what’s in a name?
Since forever, I’ve been obsessed and intrigued with design. Seriously, transforming spaces into visual stories is something I love doing. I was the kid who moved furniture for fun. I was a residential designer in Chicago for 10+ years, then a Project Manager/Designer remotely for another 2 and finally fell boots first into my niche as a retail interior designer & Design Director for the past 4 with Sungrown Studio. The opportunity popped up for me to acquire parts of Sungrown, and I couldn’t say no. I love what we built, the amazing clients and brand stories. But, I also had this itch to expand what I do and stamp it my own- my own gig, Blackdog Retail Design.
the groove:
Running a business while wrangling three kids and a pup is a wild ride. The chaos & joys of family life with the hustle of business has its moments, but you know what? Balance is not the goal. I do not believe in work/life balance. Unpopular opinion maybe, but not everything in life weighs equally (nor should it) on any given day. Some days you’ve got to give more to one aspect of your life and another day it’s something completely different. The groove? For me it’s more like shifting and bending with where my heart drags me or where my bat-signal calls me, and being ok with it all.
behind the name:
Who names a company after a dog? Full story- Blackdog is actually named after 3 animals. My current black dog, Scotch, my former black dog, Soba and my first pet, a wanna be dog black cat, Oliver. He seriously thought he was a dog. They were all quirky rescues and it’s my understanding that black pets are the least likely to get adopted. I have a soft spot in my heart for these guys and I swear they somehow know they’re the underdogs. They’ve got unmatched loyalty and love with a healthy dose of fun, which is what I strive to put into my work on the daily. Blackdog is all about that same unwavering dedication to kickass design & not taking ourselves too seriously.
um, remote?:
Here’s the kicker – I design stores, wellness centers and doctor’s offices all over the USA and I do it all remotely. Thanks to tech magic, I can bring my creative visions to life without being in the same zip code. This wasn’t some half cocked covid pivot thing either, I’ve been designing remotely for many many years. I love it and clients love it. You’re not paying me to sit in traffic on my way to your location. Or racking up an hourly bill because your contractor is running late. My team is also fully remote. I like having the best talent whether they’re in Vermont or San Jose. At Blackdog we design remotely without skipping a beat because our communication strength is unmatched. I do love visiting stores I’ve designed to check in, see how everything is running, take some selfies and say hello to my awesome clients.
my NCIA gig:
This is new for me too- as of July, I’m part of the National Cannabis Industry Association (NCIA) as a retail committee board member. Rubbing shoulders with other retail design pros, diving into industry trends, and helping shape the field – it’s been a game-changer in my journey as a design entrepreneur. I design a lot of cannabis dispensaries and being a committee member gives me access to info and people I wouldn’t normally get. This industry is so unique it is vital to stay informed. It’s a whole different ball game than “standard” retail store design. The regulations alone are mind boggling.
