101 S. Hamilton St. Shuttle Stop: 15 (Red Line) Neighborhood: Commerce Concourse Corporate Phone: 336.822.8888
Universal Furniture International, Inc.
Add to MyMarketUniversal Furniture creates quality furnishings for the whole home with a focus on function and lifestyle. The company’s casegood, upholstery, accent and accessory designs are developed under the brand names Universal Furniture, Miranda Kerr Home, and Coastal Living, and sold through retailers and interior designers throughout North America and around the world. Founded in 1968, Universal Furniture is a brand of Samson Holdings, one of the world’s largest vertically integrated furniture manufacturers. For more information, please visit www.universalfurniture.com, or find us on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest @UniversalFurn.
Get the Facts: The CPSC Ruling and What it Means for Retailers and Interior Designers
Educational Universal Furniture International, Inc., 101 S. Hamilton St. Neighborhood: Commerce Concourse Shuttle Stop: 15 (Red Line)
Regulatory and compliance issues can be complicated, and there is a lot to know regarding the CPSC ruling, the Study Act and new ASTM guidelines. Join Bill Perdue, AHFA’s vice president of regulatory affairs, as he breaks down the new guidelines and how it affects retailers and interior designers. What are manufacturers doing to address the ruling? When does it go into effect? How will this impact my business? Get the answers to all these questions and more on April 21 at 10 a.m. in the Universal Furniture Learning Center.
Speakers: Bill Perdue
The Building Blocks of a Firm's Financials
Educational Universal Furniture International, Inc., 101 S. Hamilton St. Neighborhood: Commerce Concourse Shuttle Stop: 15 (Red Line)
Join interior designer, business mentor, and founder of The Gloss for Interior Designers, Traci Connell, for an intimate discussion with Co-Founder and Principal of The Dove Agency, Beth Bender, to discuss tactics to streamline the back-end financials of a design firm to pave the way for financial growth and firm expansion.
Speakers: Traci Connell, Beth Bender
Discover the Art of Design: Big Cities vs. Small Towns
Educational Universal Furniture International, Inc., 101 S. Hamilton St. Neighborhood: Commerce Concourse Shuttle Stop: 15 (Red Line)
Where we live affects our experiences and relationships as well as our styles and aesthetics. Whether it is to reflect the energy of a thriving metropolis or to capture the charm of a quaint town, clients have different wants and needs based on where they call home. Join us as we dive into the diverse world of design across the country and take a closer look at how designers from big cities and small towns provide for their clients. Discussions will include: The dynamic relationship between location and design style, wants, and needs; and the unique design needs and styles of urban and rural clients.
Speakers: Julie Palm, Robert Ventolo, Christian Daw, Marta Mitchell
How to Set Flat Rates to Earn More with Less Stress
Educational Universal Furniture International, Inc., 101 S. Hamilton St. Neighborhood: Commerce Concourse Shuttle Stop: 15 (Red Line)
Tired of losing hours each week creating and adjusting hourly invoices? Ready to trade tracking time for earning what you deserve all the time? Then join designer business coach, Melissa Galt for this masterclass in how to set flat rates with defined deliverables, so your profit is protected and your client has confidence and clarity. The added bonus is you’ll know your cash flow at all times and your client can manage their interior investment with ease.
Speakers: Melissa Galt
The New Client Journey: How To Attract, Close, & Onboard Every Ideal Client
Educational Universal Furniture International, Inc., 101 S. Hamilton St. Neighborhood: Commerce Concourse Shuttle Stop: 15 (Red Line)
Don't let that perfect client slip by you! This session will begin with specific marketing methods to attract potential clients, managing the Discovery Call, moving to the Consultation, Design Agreement, and finally, Client Onboarding. Downloads will include: The Discovery Call Guide To Success, The In-Home Consultation Questionnaire, and my Client Onboarding System.
Speakers: John McClain
Cultivating a Firm Culture
Educational Universal Furniture International, Inc., 101 S. Hamilton St. Neighborhood: Commerce Concourse Shuttle Stop: 15 (Red Line)
A design firm's culture can often be the breaking point between success and a mess. Hear from some of the nation's top design firm leaders, including moderator Laura Umansky of Laura U Design Collective. They will share how they created and maintained a positive, collaborative firm culture. Attendees will learn how to hire the right team members, tactics for fostering workplace relationships, and how to handle employee conflicts.
Speakers: Laura Umansky, Bryan Yates, Lorna Gross, Morgan Farrow
How to Become a Wildly In-Demand Designer
Educational Universal Furniture International, Inc., 101 S. Hamilton St. Neighborhood: Commerce Concourse Shuttle Stop: 15 (Red Line)
How would your business transform if you had unending potential clients just begging to work with you? I'm going to show you why it’s important to make the shift from being overworked and under-appreciated, to hand-selecting your clients, skyrocketing your profits and joy… while still having a life. After this workshop, you will be ready to: 1. price your projects for profit 2. scale your business while you focus on what you love 3. build a pipeline full of raving, referring, ideal clients.
Speakers: Sandra Funk
Niching in Vacation Rental Design
Educational Universal Furniture International, Inc., 101 S. Hamilton St. Neighborhood: Commerce Concourse Shuttle Stop: 15 (Red Line)
Once you’ve declared your short-term rental design services or specialty, what does it take to build your brand, identify the ideal client, and get hired? Jessica Duce of JDuce Design and Vacation Rental Designers, Olaniyi Swarn, Margie Kaercher and Tatianna Taylor-Tait reveal what it takes to establish authority in this growing and fast-paced design space. Moderated by Ericka Saurit, Saurit Creative with introductions by Jane Dagmi, HPxD.
Speakers: Ericka Saurit, Jessica Duce, Tatianna Taylor-Tait, Margie Kaercher, Olaniyi Swarn
Why You Need a Sales Ecosystem
Educational Universal Furniture International, Inc., 101 S. Hamilton St. Neighborhood: Commerce Concourse Shuttle Stop: 15 (Red Line)
In today's digital environment, setting up a sales and marketing ecosystem is essential to take your interior design business to greater heights. Composed of eight distinct parts, each component of your system needs to interact with the others to ensure client acquisition and retention. Join our panel of experts as we dive into the specifics of each segment of the sales and marketing ecosystem, and learn about how they support one another to build a flourishing legacy brand that will outperform the competition. Moderated by Nicole Kasak of A Design Partnership.
Speakers: Amber Guyton, Joshua Smith, Karen Wolf, Lance Thomas, Nicole Kasak, Amy Forshew
Crossover Interior Design
Educational Universal Furniture International, Inc., 101 S. Hamilton St. Neighborhood: Commerce Concourse Shuttle Stop: 15 (Red Line)
Classically, crossovers are the perfect marriage of modern design and traditional elements - it’s beautiful when done right. The panelists in this discussion acknowledge that art, design, fashion, and technology speak similar languages. Join moderator Charmaine Wynter as these respected names from residential and hospitality design share how crossovers can positively impact your business. Q & A to follow.
Speakers: David Cohen, Charmaine Wynter, Stacy Garcia, Gary Inman, Kymberlyn Lacy, David Santiago, Nicole Baxter, Aakash Patel
The Big Picture: Sourcing Art Like a Pro
Educational Universal Furniture International, Inc., 101 S. Hamilton St. Neighborhood: Commerce Concourse Shuttle Stop: 15 (Red Line)
Is finding art an arduous task? In a world of infinite possibilities where do you start? Join Business of Home Editor in Chief Kaitlin Petersen as she talks with artists, art brokers and interior designers about the process of sourcing art.
Speakers: Kaitlin Petersen, Allyson Monson, Eleanor Scott Davis, Christine Wexler, Carol Romanoff, Bets Miller
Creating a Luxury Look…For Less!
Educational Universal Furniture International, Inc., 101 S. Hamilton St. Neighborhood: Commerce Concourse Shuttle Stop: 15 (Red Line)
Top designers share their go-to brands and design tricks for a luxe-space. No matter the budget, it’s never enough - so what are the most important elements to focus on? And which brands do you go to for big impact without breaking the budget? This all-star cast will share successful budget friendly finds and design tips from their most gorgeous projects, including sharing their own designs available at Market.
Speakers: Erin Valencich, Megan Molton, Kristi Nelson, Diane Falvey, Thom Filicia
The Power of YOU
Educational Universal Furniture International, Inc., 101 S. Hamilton St. Neighborhood: Commerce Concourse Shuttle Stop: 15 (Red Line)
We're constantly under pressure and told how to think, act, and grow our businesses. Doubting yourself? Coach and consultant Ginna Christensen helps clients regain self-trust & allow their gut, intuition, creative ideas, & values to determine the way forward. During this interactive presentation, we'll focus on one tool: Human Design. We’ll see practical tools to avoid burnout, while feeling more confident, satisfied, and successful. Following The Power of You, Christensen will be offering 20-minute power coaching sessions to the 1st four people to sign up. Click https://ginnachristensen.as.me/20MinPowerSession to claim your spot-please indicate a time slot (3:30, 3:50, 4:10, or 4:30). Session will be held in the Designer Lounge.
Speakers: Ginna Christensen
AD Editors on the Art of the Pitch—and the New AD PRO Directory
Educational Universal Furniture International, Inc., 101 S. Hamilton St. Neighborhood: Commerce Concourse Shuttle Stop: 15 (Red Line)
Join Architectural Digest editors Lila Allen and Mel Studach as they spill insider tips for getting your projects in front of editors—and ensuring that they’re seen in their best light. Prepare to take notes as Allen and Studach share intel on pitching your work to journalists, common missteps to avoid, and tips on expanding your reach with AD’s newest tool, the AD PRO Directory. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just starting out, this session will help you position your portfolio in a way that entices editors and future clients alike.
Speakers: Lila Allen, Mel Studach
How to Build a Team and Avoid Burnout
Educational Universal Furniture International, Inc., 101 S. Hamilton St. Neighborhood: Commerce Concourse Shuttle Stop: 15 (Red Line)
The last two years have seen an intense demand for design and burnout is at an all time high. Master building the right team for your firm with designer business coach, Melissa Galt. You’ll learn whether to outsource or hire locally, making the right hire the first time, how to craft an irresistible job description, and what to pay & how to manage your team. And you’ll know what to delegate to reclaim your time & energy. -How to Identify What to Delegate to Avoid Overwhelm -How to Document Your Processes so You Minimize Time in Training -Where to Find Great Talent Fast Online and Offline -Key Interviewing Tips so You Hire Right the First Time -How to Build a Team Online & Offline that You Can Rely on to Build Your Business
Speakers: Melissa Galt
UNIVERSAL DEBUTS NEWLY UPDATED FORMS WITH A HINT OF THE PAST
Classics come modern with Universal Furniture’s Newstalgia collection, debuting at this fall’s High Point Furniture Market. With updated styles for today that have origins in yesteryear, Newstalgia brings timeless silhouettes up to date with clean architectural elements and fresh finishes.
ERINN V. x UNIVERSAL FURNITURE COMPLETE LINE DEBUTS AT FALL MARKET
Los Angeles based interior and product designer Erinn Valencich and Universal Furniture offered an amuse-bouche of their bold and progressive collaboration at High Point Market in the spring. This fall, they’ll be serving the main course.
UNIVERSAL FURNITURE TO HOST HALF UNITED AT FALL MARKET
Universal Furniture will host nonprofit HALF UNITED at its showroom and Learning Center during High Point Market this fall. HALF UNITED is a North Carolina-based brand that fights hunger and poverty through the sale of home goods and apparel made by artisans in Haiti, Peru, Mexico and other countrie
UNIVERSAL FURNITURE ANNOUNCES OCTOBER 2022 MARKET EVENTS
Universal Furniture’s in-person learning events ramp up to speed this fall, featuring industry heavy hitters like Traditional Home’s Krissa Rossbund, product and interior designer Erinn Valencich, interior design coach Gail Doby, and interior design business coach and author Melissa Galt.
ERINN V. x UNIVERSAL FURNITURE ENGAGES IN BOLD, MODERN RISKS FOR A STUNNING PAYOFF
Described as bold and progressive, the collaboration between Los Angeles based interior and product designer Erinn Valencich and Universal Furniture debuts this spring to deliver a fashion forward furnishings collection with modern European, Japanese and California influences
UNIVERSAL FURNITURE DEBUTS FABRIC DESIGNED BY LOCAL ART INGENUE
Universal Furniture is pleased to announce a special addition to their Spring Market showroom—the Bahia Honda Accent Chair upholstered in a custom Kandinsky-inspired fabric created by high school junior Isabella Rocque. The chair will be part of a silent auction at the Universal showroom.
UNIVERSAL FURNITURE UNVEILS UPDATED DESIGNER’S LOUNGE
Universal Furniture is pleased to announce a completely re-imagined Designer’s Lounge, just in time for Spring Market. Open Friday, April 1 from noon – 6 p.m. and April 2-5 from 9 a.m. – 6 p.m., Universal’s Designer Lounge is sponsored by RUE Magazine and features Crypton Home Fabric + Regina Andrew