BOLD Summit Network Archives

March 10, 2020

Coach to the Stars Julia Molloy Presents her BOLD: Business of Luxury Design, Half-Day Workshop

It was a bright Wednesday morning in early March, when Julia Molloy, presented her BOLD: Business of Luxury Design, half-day workshop, in Summit, sponsored by Sherwin-Williams and Michelangelo Designs.

If anyone was thinking they would be getting a canned presentation from this interior design business expert, they were very much mistaken. Julia began by asking what people were interested in learning about and pivoted when necessary.

At the core of her presentation was how to attract the luxury client and present a dream. She discussed the importance of knowing yourself and your company’s key characteristics and translating them into consistent branding at all levels. According to Julia, this isn’t just about your logo and website, but includes elements of paying attention to the intangibles as well as the tangible goods. Practice acknowledging project milestones with your clients. She also covered staffing and talked about the importance of having a Master Task List to keep everyone on track (Julia recommended Smartsheet).

The slide that got the most mobile phone captures from the audience was when she laid out how a typical work week should look. She stressed the all-important team meeting on Mondays with design and procurement each divided up throughout the week and Friday afternoons devoted to status updates, using bullet-points rather than paragraphs.

There were plenty of questions about fees and billables. Flat fee, hourly, or a version she calls a hybrid. “Your model needs to be right for you.” There was no loss of questions, answers and examples which brought most to stay an extra hour before applause and pictures.

It’s safe to say no one left the workshop unimpressed.

September 19, 2017

Discover Cambria Quartz – BOLD Summit’s Exclusive Surfacing Sponsor

Cambria offers the most innovative and expansive design palette, lifetime durability, certified sustainability and customized luxury.

BOLD Summit is excited to announce Cambria, the only family-owned, American-made quartz company, as this year’s exclusive surfacing sponsor at the 2017 BOLD Summit Event!

Cambria is handcrafted from start to finish for the absolute highest quality, made of pure, natural quartz, one of the hardest and most durable minerals on Earth. Cambria designs are 100% nonporous, scratch and stain resistant, and completely maintenance-free, never needing sealing, polishing or reconditioning – for a lifetime of beautiful design and function.

A leader in design and innovation, Cambria offers 140+ quartz designs to choose from with a wide range of color, tone and movement, including the NEW black-and-white marbled Rosedale™ and Rose Bay™, the evocative and bold turquoise Skye™, and stunning marble alternatives like the new Clareanne™ and Annicca™.

The latest advancement, NEW Cambria Matte™ offers a first-of-its-kind low-sheen finish featuring the same uncompromised quality and performance benefits that professionals and homeowners have come to trust from Cambria.

Available in all designs, the new Cambria Matte™ finish provides even more customization options for home and commercial countertops, vanities, backsplashes, flooring, and more.

September 11, 2017

The Business of Luxury Design (BOLD) Summit announces inspiring program agenda for its 2017 conference

BOLD announces its eventful, three day agenda featuring intense business development and training for its 2017 conference. Taking place at The Auditorium Theater located in Downtown Chicago, Illinois from September 25-27, 2017, BOLD shares topics, resources and speakers that are relevant to the current challenges that luxury focused designers and architects face.

Each day BOLD Summit will bring round table and panel discussions featuring topics, resources and speakers that are relevant to the current challenges luxury designers face. Conference speakers include icons in the design industry like Barclay Butera, Jamie Drake and Pamela Babey.

In addition to daily training and development the BOLD Summit features BOLD topic dinners, a BOLD cocktail party, lavish lunches in the Congress Plaza Hotel Ballroom and a black-tie charity dinner and fundraising event to be held in the John Hancock building.

“As our 2017 event draws closer and closer we couldn’t be more pleased with the finalization of our jam-packed agenda and our glamorous nightly events that I know attendees are going to love,” states Julia Molloy, Owner BOLD Summit and Julia Molloy Consulting. “The conference content this year will focus on strengthening and diversifying revenue streams with advanced level information from top tier speakers. I think this year’s speaker lineup truly elevates the level of education that BOLD Summit has to offer, we can’t wait to learn and work with these staples of the industry to help grow our attendees to the next level in their business.”

One of the most powerful resources for business development and collaboration in the design industry, the 2017 Business of Luxury Design Summit will feature workshops and presentations on topics such as PR, creating a revenue stream with product lines, online marketing strategies, building referral networks, getting to your 40% gross profit margin and much more.

Cost for attendance for limited time early bird registration is $2,795 and $3,495 for open registration.

September 11, 2017

The Business of Luxury Design (BOLD) Summit to host exclusive BOLD Designer Showcase highlighting products from acclaimed designers

The BOLD Summit, the premier business conference for principal designers, will host an exclusive designer showcase featuring products from luxury interior designers throughout the three-day event. The BOLD Product Showcase provides an opportunity for attending designers to display their unique products to the design community as well as gain national media exposure.

The BOLD Designer Showcase is set to feature design industry products from highly talented designers such as, Michelle Workman, Jillian O’Neill, Liz Carroll, Marlene Holmquist, Susan Winchester and Deborah Main.

“The BOLD Designer Product Showcase is one of my favorite elements of the BOLD Summit because it allows some of our attendees to showcase their talent and passion in a new way. It is an added benefit of being an attendee and allows us to shine a light on the product side of their business.” states Julia Molloy, Founder of BOLD Summit and Julia Molloy Consulting. “Whether it be furniture, a fabric line or home décor, the showcase gives our attendees a unique opportunity to get their products fantastic exposure not only within the design community but in the media as well.”

About the “Featured” Designers

Michelle Workman

As one of America’s most sought-after interior designers, Michelle Workman designs high-end residential and commercial spaces from West Coast to East Coast. Touted as “Showbiz Royalty” by Variety Magazine, Michelle possesses an esteemed and influential client roster ranging from Emmy Award winning producers and actors to Silicon Valley executives and entrepreneurs to Manhattan philanthropists. Recently Michelle has begun licensing and currently has two collections launched with more on the horizon. Her breathtaking trim line has taken the design community by storm and is as unique as it is brilliant.

Jillian O’Neill

Jillian O’Neill of Jillian O’Neill Interior Design specializes in working on modern and luxurious yet livable residential spaces. With a discerning eye for fresh and timeless furnishings and a love for color, texture and functionality, Jillian’s work has been featured in various publications including Elle Décor, Modern Luxury, Luxe Interiors and many more. Jillian now brings her beloved signature aesthetic to her luxury line of furnishings that debuted in 2017. Her signature pieces have sleek and sensual lines with rich materials and tones evoking a beautifully modern feel.

Liz Carroll and Charlotte Lucas

Interior Designer, Liz Carroll, of Liz Carroll Interiors, and her sister, Charlotte Lucas, of Charlotte Lucas Interior Design, have teamed up to create House of Harris, a fabric and wallpaper line launching in the Fall of 2017. Both sisters lead their own high-end interior design firms in North Carolina and have become highly sought after with projects spanning the Southeast. Now pairing up as sisters to create a unique product line is a natural next step in their evolution. House of Harris has received early accolades having been featured in Vogue and Veranda. Their whimsical patterns and vibrant colors with a decidedly modern flair have made quite a splash in their debut collection.

Marlene Holmquist, “The Cowgirl Designer”

With decades of experience in the art and design industries, Marlene Holmquist of Luxury Ranch Interior Design specializes in new construction and remodels for ranches and luxury homes. Marlene brings her refreshing signature style of “Contemporary Western Design” to homes from contemporary to cowboy. A true cowgirl in every sense of the word, Marlene easily blends authentic cowboy tradition, modern design and contemporary materials to create the ultimate in exclusive equestrian and ranch furnishings. Each is an artistic expression based on horses and ranch life and make for the perfect statement piece in any sophisticated project. Marlene will also be showcasing limited edition and one of a kind leather “art” pillows, along with equine-inspired jewelry designs.

Susan Winchester

Susan Winchester has successfully combined two of her passions, a love of boating and beautiful design into a thriving business creating luxury yacht and home interiors. Having traveled thousands of nautical miles, Susan understands the need for functionality on even the largest yacht, believing that our living spaces have a very real impact on our personal lives. Her luxury outdoor décor line, WaterHaus is the ultimate in true performance, created to withstand the might of the sun and the majesty of the water while embodying all of the elements of refined décor. WaterHaus is a brand where luxury meets water.

Deborah Main

Product Designer, Deborah Main of Deborah Main Designs attributes her work and design inspiration to fashion, nature art and her love for travel. Specializing in luxury artisan pillows with new and vintage textiles, Deborah’s designs express her passion for color and texture. Her attention to detail demonstrates an appreciation for beauty and quality craftsmanship. Known affectionately as “The Pillow Goddess,” Deborah has been nationally recognized as a Martha Stewart American Made Award finalist and locally as a three-time winner of Best Home Accessories Designer for Austin, Texas Fashion Week.

August 16, 2017

Announcing Savour Partnership as a BOLD Summit Sponsor

I recently interviewed Leslie Carothers and Sam Henderson, the co-owners of Savour Partnership, one of our sponsors this year, and today, I’d like to share the interview with you.

JULIA: “Let’s start with your backgrounds. Tell us a little bit about yourselves.”

Sam: “I have a degree in interior design from Virginia Tech, and started designing homes for various clients, once I moved to Dallas. Then, I branched out into writing my blog, Today’s Nest, which led me to learn Photoshop and to become an expert in video and photography. From there, I was contacted by the Scripps Network to create content for their sites, including HGTV and The DIY Network. Because of that, my work was seen by various ad agencies, and I opened Savour Imagery in 2012, where I now create photography and video content for major food brands, including California Giant Berries, Dole and Scharffenberger Chocolate, as well as continuing my work for the Scripps Network and other major brands and media outlets.

Leslie: “I have been involved in one way or another, with the luxury interior design and furniture industry for the past 37 years. For 20 years, I was a luxury interior designer myself, before opening The Kaleidoscope Partnership, my main business, where I pioneered the use of influencer marketing and social media marketing within the furniture and interior design industry.

I have always loved *all things interiors* and *furniture* and it has been my joy to use my experience and knowledge of digital marketing to help many corporate brands, tradeshows and individual luxury interior designers move their businesses powerfully forward over these past 15 years.

JULIA: What led you and Sam to come together, now, to form Savour Partnership, even though you both still have your main businesses?

Leslie: Sam and I both see, clearly, that the way products are being sold is rapidly shifting. Many manufacturers, even formerly *trade only* manufacturers, are being forced to sell direct to consumer through e-commerce sites like Perigold, etc. in order to remain competitive and grow their businesses.

We can also see that many manufacturers, even high end, typically *trade only* manufacturers, are signing on with exclusive affiliate aggregation sites, in order to empower and financially compensate a new distribution channel: luxury interior designers with blogs or simply excellent content producers, with blogs, who love design.

Because of this shift in product distribution, Sam and I saw an opportunity to use our combined skills to help interior designers and other creative professionals layer in passive income to their sites, while helping them build sellable business assets over the long term.

Sam: Another one of our goals with Savour Partnership is to help luxury interior designers present an elevated visual experience to their website and blog visitors, to help them attract a clientele that appreciates this level of quality and in order to help them attract more lucrative opportunities.

We feel the editorial quality of what we can offer, which includes beautifully presented products and copy, embedded videos and custom animations, can help them achieve this outcome.

JULIA: What exactly is Savour Partnership producing that can help designers generate passive income and elevate their brand presence online?

Sam: We are designing editorial quality, custom branded e-publications, including email lead magnet PDF downloads, e-books which can be for sale on a designer’s own site or on Amazon, media kits, lookbooks, portfolios and e-newsletters, all of which can be embedded with affiliate marketing links (or not), and all of which can include videos and custom animations, as desired.

Leslie: In addition, we are providing hands on project management services, copywriting, and affiliate marketing set up and training on as needed basis, making this an elegant, easy turnkey solution for our clients to implement.

JULIA: Do you have a designer’s site where people can go to see an example of your work?

Sam & Leslie: Yes, we recently completed a 4 page custom branded PDF download for Houston based interior designer, Carla Aston. If you subscribe to her blog at http://carlaaston.com/designed, you can access it for free there. In addition, we are working on more now that we’ll unveil at the #BOLDsummit.

JULIA: How can people learn more about your services?

Sam: I am designing our website now, which will be unveiled at the #BOLDsummit: http://savourpartnership.com, but, in the meantime, people can contact us on our Facebook Page at http://facebook.com/SavourPartnership or via Instagram at http://instagram.com/SavourPartnership.

Leslie: One of the keys to being very successful in generating passive income is in understanding how to drive traffic to your website or blog. To this end, we’ve also started a Facebook GROUP:
where we are sharing daily tips about how to drive blog and website traffic. Everyone is invited to join it. The URL is:

www.facebook.com/groups/drive.massive.traffic

JULIA: Thank you, Leslie and Sam, for agreeing to be one of our sponsors this year, and Leslie, we all look forward to hearing your input as one of our speakers this year, as well.

Any last minute thoughts?

Leslie: As was so beautifully articulated in your video with this year’s 3 BOLD MASTERS about luxury, Julia, I want to say that I believe luxury, now, is about finding the time to deeply experience whatever truly matters to you.

We hope what we are doing by helping designers and other creative professionals layer in passive income to their online publishing activities, and elevating the online visual experience others have with their brand, will, over time, afford them ever more sustainable, financial freedom to live their own dreams on their own terms.

Sam: It has always been my dream to live in Paris, and then live out the rest of my life in New York City. I hope that by using my skills and knowledge to help other interior designers live their dreams, free from the concerns of location, it will help me live mine in the same way, too.

June 27, 2017

Acclaimed Designer Jamie Drake Announced As Second BOLD Master Award Recipient at The Business of Luxury Design (BOLD) Summit

The BOLD Summit, the premier business conference for principal designers, proudly announces acclaimed designer and regarded entrepreneur Jamie Drake FASID as a BOLD Master Award recipient joining the 2017 BOLD Summit roster. Drake is the second of three BOLD Master Award winners and will present to fellow principal designers at the conference this September 25th-27th at the renowned Auditorium Theater in Downtown Chicago.

Drake, co-principal of Drake/Anderson, brings a wealth of experience with more than 30 years of vibrant interior design expertise. One of the most distinguished and well-known designers today, Drake is regarded as a modernist combining a daring color and style approach with an expansive comprehension of design from decades past and present. Creating environments that are both glamorous and eloquent, Drake focuses on crafting captivating, fashionable spaces that remain personal to each client. His distinct, one-of-a-kind sense of style has been sought after by an array of high-end clientele including former New York City Mayor, Michael Bloomberg and recording artist, Madonna.

“The BOLD Summit aims to bring forth the best of the best with driven principal designers who are inspired to elevate the business practices of those who share their same passions,” states Julia Molloy, Owner BOLD Summit and Julia Molloy Consulting. “It’s an honor to introduce Jamie Drake as a BOLD Master Award recipient and presenter this year. Drake’s unique design approach and unmistakable flair is inspiring to so many who have had the pleasure of experiencing his work. He will be opening up his wisdom and expertise in an open forum Q&A as well as hosting an intimate round table discussion at BOLD. I am quite certain this rare experience will be unforgettable and awe-inspiring.”

Among accolades too numerous to mention, Drake has been on Architectural Digest’s prestigious AD100 list of top architects and designers for several years – including the new 2017 list – and is also a member of ELLE DECOR’s distinguished A-List since 2012. He was honored with Fashion Group International’s Night of Stars Award for Interior Design, named a Master Class designer by House Beautiful, and was inducted into Interior Design magazine’s Hall of Fame in 2003. Drake’s work has been featured in virtually every design publication of note, including ELLE DECOR, House Beautiful, Interior Design and Architectural Digest. Extremely active in many causes, Drake currently serves as chair of The Alpha Workshops, where he also has been a board member for many years. He is a recipient of a Partnership for the Homeless Director’s Award and is a longtime supporter of Housing Works, He is a board member of Parsons, his alma mater.

BOLD Summit is the most dynamic and powerful resource for business development and collaboration in the design industry. The 2017 Business of Luxury Design Summit will feature high-level presentations, intimate round table discussions, a BOLD Attendee Product Showcase and a lavish lunch each day. The 2017 BOLD focus is expanding your brand and revenue streams, increasing profits, PR and marketing techniques.

June 7, 2017

BOLD Summit’s Premiere Media Sponsor – LUXE Magazine

BOLD Summit is EXCITED to announce LUXE Magazine as this year’s Premiere Media Sponsor at the 2017 BOLD Summit Event!

Luxe Interiors + Design is the essential source for those with a passion for creating beautiful surroundings and living well. Showcasing high-end architecture and interior design.

Luxe Interiors + Design believes that home is your greatest luxury. They celebrate regional architecture and design, and encourage design enthusiasts to seek out and connect with local design professional in the place they call home.

They impart this philosophy through multi-platform channels – in print, digital and at events – where they inspire, inform and engage with affluent design enthusiasts, architects, interior designers, home builders and the design community at large.

Nationally inspired, locally connected.

For over 10 years, LUXE magazine has been covering the design industry, connecting with the country’s leading architects, interior designers, builders and home design professionals. Their team of over 75 editors and market directors connects their audience of over 1.5 million affluent design enthusiasts with the leading local and national luxury design firms nationwide. Through their prism of powerful photography and stories that captivate, they encourage readers to cultivate home as their greatest luxury.

July 27, 2015

Brown Jordan Outdoor Kitchens

Brown Jordan Outdoor Kitchens is the leading manufacturer of luxury stainless steel cabinets. Manufactured entirely in the United States, they offer a comprehensive line of stainless steel outdoor cabinets to elevate your outdoor living areas. With a weather resistant powder coat which keeps them practically maintenance free, even in harsh climates, Brown Jordan Outdoor Kitchens is well known to be the highest quality outdoor kitchen cabinets available.

Brown Jordan Outdoor Kitchens expertly marries refined style to unrivaled quality and functionality. Their cabinets will elegantly compliment any outdoor layout and aesthetic with over 400 different choices in stainless steel cabinet sizes and a beautiful array of exclusive designer powder coat finishes, which were specifically chosen to match Brown Jordan furniture. When you order from Brown Jordan Outdoor Kitchens you can expect your cabinets to arrive damage free on a palette made specifically for that cabinet, with complete directions and illustrations for ease of installation. With a lifetime warranty, you can rest assured knowing Brown Jordan Outdoor Kitchens will stand the test of time.

A very special thank you to Brown Jordan Outdoor Kitchens for sponsoring our 2015 BOLD Summit!

July 27, 2015

Environmentally Conscious, British Luxury Interiors: Clive Christian

Since its founding in 1978 British luxury interior brand Clive Christian has taken pride in using only the most ethical and environmentally friendly methods of manufacturing their elegant cabinetry, paneling, and furniture. Employing the use of bio-mass catalytic converter equipment they achieve zero emissions, zero landfill and channel waste into renewable energy. They have, from the very beginning, stated that “our environment is our children’s environment” and in line with that philosophy only timbers with bark still on, selected exclusively from managed resources, arrive at the company owned factory workshops .

Clive Christian takes pride in maintain the exacting standards of fine British craftsmanship comprising 300 year old techniques such as burr veneering, marquetry, and wood carving. Their skilled artisans participate in a series of apprenticeships to ensure these precious methods are continued through the generations. Cabinets are made with plywood interiors which are veneered to match the chosen exterior finish, while solid timber dovetailed drawers can be lined with a selection of leathers or burr veneer. Their cabinetry, furniture, and paneling is carefully made by hand, in Britain, to truly add to the beauty and luxury of your interior design project.

A very special thank you to Clive Christian for being a sponsor of BOLD Summit 2015!

June 19, 2015

You Have Greatness Within You!

The great Olympic athlete Wilma Rudolph said, “Never underestimate the power of dreams and the influence of the human spirit. We are all the same in this notion: The potential for greatness lives within each of us.” Despite being diagnosed with polio and wearing a brace on her leg as a child, Rudolph went on to be the first woman to win three gold medals at the 1960 Olympic Games.

There are obstacles in all our lives but hard work and perseverance can overcome those obstacles, leading us on to boundless successes. The feeling of crossing that finish line, of surpassing expectations, is like no other. We are here to help you achieve your dreams! If you think becoming one of the foremost interior designers in the country is beyond your grasp, think again! We are bringing together industry experts from all over the world to educate you and support you on your path to greatness. This is your chance to grow! All the resources you need to succeed are at your fingertips. Do not let this moment pass you by! Race to the finish line!