In this episode of The Design Pop, Alexandra welcomes Jennifer Evans, VP of Design and Development at Hyphn, formerly BKM. With nearly two decades of experience rising through the same dealership, Jennifer shares her unique journey from project designer to leadership.

She reveals how curiosity, problem-solving, and a passion for process led her upward. They explore how Hyphn's evolution—from rebranding to strategic acquisition—has strengthened its culture and diversified its services to meet the changing demands of today’s workplace.

Jennifer also talks about building strong design teams, empowering designers through live design sessions, incentivizing client engagement, and embracing the "uncomfortable" as a pathway to growth. Throughout this episode, Jennifer shares insights on capacity challenges, industry training gaps, and the mindset shift that's required to lead effectively.

What if the key to elevating dealer design isn't just mastering tools, but learning how to create better conversations?

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Use this link for $75 off Configura's Experience in Orlando. Or use promo code TheDesignPOP75 at checkout.

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On this episode of The Design POP Podcast, host Alexandra Tseffos sits down with Erica Jaffe—Creative Director & Ancillary Specialist at Benhar Office Interiors, and affectionately known as the "Office Furniture Girl" on Instagram, to explore how dealer designers can sharpen their approach and enhance their impact on client interactions.

From her early days in interior design, retail furniture sales, to business development at a dealership, Erica shares how clear communication, thoughtful expectation-setting, and a dose of humor can transform the designer-client relationship. Hear how she's leveraging social media to educate, entertain, and build both trust and credibility within the design community.

Where to find The Design POP in Chicago https://www.thedesignpop.com/Chicago-2025

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Stephanie Wolfson, Design Manager at HAT Collective, didn’t set out to become a designer—she followed her curiosity, and it led her somewhere unexpected. With a background in theater and marketing, she found her way into the world of commercial interiors and discovered a love for the “3D puzzles” of furniture design.

In this episode, Stephanie shares how curiosity helped her carve out new roles, take a bold career pause, and navigate the tough conversations that come with growth. It’s a candid, inspiring look at what’s possible when you stop chasing the perfect plan—and start following what lights you up.

Learn more about POP into Excellence 2025; a professional development event for dealer designers & design leaders

Last chance for "All Access:" https://www.thedesignpop.com/offers/dmdNUU2R/checkout

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In this episode, we sit down with Kate Bradley and Pam Smith—two former dealer designers who made the jump to the A&D world and now work at HKS. They open up about what that transition was really like, from unexpected stress relief to letting go of manufacturer sales goals and adapting to new tech.

We dive into the sometimes tricky dynamic between dealerships and A&D firms, and what it takes to collaborate well. Kate and Pam share what they wish they had known earlier, bust a few myths (like whether fancy renderings actually help win projects), and offer real, practical advice for building better partnerships.

Register for FREE to attend the webinar Bridging the Gap: Strengthening Collaboration Between Dealer Designers and A+D

Submit a question for the panelists link: https://www.thedesignpop.com/pie-2025-questions

Learn more about POP into Excellence 2025; a professional development event for dealer designers & design leaders

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In this candid conversation, Alexandra chats with Wesley Edmonds, Director of Workplace at OFS, about the challenges and opportunities for women in design. They tackle the evolving role of dealer designers, the gender gap in leadership, and how sponsorship can fuel career growth.

With personal stories, industry insights, and plenty of laughter, they explore the disconnect between A&D and dealer designers, the need to break down silos, and why empowering all designers—regardless of title—matters. Plus, they get real about juggling careers and motherhood in a fast-paced, male-dominated industry.

Honest, funny, and full of actionable advice, this episode is a must-listen for anyone in workplace design or leadership.

Oh, and Pop Into Excellence kicks off on May 5th! (Stay tuned for more information).

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Join Alexandra Tseffos as she chats with innovation strategist Shawn Kanungo about how AI is shaking up the commercial interiors industry. After crossing paths at CET Experience, where Shawn delivered a keynote that got everyone thinking, they dive into what it really means to be "remarkable" in an AI-powered world. From lessons in cross-industry innovation to the future of furniture specification, this conversation will challenge how you see technology’s role in design. Whether you’re all-in on AI or still a little skeptical, Shawn’s take on embracing disruption "without losing the human touch" is one you won’t want to miss.

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On this episode, I sit down with Rob Kirkbride (Editor in Chief of officeinsight magazine), a true legend in commercial furniture journalism. Rob’s seen it all—from covering “just office furniture” in the early days to witnessing the incredible changes shaping our industry today. Recorded LIVE from the CET Experience in October, we dive into some seriously interesting stuff, like how AI is shaking up design and journalism, why in-person workplace connections are more important than ever, and what it’s like to have toured almost every furniture factory out there. Rob also shares his thoughts on mentorship, the future of dealer networks, and how we can better connect with younger professionals. It’s a lively, thoughtful conversation with someone who’s been at the heart of our industry for years—join us!

You can hear more on CETx, such as one of our most popular episodes, "Look for Friendly Faces."

Learn more about ROOM

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The Design Pop starts the new year with a reflective and forward-looking episode. Alexandra takes you on a journey through the milestones of the past year while sharing her vision for the year ahead. Discover how experiences from 2024 are shaping bold new initiatives, inspiring personal growth, and fostering deeper connections in the design community. Tune in to be inspired, refocus your goals, and gear up for an impactful 2025!

Listen to Trisha Harp's episode

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Contact The Design Pop about Teknion's training

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