The Design Pop

Does your expertise make the people around you more capable or does everything come through you? There's a difference between being a linchpin and being a bottleneck. If you're a linchpin, you're indispensable because you make everyone around you better. If you're a bottleneck, you're indispensable because nothing can happen without you. AI and technology continue to reshape the design industry an...

In this episode, Alexandra sits down with Configura CEO Steven Jenkins to discuss what attendees can expect from Experience Cincinnati and how the event has evolved over the years. Steven also shares a preview of Configura’s future vision, including more connected, flexible, AI-enhanced tools that can support designers across every stage of the workflow. Together, they explore the importance of cu...

Julie Sayers never planned to become a business owner or mayor. She began her career as a dealer designer, became a co-owner of encompas , and now serves as the mayor of Lenexa, Kansas . In this conversation, Julie shares how design skills like listening, problem-solving, building coalitions, and serving people have shaped every part of her career. She talks about encompas’s unique approach to des...

Heather Ashley started Cove Creek in 2022 with a computer, an LLC, and a willingness to take a risk. What began as a one-person operation has grown into a successful team of six designers serving dealers and manufacturers across the industry. In this episode, Heather shares how she built Cove Creek through relationships, word of mouth, continuous learning, and a commitment to creating the kind of...

Summer has been moving at full speed. In this episode, Alexandra reflects on Chicago Design Week, a record-breaking year for POP into Excellence, and the conversations that stayed with her after the event ended. With more than 2,300 seats filled across 11 sessions, this year’s event was a powerful reminder that growth does not have a finish line—and that many of the challenges designers face are s...

POP into Excellence is back June 15-26, 2026 and it's FREE! Dealer designers are being asked to navigate more complexity than ever before. Today’s projects move faster, involve more stakeholders, rely on more technology, and require stronger collaboration across every phase of the process. Designers are expected to think strategically, communicate clearly, adapt quickly, and balance creativity wit...

What happens when a former consultant, startup operator, and self-described “anxious overachiever” discovers the contract furniture industry for the first time? In this episode, Alexandra sits down with Kieran Luke , founder of Cerulean , to discuss how AI is being thoughtfully applied within dealer workflows and why the goal isn’t replacing people, but helping them reclaim their time. Kieran acci...

After celebrating five years of TheDesignPOP.com (with a full cake, not just a cupcake), this month's POP In reflects on milestones, AI, environmental concerns, design workflows, and the surprisingly human conversations happening behind the scenes in our industry. Alexandra gives us a first look at Pop Into Excellence 2026, new training, and some thoughts on innovation with regards to sustainabili...

This first “POP In” episode is a quick check-in—no guest, no script, just a few thoughts worth sharing. This episode is less about answers and more about observations. After hosting two recent Design POP webinars with designers—Alexandra reflects on personality tendencies, designer struggles, and workflows. Think of this as a quick pulse check on the industry and an open invitation to keep the con...

Before Steven Jenkins officially steps into the role of CEO at Configura , Alexandra is taking time to introduce him to The Design POP community. She reconnects with Steven who she worked with years ago during her time as a Configura trainer. He was known for his steady, practical approach and his ability to truly hear what users needed. In this conversation, Steven shares how he first joined Conf...

What happens when a commercial interior designer falls in love with Excel spreadsheets and watercolor painting? In this episode, Alexandra sits down with Rebekah Jacobi , Design Director at Pivot Interiors in San Francisco, to explore what it means to be a whole creative human in the commercial interiors industry. From leading high-level workplace design strategy and tracking performance metrics t...

Chad Bewley has spent nearly three decades at the same dealership ( Freeform ) and he’s built a career many designers would envy. In this episode, Chad and Alexandra sit down at CETx 2025 . Chad shares how he found success without a traditional design degree and why relationships matter more than resumes. He also reflects on how long-term commitment can unlock trust and influence that simply can’t...

As winter settles in and the year comes to a close, Alexandra reflects on a habit many of us share—finishing something big and immediately moving on to what’s next. A simple moment at home with her son becomes a reminder to slow down, recognize progress, and make space to celebrate the wins, both big and small. Thank you for listening, for sharing your time, and for supporting The Design POP this...

In this episode, Alexandra returns from Experience 2025 with a renewed voice—literally and figuratively. After a whirlwind of hockey coaching, travel, and the inevitable fall-break cold, she reflects on what kids learning to skate can teach adults about bravery, mindset, and the power of getting back up quickly. Alexandra sits down with keynote speaker, bestselling author, and podcast host Amy Jo...

We are coming to you live from Day 1 of Experience —formerly known as CET Experience—where nearly 500 designers, manufacturers, and sponsors are fueling the excitement and innovation shaping the design industry. This year marks a major shift not just in the name, but in what the event represents. Configura’s vision has expanded beyond CET, and Experience now captures the full scope of their techno...

In this episode, Alexandra Tseffos breaks down the results of her latest dealer designer survey, which drew responses from nearly 175 professionals across the industry. The survey explores the confidence levels of designers in core responsibilities such as technical specification, ancillary selection, pricing, meeting participation, live design, and advanced visualization. Not only did Alexandra s...

In this inspiring episode, Alexandra sits down with Christine Crawford , Design Manager at Alfred Williams & Company in Nashville and MillerKnoll’s Designer of the Year. Christine shares her journey from an eager design student who did whatever it took to land an internship, to becoming the leader of a design team and the force behind a $15 million project. Her story highlights the power of curios...

In this episode, designer, author, and Thunder Egg founder Brittney Herrera shares her personal journey through the design industry—from internships and dealership work to leading her own firm. Along the way, she opens up about navigating firm politics, discovering her strengths, and learning how to turn every experience into a stepping stone for growth. Brittney's book Inside the Design Industry...

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 reb...

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...

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,...

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...

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...

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...

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 shak...