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Thrive In Design

Thrive In Design

Are you a CEO, VP of Marketing, or Sales Leader at an interior product company looking to grow in the hospitality or home design markets? The Thrive In Design Podcast is your go-to resource for innovative marketing strategies, brand storytelling techniques, and sales tactics that help you stand out in a competitive, design-driven industry.

Hosted by Nicole Lashae (Ben) Hall, Design Strategist and Founder of Thrive In Design, this weekly podcast offers actionable insights and expert interviews that help you position your brand, engage the A&D community, and scale your impact in the built environment. From product launch strategy to tradeshow optimization, digital marketing to dealer enablement — each episode gives you the tools to amplify visibility and drive measurable growth.

🎯 Topics we cover:

- Interior product marketing and brand positioning
- Sales enablement strategies for the design industry
- How to increase visibility with architects, designers, and specifiers
- Hospitality and residential design market trends
- Leveraging podcasts, content, and events to drive demand

Whether you’re launching a new collection, entering new verticals, or refining your go-to-market strategy — this podcast will equip you to lead with clarity, creativity, and confidence.

🌐 Visit our website: www.thriveindesign.co
📅 Sign up for our next live training: https://training.thriveindesign.co
💌 Subscribe to our email list: https://podcast.thriveindesign.co
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  • 22 episodes
  • weekly
  • Avg 34 min
  • English

Episodes 22

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  • S8 · E4
    Jul 31, 2025 · 29 min

    S8,E4: Connecting with Millennials & Gen Z Designers: Tarra Avila on Strategy That Sticks

    NeoCon 2025 is paved with more than just innovative products—it’s built on meaningful relationships, bold storytelling, and brands that lead with purpose. In today’s design landscape, simply showing up isn’t enough. Reps must deliver real value, spark genuine conversations, and create experiences that resonate long after the event ends. Authenticity, honesty, and human connection are the new currency. When done right, events become more than industry obligations—they become powerful platforms for impact, inspiration, and long-term growth. In today’s episode, we sit down with Tarra Avila for an inspiring conversation about NeoCon 2025, the future of design networking, and how brands can create meaningful connections. Tarra is the visionary CEO and founder of Network NextGen—a vibrant community connecting emerging designers and architects in their 20s and 30s with leading design brands and manufacturers. Through curated live and virtual experiences, Network NextGen fosters authentic conversations around work-life balance, inspiration, and the future of design, with events in more than 18 markets across the country. They are creating spaces where designers walk away feeling inspired, informed, and more connected than ever. Let’s dive in! Key Highlights from the Episode: [00:01] Intro and a bit about our guest, Tarra Avila [02:36] Trends: How Millennials and Gen Z are redefining careers in design [06:43] Rethinking events in a shifting social networking culture [07:39] Inside Network NextGen programs and their impact [13:14] Marketing strategies: What works—and what doesn’t—with younger designers [19:41] What to expect from Network NextGen at NeoCon 2025 [23:46] Tips on packaging your brand for visibility and awareness [27:24] Breaking Barriers: Tarra’s advice for reigniting creative energy [28:41] Wrap-up and end of the show Notable Quotes: "Brands that do well have more unfiltered, raw footage that gets millions of views—it’s not about the polished image anymore." "The more knowledge a brand can pour into a designer, the more they will remember." "There is so much breadth in our industry. Your degree is valuable—there is so much you can do with it. You just have to push some doors open." "If you ever feel stuck, start talking to people to reinspire you—you don’t need to go to Pinterest or look at images." Connect with Tarra Avila and Network NextGen: Website: https://nextgenke.com/ LinkedIn: Tarra Kieckhaefer Learn more about Thrive In Design: Website: thriveindesign.co Instagram: @thriveindesign Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/thriveindesign/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/thriveindesign/ 🎓 Register for the next Thrive in Design live training: https://training.thriveindesign.co/ 📘 Get your copy of "The Ultimate Guide to A&D Sales": https://www.thriveindesign.co/brand-reps 📚Enroll in the School of Strategy by Thrive In Design: https://www.thriveindesign.co/school

  • S8 · E3
    Jul 24, 2025 · 34 min

    S8, E3: Seen, Heard, Remembered: Mastering NeoCon Tradeshow Strategy with Libby Gillen & Chris Stulpin

    As the most anticipated design event continues to evolve, one thing remains timeless: the power of well-crafted experiences—those that begin long before the showroom doors open and continue long after the last badge is scanned. From smarter collaboration and strategic storytelling to thoughtful product launches and unforgettable touchpoints, brands now have the opportunity to engage the A&D community in deeper, more impactful ways. NeoCon 2025 isn’t just about being seen—it’s about being remembered. In today’s episode, we’re joined by Libby Gillen and Chris Stulpin for a deep dive into NeoCon 2025—what’s evolving, what still works, and how brands can create meaningful impact before, during, and after the show. Libby Gillen is the Vice President of A&D Engagement at Momentum Textiles & Wallcovering and a proud Syracuse University alumna. Her career journey spans from studying interior design to leading strategy, connecting with specifiers, and driving engagement across the A&D industry in the U.S. Chris Stulpin is the owner of Darrow Martial Creative and also serves on the boards of Momentum Textiles and Hero Flooring. With deep industry insight, he brings a unique perspective on design, branding, and creative leadership. Let’s dive in! Key Highlights from the Episode: [00:01] Intro and a bit about our guests, Libby Gillen and Chris Stulpin [01:57] How NeoCon has evolved in format and attendee experience [05:32] Standout moments at NeoCon and what brands are still doing right [12:43] How to make the most of NeoCon’s short window as a team [14:35] Post-NeoCon: How to bring a similar experience to the field [15:52] Key considerations when welcoming people to your showroom [17:47] Tips for creating meaningful touchpoints during the show [19:14] The upper level: Strategies to draw traffic and increase engagement [23:11] The planning behind launching a successful product at NeoCon [25:58] What to expect from Momentum Textiles at NeoCon 2025 [27:44] Tools and ideas to innovate the client experience [30:15] Libby and Chris’ advice for first-time NeoCon attendees [33:58] Wrap-up and end of the show Notable Quotes: "Start by looking outward, not inward. It’s not about your brand or product introductions—focus on the user experience and the designer experience." ~Chris "Be client-centric. You’ll turn your customers off if you bombard them with your story right away." ~Chris "If you have a temporary space in the Merchandise Mart, reach out to those with permanent spaces and offer your product." ~ Chris "People come to your showroom to see what’s possible—you have to make it memorable." ~Chris Connect with Libby Gillen and Chris Stulpin: Libby Gillen on LinkedIn Chris Stulpin on LinkedIn Learn more about Thrive In Design: Website: thriveindesign.co Instagram: @thriveindesign Facebook: Thrive In Design LinkedIn: Thrive In Design 🎓 Register for the next Thrive in Design live training: https://training.thriveindesign.co/ 📘 Get your copy of "The Ultimate Guide to A&D Sales": https://www.thriveindesign.co/brand-reps 📚Enroll in the School of Strategy by Thrive In Design: https://www.thriveindesign.co/school

Showing 21–22 of 22 episodes