When it comes to building relationships email is not always the best form of communication. Sure, you can initiate the dialogue that way and build up a little trust. But there comes a time where a phone call is more meaningful and purposeful.

When we first reached out to Nick Clark in regards to a sponsorship of our One Room Challenge, like with all inquiries, we weren’t sure what to expect. You never know who is on the other end, what they are like, what they will think of you, and so on. When Nick responded and suggested a phone call Michael immediately dialed and the conversation lead to a meetup at the Novo Building Products HQ in Zeeland, MI. We’ve since built a great relationship and partnership that is sure to span many projects over the foreseeable future. 

Nick Clark is the Marketing Manager overseeing Novo Building Products and it’s family of companies. This podcast features an interview with Nick where we learn a bit more about him, his role, where the brands are trending in the social and digital space and what he is most looking forward to in 2020 and beyond. 

Check out these rad accounts! 

@novobp

@the_empire_co

@ljsmithstairs

@ornamentalmoulding

SIGN UP FOR OUR KITCHEN DESIGN GUIDE!

Follow along on social!

@daniellegutelli

@michaelgutelli

@clarkandaldine

@oneroomchallenge

And if you found this content valuable, relatable or simply have questions please reach out to [email protected].

This One Room Challenge has been like no other for us. First, we were chosen as 1 of 20 Featured Designers for Spring 2020. Second, COVID-19. In Michigan, construction, manufacturing and fabrication was not deemed essential, which meant our business was shut down as well as progress on our space. Well, for the most part that is.

We planned and executed to the best of our ability, and due to that we were ahead of the curve on many aspects of our project but still had a ton of challenges to overcome. 

SIGN UP FOR OUR KITCHEN DESIGN GUIDE!

Follow along on social!

@daniellegutelli

@michaelgutelli

@clarkandaldine

@oneroomchallenge

And if you found this content valuable, relatable or simply have questions please reach out to [email protected].

We named our podcast The Stay True podcast for a reason. We made a promise to always remain true to ourselves, our family, our brand and our beliefs. Our world, and most notably our country, has been living through a pandemic called racism for far too long. 2020 has brought to light some of the most tumultuous acts of racism, brutality and murder by police to black Americans. This is not acceptable and we will not be silent on the issue. 

The episode is the most important piece of content we have every created. Adrian Octavius Walker is black man, a black father, a black husband and a black artist living in America. He is a friend, he is our family, he is our brother. His story of growing up in North St. Louis to becoming a highly sought after and respected photographer capturing the life and soul of Black culture is one that must be heard, and surely respected. We go deep in this one and ask that you tune in, and listen…truly listen to the words. 

And if you are looking to help fight racism, if you are looking for ways to practice ANTI-RACISM, take a look at these sources below

FREE MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES + RESOURCES FOR BLACK PEOPLE (AND WHERE TO DONATE)

• Black Female Therapists

Follow Adrian Octavius Walker 

@aoctaviusw

adrianowalker.com

Every industry and profession comes with its own set of challenges. But construction, perhaps may be the most riddled with issues across the board. The intention with this episode is not to expose any people or businesses, but rather identify the areas in which the industry could benefit from investing time and resources into. 

The topics we will discuss relates to talent, empathy, relationship management between designers, contractors and clients, and finally marketing and branding. 

Anyone who has taken on a home renovation project, whether it be large or small, quickly learned that there is a lot that goes into it. From sourcing and purchasing to build-out and finish work, there is a process. The One Room Challenge is like this on steroids. There is a true business behind the scenes that will setup a project for success.

For the past 3.5 years we have participated in the One Room Challenge and have mastered the process from start to finish. In this episode of the Stay True Podcast, One Room Challenge Special, we dive into the business behind the One Room Challenge and all of the aspects you need to think about before taking on a project. If you’re already knee deep in a project, this will still help you…and if you’re thinking about joining in on the fun for Fall 2020, do it! We have an awesome article on how to participate in the One Room Challenge. 

SIGN UP FOR OUR KITCHEN DESIGN GUIDE!

Follow along on social!

Running a business is tough. There is no other way to describe it. Something that will make your life easier in the long run is implementing the right tools to help you run your business (and your life) efficiently, effectively and legally. We are always looking for new ways to be more nimble and our suite of tools to achieve that will inevitably change. But for now here is a full download on the tools we use to run our business and our life. 

Anyone who has taken on a home renovation project, whether it be large or small, quickly learned that there is a lot that goes into it. From sourcing and purchasing to build-out and finish work, there is a process. The One Room Challenge is like this on steroids. There is a true business behind the scenes that will setup a project for success.

For the past 3.5 years we have participated in the One Room Challenge and have mastered the process from start to finish. In this episode of the Stay True Podcast, One Room Challenge Special, we dive into the business behind the One Room Challenge and all of the aspects you need to think about before taking on a project. If you’re already knee deep in a project, this will still help you…and if you’re thinking about joining in on the fun for Fall 2020, do it! We have an awesome article on how to participate in the One Room Challenge.

Do you have a power circle? A core group of individuals who mutually inspire and influence one another, push each other to be better and chase after those ideas everyone else tells you are crazy? Do you have that fearless group of talented souls who refuse to break? Yup, we do too. But it wasn’t something that came quickly or easy.

We both experienced tremendous change when we left our home cities and states for new chapters in Chicago, and then again with a shift to our current home in Michigan. We’ve left behind circles that culminated through college, then again a decade into our careers. We quickly found ourselves without a local community to integrate into naturally. Everything felt forced, and rarely materialized to more than a few conversations. 

From local communities to digital platforms we’ve built an incredible power circle by simply being who we are, offering transparency and value to those we’ve connected with. No facade, no mask…just the real and genuine us.