Absolutely, the inspiration behind what I'm about to announce today goes back to a pivotal moment in a Las Vegas conference room. I vividly remember sitting in the conference room of a project we were working on when I noticed and asked about several Instagram and Pinterest screen grabs pinned on what they called their "design wall." The answer surprised me—they were using social media platforms like Pinterest and Instagram to find design inspiration. It was that moment when I realized that while these platforms were great for general use, they didn't cater specifically to the needs of the design industry. That moment was my "Ah, Ha!" moment. I realized that there was a significant gap—an opportunity to create a social platform tailored specifically for the design community. Throughout 2011, I reached out to colleagues in the design space, gathering feedback on this concept. It led to my first attempt, a small business called "CPAD,". CPAD failed because at the time I did not know or understand the difference between a small business and a tech startup. After a major financial setback and having to start from zero, in 2014, I regrouped, formed an amazing team and launched my second attempt, a tech startup named "Dezignwall". The journey wasn't without its challenges. Pitching investors was particularly daunting; I often encountered responses like, "Oh, interior design? My wife designed our home!" Despite setbacks and lessons learned the hard way, we held onto Dezignwall until December of 2017, when we simply ran out of funding to stay open. Like I said earlier, I took several years to focus on other programs, ventures and projects. But I've remained steadfast in my belief that the design community deserves a dedicated platform. One where professionals can connect, collaborate, and access tools specifically designed to help them grow their businesses—something larger platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and TikTok simply still can not address. Which leads to this interview—an exciting relaunch under a new name. It's a project that embodies my passion for community and my commitment to empowering designers and industry professionals.

My artistic journey began in my youth and continues into my adult life. Originally, I started my business when I was living in Summit County and skiing frequently while working at the ski resort. People would often approach me with their art ideas, and I would bring those ideas to life. One significant project was updating the Summit Stage logo for T-shirts worn by bus drivers. Eventually, someone noticed my work and incorporated it into their business. In addition to graphic design (imagine, before computers!), I fulfilled various requests from clients. After traveling across the US and moving to California twice, I settled in Denver. There, I advertised my business in the newspaper, offering graphic design services such as resumes and business cards, alongside my part-time teaching. Years later, I secured a position as a Tile Painter at a major tile company, creating murals and decorations for homes, offices, and buildings. Following a layoff after 14 years, I continued offering my artistic services independently, as demand for my style persisted. My work includes a permanent tile mural in the original Buell Mansion in Cherry Hills Village and features in various media outlets such as Channel 7, Colorado Homes & Lifestyle magazine, and the Denver Post. My artwork has been showcased in the Parade of Homes in Colorado and sold extensively throughout the US and internationally, including in Taiwan and England. Additionally, I sell prints and occasionally delve into photography, drawing inspiration from my travels and hiking expeditions, some of which are available on ViewBug.com. I've exhibited my paintings in numerous venues, including restaurants, coffee shops, and metaphysical stores. Currently, some of my work is displayed at LitWood Creations, an art gallery in Blackhawk, Colorado, where it will be indefinitely showcased. If you find yourself in the area, take a break from gambling and drop by to see it! Do I love creating art and sharing it with others? Absolutely! It's a fulfilling career that began as a dream and has become my reality.

Before diving into the world of Design Tank, my journey began in the design space as a custom lighting designer for high-end residential, commercial, and hospitality projects globally. I honed my skills by working in-house for two companies, Triton Chandelier and Alger Lighting, before branching out to consult for 28 of the top custom lighting companies. In 2014, I took a leap of faith and launched my second tech startup, Dezignwall. This venture marked a pivotal moment in my career, as it propelled me into the world of technology while still maintaining a strong connection to the design industry. Since then, I've worn many hats - from hosting podcasts and producing shows to organizing virtual events and even hosting an HGTV Reunion. Along the way, I've authored over 25 books, founded several dozen more tech startups, and served as an advisor to countless others. Throughout this journey, I've always had "one foot in tech, and the other firmly planted in the design industry." And it's this unique blend of experiences that inspired me to create Design Tank - a platform where design professionals can come together to innovate, collaborate, and thrive.

I was a Diversity Coordinator from 2010 to 2015 for a municipality that was experiencing social inclusion issues due to rapid population growth and the diversity of its newcomers. After that, I moved to Alberta and founded my own family. Given my extensive experience in community and international development and with core skills in research, public speaking, project management, consulting, stakeholder engagement, and strategy, my first instinct was to establish my own consulting business to achieve that flexibility and diversity of opportunities and challenges not found in regular full time jobs. Lo and behold, I'm now at the 6th year of my consulting practice and I can bravely say that for those who are scared of trying to build their own business because of the economics of the times, please don't. You will never know the extent and depth of your skills, character, and the opportunities that lie await if you don't try and really go for the big win.

When it was time to go to college, I got talked out of Interior Design because everyone said I’d have to move to Toronto to be successful and I didn’t want to move to Toronto. I ended up taking Pre-Health Science, Holistic Nutrition and Marketing, but I still yearned for design. Shortly after getting married and becoming pregnant, I decided to go back to school to take the Interior Decorating program at Conestoga College. I LOVED it! After graduating, I thought I’d get a job marketing for a new home builder or a design firm or something else similar, but I loved design so much that I started working for a window treatment company instead. Shortly thereafter, I began working for a kitchen and bath design company but it’s reserved, quiet culture wasn’t a good fit for my jovial, outspoken nature. So I decided that instead of getting another job, I would go into business for myself and that’s when I got started on creating my virtual interior design business, Orangetree Interiors.

That's a great question! Before PSP Compass, my business partner and I worked at another marketing agency. While there were definitely talented marketers there, we witnessed a recurring trend: a gap in understanding between clients and the value marketing brings to their businesses. Businesses often lacked guidance on the "why" behind marketing strategies and tactics. It wasn't necessarily about bad marketing; plenty of skilled companies were out there. But we felt a more personal touch was missing, a true partnership where clients weren't left in the dark about the "how" and "why" of their marketing efforts. This observation became a turning point for us. We saw a need for a marketing agency that not only delivered results but also empowered clients through education. Businesses, especially small and large business owners making significant investments, deserve a partner who helps them understand the industry. We wanted to bridge that gap by demystifying the "why" behind marketing strategies. Digital marketing can be a world of ambiguity, especially concerning online advertising. Our vision was to bridge the gap between theoretical strategy discussions and the practical realities of online implementation. We believe in the crucial role of data analysis—it's often a process of elimination to understand what works and what doesn't. However, clients are paying for that valuable data, and it's our responsibility to keep them informed and involved in the decision-making process. This desire to educate and empower clients became the driving force behind PSP Compass. We want to be the compass that guides businesses to their marketing destination and the journey of understanding how they got there.