Step into the heart of Chicago’s Design Week —where 50,000 designers gather, showrooms pulse with creativity, and deep dish dreams meet Michelin-star ambitions. In this electric episode, Maria VanDeman and Wesley Edmonds reflect on everything from Fulton Market’s immersive design experiences to unexpected encounters with industry icons like Cheryl Durst (yes, even with laryngitis!) and Roby Isaac from Mannington.

You’ll hear stories of bold murals, student innovation at ICFF, and why winning “Best Large Showroom” at Fulton wasn’t just about design—it was about heart, culture, and hospitality. The conversation weaves through laughter, food cravings, human-centered design, AI with empathy, and the kind of spontaneous connections that make this industry unforgettable.

If you’ve ever wondered what it feels like to be inspired by a city, a space, or a stranger—this episode is your invitation.

Spoiler: Vibes are high. Energy is off the hook. And kindness is the new innovation.

Connect with Maria on LinkedIn.

Click here to get your copy of Maria's children's book—Design Your World.

Follow Imagine a Place on LinkedIn.

What does it really take to go from intern to entrepreneur? In this episode, Dani Miller, owner of Lauderdale Design in Knoxville, TN, shares her journey of stepping into business ownership, leading with intention, and building a design firm that reflects her values, vision, and bold spirit.

Recorded just days before welcoming her second child, Dani opens up about the realities of entrepreneurship—balancing risk and reward, leading a team, and making tough calls with courage and clarity. From managing global rebrands for Cadillac to returning home to take over the very firm where she started her career, Dani’s path proves that entrepreneurship is equal parts grit, growth, and grace.

She dives into what she’s learned about building a sustainable business, fostering mentorship, creating opportunity within a small team, and why personal finance and emotional well-being are critical to professional success.

Whether you’re dreaming of launching your own company, looking for inspiration to grow your leadership, or navigating the messy middle of running a business, Dani’s story will leave you feeling empowered and equipped to take the leap.

New from Imagine a Place: Tenwek Hospital: How faith, friendship, and design built a beacon of healing in Africa.

Connect with Maria on LinkedIn.

Click here to get your copy of Maria's children's book—Design Your World.

Follow Imagine a Place on LinkedIn.

In part 3 of "In the ROOM," host Wesley Edmonds sits down with two visionary design leaders: Jane Nakagawa, Vice President of Research and Development at American Honda Motor Company, and Gabriele Chiave, former VP of Global Creative Direction at Estée Lauder and co-founder of the design collective Controvento.

Together, they dive into a wide-ranging conversation on the future of design—from Jane’s unexpected journey from architecture to automotive innovation, to Gabriel’s belief in the power of storytelling, culture, and emotion in shaping spaces. Together, they unpack how AI and emerging technologies are influencing design, the post-pandemic evolution of workplaces and hospitality, and why human-centered thinking must remain at the core of it all.

It’s a thoughtful, inspiring dialogue about where design is headed—and the responsibility we carry to make it more meaningful, sustainable, and deeply human.

Learn more about ROOM

Connect with Maria on LinkedIn.

Click here to get your copy of Maria's children's book—Design Your World.

Follow Imagine a Place on LinkedIn.