Today on A Well-Designed Business I am joined Jessica Bantom, interior designer, DEIB practitioner, and author of Design for Identity: How to Design Authentically for a Diverse World. This is the first part of a conversation about how to become a culturally competent designer.
In this episode, part one of a two-part series, Jessica explains cultural competence is the ability to understand, interact with, and appreciate people of different backgrounds or belief systems that are different from your own. But she explains that it essentially comes down to making space for conversations.
[5:54] LuAnn and Jessica talk about the goals of Jessica’s new book, Design for Identity: How to Design Authentically for a Diverse World
[11:59] Jessica explains why she uses the term “identity” instead of culture, in order to speak more broadly about differences across multiple dimensions—including race and ethnicity but also age, religion, sexual orientation, and body size.
[18:32] Jessica and LuAnn discuss unconscious bias.
[21:46] Jessica and LuAnn examine the way different people are able (or unable) to share their experiences and why that is.
[35:45] LuAnn clarifies with Jessica that the message in her book is that, as designers, we need to make space for these conversations.
[39:35] Jessica explains that designers should not be making assumptions or interpreting someone else’s identity.
“Cultural competence is the ability to understand, interact with, and appreciate people of different backgrounds or belief systems that are different from your own. And what that essentially boils down to is just really making space to understand and appreciate that there are different experiences that people have based on different aspects of their identity. And it's all about being open-minded to what those are, and accepting that there are other realities.” – Jessica Bantom
“We may be in the same room looking at the same thing, but we are going to experience and we are going to process it differently.” – Jessica Bantom
“Instead of telling somebody that's baseless, we have to be willing to ask and understand how it happens that way, and why those feelings are there.” – LuAnn Nigara
“ ‘It is the duty of the interior designer to have awareness and sensitivity in going about their design for all of the communities that they designed for.’” – LuAnn Nigara quoting from the book Design for Identity: How to Design Authentically for a Diverse World by Jessica Bantom
“As designers it's not on us to interpret somebody's culture or identity. It is on us to open the door for the conversation—to receive the information, to process it, to do what we do as designers with that new information. But it's not on us to come up with our interpretation of somebody's identity.” – Jessica Bantom
Jessica Bantom is a Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging (DEIB) practitioner and workplace strategist whose goals are to help organizations develop customized strategies for transformational change and to enable individuals to take immediate action to become more inclusive. Author of Design for Identity: How to Design Authentically for a Diverse World (coming in April 2023), she is a skilled management consultant with over 20 years of experience, a compelling speaker, and a certified facilitator and coach with a passion for helping people and organizations activate the values of DEIB to become more culturally competent and thrive in our increasingly global economy.
Jessica is a proud alum of the University of Virginia where she earned her undergraduate degree and Marymount University where she earned her Masters. She is certified as an Associate Diversity Coach through the CoachDiversity Institute’s Executive Certification in Diversity Coaching program in collaboration with the Howard University School of Business and holds a certificate in Diversity and Inclusion from Cornell University. In addition, she is a Certified Change Management Professional (CCMP), Prosci Certified Change Practitioner, and Change Management Advanced Practitioner (CMAP) with a specialization in Design Thinking and Innovation from Darden Executive Education at the University of Virginia.Jessica is also active in the interior design industry as an interior design and color consultant and as an engaged advocate committed to promoting DEIB in the industry and in practice. She describes herself as a multidisciplinary designer of human-centered solutions and uses her specialization in design thinking to develop and apply innovative approaches that transcend industries. A proud member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated, she’s a long-time resident of the Washington DC area, although she will always call Philadelphia home.
http://www.luannnigara.com/cob
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Book 1: The Making of A Well – Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action
Audiobook: The Making of A Well – Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action
Book 2: A Well-Designed Business – The Power Talk Friday Experts
Book 3: A Well-Designed Business – The Power Talk Friday Experts Volume 2
LuAnn’s Website
LuAnn’s Blog
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Today With Manuela Keller & Philip McKay:
Today’s episode is sponsored by Messe Stuttgart, a German company that specializes in organizing trade shows, particularly for the home decor industry. They have been in the trade show business for more than 80 years, annually organizing around 60 shows and 100 conferences worldwide.
Manuela Keller and Philip McKay are joining us to tell us all about two upcoming events: Sun Shading Expo 2023 and R+T 2024, which will both bring together the sun shading and textiles industries. Here, you will be able to maximize your time and meet the right people to discuss business opportunities for the entire sun shading product range.
About Manuela:
Manuela Keller is an experienced manager of international trade shows and events around the globe, with a proven track record in the event services industry since 2006. She has knowledge in strategic planning, business development, marketing strategy, event management and management.
Starting as an intern in the international department of Messe Stuttgart in 2006, she soon took on more responsibility and became project manager for official German Pavilions - joint company participations - at trade shows in all parts of the world - including SXSW (South by Southwest) in Austin, SolarPower in Anaheim, IMTS in Chicago, ArabHealth in Dubai - to name just a few.
In 2009, Manuela became the project manager of R+T Asia, the leading international trade show for the sun control and door industry in the ASEAN region. Other trade fairs such as R+T Middle East, R+T Russia, R+T Turkey and R+T South America were added over the years.
Today, she is Manager of Exhibitions and Events and responsible for the international trade shows of the R+T Alliance - R+T Asia (Shanghai, China), R+T Turkey (Istanbul, Turkey), Sun Shading Expo North America (changing locations/USA) and APAExpo by R+T (Barcelona, Spain).
Manuela Keller is also part of the project team for R+T - the World's Leading Trade Fair for Roller Shutters, Doors and Sun Shading Systems. Among other things, she is responsible for the overarching exchange with the international association partners and supporters, the strategic and thematic support of the international conference program and the processing of international exhibitor and visitor inquiries, as well as the management of the international sales force. With more than 17 years of experience in organizing international trade shows, she brings remarkable added value and her global network to the organization of this outstanding, internationally renowned trade show.
The international trade fair heart beats in the middle of the dynamic Stuttgart region. Over 60 trade fairs and more than 100 congresses and events are held every year at our venue. We also operate all over the world and maintain a network of foreign representatives in 51 countries.
She has been married for more than 20 years and is a proud mother of a 10 year old son. As a balance to her working life, she likes to go for long walks in the nearby forest or attend live concerts - preferably punk or alternative rock.
About Philip:
Philip McKay has a proven track record as a successful senior executive with leading event companies. Before becoming President of Messe Stuttgart IncPhilip founded nGage Events LLC. in 2012. nGage became the premier hosted buyer events company in North America where it produced over 15 events a year across many industries.
Phil McKay also served in many executive positions for some of the largest trade show producers in the globe such as:
Executive VP for Questex Media and was responsible for their hosted model events and technology group. He has also served as Senior Vice President of the World Market Center in Las Vegas in charge of growing their event portfolio in the furniture, gift and home accessories industries. Mr. McKay held the position of Group Vice President and General Manager at Gartner's Vision Events, where he managed the teams of 10 different brands which were leaders in the hosted events in each of their verticals. He also served as Senior Vice President of International Business Development & Operations for Key3Media Group, overseeing the company's portfolio of COMDEX and N+I with 20 plus markets in Latin America, Europe, Asia, Africa and Australia. Prior to Key3Media, McKay was Group Managing Director for Penton Media.
In 2004, Philip McKay was recognized and awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award from Tradeshow Week magazine for his outstanding and distinguished contributions to the global events industry.
Philip McKay is a past member of the board of directors of SISO. He was an active member in the Massachusetts Convention Center Advisory Board, also was past chairman of IAEE Senior Executive Advisory Board and The Future Strategy of Trade Fairs. He also was a past member of the Research Committee of CEIR and editorial advisory board member of Trade Show Executive Magazine.
He is a proud father of two men, and three grandchildren. When Phil is not working in his gardens and spoiling his grandchildren, you will find him on the golf course.
Connect with Manuela Keller & Philip McKay
A Big THANK YOU to Today’s Podcast Sponsor:
This episode is sponsored by Messe Stuttgart
Welcome to a Well-Designed Business. What would you think if I said that you could be a successful interior designer working as an employee? For some, you may think, nah. For others, you may be thinking tell me more!
My guest today, Katie Wick, interior designer at Jkath Design Build + Reinvent is here to debunk the unspoken stigma that if you are an interior designer and you don't own your own business, then you won’t be successful. Listen in to learn all of the perks and benefits to working for an interior design company.[2:30] We kick the conversation off with the benefits of working as an interior design employee.
[8:45] Katie’s specific role and day to day duties at Jkath Design Build + Reinvent.
[17:04] Katie explains how she configures her social media while doing design for Jkath.
[25:47] Additional ways that Katie and Jesse support Katie as an employee.
[44:05] Katie explains her opinion of the stigma attached to designers who don’t want to necessarily start their own firm.
“Working within a firm with established systems and vendors contributes to a designer’s delivery and experience with high level design.” - LuAnn Nigara
“There has to be a willingness from both the employee and employer to have the hard conversations and proper communication.” - LuAnn Nigara
“They’ve been so generous to me and have created a great culture at Jkath. I would never do anything to cause any suffering in the business. And although it is their business, it is my reputation as well.” - Katie Wick
http://www.luannnigara.com/cob
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Book 1: The Making of A Well – Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action
Audiobook: The Making of A Well – Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action
Book 2: A Well-Designed Business – The Power Talk Friday Experts
Book 3: A Well-Designed Business – The Power Talk Friday Experts Volume 2
LuAnn’s Website
LuAnn’s Blog
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#407: Century Furniture and Carrier & Company Launch New Line at High Point Market April 2019
#627: Julia Miller: The Evolution of an Interior Design Business
Today With Fernando Duque:
Today on A Well-Designed Business I am joined by friend and colleague Fernando Duque, the CEO of Duke Renders. I am also joined by designers Nicole Salceda, from Eye for Pretty, and Elle Odori, founder of Decorelle, who are living proof that using 3D rendering from Duke Renders can uplevel your projects.
Having had Fernando on two times before, we are well aware of his clear process and tremendous success. But we have never heard first hand from one of his clients. It is always nice to hear recommendations from a colleague, and boy do these two recommend Duke Renders. Nicole and Elle share their positive experiences with Duke Renders despite their initial intimidation to give rendering a shot.
Pick It Apart
[3:15] Nicole starts us off with how Duke Renders has personally helped her in her projects.
[7:12] Fernando explains what a designer needs to provide in order for Duke Renders to have detailed renderings.
[17:30] Fernando explains how they can easily use your project management systems, like Mydoma to help formulate your rendering.
[24:54] What to expect with the price of rendering.
[32:55] Nicole shares how she uses rendering for her spec homes.
[43:12] How rendering can not only help your clients visualize a space, but also new ideas from the designer.
[48:15] Fernando’s final thoughts about using Duke Render’s 3D rendering for your projects.
LuAnn Nigara and Fernando Duque's Ah-Ha Moments
“For our first experience going into rendering I was nervous, but Duke Renders made it easy and really laid it out for us by sending us a template to follow.” - Elle Odori
“When you have the rendering, it gets the client so excited for what’s to come and holds them over.” -Nicole Salceda
“When do you know if it is OK to invest in your business? It is always OK, but it is never going to feel easy.” - LuAnn Nigara
More About Fernando Duque
Born in Venezuela, MBA Babson College. Serial Entrepreneur, founded more than 5 companies.
I co founded Duke Renders with my brother Enrique in March 2020 in the middle of COVID 19, since then it has been a skyrocket growth with more than 100 team members today and no outside investment.
We are a 3D Render studio based in beautiful Tulum, Mexico.
We specialize in Interior Design and Architectural photorealistic imaging.
We serve busy Interior Designers with 100% Accurate Photo-Realistic 3D Renderings of their Creative Designs.
We make You and Your Clients feel Proud, Confident and Empowered at Every Single Step of the Design Process.
I live in Tulum with my wife Mina, our newborn daughter Penelope and our doggy Lulu.
Fun Facts:
1. I love going to the beach at 5am and do it every day!
2. Traveled the world backpacking for 2.5 years
3. Loves cooking Moroccan Food for his Moroccan Wife
Connect with Fernando Duque
A Big THANK YOU to Today’s Podcast Sponsor:
This episode is sponsored by Duke Renders.
Other Shows Mentioned:
#852: Nicole Salceda: You Don’t Need to Have All the Superpowers
Welcome to a Well-Designed Business. We all know that social media can be a great marketing tool—if you can build up a big following. But if you’re struggling to gain a big number of followers, is it even worth the time?
My guest today, Megan Pisano, would say the answer is absolutely yes. With under 4,000 Instagram followers, Megan has still managed to put social media to strong use for her business through engagement and relationship building. Learn why engagement matters more than metrics!
[2:27] Megan breaks down how she started using social media for her business.
[15:42] LuAnn and Megan discuss the importance of investing in professional photography.
[16:20] Megan shares the nitty-gritty of her Instagram approach, from content to hashtags.
[33:24] Megan discusses how relationship-building and engagement matter so much on Instagram.
[45:04] Megan and LuAnn talk about the value of referrals, networking, and live events.
“So even though the first time they reach out to you, it's technically a cold lead, it actually is functioning like a warm lead, because the relationship has already begun.” -LuAnn
“You have to post pictures of yourself. People want to know what you look like.” -Megan
Megan Pisano Design is an interior design company based in Chatham, NJ. Whether you’re in need of a full-house design or a single-room color recommendation (or anything in between), Megan can help you transform your home.
Megan works closely with her clients to understand what they’re looking for and creates spaces that are both beautiful as well as functional! She has a love for clean, minimalist designs that are brought to life with art and decor that reflect each client’s personality.
Megan’s interest in interior design began at a young age when she found herself rearranging her bedroom furniture every week (a habit that still remains!). She went on to receive an interior design degree from the Indiana University of Pennsylvania and quickly put it to good use after graduation by working as an interior designer for the top Italian Furniture Company, B&B Italia.
After 10 years at B&B Italia, Megan decided to go out on her own in 2017 and fulfill her lifelong dream of starting her own company.
Megan loves helping her clients create spaces they feel happy in and feels lucky to have a job that she never sees as “work”. She’s also a certified yoga instructor – a passion that helps her bring a calm, relaxed approach to all of her designs and clients.
Megan lives in Chatham, NJ with her husband and their 2 young boys.
http://www.luannnigara.com/cob
For checklists, resources, and extra goodies from A Well-Designed Business sign up for free here.
To Get on LuAnn’s Email List, text the word designbiz to 444999!
Book 1: The Making of A Well – Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action
Audiobook: The Making of A Well – Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action
Book 2: A Well-Designed Business – The Power Talk Friday Experts
Book 3: A Well-Designed Business – The Power Talk Friday Experts Volume 2
LuAnn’s Website
LuAnn’s Blog
Like Us: Facebook | Tweet Us: Twitter | Follow Us: Instagram | Listen Here: Podcast
#278: Erika Ward – Master Business Skills 1st, Interior Design Skills 2nd.
#861: Power Talk Friday: Darla Powell: Instagram for Interior Designers.
Today With Adam Stevison:
Today on A Well-Designed Business I am joined by Adam Stevison, Luxury Showroom Manager of the newest Home Depot Design Center in Vauxhall, New Jersey. While the Home Depot has been around for almost 50 years, this new concept is a store-within-a-store, offering an interactive, luxury experience aimed to serve a customer it was unable to before. The Vauxhall location is the third Design Center that the Home Depot has opened, with other locations in San Diego, California, and Rockville, Maryland.
In this episode, sponsored by the Home Depot Design Center, Adam tells all about this extraordinary opportunity for designers and their clients. Featuring luxury brands appliances by Monogram, Thermador, Signature Kitchen Suite, and Dacor, the Home Depot Design Center features working vignettes, a team of experts, and end-to-end white glove service handled entirely in-house.
Pick It Apart
[1:50] Adam explains what the Home Depot Design Centers (HDDC) offer as a full experience center with built-in vignettes all in demo mode featuring.
[9:31] Adam and LuAnn discuss how designers can learn about the appliances from the team at the HDDC in order to educate their clients and also bring their clients in to experience the center themselves.
[16:28] LuAnn asks Adam to walk through the process of the experience from a designer’s standpoint.
[24:02] Adam talks about the white glove service at the HDDC, explaining all of the concierge services that accompany the experience and emphasizing that no part of the process or product is handled by a third party.
[32:42] Adam and LuAnn discuss client needs and wants and how the appliances at the HDDC can accommodate a range of budgets and desires.
[43:24] Adam encourages designers near the New Jersey location to use the HDDC as a shared workspace with their clients.
LuAnn Nigara and Adam Stevison's Ah-Ha Moments
“Experience goes a long way.” – Adam Stevison
“We can teach a designer that's designing as much as the consumer and the end user.” – Adam Stevison
“I know I can't sell what I don't know and I don't understand… So I love that we have this ability to come and really absorb it and grasp it and get the reason for the price tag, what is the value that goes in.” – LuAnn Nigara
“Nothing gets handed over at Home Depot Design Center to anything third party at any stage of the game.” – Adam Stevison
“Ultimately, this is actually the role in the value of the designer—to be the person that's doing the coordinating among everybody.” – LuAnn Nigara
More About Adam Stevison
Since starting with The Home Depot in 2001, Adam Stevison has worked in various roles both customer facing and regional support positions. Titles aside, he is an adept salesperson and operations manager, who now oversees the Home Depot Design Center in Vauxhall, NJ.
As a part of a new venture in an established company, that’s over 44 years old, his team in HDDC serve a customer that was unable to before.
Introducing the Home Depot Design Center
If the kitchen is the heart of the home, we look forward to being able to match the name recognition of The Home Depot with luxury branded appliances at the Home Depot Design Center to make the kitchen of our client’s dreams come true.
Customers benefit from interacting with the appliances in our luxury showroom to help them decide on products that fit their lifestyle. And through partnerships with designers and the trade, we extend a white glove delivery service, products that are high quality, highly sought after, and suited well for those looking for an elevated experience.
Open House at the Home Depot Design Center
The best way to learn about the latest features on kitchen appliances is to visit our showroom in Home Depot Design Center in Vauxhall, NJ.
Designers and trade professionals are welcome to our Open House on September 14, 2023. And meet the best-selling author and podcaster: LuAnn Nigara.
Visit the event page for details and RSVP to attend.
Connect with Adam Stevison
RVSP to attend the Open House at the Home Depot Design Center!
A Big THANK YOU to Today’s Podcast Sponsor:
This episode is sponsored by the Home Depot Design Center.
Other Shows Mentioned:
#31 Steven Cooper – The Value of a Trusted Vendor
#536 Monogram Appliances: Robert Koller and Alexandra Skobel
#794 Renee Biery: Do Clients Know You Can Handle Project Management?
Welcome to a Well-Designed Business. We all know the value of relationships in business—but what about the HOW? How are people going about building solid business relationships that make a difference?
My guest today, Rama Dandamudi, is someone who believes in relationships. Rama is here today to talk about predictability—specifically why predictability matters more than pricing. But as you’ll hear in this conversation, the way you create predictability is by focusing on relationships.
“Establish a reputation of being reliable and being consistent and being predictable. Not only will vendors want to come and work with you, but eventually clients will bring more work to you.” -Rama
“You've taken basically, the qualities of your typical mom-and-pop shop of why that business is important in a community. And you've taken those exact same principles and put it on the global scale that your business lives on.” -LuAnn
I am a Chicago-based entrepreneur with more than two decades of experience creating and managing businesses within the residential design industry. Currently, I am the president and founder of 210 Design House, a lifestyle showroom offering a curated collection of internationally acclaimed, high-end interiors products (including Snaidero, MisuraEmme, Plain & Fancy, Glas Italia, Arflex, Wall&decó, and Milldue noorth and Vitage).
For more than 25 years, my team and I have brought functional luxury and unique design to life in both single-family and multi-unit residential projects across Chicago and the country. In addition, I have spent the past two decades developing partnerships with international luxury brands and bringing them to the U.S. market, while remaining active with charitable organizations focused on child welfare and education. Prior to entering the design world, I was a board certified surgeon at Cook County Hospital for nearly 20 years.
http://www.luannnigara.com/cob
For checklists, resources, and extra goodies from A Well-Designed Business sign up for free here.
To Get on LuAnn’s Email List, text the word designbiz to 444999!
Book 1: The Making of A Well – Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action
Audiobook: The Making of A Well – Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action
Book 2: A Well-Designed Business – The Power Talk Friday Experts
Book 3: A Well-Designed Business – The Power Talk Friday Experts Volume 2
LuAnn’s Website
LuAnn’s Blog
Like Us: Facebook | Tweet Us: Twitter | Follow Us: Instagram | Listen Here: Podcast
#222 Power Talk Friday: Lee Cockerell- Customer Service the Disney Way
#753 Sandra Funk: How to Grow a Thriving Luxury Interior Design Business
Today on A Well-Designed Business, I welcome my friend Anna Nelson. I met Anna in September 2022 at the HPS. Out of the 60 or so people that were there, Anna was the first person I immediately connected with. In the episode you will hear her say that this is her strength, connecting with people on a deeper level, and I can personally vouch for that.
Anna is here to talk about how she helps entrepreneurs find and use their own strengths to get focused and aligned in their businesses.
[8:10] Anna explains the importance of appreciating the value of your ideas in relation to benefitting your business.
[12:15] How your client can have an impact on utilizing and recognizing your strengths.
[13:50] Anna shares for people not ready to invest, how they can recognize their strengths on their own.
[22:20] Anna shares an example of when it clicks for a client recognizing their strength and utilizing that to better their business.
[29:20] Anna can also benefit experienced designers and window treatment professionals who have been in the business for years.
“As a designer you can design a room, but how you approach designing that room will be different than someone else through your strength. It comes down to understanding what sets you apart in your industry.” - Anna Nelson
“If you don’t appreciate the value of your ideas and why they set you apart from someone else then you don’t know how to use them in a way that can benefit your business.” - Anna Nelson
Anna Nelson, MBA, ACC is a coach and speaker on a mission to help 10,000 entrepreneurs get focused and aligned in their businesses. She spent 18 years working in the corporate worlds of the financial, retail and marketing industries before embarking on her own entrepreneurial dream of helping people reach their goals by first understanding their strengths.
She’s coached hundreds of individuals from solopreneurs starting their businesses to 7-figure entrepreneurs with a team helping them get crystal clear on what each individual brings to their business and their clients. She loves nothing more than talking with a stranger and getting them excited to pursue the unknown and make their dreams a reality.
http://www.luannnigara.com/cob
For checklists, resources, and extra goodies from A Well-Designed Business sign up for free here.
To Get on LuAnn’s Email List, text the word designbiz to 444999!
Book 1: The Making of A Well – Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action
Audiobook: The Making of A Well – Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action
Book 2: A Well-Designed Business – The Power Talk Friday Experts
Book 3: A Well-Designed Business – The Power Talk Friday Experts Volume 2
LuAnn’s Website
LuAnn’s Blog
Like Us: Facebook | Tweet Us: Twitter | Follow Us: Instagram | Listen Here: Podcast
# 174- Power Talk Friday- Fred Berns- Own Your “Only” Word & Tips to Discover Yours
# 811- Power Talk Friday: Heather Hansen: You Are Your Own Advocate
Today on A Well-Designed Business, I am joined by Sara Hamza, a Danish-Egyptian designer and the founder of Nina June, a custom furniture and styling brand. Based in Cairo, Egypt, Sara operates her business from a place of compassion, genuinely seeking to know and understand her clients so she can serve them better.
Sara is sharing how being diagnosed with RA as a teenager impacted her life and career, how she currently defines success, and what listening to the podcast for the past few years has taught her.
[6:33] Sara talks about how she operates her design business in Egypt and how the podcast has helped answer many questions she has along the way.
[12:17] LuAnn and Sara discuss why connecting to your clients with compassion is important, and how Sara’s medical history has informed this lesson in her business.
[19:34] Sara explains how being diagnosed with RA forced her to make difficult choices, prioritize her activities, and delegate from a young age, which all serve her in her business now.
[24:49] Sara tells LuAnn that she learned to define her own success by listening to the podcast.
[32:31] Sara describes her furniture lines and what she offers at Nina June.
[36:22] LuAnn and Sara discuss how her Danish and Egyptian roots contribute to her character and influence her designs.
[49:36] LuAnn and Sara talk about the importance of wellness, in life and in order to sustain a successful business.
“Compassion means that you're actually willing to do something about it, versus empathy—where you just feel with a person.” – Sara Hamza
“People really pick up when someone is genuine, and when someone is reliable and trustworthy. And when your client sits in front of you and feels that—you're booked on the spot.” – Sara Hamza
“We're not looking for something so far away—we're looking for something that's truly part of us…What is my real “why” here?” – LuAnn Nigara
“I think much of the maturity that I've obtained the last three years is because I had to look inward.” – Sara Hamza
“If we want to change ten things, we have to start with actually changing one thing.” – LuAnn Nigara
Sara Hamza landed her first job, painting seashells for a gift shop, when she was just 12 years old—it was the spark that kindled her desire for a creative career. At the time, she had no idea which area her artistic flair would lead her but throughout her rigid education, she craved an outlet that would release her imagination.
Born in Cairo, Egypt, in 1985 to an Egyptian father and Danish mother, she lived a family-oriented daily life that would seem unsophisticated compared to life in other capital cities. After completing German school, she studied architecture at the Fine Arts University in Cairo while applying for a Design and Innovation course in Denmark.
Perhaps she is an overachiever, because not only did Sara complete her design course, but also began her first design-related job whilst studying. Coordinating between a Danish designer and an Egyptian manufacturer, she got her first opportunity to visit a tradeshow in Stockholm, an experience that filled her with awe and strengthened her ambition even further.
Following her graduation, Sara returned to Cairo where she was fortunate enough to get a job with award-winning designer Karim Mekhtigian at Alchemy. She worked there for three years, garnering experience, and pursuing other design enterprises, such as the design and manufacture of her well-known flip-flop brand Shibshibi.
Sara decided it was time to stand alone so she left Alchemy spending some time designing her own home and taking on projects for acquaintances and a growing number of clients. Increasingly, she took the time to sit with clients and understand their backgrounds, struggles and dreams before designing for them. It became a truly satisfying part of her work and she found that knowledge of a client’s story gave her an instinct for what they would find both comfortable and comforting in her designs. Alongside the projects for her new clients, she took on designing a furniture collection for a well-known brand, C-Reality. At Egypt’s largest trade show, her collection was received well by the crowd and fellow designers—an immense thrill for Sara.
Since then, Sara has taken part in several design workshops, including the D+I workshop, which was one of the first design workshops in Egypt, where she exhibited her ‘drop table-lamp’ at one of Egypt’s most historic neighborhoods, Moez street.
In 2013, she started her second brand, House of Vintage. It evolved from an idea inspired by her love of mid-century Scandinavian furniture which she enjoyed rooting out at markets in Denmark, Sweden and Germany. She began to ship her finds to Egypt, refurbishing and selling them. This business kept her busy while her next idea for what she really wished to do germinated and she got the courage to begin her own brand of furniture design and home styling.
Nina June’s first collection was well-received when it launched in November 2019. It combined a perfect blend: Scandinavian look and feel, vintage touches, and the warmth of Egypt. The Nina June style was a celebration of simplicity and cosiness, with just a breath of luxury that pampered its clients, so when Coronavirus hit Egypt straight after the launch in January 2020 it seemed that everyone would be home forever. However, contrary to all expectations, Sara was able to take part in a pro bono program, where designers performed free online home makeovers for people who would not normally think, or indeed be able to afford, to have their homes redesigned. It was this step which promoted her home-styling career.
The Nina June brand is all about collaboration and since February 2020, when Sara launched her wood workshop and office with her new partner, the brand has collaborated with wallpaper designers, metal sculptors, pattern artists and mosaic artists, to name but a few. She can offer furniture production services to designers, directly to customers, or a full home-package consultation. The individual creative vision of so many artists and their ability to discuss and benefit from each other’s knowledge and ideas stimulates the brand keeping it fresh and inspired. Today the workshop houses eight carpenters with a team of six in the office and it is still growing.
http://www.luannnigara.com/cob
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Book 1: The Making of A Well – Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action
Audiobook: The Making of A Well – Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action
Book 2: A Well-Designed Business – The Power Talk Friday Experts
Book 3: A Well-Designed Business – The Power Talk Friday Experts Volume 2
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#174: Power Talk Friday- Fred Berns- Own Your “Only” Word & Tips to Discover Yours
#466: Power Talk Friday: Nicole Heymer: You’ve Defined Your Brand…Now What?
#596: Jamel Williams: A Call to Create Opportunity and Change at the University Level
#720: FlashBack Friday: Cheryl Janis : Defining and Owning Your Niche
#811: Power Talk Friday: Heather Hansen: You Are Your Own Advocate
#840: Jean Stoffer: Work in Harmony Through Every Season of Life
#896: Cléophée Poli: A Unique Interior Design Niche Serving English-Speaking Clients in Paris
#897: Power Talk Friday: Adrien Cotton: Design Your Midlife Wellness for Confidence