The PowerHouse Cool Collabs

What if the greatest luxury isn't the finish itself, but the knowledge behind it? In this inspiring episode of the PowerHouse Cool Collabs Podcast, Wendy Cohen sits down with Robert Chickey , President of Bespoke Finish®, internationally respected finishing consultant, educator, inventor, and mentor. With more than two decades of hands-on experience, Robert has dedicated his career to helping...

A cool new approach, where a seasoned custom design build sales leader creates a business centered entirely around client advocacy. In this inspiring episode of PowerHouse SMART Cool Collabs, Wendy Cohen sits down with Sarah Rudy, Founder of SR Design & Renovation, to discuss her unique approach to helping homeowners navigate the often-complex world of remodeling, renovation, and new construct...

Some stories beautifully illustrate the power of connection, community, and what can happen when someone is given an opportunity to shine. Nearly ten years ago, as PowerHouse SMART prepared for its very first Chicago Luxury Conference, we launched a unique initiative to recognize emerging talent within the design, architecture, and construction industries. Out of more than 100 candidates, twenty n...

What happens when a passion for design, a commitment to community, and a belief in doing business the right way come together? In this inspiring episode of PowerHouse SMART Cool Collabs, Wendy Cohen sits down with Ron Frisk, Managing Partner of Fuse MPLS, one of the Midwest's most respected luxury design showrooms and a true gathering place for the design community. Ron shares the remarkable e...

In this inspiring episode of the PowerHouse SMART® Cool Collabs Podcast, Wendy Cohen sits down with Robert Hull, President and Principal Designer of JMAD (James McNeal Architecture and Design), an award-winning residential architecture firm known for creating immersive, wellness-centered luxury homes across the country. With a unique background spanning both architecture and construction, Rob shar...

In Episode 40 of the PowerHouse SMART® Cool Collabs Podcast, Wendy Cohen welcomes dear friend and respected interior designer Michelle Rohrer-Lauer, Principal of Michelle’s Interiors, for a heartfelt conversation centered around mentorship, teamwork, gratitude, sustainability, and the human side of design. Michelle shares her inspiring journey from being encouraged by her artist aunt to pursue int...

What happens when operational strategy meets humanity, emotional intelligence, and purpose-driven leadership? In Episode 39 of the PowerHouse SMART® Cool Collabs Podcast, Wendy Cohen sits down with Julie Finelli — Founder of Root Work Collaborative and Director of People & Operations at Spinning Babies® — for an inspiring conversation about systems-thinking, organizational growth, employee exp...

What does it really take to build a meaningful and lasting career in real estate? In this inspiring episode of the PowerHouse SMART® Cool Collabs Podcast, Wendy Cohen sits down with Kim Lindquist, Vice President of Corporate Services at Edina Realty, for a heartfelt conversation about leadership, collaboration, mentorship, and the power of human connection in business. With more than 33 years in t...

In this heartfelt and wisdom-filled episode of the PowerHouse Cool Collabs Podcast , Wendy Cohen sits down with longtime colleague and respected industry leader Alan D. Lev, Chairman of Belgravia Group. What unfolds is far more than a conversation about business success. Alan shares his remarkable journey—from accounting and law to building one of Chicago’s most respected development firms—and rev...

In Episode 36 of the PowerHouse Cool Collabs Podcast, Wendy Cohen sits down with Tina Timm, Builder Development Manager at Water Doctors, to explore one of the most essential—yet often overlooked—elements of the home: water quality . With over 35 years in the building industry, Tina shares her evolution from working alongside builders to becoming a passionate advocate for healthier water systems—a...

Wendy Cohen welcomes Rory Rubin, Founded and CEO, S.I. Container Builds Inc., to the PowerHouse Cool Collabs podcast for a powerful conversation on purpose-driven leadership, modular construction, and the future of housing. In Episode 35, Wendy sits down with Rory to explore modular construction, container-based building, and the opportunities this innovative model creates for developers, nonprofi...

In Episode 34 of the PowerHouse Cool Collabs Podcast , Wendy Cohen sits down with Nikki Peters, Well-Being Intelligence Expert , to explore how wellness is transforming the built environment, workplace culture, and leadership. With a background in kinesiology, yoga, and entrepreneurship—including leadership roles with CorePower Yoga and founding Studio 9 to 5 —Nikki brings a unique perspective on...

In Episode 33 of PowerHouse Cool Collabs, host Wendy Cohen welcomes Lynn Walsh, Founder & President of Walsh Communications, one of the most trusted PR and marketing leaders in the IL/WI building industry.  Together they explore why builder marketing starts long before construction begins, how to find the true “hook” that earns media placement, and why reinvention, gratitude, and authentic rel...

In Episode 32 of PowerHouse Cool Collabs , Wendy sits down with longtime business friend and Carlson Dash Attorneys Founder/Principal Partner Jim Dash for a grounded, insightful conversation about protecting the business behind the passion. With more than 40 years of experience, Jim advises owners, designers, builders, and leaders across the construction and design industry. In this episode, Wendy...

In this inspiring episode of the PowerHouse Cool Collabs  Podcast, host Wendy Cohen welcomes the lovely and talented Jennifer McGraw, Principal & Founder of Jennifer McGraw PR, a leading publicist in the luxury home and design industry. Jennifer shares her journey from working at Rolling Stone Magazine in New York City to building a thriving yet boutique PR firm that serves bespoke interior de...

In this episode, Wendy Cohen, Founder of PowerHouse Companies and host of PowerHouse Cool Collabs , sits down with Philip Sassano, Founder and Principal of The Design Coach , for a soulful, 25-minute conversation designed for your daily commute. Cool Collabs invites you inside Wendy’s trusted inner circle — a curated community of the coolest, most thoughtful leaders in design, build, and real esta...

In this heart-opening episode, Wendy Cohen sits down with longtime friend, designer, and creative force Raad Ghantous to explore what it truly means to live — and lead — from wholeness. Together, they journey through themes of collaboration, gratitude, intentional living, and the courage it takes to keep evolving in a world that’s always changing. Raad shares the personal and professional path tha...

In this inspiring episode of PowerHouse Cool Collabs , Wendy Cohen reunites with longtime friend and industry icon Michael Menn , Principal Architect and Owner of Michael Menn Ltd. (MM Ltd.) , for The Journey of a Builder of Relationships . Together, they explore the evolution of an extraordinary design-build firm built on integrity, collaboration, and heart-centered leadership. As Michael shares...

When the soul whispers, “There’s more,” the heart must listen. Katie Johnson shares her remarkable journey from a profit-driven career in pharmaceutical sales to co-founding Revolved , a nonprofit born from faith, humility, and a calling to serve. In this heartfelt conversation with Wendy Cohen, Katie reveals how a leap into the unknown led her to Africa, to Wild Hope , and to discovering a new rh...

In this heartfelt episode of  PowerHouse Cool Collabs , I sit down with my dear friend and soul sister  Elizabeth Cohen  — a woman whose journey from fashion to design business leadership is as inspiring as it is generous. Elizabeth helped grow  Studio M Interiors  from 6 to 25 designers, blending strategy with soul. Now, through  E C Consulting Ltd. , she’s guiding other design firms toward growt...

In Episode 24 of PowerHouse Cool Collabs , host Wendy Cohen welcomes longtime friend and trusted PowerHouse SMART leader Nancy Jacobson, Founder of Kitchen Design Partners. As Nancy celebrates her firm’s 20th anniversary this October, she reflects on a journey built on mutual respect, partnership, and design expertise. From spectacular kitchens that showcase the artistry of collaboration with arch...

Episode 24 of the PowerHouse Cool Collabs podcast, Wendy Cohen  sits down with  Mary Pat Wallace , Founder of  The Luxury Bed Collection . A Chicago native and 30-year design industry veteran, Mary Pat has turned her own search for rest into a lifelong mission: to elevate sleep as the foundation of health, joy, and living well. Her journey began as a young mother and entrepreneur who simply couldn...

In this episode of PowerHouse Cool Collabs , Wendy Cohen sits down with interior designer and entrepreneur Bria Hammel, whose journey from her first sales role at Ethan Allen to launching Bria Hammel Interiors while nine months pregnant is nothing short of inspiring. Bria shares how she built two celebrated firms—Bria Hammel Interiors and Brooke & Lou—through fearless learning, organic growth,...

What does it take to scale with both purpose and momentum? In this episode of PowerHouse Cool Collabs , Wendy Cohen sits down with Leanne Reichhoff , Founder, CEO + Marketing Strategist of Re3 Creative , a visionary leader who has grown her firm into a full-scale agency with two fabulous partners and a talented 15-person team. Leanne opens up about her own path—why clarity, connection, and convers...

In this episode of  PowerHouse Cool Collabs , Wendy Cohen sits down with architectural interior designer Lauren Coburn, whose creative path blends fine art, architecture, sustainability, and soulful leadership. From growing up in a family of artists in Michigan to launching her career under design icons Stanley Tigerman and Margaret McCurry, Lauren shares the highs, the hurdles, and the heart that...