22 Sep YES – I’m Going to BOLD Summit 2017 to Grow My Business!

Has there ever been a time in your life or your career where you had to really step outside of your comfort zone and take a bold leap of faith?  Well, I’ve done a few baby leaps of faith in the past 13 years of being a solo entrepreneur with Deborah Main Designs, and with everyone’s love and support it has helped me get my business to where it is today.

But, I must say, being bold enough to attend the BOLD Summit 2017 as a Showcase Designer is my boldest leap yet!  And I’m so very excited about it I could burst!!!  

I must confess that I’ve been “sew” busy designing and sewing luxury pillows that I have barely been able to keep up with my blog and share with you all about BOLD, what it is, who’s going and why I’m going.

Please know that it is THE greatest opportunity for any designer to take their business to the next level in the Business of Luxury Design (BOLD).

So, for the sake of time (since I only have 2 days left to get ready) I’m going to cheat a little in this post and share with you a few of the blog posts by other talented writers so you can learn more about the BOLD Summit. It only happens every two years, so maybe you can attend in 2019.  Think about it!

One of my fave photos of the BOLD founder Julia Molloy with her Pucci scarf she bought in Italy.

Above is the brilliant goddess behind BOLD Summit, the beautiful and talented visionary Julia Molloy.  I met Julia a few years ago and we hit it off from the get go talking about our sons. Never in my wildest dreams did I think that she’d be calling my cell phone to invite me to be one of this year’s BOLD Showcase Designers! But that’s exactly what happened in June. And I had to think about it awhile this summer before I got the courage to say “Yes, I’m going to BOLD!”

Friend Jane Dagmi of Steelyard Access, one of the many sponsors of this 3-day intensive luxury conference, mentions my hesitance in her blog post “Bold Means Business” about Julia and the intense itinerary of BOLD. But once I decided that Julia would never have invited me if she didn’t think I was ready – and I really AM ready – then I jumped in with both feet and whipped up 20 new luxury pillow designs handcrafted EXCLUSIVELY for the BOLD attendees.

Here I am on Monday getting those 3 huge boxes shipped out just in the nick of time!!!

Deborah Main studio in shipping mode.

But I do not do this all by myself. Actually my husband David came to the rescue on shipping day! I’m incredibly thankful for such a supportive team behind me and now have the help of one expert seamstress that I rely on greatly as my little studio has grown.

For years I sewed every single pillow myself, but that is just not possible any longer as you grow your business.  I still sew as many as I can, and in getting ready for BOLD I realized how much I miss being in my studio creating and sewing more than any aspect of running my business. It felt inspiring…and that’s a good thing!

Below I’m hand stitching iridescent coque feathers together to create the red silk brocade luxury pillow you see below. This is one of my favorite Limited Editions, and I’ve shipped the very last one available to Chicago attendees for the BOLD Designer Showcase.

Me hand stitching the iridescent Coque feathers together for this luxury pillow below.

Last one of the Limited Edition Red Silk Brocade with Vintage Starburst Brooch.

I am honored to be one of seven showcase designers featured in this blog post below written by PR expert, Lori Dolnick. Friends Lori Dolnick and Leslie Carothers are two of the speakers on a panel titled “Future Forward Marketing Roadmap – Putting the Pieces Together” that I can’t wait to hear, because I know how talented these two women are in their fields!

That’s one fantastic thing about BOLD is there are so many speakers (over 20!) and sessions with experts that are there specifically to share their wisdom and experience, to teach BOLD attendees everything there is to know about running a luxury design business. See list of presenters HERE.

Please enjoy reading Lori’s piece The Business of Luxury Design (BOLD) Summit to host exclusive BOLD Designer Showcase highlighting products from acclaimed designers featuring designers:

Michelle Workman, Jillian O’Neill, Liz Carroll and Charlotte Lucas

Marlene Holmquist, Susan Winchester , Deborah Main

See Susan’s reason’s below for attending BOLD Summit a 2nd time:

“This is my second Bold Summit. The number one reason I am attending again is because of Julia Molloy. She fully understands what it takes to create a successful business, all aspects! From conception, development, launch, to running the operations. As a small business owner in the luxury design industry it is one event that covers everything. She brings the most talented and knowledgeable speakers in the industry to BOLD. It’s also a wonderful event to collaborate and learn from other like minded designers and entrepreneurs and the reason I’m excited to launch my Waterhaus product line at BOLD’s Designer Showcase. “ – Susan Winchester

The golden arches where the sponsors of the 2017 BOLD Summit will be. And the Designer Showcase will display their products under similar arches upstairs on the 2nd floor.

Another part I’m really excited about is the historic Auditorium that Julia worked for 3 years to get this year’s BOLD Summit there.  The 2017 BOLD Summit will be hosted at The historic Auditorium Theater located in Downtown Chicago, Illinois on September 25-27th. Above is a photo of the interior golden arches where the Sponsors of the summit will have tables to discuss their services. Upstairs, the Showcase Designers will also be exhibiting under similar golden arches with all their luxury products on display.

Okay, there’s THREE more sponsors/speakers I’d like to share with you, then I’m off to bed so I’m rested up for this 3-day INTENSIVE BOLD Summit!!

I. Savour Partnership: I’m super excited to see my dear friend Leslie Carothers as she is launching one of her newest businesses “Savour Partnership” with her friend and partner Sam Henderson. Savour Partnership is one of the 2017 BOLD Summit’s many sponsors and they have some exciting services to offer you and your design business. Please read Julia’s interview of Leslie and Sam HERE.

2. KOKET:  I’m excited to finally meet Janet Morais, founder and CEO of the luxury brand Koket, which is a brand I first learned about at the Architectural Digest Design show and have admired ever since. Please read KOKET’s captivating blog post:

KOKET to Share Insider Insights on Global Luxury at the BOLD Summit Interior Design Conference.

3. Modenus: Modenus, another BOLD sponsor and THE design directory and host of numerous Blog Tours of which I had the privilege of being selected for Blog Tour NYC in 2014, is letting the dogs out by sending TWO of their savvy Design Hounds to cover the conference.  Design Hounds are always on the hunt for the very best in design and I can’t wait to meet Claire Jefford and Michael Ryan. Please see Modenus blog post: “Learn from the Masters”.

Being BOLD and going to BOLD to grow my business is how I’m wrapping up 2017. It’s a big investment of time and money, but that’s one of the major decisions every small luxury business owner needs to make. What are your plans for the remainder of the year?  Start thinking about attending BOLD Summit 2019. I know I’ll have plenty to share with you on the blog when I return, and will be happy to answer any questions you have, so please sign up for my blog.

Until then, BE BOLD and do something different today to grow your business and/or enrich your daily life or, as so many of you are already doing, enrich the life of someone else. Thinking of all those affected by Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, Jose and Maria, and the tragic earthquakes in Mexico City. Please know my heart and prayers are with you!! Have faith and be strong and BOLD! XO PG