Épisodes

  • S10, E4: Why Specify Italian? Beyond Beautiful Design with Antonella Lanari & Lorena Malaman | BDNY 2026

    S10, E4: Why Specify Italian? Beyond Beautiful Design with Antonella Lanari & Lorena Malaman | BDNY 2026
    Nov 5 2026
    What makes Italian design so distinctive, and why should hospitality designers look beyond aesthetics when choosing Italian manufacturers for their next project? In this episode of Thrive In Design, host Nicole Lashae Hall welcomes Antonella Lanari, founder and managing director of Italian Contract for HD, and Lorena Malaman, partner at Italian Contract for HD, for an insightful conversation about Italian craftsmanship, material expertise, customization, and the value of specifying Italian products in hospitality environments. As they prepare to bring 13 Italian brands to Boutique Design New York (BDNY) 2026, Antonella and Lorena share how Italian manufacturers are helping designers bring ambitious hospitality concepts to life. Through real-world examples involving brands such as Natuzzi, Rubelli, Italamp, and others, they explore how generations of expertise translate into innovative materials, bespoke solutions, and products designed for performance and long-term value. Nicole, Antonella, and Lorena also discuss the importance of collaboration between manufacturers and the North American design community, what designers should consider when evaluating international product partners, and why the specification process should extend beyond appearance and initial cost. From custom furnishings and performance textiles to architectural lighting and natural stone, this conversation reveals the depth of knowledge and problem-solving capabilities behind Italian manufacturing. If you're an interior designer, architect, hospitality developer, or specification professional attending BDNY, this episode is your invitation to discover what's possible when Italian craftsmanship meets your creative vision. Timestamps 00:00 – Welcome to Thrive In Design Nicole introduces the podcast and its mission to help interior product brands strengthen their strategy, storytelling, and specification growth. 00:47 – Why Italian Design Is More Than Beautiful Aesthetics Nicole introduces the conversation around craftsmanship, heritage, material expertise, customization, and the long-term value Italian manufacturers bring to hospitality. 01:12 – Meet Antonella Lanari & Lorena Malaman Meet the leaders behind Italian Contract for HD and learn about their mission to connect Italian manufacturers with the North American hospitality design community. 03:05 – Building International Relationships Through Design Antonella and Lorena share their professional backgrounds and how their complementary expertise helps Italian brands connect with designers and purchasing professionals. 04:45 – Why Focus on the Hospitality Market? A discussion about the unique opportunities and challenges of bringing Italian manufacturers into international hospitality and contract markets. 06:04 – Bridging the Gap Between Manufacturers and Designers Why understanding each other's needs, communicating expertise, and building long-term partnerships are essential to successful hospitality projects. 07:48 – Why Specify Italian? Looking Beyond Aesthetics Antonella and Lorena explain how material knowledge, proportion, manufacturing decisions, and technical expertise influence the finished guest experience. 10:00 – Italian Design in Action: Orbital Design Collective Explore how Italian furniture and lighting brands contribute to coordinated hospitality interiors, including a project reference at the Grand Bohemian Lodge in Greenville, South Carolina. 13:31 – The Value of Heritage and Craftsmanship Why a manufacturer's history matters when it translates into technical knowledge, performance, and solutions for contemporary hospitality projects. 16:37 – Hospitality Design Examples from Cannes and Rome Discover how Vibieffe upholstery at Hôtel Barrière Le Majestic and custom Rubelli textiles at Bvlgari Hotel Roma connect material, comfort, craftsmanship, and a sense of place. 19:57 – How Designers Should Evaluate Material Expertise Why performance, maintenance, application, and construction should be considered alongside aesthetics when choosing products for hospitality projects. 22:25 – The Importance of a Detailed Design Brief Nicole highlights why communicating project conditions, intended use, and performance requirements helps manufacturers transform creative ideas into successful installations. 24:32 – Material Innovation: Leather, Textiles & Stone Explore Italian manufacturing expertise through Contract saddle leather seating, Mariaflora performance textiles, and Elite Stone Group's backlit onyx applications. 30:03 – Understanding Customization in Italian Manufacturing A closer look at how Italian manufacturers support everything from customized finishes to entirely bespoke product development. 32:48 – Natuzzi and the Art of Bespoke Hospitality Design Learn how The Living Room Miami by Cipriani demonstrates collaboration extending from feasibility and design development through prototyping, supply, and installation. 36:56 – Custom ...
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    57 min
  • S10, E3: 5 Growth Challenges Interior Product Brands Need to Fix Before 2027 with Nicole Lashae Hall

    S10, E3: 5 Growth Challenges Interior Product Brands Need to Fix Before 2027 with Nicole Lashae Hall
    Oct 29 2026
    What if the product is not the problem? After working with and alongside more than 35 brands in 2026, Nicole Lashae Hall began noticing a set of recurring patterns across interior product companies. Different brands may have different products, teams, markets, and goals, but many are getting stuck in surprisingly similar places. In this episode of the Thrive In Design Podcast, Nicole breaks down five growth gaps that are showing up across the industry: the gap between product sophistication and the commercial experience, the gap between information and interpretation, the strategic burden placed on manufacturer reps, the gap between visibility and specification, and the growing challenge of turning insight into coordinated execution. Nicole explains why great products alone are not enough. A brand may have exceptional engineering, craftsmanship, sustainability, customization, and performance, but if the website is difficult to navigate, the story is unclear, sales tools are outdated, rep messaging is inconsistent, or follow-up is weak, the commercial experience may not match the sophistication of the product. She also explores the role of storytelling in helping designers understand not just what a product does, but why it matters. Using a simple feature, meaning, and application framework, Nicole shows how manufacturers can translate technical product information into positioning that is easier for designers to understand, remember, and apply to real projects. The episode also takes a closer look at manufacturer reps and what Nicole calls “invisible strategic labor.” Reps are often given strong product training and ambitious sales goals, but are still left to independently determine which accounts to prioritize, how to tell the brand story, how to differentiate products, how to follow up, and how to build their own sales strategy. Nicole then challenges brands to rethink marketing visibility. Trade shows, social media, press, sample requests, email campaigns, and rep activity can create awareness—but awareness alone does not guarantee specification. The real opportunity is to intentionally move designers from visibility to relevance, preference, and ultimately specification. Finally, Nicole examines what competitive advantage looks like in the age of AI. As information becomes easier to access, the advantage is shifting away from simply knowing more and toward the ability to turn insight into coordinated action. The question for interior product leaders heading into 2027 is not simply, What else should we add? It is: Where are the gaps between the value of our product and our ability to successfully carry that value into the market? Timestamps 00:00 — Welcome to Thrive In Design Nicole introduces the podcast’s focus on helping interior product brands align strategy, storytelling, and systems to drive specification growth. 00:47 — What Working Alongside 35+ Brands Revealed Nicole reflects on the patterns and challenges she has observed across consulting, AI solutions, and the AI and Design Summit in 2026. 02:26 — Why Marketing, Sales, AI, and Growth Cannot Be Treated Separately A continuation of the Season 10 conversation about understanding the full experience before adding more tactics or tools. 03:51 — Five Patterns Interior Product Brands Need to Pay Attention To Nicole introduces the five recurring gaps she has seen across the industry. 04:19 — Pattern #1: The Product Is More Sophisticated Than the Commercial Experience Why product development, engineering, craftsmanship, and performance can outpace the experience surrounding the product. 05:43 — Where the Commercial Experience Falls Behind Unclear brand stories, outdated sales tools, difficult websites, weak specification information, inconsistent rep messaging, and poor follow-up. 07:44 — Researching the Digital and Rep Experience Nicole references ThinkLab research on how designers discover, research, and evaluate products using both manufacturer reps and digital resources. 08:11 — The Sample Experience as a Commercial Touchpoint Why a great sample kit can still fall short if follow-up, automation, and rep communication are disconnected. 09:07 — Is Your Designer Experience as Sophisticated as Your Product? Four questions brands can use to evaluate whether designers can understand, remember, explain, and confidently bring the brand into a project. 10:37 — Pattern #2: Brands Underestimate How Much Interpretation the Market Needs Why storytelling plays a much bigger role in sales than simply presenting features and product information. 11:41 — Information Is Not the Same as Interpretation Nicole explains why a spec sheet provides information, while a story helps someone understand why that information matters. 13:22 — Designers Should Not Have to Figure Out Why Your Product Matters The responsibility of the brand is to make its value, positioning, and relevance easy to understand. 14:52 — The Feature, Meaning, ...
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    32 min
  • S10, E2: Betting on Yourself: Building a Textile Brand with Purpose with Kim DiMarco

    S10, E2: Betting on Yourself: Building a Textile Brand with Purpose with Kim DiMarco
    Oct 15 2026
    What does it really take to bet on yourself, build a new product brand from the ground up, and stay rooted in your values while doing it? In this episode of Thrive In Design, host Nicole Lashae Hall sits down with Kim DiMarco, founder of Somato Textiles, to explore the story behind a hospitality-focused textile company built around creativity, community, transparency, and a different approach to doing business. Kim shares how more than 25 years in the textile industry shaped her perspective—from beginning her career in Toronto and helping expand a major contract textile brand into Canada and international markets, to eventually deciding it was time to build something of her own. She explains why Somato was created specifically for the hospitality market, how the brand approaches color and pattern differently, and why creating a focused collection can be more valuable than overwhelming designers with endless choice. The conversation also goes far beyond product. Kim and Nicole discuss the realities of funding and scaling a startup, building meaningful relationships with the design community, investing in employees, creating a people-first company culture, and developing more sustainable approaches to the textile lifecycle. Kim also shares why persistence, gratitude, integrity, and simply showing up can shape not only a career, but the kind of company—and life—you ultimately build. Timestamps 00:00 – Welcome to Thrive In Design Nicole introduces the podcast and its mission to help interior product brands align strategy, storytelling, and systems for specification growth. 00:47 – Meet Kim DiMarco, Founder of Somato Textiles An introduction to Kim’s 25+ years in textiles, her entrepreneurial journey, and the values behind Somato. 02:56 – How Kim Found Her Way Into Contract Textiles Kim shares how a presentation during design school sparked her interest in the textile industry—and why she worked for free for four months to get her first opportunity. 04:27 – Persistence, International Sales & Building the Canadian Market Kim reflects on convincing a major textile brand to invest in Canada and later developing partnerships across Japan, China, Dubai, and Australia. 05:59 – Why Somato Focuses on Hospitality Kim explains why hospitality became the natural focus for her own company and why she wanted Somato to specialize rather than try to serve every market. 07:07 – The Meaning Behind the Somato Name Kim shares the inspiration behind the company name and its connection to the somatosensory system and the experience of touch. 07:28 – Creating a More Focused Textile Collection A discussion about designer choice fatigue, foundation fabrics, intentional color, and creating distinctive anchor patterns. 09:28 – Where Kim Finds Creative Inspiration Fashion, travel, nature, color, and Kim’s own creative instincts all influence Somato’s product development. 11:07 – Designing Beyond Trends Kim explains why she prefers timeless collections over chasing trends and how customer feedback shapes new product decisions. 12:50 – Building a New Brand and Getting Specified Kim talks about Somato’s 2024 soft launch, its official 2025 launch, early sales momentum, and the challenges of growing with a very small team. 15:53 – Spec Ready & the Changing Specification Landscape Nicole shares resources designed to help interior product brands strengthen their positioning, messaging, and sales readiness. 16:34 – Making the Brand Experience Memorable Kim explains how Somato translates its hospitality positioning into brand touchpoints, including a price list designed like a restaurant menu and curated A&D boxes. 18:46 – Making Specification Easier Through Transparency Why straightforward pricing, easy access to information, and reducing friction matter to Somato’s customer experience. 19:07 – People, Planet & Product Kim introduces the philosophy at the heart of the company and explains how those values influence business decisions. 19:54 – Investing in Employees and Creating Opportunity Kim discusses profit sharing, developing people beyond their previous experience, and adapting systems so employees can work successfully. 21:33 – Sustainability and Textile Take-Back Kim shares Somato’s work toward taking back fabric at the end of its useful life and converting it into material that could eventually be used in carpet backing. 24:13 – Why the Design Industry Needs More Human Connection Kim reflects on the loss of in-person interaction and why creative professionals benefit from reconnecting personally, professionally, and creatively. 26:05 – Gratitude, Autonomy & Building a Meaningful Workplace A conversation about helping employees see work as an opportunity for growth, learning, independence, and long-term success. 28:49 – Integrity, Mentorship & Helping People Thrive Kim shares lessons from a 17-year experience with a former textile company and how those lessons influence the ...
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    39 min
  • Why Marketing, Sales, and AI Won’t Fix a Broken Specification Journey | Interior Product Brands

    Why Marketing, Sales, and AI Won’t Fix a Broken Specification Journey | Interior Product Brands
    Oct 8 2026
    What happens when an interior product brand treats marketing, sales, AI, and growth as separate problems? In this Season 10 opening episode of the Thrive In Design Podcast, host Nicole Lashae Hall explores why many manufacturers struggle not because they need more activity, but because their customer and specification journeys are fragmented. From disconnected marketing and sales messaging to sales reps creating their own workflows and AI processes, Nicole explains why improving one department in isolation often fails to solve the larger business challenge. Marketing can amplify what already exists—but if the brand story, sales process, digital experience, specification journey, or follow-up systems are unclear, more marketing may simply amplify the friction. Nicole also draws on her experience as a manufacturer’s representative and on research discussed in the episode from Gartner, Microsoft, IBM, and McKinsey to examine the growing importance of coordinated commercial processes, AI governance, and end-to-end workflow design. The core question for interior product manufacturers heading into 2027 is not simply, Should we invest more in marketing? Should we hire more reps? Should we implement AI? Instead, Nicole encourages leadership teams to ask: Where is the friction in the journey that is costing us growth? She also explains how journey mapping and Thrive In Design’s approach to the specification experience can help manufacturers examine every touchpoint—from brand discovery and website visits to rep interactions, samples, technical information, procurement, trade shows, follow-up, and final installation. Before adding more people, technology, marketing, or complexity, the opportunity may be to first understand the process you already have—and identify what needs to be fixed. Timestamps 00:00 — Welcome to Season 10 Nicole introduces the new season and the Thrive In Design Podcast’s focus on strategy, storytelling, systems, and specification growth. 00:46 — Three Different Conversations, One Underlying Problem Why questions about marketing, sales reps, and growth may all point to the same issue: improving individual parts of a business without understanding the entire experience. 02:00 — Celebrating the Podcast and the AI in Design Summit Nicole reflects on the podcast’s growth, the inaugural 2026 AI in Design Summit, and what is ahead for Thrive In Design. Editor’s note: Early in the episode, Nicole references “10,000 episodes”; she meant to celebrate the Thrive In Design Podcast reaching 10,000 downloads. 03:29 — Nicole’s Experience as a Manufacturer’s Rep How Nicole’s background in interior design, design management, sales, and go-to-market strategy shaped her perspective on product brands. 04:07 — Why “Just Focus on Marketing” Is the Wrong Starting Point Marketing does not operate in isolation. Nicole explains how brand story, sales processes, digital experiences, rep messaging, websites, and trade shows all influence results. 06:28 — The Business Cost of Silos Research discussed from Gartner illustrates why inconsistent digital and sales messaging can weaken buyer confidence. 08:08 — AI in Design Summit + Spec Ready A look at Thrive In Design’s resources for helping product brands approach AI and specification strategy intentionally. 08:57 — The Rep Experience and the Strategy Gap Nicole shares what she learned during her decade working for manufacturers and why strong product training alone does not teach reps how to reach ambitious sales goals. 10:27 — How Reps Build Their Own Systems From account prioritization and follow-up to staying visible with designers, many reps are left to create their own processes. 11:28 — AI, Shadow Workflows, and Governance Nicole discusses how employees are experimenting with AI independently and why companies need visibility into how AI is being used across their organizations. 14:01 — Why AI Policy Alone Is Not Enough Before optimizing a workflow with AI, brands first need to define the workflow itself. 15:09 — Journey Mapping the Specification Experience Nicole explains her design-thinking approach to mapping the journey from brand discovery through product installation. 16:20 — What Happens When Departments Operate in Silos A real-world example of leadership teams pointing fingers instead of mapping the full process and identifying shared friction. 17:37 — Why Process Comes Before AI Implementation Research discussed from McKinsey supports an end-to-end workflow approach rather than isolated AI use cases. 18:43 — Using Spec Ready to Identify Risks and Opportunities How interior product brands can begin assessing their processes, strengths, and potential areas of friction. 19:40 — Should You Hire More Salespeople or Improve the Brand? Nicole examines two common growth strategies and explains why neither is automatically the right answer. 21:18 — Diagnose the Constraint Before Investing Growth ...
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    26 min
  • S9, E12: When Details Matter: The Bespoke Business of Luxury Window Treatments with Vita Vygovska

    S9, E12: When Details Matter: The Bespoke Business of Luxury Window Treatments with Vita Vygovska
    May 14 2026

    What if great design isn’t just about aesthetics—but about how people feel inside a space?

    In this episode of Thrive In Design, Nicole Lashae Hall sits down with Vita Vygovska to explore the deeper role design plays in wellness, emotional experience, and human connection. Known for her thoughtful and intentional approach to interiors, Vita shares how meaningful spaces are created when designers move beyond trends and focus on the lived experience of the people using them.

    Together, Nicole and Vita discuss the evolving expectations clients have around wellness-centered environments and why emotional intelligence is becoming one of the most valuable skills in the design industry. From hospitality-inspired residential design to sensory awareness and intentional storytelling, this conversation highlights the growing shift toward spaces that support both function and feeling.

    Vita also opens up about her entrepreneurial journey, sharing lessons on creative leadership, business growth, and maintaining authenticity while scaling a design practice. If you’re a designer looking to create more impactful work—or a creative entrepreneur navigating growth—this episode offers both inspiration and practical insight into designing with purpose.

    ⏱️ Timestamps (Key Moments)

    00:00 – Introduction to Vita Vygovska + her design philosophy

    02:00 – How Vita approaches emotionally driven design

    05:00 – The connection between wellness and interior spaces

    08:00 – Why sensory experience matters in modern design

    11:00 – Designing beyond trends: creating spaces with meaning

    14:00 – Hospitality influence on residential design experiences

    17:00 – Entrepreneurship, leadership, and scaling a design business

    20:00 – The role of authenticity in creative growth

    23:00 – How designers can create stronger client connection

    26:00 – Final thoughts on designing spaces that truly support people

    💬 Key Quotes
    • “Design is about how people feel—not just what they see.”
    • “Wellness should be integrated into every layer of the design experience.”
    • “Trends fade, but emotional connection lasts.”
    • “The most memorable spaces are the ones that make people feel understood.”
    • “Authenticity is one of the greatest assets a designer can have.”
    🔗 Connect with Vita

    To learn more about Vita Vygovska and her work shaping the future of design, connect with her:

    • Instagram: http://instagram.com/vitalia_inc
    • Company Site: http://vitaliainc.com
    • YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCz-iHWBFBBQ6k9m4ZvFKbSQ
    • Facebook: http://facebook.com/vitaliaincwindowtreatments
    • LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/vitaliainc
    • Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/vitalia_inc
    🔗 Connect with Thrive In Design

    Follow Thrive In Design for insights on design leadership, business strategy, and growth in the A&D industry:

    • Website: https://www.thriveindesign.co/
    • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/thriveindesign/
    • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thriveindesign/
    • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thriveindesign
    🚀 Go Deeper with Thrive In Design
    • Take the SpecReady™ Assessment: https://specready.co/
    • Join the Thrive In Design: AI in Design Summit on May 20, 2026: https://tidsummit.com/
    👋 Connect with Nicole
    • Nicole’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicoleben
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    36 min
  • S9, E11: The AI-Powered Product Developement and Marketing: What’s Working Right Now with Stacy Garcia

    S9, E11: The AI-Powered Product Developement and Marketing: What’s Working Right Now with Stacy Garcia
    May 7 2026
    What does it take to turn creative talent into a globally recognized design brand? In this episode of Thrive In Design, Nicole Lashae Hall sits down with Stacy Garcia—founder, designer, and entrepreneur—to explore how she built a multi-faceted brand spanning product design, licensing, and strategic partnerships across the A&D industry. Stacy shares her journey from launching her own design studio to developing a licensing powerhouse, offering a behind-the-scenes look at how designers can expand beyond traditional service models. This conversation dives into the business mechanics of scaling creative work—covering everything from brand positioning and product development to navigating long-term partnerships with major manufacturers. Nicole and Stacy also discuss the importance of evolution in a creative career. As the industry shifts, Stacy emphasizes why adaptability, curiosity, and a clear point of view are essential for staying relevant—and how designers can create opportunities rather than wait for them. If you’re an interior designer, product designer, or creative entrepreneur looking to diversify your revenue streams, build a lasting brand, and think beyond client work, this episode provides both inspiration and practical insight. ⏱️ Timestamps (Key Moments) 00:00 – Introduction to Stacy Garcia + her impact in the design industry 02:00 – Stacy’s early career and transition into entrepreneurship 05:00 – How she built her brand beyond traditional design services 08:00 – Understanding licensing as a growth strategy for designers 12:00 – The role of partnerships in scaling a creative business 15:00 – How to position your work for long-term opportunities 18:00 – Adapting to industry shifts and staying relevant 21:00 – The mindset behind building a global design brand 24:00 – Advice for designers looking to expand their business model 27:00 – Final thoughts: creating longevity in your creative career 💬 Key Quotes “Your creativity doesn’t have to be limited to one business model.”“Licensing allows your ideas to scale beyond your time.”“You don’t wait for opportunities—you create them.”“A strong point of view is what makes your work valuable.”“Longevity comes from evolution, not repetition.” 🔗 Connect with Stacy To learn more about Stacy Garcia and her work shaping the future of design and the built environment, connect with her and Stacy Garcia Studio: Connect with Stacy on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stacygarcia/Follow Stacy Garcia Studio on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/stacy-garcia-studio/Follow Stacy Garcia Studio on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stacygarciastudioFollow Stacy Garcia Studio on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stacygarciastudio/ Follow Stacy Garcia Studio on Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/stacygarciainc/ Visit the Stacy Garcia Studio website:https://stacygarciainc.com/ You can also reach Stacy directly at stacy@stacygarcia.com. 🔗 Connect with Thrive In Design Follow Thrive In Design for insights on design leadership, business strategy, and growth in the A&D industry: Website: https://www.thriveindesign.co/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/thriveindesign/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thriveindesign/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thriveindesign 🚀 Go Deeper with Thrive In Design Take the SpecReady™ Assessment: https://specready.co/Join the Thrive In Design: AI in Design Summit on May 20, 2026: https://tidsummit.com/ 👋 Connect with Nicole Nicole’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicoleben
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    46 min
  • S9, E10: Inside the AI in Design Summit: Why This Event Matters Now with Nicole Lashae Hall

    S9, E10: Inside the AI in Design Summit: Why This Event Matters Now with Nicole Lashae Hall
    Apr 30 2026

    AI is everywhere—but for many in the design industry, it still feels unclear, overwhelming, or disconnected from day-to-day work.

    In this solo episode of Thrive In Design, Nicole Lashae Hall pulls back the curtain on the vision behind the upcoming AI & Design Summit and why this moment represents a critical turning point for interior product brands, marketers, and sales teams.

    Rather than offering surface-level insights or scattered tools, Nicole introduces a structured way to think about AI through the lens of the ACE framework: Awareness, Consulting, and Execution. This methodology maps directly to the customer journey—revealing how AI is already influencing how designers discover, evaluate, and specify products.

    Nicole also addresses the biggest challenges she’s hearing across the industry: fear of replacement, lack of clarity on implementation, and missed opportunities due to fragmented education. From undocumented conference conversations to disconnected podcast insights, she makes a compelling case for why the industry needs a centralized, actionable approach to AI adoption.

    If you’re an interior product manufacturer or design professional looking to stay relevant, refine your strategy, and confidently integrate AI into your business, this episode sets the stage for what’s next—and how to take action.

    ⏱️ Timestamps

    00:00 – Welcome to Thrive In Design + podcast mission 01:00 – Nicole’s reflection on podcast growth and audience 02:00 – Introduction to the AI & Design Summit 03:00 – What Thrive In Design does (consulting + execution) 04:30 – The rise of AI in the design industry 05:30 – Common fears and misconceptions about AI 06:30 – The gap in how AI is currently being taught 07:30 – Why the customer journey is key to understanding AI 08:00 – Introducing the ACE Framework (Awareness, Consulting, Execution) 09:30 – How AI impacts each stage of the customer journey 11:00 – Why designers are changing how they evaluate products 12:00 – The need for a centralized AI conversation in the industry 12:30 – Overview of the AI & Design Summit (May 20, 2026) 13:00 – Keynote preview: AI and brand relevance 13:45 – Panel: AI in product development 14:30 – Session: AI, brand voice, and storytelling 15:45 – Fireside chat: implementing AI within teams 16:45 – How to attend (live or replay options) 17:30 – Bonus: new AI-powered service announcement 18:30 – Final thoughts + invitation to take action

    💬 Key Quotes
    • “AI is already impacting every touchpoint of the customer journey.”
    • “If you’re not in the room, you’re missing the conversation.”
    • “The sale of your product is tied to the designer’s experience.”
    • “AI isn’t just about efficiency—it’s about relevance.”
    • “We don’t need more information—we need structured implementation.”
    🔗 Connect with Thrive In Design

    Follow Thrive In Design for insights on design leadership, business strategy, and growth in the A&D industry:

    • Website: https://www.thriveindesign.co/
    • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/thriveindesign
    • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thriveindesign/
    • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thriveindesign
    🚀 Go Deeper with Thrive In Design
    • Take the SpecReady™ Assessment: https://specready.co/
    • Join the Thrive In Design: AI in Design Summit on May 20, 2026: https://tidsummit.com/
    👋 Connect with Nicole
    • Nicole’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicoleben
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    20 min
  • S9, E9: From Data to Deals: Using AI to Identify and Win New Accounts with Kate Rancourt

    S9, E9: From Data to Deals: Using AI to Identify and Win New Accounts with Kate Rancourt
    Apr 23 2026
    Artificial intelligence isn’t just changing how we work—it’s changing the work itself. In this episode of Thrive In Design, Nicole Lashae Hall sits down with Kate Rancourt, Director of Customer Insights & Growth at One Workplace, to explore how AI is reshaping the design industry—from sales conversations to strategic decision-making. Kate shares her journey from interior designer to insight-driven leader, revealing how her role focuses on identifying emerging market shifts and translating them into revenue-generating strategies. At the core of this conversation is a powerful idea: insight alone doesn’t drive growth—activation does. Together, Nicole and Kate unpack how AI is evolving from a simple tool into a true collaborator. They discuss the importance of using AI to enhance—not replace—human connection, and why the most successful professionals will be those who double down on what makes them uniquely human. You’ll also learn practical, real-world ways to use AI in your day-to-day work—from crafting LinkedIn content and preparing for high-stakes conversations to refining sales strategies and winning new accounts. If you’ve felt overwhelmed or unsure about where to start with AI, this episode offers a clear, grounded approach to integrating it into your workflow with confidence. ⏱️ Timestamps 00:00 – Introduction to Thrive In Design + episode overview 01:00 – Meet Kate Rancourt and her role at One Workplace 03:00 – From interior design to customer insights and growth 04:30 – What it means to connect insight to revenue 06:00 – Why insight without action doesn’t move the business 07:30 – The intersection of sales, marketing, and design 09:00 – When AI became real (not just a buzzword) 11:00 – Early experimentation with AI tools (Midjourney + beyond) 13:00 – The speed of AI and why it changes everything 14:00 – AI integration into everyday workflows 15:00 – Reframing the fear: what AI can’t replace 16:00 – Identifying the “uniquely human” parts of your role 17:00 – Internal resistance, ethics, and AI skepticism 19:00 – What a “prompt” actually is (and why it matters) 21:00 – Treating AI like a colleague, not a command tool 24:00 – Practical example: AI for LinkedIn content strategy 29:00 – Using AI to prepare for difficult conversations 33:00 – Leveraging AI for sales strategy and stakeholder alignment 36:00 – The importance of critical thinking alongside AI 37:00 – Why AI is more than just a tool 39:00 – Using multiple AI platforms strategically 41:00 – Where to connect with Kate + closing thoughts 💬 Key Quotes “Insight without activation doesn’t move the business.”“AI is not just a tool—it’s becoming a collaborator.”“The question isn’t ‘Will AI replace me?’ It’s ‘What part of my job is uniquely human?’”“Treat AI like a colleague, not a command line.”“Stay critical—and still experiment.” 👋🏻 Connect with Kate Rancourt To learn more about Kate Rancourt and her work shaping the future of design and the built environment, connect with her and One Workplace: Connect with Kate on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/katerancourtFollow One Workplace on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/one-workplace/Follow One Workplace on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/oneworkplace/ Follow One Workplace on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@OneWorkplace Visit the One Workplace website: https://www.oneworkplace.com/Listen to the ONEder Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/oneder-podcast/id1510047350 You can also reach Kate directly at krancourt@oneworkplace.com. 🔗 Connect with Thrive In Design Follow Thrive In Design for insights on design leadership, business strategy, and growth in the A&D industry: Website: https://www.thriveindesign.co/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/thriveindesign/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thriveindesign/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thriveindesign 🚀 Go Deeper with Thrive In Design Take the SpecReady™ Assessment: https://specready.co/Join the Thrive In Design: AI in Design Summit on May 20, 2026: https://tidsummit.com/ 👋 Connect with Nicole Nicole’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicoleben
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    44 min