Success – Oana Write (Thoughtfulicious)

Emily Lindemann Coeur Interior Design Denver

Emily Lindemann: Interior Design

June 30, 2023June 30, 2023Leave a comment

I don’t know that I ever imagined owning my own firm. I’ve always been a self-motivated and driven person. I think it probably always made sense that that’s where I would go eventually.[…] It’s been an amazing journey, an incredible challenge as well as a unique blessing, and I wouldn’t change a minute of it.–Emily Lindemann

Being a mom and a successful entrepreneur and business woman is not easy. However, Emily Lindemann made it happen. Read about her path to success, the challenges along the way, and her savvy advice.-Oana Harrison

Emily Lindemann is the principal and director of Denver based interior design firm RugglesMabe, and owner of Coeur Cabinet and Curated Interiors. She is a member of the Design Leadership Network, an exclusive, invitation only, network of leading architecture and interior design firm principals in the U.S.

With a Bachelor of Science in apparel design and production, and a minor in business administration from Colorado State University, Emily applies her strong background in textiles and high-end design to both businesses. Her unique approach to residential design blends traditional with modern aesthetics. She creates beautiful spaces incorporating rich textures into classic and timeless designs, creating balanced and joyful environments.

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Dr. Christin L. Roberson presenting in front of an audience

Dr. Christin L. Roberson, Ed.D: Career Coach

June 22, 2023June 30, 2023Leave a comment

Sometimes there is a discrepancy between who you are and what you do for a living. You should feel proud of the institution where you’re working and the work you’re doing. If you are unhappy at work and feel a disconnect, you might want to reconsider your direction.-Dr. Roberson

Changing careers mid-way can be challenging but also rewarding. Although there are many good books and other resources on the subject, I find it helpful to learn from people around me who actually went through the process successfully. I talked with Dr. Christin Roberson who transitioned from a long career in higher education to owning her career coaching business, The Career Doc. She candidly shared her experience and offered valuable advice.-Oana Harrison

Dr. Christin L. Roberson, Ed.D, is a Gallup-Certified Clifton Strengths and Career Coach who helps individuals learn about their talents and how to best utilize them to achieve a fulfilling career and life. She recently pivoted from a 15+ years career in higher education into recruiting in the tech industry and now provides full-time career services.

Her educational background includes a Doctorate in Higher Education Leadership from Azusa Pacific University, a Master’s in Educational Organization and Leadership with a concentration in Higher Education from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Alverno College.

Dr. Roberson has been featured as a guest on Gallup’s podcast, Called to Coach, presented at the 2017 CliftonStrengths Summit, and completed Strengths Certification Training in Higher Education at Azusa Pacific University.

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Karla Pámanes: Graphic Design

April 9, 2023Leave a comment

It’s crazy how this was a dream and now it’s here. I think back on how scared I was of being on my own, in my career and in my personal life. I knew it would be a challenging path and I just had to focus on the good stuff, on my work and my son. Now, I’m excited to teach everything I have learned about brand design from my 15 years of experience in my course and to help my clients with their brand identity needs. Being on your own is a lot of work, but it’s been good and I’m grateful—when it gets overwhelming, I just take a step back, look at everything I have accomplished so far, and say to myself: I got this.

Karla is an award-winning designer, branding expert, and mentor based out of San Antonio, Texas. She has designed for brands such as HGTV, Food Network, Facebook, in addition to several other amazing companies. Her focus is on building branding that tells a story and reflects the core values of a company. Her motto is to “be the person you needed when you were younger”. She created “The Brand Design Academy” to share the knowledge and experience she has learned over her 15 years of experience with corporate brands and small businesses.

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Keith McDaniel: Filmmaker at Secret City Films and Executive Director, Knoxville Film Festival

March 3, 2017April 14, 2021Leave a comment

It is no secret that Keith McDaniel started and successfully organized the Secret City Film Festival in Oak Ridge for a number of years. He brought to light an important piece of American history: The Clinton 12. He brought his passion for film to Knoxville via the Knoxville Film Festival. Now, Keith is sharing his film and production knowledge with students at Carson-Newman, his alma mater, while serving as a marketing professional within the school’s University Relations.

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Joe Kyte/”Topiary Joe”: Topiary Artist

February 22, 2017April 14, 2021Leave a comment

Joe Kyte found his inspiration in the topiary characters adorning Disney World. A character himself, he left his six-figure job to pursue his dreams and built a profitable business while playing with wire and turf. His works are now putting smiles on clients’ faces worldwide and are guaranteed to keep Topiary Joe smiling too.

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Kelly Fletcher: CEO, Kelly Fletcher PR

February 7, 2017April 14, 2021Leave a comment

Creativity is one of her strong suits and she has used it to create her own reality. Kelly Fletcher is a free spirit and wanted to have a fulfilling personal life as a single mother while having a great professional life at the same time. Ten years ago, she opened her own PR and Marketing firm Kelly Fletcher PR and never looked back. Now she is sharing the lessons she learned with other women in a desire to motivate and inspire them to define their own success.

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Bobbie Dunn: Owner, Alpha Omega Hair Design

February 1, 2017April 14, 20212 Comments

If you “Google” the name Bobbie Dunn, you will see a top listing for Bobbie Dunn the comedic actor responsible for generating laughs in several Laurel and Hardy comedies and another listing for an award-winning interior designer. This is one of those serendipitous things since the Bobbie Dunn I interviewed – the owner of Alpha Omega Hair Design in downtown Knoxville – confessed that she both liked to make people laugh and would have loved to be an interior designer. But her true calling is cutting hair, and being around people is her forte. Her clients often become her friends and she is glad to count Pat Summitt among those special people. Read about Bobbie’s journey from a small town in Appalachia to finding success as a Knoxville entrepreneur.

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Larsen Jay: Founder & CEO, Random Acts of Flowers

January 8, 2017April 14, 2021Leave a comment

Many have written about Larsen Jay and his now nationally-present charity Random Acts of Flowers. However, as it often happens with success, we only see the tip of the iceberg – the end-result, the success – but are not privy to the rest of the story. What happens before success is achieved and how does one get to it? I sat down one afternoon and asked Larsen about his paths and passions, understanding more about the man behind so many great production projects and great initiatives benefiting the Knoxville community.

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Success is Personal

January 6, 2017April 14, 2021Leave a comment

Many times I’ve thought about the notion of success and questioned its definition. I figured out that it’s really different for everyone but here is what I gathered, in a nutshell.

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