hoffman joins us from Minnesota. __________________________ Bio Mary Jo Hoffman is the author of STILL:The Art of Noticing.  An aeronautical engineer-turned-artist, since beginning her artistic practice and founding the blog, STILL, she and her project have been featured in Martha Stewart Living and Better Homes & Gardens, among other publications, and she has collaborated with West Elm, Target, the United States Botanic Garden, and the Scottish National Opera She is renowned for her unique and personal engagement with the natural world around her, primarily in North America's Great Lakes bioregion and the iconic scrubland of Mediterranean France. Best known for her multi-year, ongoing project, "STILL," she captures and posts one photo every day, on a white background, of a natural object found near her, whether leaves, flowers, seedpods, twigs, insects, or animals. "STILL" images reflect Hoffman's profound admiration for nature's subtle, seasonal expressions. Her photography encourages viewers to pause and contemplate one thing at a time, to be still, if only for a moment, in a world of distracted hurrying from one thing to another. The project is an endorsement of the power of dailiness, and an invitation to re-see the too-often overlooked "infraordinary," that surrounds us--those sights, sounds, and subtle changes that we think of as common and familiar, but which can come alive with delightful possibility when paid attention to. Hoffman lives in Shoreview, Minnesota, on Turtle Lake, with her husband, Steve, a food writer and author, and her aging and indulged puggle, Jack, with whom she takes walks as often as possible, in woods and fields, and along lakeside trails, on the hunt for that day's STILL blog subject. __________________________ For More on Mary Jo Hoffman STILL Blog STILL:The Art of Noticing _________________________ Podcast Episodes You May Like Retirement Rookies – Stephen & Karen Kreider Yoder Edit Your Life – Elisabeth Sharp McKetta Living for Pleasure – Emily Austin, PhD Best of 2024 – Part One _________________________ Wise Quotes On Practicing Retirement "...think about practicing for retirement. Put those pieces in place with the community, the hobbies, the interests, whatever you want to do. Start early enough to have those in place when you retire so that you don't just one day walk out the door, and then you don't know what to do with yourself. That struck a chord with me. So we are in France, the kids are in school, it's the first free time in my adult life and I say to my, my husband who's a tax preparer, but who also had creative ambitions. He was wanted always wanted to be a writer. I said, let's practice for retirement. We have we have six hours a day between parent drop off and parent pickup. Let's practice for retirement. So that was 2012. So 12 years ago what happened is I started a photo. So I came up with a project for myself is called a photo a day for one year. So it was a one year project to do a photo a day, which then resulted in this book that I just came out with." On Daily Practice "If you've never done anything like a 100-day challenge. I have a 30-day challenge. I think 30 days is too short. I did a one year challenge that turned into a 12 year challenge. I highly recommend them. That's why  I call it the sneaky superpower of daily -  of having a daily practice. The other one of the other things that that totally surprised me  was something an idea I call placefulness, which is it is this a really deep and nuanced knowledge and connection to my place."

You can be passionate about what you do, but the first hurdle to overcome in your creative business is often getting people to know you exist. This is where Lexi Kentmann comes in. For the past 20 years she has been helping brands get noticed, and build up trust and connection with the right people. Lexi has worked with industry leaders such as West Elm, Pottery Barn and Freedom, as well as smaller boutique brands. Come listen to her advice on how to get noticed and traction for your creative business. Let's connect! Instagram: instagram.com/nataliewalton Website: nataliewalton.com Get Your Essential Guide to Style with Clarity & Confidence: nataliewalton.com/handbook Learn The 7 Secrets to Take Your Interiors to the Next Level: nataliewalton.com/secrets Get Your FREE Step by Step Plan to Design & Grow Your Dream Creative Business: nataliewalton.com/thrive

Season two is in full swing as the crew talks about what the best age to have kids is and the show experiences an unprecedented Thunderdome result. John fields an advice question about his recent autism screening.    Our Media: Youngmi:  Aaron Hernandez Documentary Alex: Stranger Things John: NJ Turnpike Signs

Williams-Sonoma Inc. released their Q1 2024 earnings report on May 22, 2024. During the earnings call, CEO Laura Alber stated the strong quarterly results were driven by the company's focus on three key priorities: returning to growth, elevating customer service, and driving margin.Analysts from firms like Goldman Sachs, JPMorgan, and UBS posed questions on topics ranging from market trends and accounting adjustments to growth initiatives and margin improvements. Key areas of interest included trends in big-ticket items, cost of goods sold changes, performance of the outdoor category, operating margin guidance, drivers of trade and furniture improvements, growth initiative impacts, advertising investment plans, signs of a replacement cycle, and gross margin opportunities.Despite a 4.9% decline in comparable brand revenue, Williams-Sonoma delivered a strong Q1 performance with a 19.5% operating margin, aided by a one-time freight accrual reversal benefit. Their three key priorities were returning to growth through innovation, design, digital marketing, and e-commerce enhancements, elevating customer service through training and supply chain efficiencies, and driving margin through full-price selling and reduced promotions.Brand performance highlights included sequential improvement at Pottery Barn despite furniture weakness, strength at West Elm with reduced promotions, continued kitchen category growth at Williams-Sonoma, positive comps in children's brands, and a 10% increase in the B2B segment.For fiscal 2024, the company projects net revenue fluctuating between -3% to +3% with sequential improvements, and an operating margin of 17-17.4% excluding one-time benefits. Strategic focuses include innovation and design leveraging proprietary capabilities, enhancing the digital experience, supply chain optimization, and customer acquisition through marketing.While acknowledging challenges, executives expressed confidence in their ability to navigate market dynamics and drive long-term growth through their strategic initiatives. However, a realistic assessment of the competitive landscape and economic conditions suggests a cautious outlook is warranted. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit theearningscall.substack.com

Kathrin Hamm, originally an economist at the World Bank, turned her chronic insomnia into an opportunity by creating Bearaby, a thriving business centered around a unique product: a weighted blanket made entirely from organic materials, without plastic beads. Her journey involved overcoming skepticism from manufacturers and the complexities of introducing a new, sustainable product category to the market. Kathrin's determination led to a brand that epitomizes comfort and eco-friendliness.Using Bearaby's direct-to-consumer model, Kathrin leveraged user-generated content and established key retail partnerships with major players like Nordstrom and West Elm, helping to expand Bearaby's market presence and confirming consumer demand for eco-friendly, health-centric products.Kathrin discusses the crucial role of community and networking in her entrepreneurial journey. Connecting with other founders and mentors provided the support and insights needed to navigate the challenges of startup life. This sense of community is something Kathrin believes all entrepreneurs should tap into to drive their businesses forward.Quotes“It was really a lot of Googling, a lot of reaching out to people, building that network early on. As a first time founder and someone who wasn't in that field before, I didn't have a lot of contacts. So for someone to start thinking about the business, think about who you know and who you can reach out to and build that network early.” (14:23 | Kathrin Hamm) “I was in my mid-thirties and people thought I'm crazy to quit a solid job and then start selling blankets on the internet. I think it's never too late to start, especially if you're passionate about something. Give it a year. Don't look back. And if it doesn't work out, you will have a great learning experience.” (37:43 | Kathrin Hamm) Connect with Kathrin Hamm:Instagram: http://wwwinstagram.com/mybearabyGrab Lindsay's e-book, The Partnership Blueprint: https://stan.store/lindsaypinchuk/p/get-your-ebook-now-the-partnership-blueprintGrab Lindsay's guide: 30 Pieces of Content in Two Hours:https://lindsaypinchuk.myflodesk.com/fedimy6g3bIf you like what you're hearing, please leave a rating or review at: https://ratethispodcast.com/dearfoundherGrow your business + bottom line with a simplified strategy and process for your small business with Lindsay's group mentorship, Marketing Made Simple for Small Business. Check it out here: Use the code FOUNDHER for 20% off.https://www.lindsaypinchuk.com/mmsspring2024If you know a FoundHer... we should meet, please tell her to share her story with us:https://form.jotform.com/230008245758152Don't forget to follow Lindsay on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lindsaypinchukPodcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

There's a legal battle brewing between TikTok and the federal government. But how anxious are US companies about losing one of the newest and frankly most exciting social media outlets in years? Rachel Karten had that question, too. She's a social media consultant for brands like Cava and West Elm, and author of a Substack called Link in Bio, a  newsletter about the business of social media. She spoke with host Steven Overly to talk about what she's hearing from brands and what losing TikTok could mean for online culture and commerce.

More than 12 years after Mary Jo Hoffman originally committed to a daily art project where she found something in nature that would inspire her and then photograph it, she is still going strong and hasn't missed a single day. She shared these images on her blog Still -- one image, daily, of gathered natural objects found near her. A former aeronautical engineer, Mary Jo Hoffman, wanted to add some creativity to her life while being home with her two children.  Every walk with her kids or my dog would turn into a STILL blog treasure hunt.Mary Jo's one-a-day project turned into a new career in the creative arts. She went from sharing her images on her blog, to collaboration with designers, plus organizations and companies like: Martha Stewart,  Midwest Living, the Scottish National Opera, Target Corporation, West Elm, and Better Homes & Gardens. This daily practice has allowed her so many unexpected blessings and in a different understanding of nature and the world we live in. She shares her idea of radical incrementalism and explains how we all can tap into our creativity by doing a little bit everyday. She also discusses her creative process and how she approaches the business side of making her art and sharing it with the world. You can find her book STILL: The Art of Noticing to learn more about her story, her creative process, and her gorgeous artwork.Contact Info:Mary Jo Hoffman - GuestMary Jo's LinkedIn accountMary Jo's IG accountSTILL blogJulie Berman - HostJulie Berman's LinkedIn Profile@womencooljobs (Instagram)www.womenwithcooljobs.com ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ I absolutely LOVE being the host and producer of "Women with Cool Jobs", where I interview women who have unique, trailblazing, and innovative careers. It has been such a blessing to share stories of incredible, inspiring women since I started in 2020. If you have benefitted from this work, or simply appreciate that I do it, please consider buying me a $5 coffee. ☕️ https://www.buymeacoffee.com/julieberman Thank you so much for supporting me -- whether by sharing an episode with a friend, attending a LIVE WWCJ event in Phoenix, connecting with me on Instagram @womencooljobs or LinkedIn, sending me a note on my website (www.womenwithcooljobs.com), or by buying me a coffee! It all means so much.

You want more Thingies? We've got more Thingies! This time with one of the most charming interior designers around, Billy Cotton, who has a stellar new collaboration with West Elm and a book we love, love, love.Billy's Thingies include a Lorezi Milano toothpaste squeezer (paired with Marvis Toothpaste at the moment), Cowboy Carter (but of course), Hillstone (specifically the Bal Harbour location) Elephant and Castle (Michigan Star!), the city of Houston, and, of course, Fruit Loops. A few of our favorites from his West Elm collection are this checkered rug, this pepper mill, this etched glassware, and this shell bowl for cereal or anything you please.Didn't know we had to announce it, but we're #teammascara. See: Kevyn Aucoin'The Volume Mascara and Lily Lolo Mascara…and let us know your faves at 833-632-5463, podcast@athingortwohq.com, or @athingortwohq—or chat with other Bobs in our Geneva. Give your hair a boost with Nutrafol. Take $10 off your first month's subscription with the code ATHINGORTWO.Get the good writing tools with ​​JetPens—free JetPens marker and washi tape with any $50 order when you use our link until 6/30/24.Go green with Fast Growing Trees—get an additional 15% off your first purchase with the code ATHINGORTWO.YAY.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Rebecca van Bergen is the Founder and Executive Director of Nest, a nonprofit supporting the responsible growth and creative engagement of the artisan and maker economy to build a world of greater gender equity and economic inclusion. Rebecca leads an organization that is partnering with brand leaders such as Etsy, Madewell, Patagonia, Target and West Elm to improve transparency, social wellbeing, and economic opportunity for handworkers which includes both artisans and less skilled manual laborers, often working from their homes. Nest's comprehensive suite of artisan and maker programming reaches over 250,000 handworkers working across 1,500+ artisan businesses in 124 countries.

Welcome to Today's Episode on FurniturePodcast.comEpisode Overview:Dive into the latest developments, insights, and trends within the furniture industry, tailored for both seasoned veterans and newcomers. This episode covers a wide array of topics crucial for staying ahead in the ever-evolving furniture sector.Today's Key Topics:Consumer Mattress Buying Trends:Market Survey Insights: Younger millennials, Gen Xers, and baby boomers are leading the demographic charge in the mattress market, with a significant emphasis on queen and king-sized mattresses.Consumer Preferences: Support, pressure relief, and cooling features are top considerations, highlighting a strong consumer desire for quality and comfort.Industry Implications: Retailers and manufacturers are advised to align offerings with consumer preferences for comfort, size, and value.Occasional Tables Purchasing Trends:Consumer Behavior: A noticeable link between primary seating choices and the demand for cocktail and end tables.Trends: Mixed media elements and rectangle shapes dominate consumer preferences, with a significant portion of purchases planned in-store.Strategic Insights: Retailers need to adjust strategies to cater to both in-store and online buying trends, emphasizing affordability and quality.Impact of New Regulations on Independent Contractors:2024 Department of Labor Rule: Introduction of a rule aiming for clarity in worker classifications, impacting the furniture industry's reliance on independent contractors.Industry Adaptation: Businesses may need to reconsider engagement strategies with workers, emphasizing compliance and adaptation to maintain growth.Import Challenges Due to Red Sea Conflict:Shipping Disruptions: Importers face significant delays and increased costs, prompting strategic shifts in shipping routes and methods.Resilience and Adaptability: Companies exhibit flexibility by employing alternative logistics strategies to ensure continuity in supply chains.West Elm's Retail Innovation:Mobile App Launch: Introduction of a new design and shopping app, enhancing the customer experience with features like real-time expert assistance and shareable wish lists.Implications for Retail: West Elm sets a new standard in furniture retail, emphasizing the importance of technology in shopping experiences.Understanding Industry Trends:Discussion on differentiating between long-term mega trends, macro trends, and short-term trending items, with examples like the work-from-home revolution and the resurgence of Art Deco design elements.Company Spotlights:RH: Strategic initiatives aimed at long-term growth amid economic challenges, with plans for global expansion.Overstock.com: A strategic relaunch focusing on competitive pricing and enhanced shopping experiences.Burke Décor: Restructuring efforts in response to economic pressures, aiming for a refined business model.MillerKnoll: Addressing sales declines with strategic cost-cutting and operational refinements, focusing on profitability and efficiency.Closing Thoughts:This episode explored the dynamic nature of the furniture industry, from consumer trends to regulatory changes and company strategies. The importance of innovation, adaptation, and strategic planning was underscored, offering listeners valuable insights for navigating the furniture market.Stay Connected:For more insights and updates, subscribe and connect with us at FurniturePodcast.com and through our social platforms.Upcoming Episodes:Join us in our next episode for more crucial updates and discussions on transforming spaces and lives with quality furnishings.Thank you for tuning in to "Furniture Industry News." Stay ahead in the furniture industry with insights that matter. Goodbye until next time!

On this week's episode of the Baked-In podcast presented by Busey Bank, Josh has the opportunity to talk with Rebecca Van Bergen of Nest. Nest is a nonprofit supporting the responsible growth and creative engagement of the artisan & maker economy to build a world of greater gender equity and economic inclusion. She founded Nest in 2006 after graduating with a Masters in Social Work from Washington University and winning a business/social enterprise competition which provided seed money for Nest. Over the years, she has garnered a tremendous reputation and numerous accolades for her work including being named a World Economic Forum Young Global Leader, a Levi Strauss & Co. Collaboratory Fellow, a PBS Changemaker, a CNN Young Person Who Rocks and one of the White House's Top 100 Entrepreneurial Enterprises led by a young person. Nearly 18 years later, Rebecca leads an organization that is partnering with brand leaders such as Etsy, Madewell, Patagonia, Target and West Elm to continue to improve transparency, social wellbeing, and economic opportunity for handworkers which includes both artisans and less skilled manual laborers, often working from their homes. She is super inspirational. Josh and Rebecca talk about both starting businesses at 24, the challenges of leading a 100% remote workforce and Nest's initiatives to assist makers in addressing the growing number of climate change issues. #nonprofit #crafters #women #change #entrepreneur #stlmade 

Join Jeanne as she sits down with Shannon Cohen, the CEO of Shannon Cohen, Inc., a boutique consulting firm that specializes in emotional intelligence, equity, and wellness. Shannon shares her self-care advice for leaders and why rest and replenishment is so important; how she embraces each new season and adapts accordingly; why she believes uniqueness is your best competitive advantage; and how her powerful 4-step system for facing challenges can change your life. Don't miss this episode filled with wisdom on wellness, leadership, and the transformative power of authenticity. Subscribe and be inspired to lead a more authentic and fulfilling life.About Shannon Shannon is the Founder and CEO of Shannon Cohen, Inc. a company that creates products, spaces, and experiences that invest in the emotional well-being of people who lead, love, and serve in transformational ways. Her company's clients include: Perrigo, Procter & Gamble, Meijer, and Steelcase. Shannon is the author of two books, “It's Normal to Shake as You Soar” and “Tough Skin, Soft Heart: A Leadership Guide to Growing Stronger, Better, and Wiser”. Her line of inspirational products have been featured nationally at Target, Meijer, and West Elm. Her Tough Skin, Soft Heart podcast is available on Anchor, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Stitcher with subscribers spanning 12 countries. Shannon is the Founder of the global Rockstar Woman™ Movement, serving thousands of women annually. For consecutive years, Shannon has been named one of the 200 Most Powerful Business Leaders in West Michigan and recognized as one of the 50 Most Influential Women in West Michigan by the Grand Rapids Business Journal. Shannon is an alumnus of the prestigious W.K. Kellogg Foundation Community Leadership Network Fellowship, 2023 recipient of the Grand Valley State University Distinguished Alumni Award, and honored with the 2023 “Woman of Courage” award from Michigan Women Forward. Shannon serves on several boards including the Corewell Health [formerly Spectrum Health] Foundation Board, GROW Board, GVSU Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation Board, and the Small Business Advisory Board for Congresswoman Hillary Scholten. Shannon is the proud mom of a 4th grader, and entering 15 years of “I do” with the love of her life! LI: ShannonCohen IG: @shannonmcohen X: @ShannonCohenInc Website: https://www.shannoncohen.com/

In this special episode, Daniella is interviewed by one of our favorite guests from Season One of the Mom Curious Podcast, Ariel Stein. The two talk in detail about their experiences as Jewish mothers post October 7, 2023 which was when Hamas infiltrated Israel slaughtering the peace loving Kibbutz communities of the south, raping and torturing civilians and taking over 200 men, women, children and the elderly from the homes and into captive where 136 still remain today. We thought it was important to get current and get honest about how it's been as a diaspora Jew.  Some topics we cover is: Daniella's family history, White-passing Jews, What is Zionism, Being pro-peace and more. A note that Daniella offers Standing Together as a grassroots organization to follow but after some further investigation has found them to be more divisive than unifying. The other organizations including The Tel Aviv Institute founded by Hen Mazzig and The Parents Circle remain impeccable resources. Daniella has an episode on The Parents Circle on The Mom Curious Podcast.  Daniella also reveals that the show will publish once every two weeks for the foreseeable future so as to maintain a healthy work-life balance.  About Ariel: Named one of the New York Jewish Week's 36 Under 36 Jewish change makers (https://jewishweek.timesofisrael.com/ariel-scheer-stein-33-sharing-jewish-mothering-inspiration/) in 2021 and one of Tel Aviv Institute's Jewish 100 in 2023, Ariel Stein is the founder of Jewish Family Magic (https://www.jewishfamilymagic.com/), an online platform designed to make Jewish living fun and accessible for the whole family. She is also the content creator behind the Jewish motherhood blog ArielLoves.com (http://arielloves.com/). Ariel's work has been featured in Woman's Day Magazine, Parents Magazine and The Times of Israel. As a digital content creator, Ariel has worked with many brands to showcase modern Jewish life including HGTV, Michaels Stores, The Children's Place, Dyson and West Elm.  Ariel developed her passion for Jewish education through over 15 years of experience teaching in the day school classroom, informal education on college campuses, Jewish camping and staffing youth programs. Ariel earned her BA in Judaic Studies and Organizational Psychology from the George Washington University and earned her MA in Jewish Education from the Jewish Theological Seminary. Ariel lives in New Jersey with her husband and two daughters. Keep up with Ariel on Instagram  @Ariel.Loves (https://www.instagram.com/ariel.loves/) and @JewishFamilyMagic (https://www.instagram.com/jewishfamilymagic/). Thank you so much for listening! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Quick Take - (Full Episode - #78 - Link Below to Full Episode) Have you ever stayed at a short-term rental home and wondered where a certain interior design item was purchased and how you could get it for your own home? Or did you sleep amazingly on their mattress and sheets, and want to buy them for your own bedroom? These real product moments are what drove our guest, Marc Hostovsky, to launch Minoan - a customizable, curated retail platform helping short term rental hosts simplify furnishing and save money with a free to use, centralized ordering platform. Steep discounts and no hassle of messy logistics like order tracking and customer service? Sign us up! Marc has a strong background in tech and retail operations, having worked in senior roles for Walmart and Jet.com (which was acquired by Walmart!) Minoan is a venture-backed startup focusing on “native retail.” Products aren't boxed up in a store display case or hiding as images on a phone screen. There's no pushy furniture store sales person over your shoulder either — just a consumer and the products with a little one-on-one time. If guests love the plush towels, why not let them buy an exact one from the same supplier? It's a win for products and brands - they get consumers to spend time actually living with items of potential interest. Minoan's current retail partner roster is impressive, including such heavy hitters as William Sonoma, Article, West Elm, Crate & Barrel, Polywood, Casper, Pottery Barn, Caraway, Wayfair, and hundreds other retailers, both national brands and smaller local companies. They already have assembled a network of nearly 10,000 short-term rental locations and boutique hotels, whose hosts pick and choose products from several hundreds of participating brands that can help them convert their vacation lodging into showrooms. In this episode, we discussed: - How Marc thought to launch Minoan - Why the most valuable moments spend with products are not online or in stores - How Minoan works with short-term rental operators - Why furnishing and decor should be thought of less as a cost center and more as an investment in improving average daily rates - How does Minoan help hosts' encourage shopping available products without making the experience feel overly commercialized? - What products create those memorable moments for guests? Where you can find Marc: Minoan website - https://www.minoanexperience.com/ Marc's LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/marc-hostovsky/ Minoan's LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/minoan/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/minoanexperience Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/minoanexperience Join Jason Muth from Straightforward Short-Term Rentals and Attorney / Broker Rory Gill of NextHome Titletown and UrbanVillage Legal in Boston, Massachusetts for another episode of The Real Estate Law Podcast! #realestatepodcast #nexthome #humansoverhouses #realestate #realestatelaw #realestateinvesting #realestateinvestor #realestateagent #airbnb #airbnbdecor #furnishingyourairbnb #strsecrets #vrbo #nativeretail Follow us! Following and subscribing to The Real Estate Law Podcast not only ensures that you'll get instant updates whenever we release a new episode, but it also helps us reach more people who could benefit from the valuable content that we provide. The Real Estate Law Podcast on Instagram and YouTube NextHome Titletown Real Estate on Facebook and LinkedIn Straightforward Short-Term Rentals on Instagram Attorney Rory Gill on LinkedIn Jason Muth on LinkedIn Help us Spread the Word If you've found our podcast helpful, entertaining, or informative, please consider leaving us a rating and review. It only takes a minute and can make a huge difference in helping us reach more listeners.

Amanda opens up about what it means to create a Brand like Musee and the importance of good design. Amanda Broyles is the Creative Director and Lead Designer at Musee, a nationally recognized bath and body line based in Mississippi. After becoming a proud graduate of the University of Mississippi, Amanda and her husband Drew spent four years living in the Upper West Side of New York City where she started her career working remotely with the bath company, Musee. However, her heart eventually led her back to the warmth and hospitality of the South, where she has since made a significant mark in the world of creative design. Amanda resides in the charming town of Oxford, MS, with her husband Drew, and her two-year-old son.Amanda, alongside Musee's owner, Leisha Pickering, serves as the driving force behind the brand's whimsical aesthetic. With a remarkable seven-year tenure as the lead designer, Amanda has been the mastermind behind all packaging designs and brand photography.During Amanda's time at Musee, the brand has garnered widespread acclaim, earning recognition from prestigious platforms such as The Today Show, Southern Living, Harper's Bazaar, and even securing a spot on Oprah's coveted list of favorite things three years in a row. She has been the lead designer on brand collaborations with Anthropologie, Maisonette, The Honest Company, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, West Elm, and Alabaster Co.Her dedication to excellence and unwavering commitment to the Musee brand continues to elevate Musee's presence in the market. Outside of her creative endeavors at Musee, Amanda finds joy in the simple pleasures of life by spending time with her family and friends.ResourcesCrossroads Ministry (Musee's Partner) Exclusive Membership Group ✨ Sign Up!Freebie ➡️ 2024 Guide and PlannerSPECIAL DEAL:

Embark on a glitter-filled journey as we dive into the kaleidoscopic world of Jamie Kushner Blicher, better known as the Glitter Enthusiast (@glitterenthusiast), where sterile IVF needles become the unexpected brushes crafting a masterpiece of resilience and community. Podcast host Jaclyn Beck reconnects with Jamie who shares her incredible story of transitioning from a 16-year career as a buyer for companies like West Elm and Amazon to becoming a full-time artist. Jamie's journey took an unexpected turn when faced with infertility challenges and later, the unique parenting experience of raising two boys with special needs. Discover how Jamie found solace and expression in her art, using sterile IVF needles to create stunning pieces that not only tell her story but also foster a global community of support. From managing the delicate balance of personal and professional life to the importance of self-care and community, Jamie's story is a testament to the power of creativity and connection. Tune in to learn how she navigates the challenges, finds inspiration in unexpected places, and continues to evolve as both an artist and a mother. This episode is a celebration of resilience, authenticity, and the ongoing journey to discover one's true passions.Topics Discussed: -Jamie's journey into art, specifically painting with sterile IVF needles, as a way of coping with infertility. -Jamie discusses the impact of her art on social media and the community it has created, providing a platform for people to share their own fertility stories. -The mission of Glitter Enthusiast is described as creating, communicating, and supporting, with a focus on making difficult topics more approachable through art. -The importance of flexible structure and the need for evolution in creative pursuits.-The concept of balance and the need for designated personal time, highlighting the lack of preparation for managing personal aspects of life.-Societal expectations, the pressure to follow a traditional path, and the sense of loneliness that can arise when life doesn't go as expected. Connect with Jaclyn Beck on LinkedIn, follow along on Instagram @jaclynbeckconsulting and check out Jaclyn Beck Consulting for strategic advisory and/or executive coaching inquiries.Produced by Haynow Media

Ken interviews three experts in Retail store staffing for the inaugural Tech Talk podcast episode.Sharonda Weatherspoon is the SVP, Head of Retail Transformation, Client Development, and Operations, as well as the Co-Chair of North America's Diversity and Inclusion ERG. She has spent over 24 years at Ralph Lauren, surviving my tenure, and moving up through the ranks, starting as a General Manager, and in her most recent role, as SVP of retail stores from North America. Sharonda has always worked directly with the stores and fully understands the frontline experience where her focus has been to create the best customer experience and the appropriate staff to support it.Ron Thurston is the founder of OSSY, a platform that aggregates store employee talent from sales associate to leadership roles, enabling retailers and brands to easily access Aussie's labor pool. Ron is also the author of the Amazon bestseller, Retail Pride, championing joy and success in the service industry. Ron's book draws on his experience and store leadership roles with Intermix, San Laurent, Tory Burch, Apple, West Elm, and Gap. Ron also hosts a podcast, Retail in America.Mike Myers is the co-founder and CEO of Reflex and has spent the last decade building early stage companies as both a founder and an early stage venture. Reflex works with some of the top brands in retail today and helps brands leverage a flexible labor model to drive store performance. Retailers use Reflex to connect with experienced on-demand retail store associates and to flex their labor models to support the real time needs of the business.Key Takeaways from this episode are:1.    Evolution of Retail Staffing Post-COVID: The post-COVID environment has significantly changed the landscape of retail staffing. Retailers have had to adapt rapidly to evolving business models, leading to challenges in finding and retaining talent. Competing for local talent, dealing with the gig economy, upskilling rapidly, and identifying the right candidate profiles have become significant hurdles.2.    Shift Towards On-Demand Flexible Talent: The emergence of platforms like Reflex has transformed the staffing model. They facilitate connecting retailers with on-demand, experienced retail talent, allowing for real-time staffing adjustments based on business needs rather than fixed hiring plans.3.    Tech-Driven Recruitment Solutions: Reflex, as a tech platform, streamlines the staffing process. It provides a platform for retailers to access a pool of vetted workers for various roles, from back of house to front of house, offering flexibility in scheduling and facilitating worker-retailer feedback through ratings and reviews.4.    Challenges and Benefits of Adopting New Staffing Models: Trust remains a significant obstacle for retailers adopting flexible staffing solutions like Reflex. However, the platform's benefits, including reducing turnover costs, addressing immediate staffing needs, and potential cost savings in comparison to traditional hiring and retention methods, make a compelling case for its adoption.5.    Changing the Perception of Retail Jobs: The introduction of platforms like Ossy seeks to redefine the hiring process, especially for the retail workforce. It aims to replace traditional resumes with dynamic digital profiles, utilizing AI-driven algorithms to match candidates with suitable retail roles, focusing on soft skills, empathy, and curiosity, ultimately changing how individuals perceive and access retail job opportunities.6.    Industry Insights through Trade Shows and Networking: Sharonda gains industry knowledge and stays updated by attending trade shows like NRF. and various others. Networking through LinkedIn and connections with individuals like Ron and Mike allows her to stay informed about innovative solutions.7.    Innovative Solutions in Staffing: Both Ossy and Reflex offer platforms that provide accessible solutions through mobile applications and digital platforms, simplifying the staffing process compared to traditional methods like phone calls or emails. These platforms offer an automated and convenient way to connect available staff to positions.8.    Integration of AI: Both Ossy and Reflex are integrating AI into their platforms. Ossy aims to replace the traditional resume with a more interactive and multimedia-based platform for job seekers, while Reflex employs AI in the background to enhance the operational experience for workers and retailers without overtly marketing it as an AI platform.9.    Marketing Challenges and Strategies: Both platforms face marketing challenges in a crowded space. They are using strategies like word-of-mouth referrals, industry events (such as Shop Talk and NRF), and social media channels like TikTok and Instagram for worker acquisition. They also emphasize thought leadership, sharing insights, and building a presence within the retail industry.10. Funding and Business Challenges: Ossy is self-funded with an intention to create a new category, while Reflex has raised $12 million in funding and is focused on delivering for retail partners, launching new markets, and scaling worker experiences. Building the right tech infrastructure and understanding the time investment required has been a significant challenge for both platforms.

Hey there,Today I'm joined by Lisa Eckerle. Lisa is the founder and CEO of The Designer Organizer, a company based in Carmel, Indiana that provides luxury in-home organization, space planning, and organizational design services. She founded her business in November 2019 while working full-time in advertising. In 2021, she made the jump to full-time entrepreneurship and has grown her team, service offerings, and revenue every year since, even amongst a company name change earlier this year.Her work and expertise have garnered online recognition from esteemed brands such as Crate & Kids, Architectural Digest, West Elm, The Container Store, & mDesign.Lisa describes herself as a combo of Dorothy from Golden Girls, Sporty Spice from the Spice Girls, and Punky Brewster. She has been married for 11 years and has a daughter named Nina in 2nd grade and a son named Leo in Kindergarten. Her perfect evening is spent outside around a campfire with a glass of red wine in hand.During our conversation we discuss the emerging professional organizing industry, the strong sense of community amongst organizers, and managing competition locally. Lisa emphasizes slowing down the organizing process to fully understand clients' lifestyles and design customized systems.Key TakeawaysThe professional organizing industry has grown rapidly due to Marie Kondo and shows like The Home Edit.Organizers have an exceptionally strong sense of community, supporting each other with education and resources.It's important to differentiate yourself from local competitors through your personality, expertise, services.Slow down the organizing process to deeply understand clients and design customized systems.Build a team to meet demand but don't sacrifice strategy and thoughtfulness.Support the national community but set boundaries with local competitors.Don't let community overpower your own business goals and innovation.Female-dominated industries tend to prioritize community over competition unlike male-dominated ones.‌This was an insightful discussion about both the supportive community and competitive dynamics in the professional organizing industry. Lisa offered practical advice for standing out from local competitors while still contributing value to the broader community. She emphasized not sacrificing your business's goals and innovation in the name of community.Connect with Lisa https://thedesignerorganizer.comSupport the show

Colin King is a master of his craft.  In just a few short years, the industry's go-to interior stylist has amassed an impressive client list that includes leading publications and brands. He's styled countless celebrity homes for Architectural Digest, from Gwyneth Paltrow to Drake. He's channeled his talents into product collaborations with everyone from West Elm to The Future Perfect, Audo Copenhagen, Cultiver, and Beni Rugs—where he serves as Artistic Director. No matter the project, Colin's signature touch always makes any space feel magical. Listen in as we talk about color as a main character, the surprising ways to make a room look more expensive, and the number one mistake people make when styling. This one is not to be missed.  Resources:  If you're obsessed with design like us, you'll love The Expert - find it here   Enjoy 10% off your first e-commerce purchase with code PODCAST10 at checkout. (Certain exclusions apply) https://www.theexpert.com/ To follow along with Jake Arnold, click here: https://www.instagram.com/jakearnold/ Check out Colin King's curated Showroom on The Expert here: https://www.theexpert.com/showroom/colinking

Lotion! Books! Earplugs! Dried-up contact lenses! This week, we're talking about our nightstand essentials from the things that improve our nighttime routine to the things that are just weird.    Olivia's Nightstand: Weleda Skin Food, Aquaphor stick, books (currently: Rooms of Our Own by Louise Pennington, Talking at Night by Claire Daverley, The Rachel Incident by Caroline O'Donoghue), Necessaire Body Serum, a pile of dried contacts, glasses, claw clip graveyard, water bottle graveyard.     Becca's Nightstand: Gold Bond Crepe Corrector, Ring Dish from West Elm, Retainers, Tatcha Lip Mask, Laneige Lip Mask, Goop Night Cream (discontinued), Ear Plugs, Diptyque Rose Candle, Ahava baby eczema cream, Amazon Alarm Clock, Amazon sleep mask, Globe bedside sconce (old/unavailable), Princess flashlight.   Listener Nightstand essentials include reading lights, mouth tape, micellar water, Stanley water bottle, Lush Sleepy Lotion,  Eye Bra Eye Masks, Tempur-Pedic Sleep Masks,  Amazon Smart Plugs & Echo, Dr. Teals Foot Cream   Obsessions Becca - @famouspplreading, Iron Flame TikTok Olivia - Escaping Twin Flames Docuseries   What we read this week! Becca - Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros Olivia - All Sinners Bleed by SA Cosby, My Murder by Katie Wiliams   This Month's Book Club Pick - The Christmas Orphans Club by Becca Freeman (have thoughts about this book you want to share? Call in at 843-405-3157 or email us a voice memo at badonpaperpodcast@gmail.com)   Sponsors Prose - Get 50% off your first subscription order today plus 15% off and free shipping for every subscription order after that at Prose.com/bop Better Help -  Visit BetterHelp.com/BADONPAPER today to get 10% off your first month   Join our Facebook group for amazing book recs & more!  Subscribe to Olivia's Newsletter! Preorder Becca's Book!  Like and subscribe to RomComPods and Bone Marry Bury! Available wherever you listen to podcasts.  Follow us on Instagram @badonpaperpodcast. Follow Olivia on Instagram @oliviamuenter and Becca @beccamfreeman.  

Author Adam O'Fallon Price (The Hotel Neversink) returns to talk about a great--if tough to categorize--Don Carpenter novel, Hard Rain Falling. We talk about the novel's many plot swerves, and the depth and surprise in its portrayal of complicated men. Plus: an update on Tom's fancy "white glove service" desk from West Elm. For more on Adam, you can follow him on Twitter, or visit his website. If you like the podcast, and want more of it in your life, we're doing two monthly bonus episodes for just $5: https://www.patreon.com/BookFight  

In this special episode taped from the iHeart Music Festival in the Bose recording booth, Bridget and Mike talk about the rise of many-to-many social surveillance via social media and what it means for all of us.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Exoticos, wrestlers who dressed in drag and served as comic relief in lucha libre, won over audiences thanks to Saul Armendariz (aka Cassandro). He's the subject of a new biopic. The Federal Trade Commission and 17 states are suing Amazon, alleging that it holds a monopoly on online retail. This comes after the DOJ sued Google recently. Some 13,000 UAW workers are off the job, demanding better pay and more job security. Their key issue: the shift from gas powered-vehicles to electric.  New furniture is often made with cheap, flimsy materials, even those from West Elm and Restoration Hardware. Where can consumers find reliable, affordable options?

On today's show, Rachelle is joined by Slate staff writer Nitish Pahwa for a mailbag episode. The two answer questions about Jojo Siwa's rumored pregnancy, the fate of the music industry after an AI-generated Drake song went viral and the most recent instance of internet vigilantism. This podcast is produced by Se'era Spragley Ricks, Rachelle Hampton and Daisy Rosario. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Stephanie Summerson Hall is the founder and CEO of Estelle Colored Glass—an assortment of cake stands and stemware in jewel tones and soft pastels. Currently available everywhere from West Elm to Anthropologie to Nordstrom, the entire collection is handblown in Poland by glassmakers with over a century of experience in their craft. But before Stephanie had been bitten by the entrepreneurship bug, she spent 10 years practicing business and corporate tax law in Washington, D.C. Tune in to hear her candid telling of it all. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.