Design Perspectives – Details, episodes & analysis

As a Chief Financial Officer for over 10 years, Danielle loved accounting but felt like something was missing while just helping investors and board of directors of large companies.

That’s when she realized her thrill for helping entrepreneurs, especially women, who were breaking the rules of business in order to create something amazing – something the rest of the world didn’t expect them to do. Danielle left corporate accounting and formed Kickstart Accounting, Inc; an accounting firm designed to help female entrepreneurs understand their financials in order to grow their businesses and become more profitable.

Since then she has realized entrepreneurs need more than just a bookkeeper; they need real financial analysis and education in order to get the confidence required to create the sustainable wealth they deserve.

https://kickstartaccountinginc.com/

https://www.instagram.com/kickstartaccounting/

Hello beautiful people! I am back and excited to dive into some key topics; customer service, communication, and accountability.

Recently, I found myself facing a situation that demanded direct action. As creatives, we're natually sensitive about our craft - it's part of what makes our work so unique. But there's a balance to strike: being open to critical feedback is just as essential. For me, ensuring my clients' satisfaction isn't just about completing a project; it's about building lasting relationships. Happy clients aren't just a one-time success-they're the cornerstone of repeat business and the source of invaluable referrals. Let's dive into how I navigated this challenge and what it means for creative professionals like us.

Being in business is not for the faint of heart. It is time consuming & you must LOVE what you do! There are moments when you wonder if you should keep going…but then it is out weighed by the love that I have for this craft.

Regine is a renaissance DIY Maven! She is all about her love for interior design and all that makes a house a home, from DIY projects, home renovations, interviews with interior designers, and the Haitian food she is cooking up in the Kreyol Kitchen.

https://the256project.com/

https://www.instagram.com/the256project/

Deesha Dyer is the Founder & CEO of Hook & Fasten, a social impact firm. Dyer is an award-winning event strategist, community organizer, and speaker who specializes in transforming ideas into causes that create tangible change. A 2019 Resident Fellow for the Harvard Kennedy School Institute of Politics, her career and personal journey reflects an unwavering passion for servant leadership, civic engagement, and social justice.

On her journey from a 31-year old community college student intern to social secretary for the Obama White House, Deesha resolved to not only open, but build doors of opportunity, support, and access to others. Deesha worked with the President and First Lady to plan and arrange all official and personal events hosted at the White House. She coordinated the historic visit of Pope Francis, State Dinners with leaders from China, Canada, Italy, Singapore and Italy, and booked legendary acts like Beyonce, Bruce Springsteen, Aretha Franklin and more.

Deesha is the co-founder and Executive Director of beGirl.world, an organization that empowers teen girls through global education and travel. In 2019, beGirl.world awarded scholarships to two black female college students who have been accepted into study abroad programs. She also oversees additional initiatives, including Black Girl 44, a scholarship fund for young black women seeking internships in Washington, D.C., and the Deesha Dyer Second Chance Scholarship at the Community College of Philadelphia.

Deesha recently completed a two-year tenure at the Ford Foundation. She is a sought after keynote speaker known for delivering engaging talks on topics spanning women in leadership, diversity, and social change. She was named to Marie Claire’s new guard of women changing the world and the Root’s most influential African-Americans. A proud Philly native who currently resides in Harlem, she has been featured in national media outlets, not limited to, but including Vogue, Travelnoire, and The Washington Post.

http://www.deeshadyer.com/

https://www.instagram.com/deedyer267/

https://www.saatva.com/?coupon=gaildavis

Dressing Rooms Interiors Studio LLC, a boutique vintage furniture shop and design studio.  The studio has become a destination for vintage furnishings, global accessories, and more.  Named "one of the Best Living Vintage in America" by House Beautiful and included on AD PRO's list of the best home decor stores in America, the shop has received national recognition.

Growing up in a home infused with art and culture has influenced her casual collected style and playful use of patterns and colors. For Ariene collecting is about judgement, taste and imagination.

https://www.dressingroomsinteriorsstudio.com/

https://www.instagram.com/dressmyroom/?hl=en

Today's episode is to remind you that you have to put in the work for your dreams. You don't get there by hoping & waiting on folks. You must nurture your dream & work at it until it happens. 

Kati Curtis Design is a full service, interior design firm based in New York City specializing in classic design with a global influence. Whether designing residential or commercial spaces, KCD has built a reputation on achieving highly individual results for a discerning, international clientele.

KCD crafts visual stories that become signature surroundings. Guided by clients’ aspirations, as well as their diverse experiences, the firm designs singular interiors, which allow clients to fully express who they are, and what holds meaning to them.

The history and location of the project, coupled with KCD’s broad base of experience, and its firm belief that successful design must be generated by the individual characteristics of each project, let’s KCD create extraordinary interiors. A portfolio of completed work includes historic restorations, contemporary renovations and new construction projects.

Supported by an underlying thread of sustainable quality, Kati Curtis Design ensures that the clients’ greatest investment is also their greatest source of comfort, pride and self-expression.

https://www.katicurtisdesign.com/

https://www.instagram.com/katicurtisdesign/?hl=en

With degrees in both psychology and interior design, principal designer Michelle Dirkse’s unique training allows her to understand both the psyche and the artistic foundation of the design process. After purchasing and remodeling her first condo in 2004 Michelle decided to pivot from a career in social work to focus on her creative side. Following a few years gaining industry experience, she launched her eponymous firm in 2013, employing her cognitive research abilities to discover  creative meaning and analytical solutions in every project along the way. In recent years, she has worked with local artists to transform their original artwork into kaleidoscopic patterns for her in-house collection of fabric, wallpaper, home accessories, decor items, and more.

Michelle is inspired by change and transformation—looking at ways to elevate common elements to something of beauty and intentionality. Interior design allows her to create living, functional art pieces in which every project presents a particular puzzle to solve. Her personal taste runs the gamut from the subdued to the bold, the traditional to the modern, and the minimalist to the maximalist. She relishes in the opportunity to explore all of her aesthetic passions by working with a variety of clients, each with their own sense of style.

https://www.michelledirkse.com/

https://www.instagram.com/michelledirkse/?hl=en

Norma Kamali has been in the fashion industry for over 50 years and is known for her innovative designs. She designed the Sleeping Bag Coat on a camping trip in the seventies, as well as multi-style jersey dresses. In 1973 her designs were referred to as ‘vintage of the future’ and are, in fact, part of her line today in washable, easy-care fabrics. Her swimwear has made a global influence for over forty years. The Parachute Collection is in several notable museums and is still evolving as part of her collection today.

In 1980 Norma introduced her sweats collection that became the forerunner of what is today called Active and Athleisure Wear. In the mid-nineties she created the NK ‘try before you buy’ website and was the first designer to have a store on eBay. During this time, she continued her exploration of alternative, healthy lifestyle practices; a search that began after the loss of her dear friends to AIDS.

After 9/11 Norma opened the Wellness Café; a curated collection of personal care and food products that support the immune system. The Wellness Café hosted talks and events featuring experts in the wellness arena. Teas, meditation, and classes were held every day at 6 pm.

In 2007 Norma collaborated with Walmart in a three-year licensee partnership where she created a collection of timeless styles all $20 and under. According to Norma, this was one of the most inspired and exciting experiences of her career.

As a result of the successful collection on Walmart.com, Norma was determined to transform her company to be exclusively e-commerce. Her current distribution network is to all major e-commerce players as well as a selection of specialty stores throughout America and Europe.

In 2016 Norma Kamali received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the CFDA to add to her numerous awards from the fashion industry.

In 2019 NORMALIFE was launched under the concept of a healthy lifestyle. NORMALIFE is democratic and inclusive for men and women of all ages, skin color, and type. The first launch was a skin line of timeless, safe ingredients and the packaging was developed with a sustainability focus.

I AM INVINCIBLE, Norma’s healthy lifestyle guide on aging with power, was released February 2021. Norma continues to live through her purpose in life of empowering women.

https://normakamali.com/

https://www.instagram.com/normakamali/?hl=en