Pro Series with Eric Dillman

In Episode 250, I sit down with Jenna Shock, award-winning closet designer, Principal Designer, and President of the Association of Closet and Storage Professionals, to talk about the growing importance of custom closet design, home organization, and storage solutions in today's homes.

With more than 14 years of experience, Jenna shares how thoughtful closet organization systems, personalized storage planning, and human-centered design can improve daily routines, reduce stress, and maximize the functionality of a home. We also discuss industry trends, the evolution of the closet design industry, and why organization is becoming one of the most valuable investments homeowners can make.

Whether you're a homeowner looking for closet design ideas, an interior designer interested in storage solutions, or a professional in the home organization space, this conversation offers practical insights into creating spaces that work better every day.

How are we still building brand-new kitchens without a dedicated place for trash?

In this episode, Eric shares one of the most common design misses he's noticed while touring new construction homes: the lack of a trash pullout or even a cabinet that could easily be adapted for one. It's a small detail that has a huge impact on how a kitchen functions every day.

Then we shift into a marketing conversation for interior designers and kitchen & bath professionals. If you're struggling to create content, one of the easiest ways to demonstrate your expertise is by showing the problems you've solved. We discuss how to use past projects, design decisions, before-and-after examples, and planning challenges to create content that educates potential clients while highlighting your value as a designer.

Finally, Eric shares his favorite new country music releases, artists, and songs that have been on repeat this week.

Topics include:

• Why trash pullouts should be standard in kitchen design
• The biggest function-first mistakes in new construction
• Creating problem-and-solution content as a designer
• How past projects can become your best marketing tool
• New country music releases and weekly favorites

Whether you're a homeowner, designer, remodeler, or country music fan, there's something in this episode for you.

What separates a smooth, successful project from one filled with delays, budget overruns, and frustration?In Episode 249, Natalie Dunlap, founder of Curated & Co., shares the behind-the-scenes work that keeps high-end residential and multimillion-dollar projects moving forward.Drawing on nearly 30 years of experience in construction and design, Natalie discusses sourcing, procurement, vendor relationships, project oversight, and the critical details that often determine whether a project succeeds or fails.This conversation offers a unique look at the operational side of the design industry and why thoughtful planning, communication, and execution are just as important as great design.To learn more about Natalie and Curated & Co., visit her website and reach out directly.https://www.curatedcopartners.com/

Does a designer with 100,000 followers automatically deserve more respect than a designer with 1,000? Not even close.

This week on Off Topic, Eric dives into the growing obsession with follower counts and why social media numbers alone don't determine talent, experience, or success in the design industry. From homeowners searching for the right designer to creatives trying to build their brands online, Eric shares his thoughts on the balance between great design work and personal marketing.

He also discusses why designers can't afford to stay hidden in today's digital world. While follower count doesn't define your abilities, showcasing your work and putting yourself out there is more important than ever.

Plus, Eric breaks down the latest country music releases, shares his favorite songs of the week, and highlights what's been on repeat lately.

Why do some short-term rentals stay fully booked while others struggle to attract guests?

In Episode 248, Jessica Duce, one of the nation's leading short-term rental designers, breaks down the design strategies that help properties stand out in an increasingly competitive market.

Working with investors and property owners across the country, Jessica has transformed everything from beach houses and boutique motels to luxury retreats, creating spaces that drive bookings, improve guest experiences, and increase profitability.

Named a Top 50 Power List Interior Designer in 2025, Jessica shares what today's guests are really looking for, the biggest mistakes property owners make, and how thoughtful design can become a property's greatest competitive advantage.

Whether you're a real estate investor, designer, property manager, or Airbnb host, this episode offers valuable insight into the business of creating unforgettable spaces.

You post. You disappear. Then you wonder why nobody engages with you. This week on Off Topic, we're getting into one of the most misunderstood parts of social media — and it has nothing to do with the algorithm.

It's about being an active follower. Not fake engagement, not networking for clout, not commenting just to be seen. Actually showing up for people. Supporting others. Participating in the room. Because social media is called social media for a reason, and most people are treating it like a one-way street.

We talk about why this matters especially if you're an independent designer, creative, or entrepreneur — where the online community you build can become just as real and just as important as the one you have in person. We get into what happens when you actually engage — the referrals, the collaborations, the friendships, the opportunities — and why the people who show up consistently for others are the people everyone remembers.

There's a big difference between chasing attention and building community. Between becoming famous and becoming known. And some of the best things that have happened in my career didn't come from algorithms or follower counts. They came from relationships.

This one's for anyone who's been lurking instead of engaging, posting without connecting, or wondering why their community feels quiet. Be the kind of follower you wish you had.

Also this week in Country Music Weekly — I've been watching the opening of Megan Moroney's Cloud 9 Tour closely and there are some things about the production and stage design that I think say a lot about where country music concerts are headed. Plus Riley Green dropped a new song this week that I almost completely missed, why it sounds so familiar, what I think is a Toby Keith tribute hidden inside it, and why the meaning behind it runs deeper than most people are giving it credit for.

New episodes every week. Follow Off Topic so you never miss one — and if this episode hit home, share it with someone who needs to hear it.

What happens when you walk away from a stable corporate career to build something of your own?

In Episode 247, Andrew Nuhfer shares his journey from banking and finance to founding AKN Interiors, a growing design-build company serving the Pittsburgh area.

Andrew discusses taking the leap into entrepreneurship, building a team from the ground up, and growing a remodeling business focused on kitchens, bathrooms, basements, and additions. He also shares lessons learned along the way, the challenges of scaling a company, and why betting on yourself can be the most rewarding investment of all.

Whether you're a business owner, contractor, designer, or aspiring entrepreneur, this episode offers valuable insight into what it takes to turn a vision into reality.

Most local businesses don’t have a product problem. They have an attention problem.

In Episode 246, Will Habel breaks down how businesses in the Charlotte and Lake Norman area are using Instagram ads and content strategy to drive real growth, increase sales, and stay relevant in today’s digital world.

From building local brand awareness to creating content that actually converts, this conversation dives into what most businesses are still getting wrong about social media marketing.

If you’re trying to grow a business in 2026, this episode is packed with insights you can’t afford to ignore.

Episode 245 of Pro Series Podcast dives into the world of luxury interiors, timeless craftsmanship, and the details that transform a house into a legacy.

Host Eric Dillman sits down with Massimiliano Collicelli, whose career spans luxury residential construction, natural stone, and collaborations with top architects, interior designers, and custom home builders across the U.S. and Caribbean.

Now leading the strategic expansion of Ralph Lauren Home collections throughout the Americas at Haworth Lifestyle, Massimiliano shares what truly defines luxury design beyond aesthetics.

From global design perspectives to timeless interiors that outlast trends, this episode explores the craftsmanship, vision, and intentionality behind high-end living.

This week on Off Topic, we’re talking about something that genuinely makes no sense to me… why are people so afraid to post their accomplishments online?

People will post the vacation, the concert, the new car, the dinner, the sporting event… but the second it comes to sharing something they actually worked hard for professionally, suddenly it feels like “bragging.”

In this episode, I’m diving into why social media today is basically your walking resume, why visibility creates opportunity, and why so many talented people are holding themselves back online, especially in business and creative industries. We’re getting into social media, marketing yourself, engagement, professional visibility, and the mindset shift people need to make if they actually want to grow.

Also in this episode, we get into this week in country music, what’s been happening online, and my thoughts on the American Idol finale.