Enjoy insights from our Principal, Kenneth Roberts, and his experience at the Pearl Collective Boardroom Retreat.
I’ve just returned from the mile-high city of Denver, CO, where I had the privilege of attending another incredible Pearl Collective Boardroom retreat. For those unfamiliar, Pearl Collective is an organization dedicated to empowering interior design firm owners. They orchestrate an annual boardroom retreat that brings together over 60 design firm owners and their leadership teams for a four-day immersive experience focused on collaboration and business growth strategies.
This year, Studio Designer partnered with Pearl Collective to enhance the retreat experience. The Pearl Collective team curated an outstanding program that left attendees inspired and equipped with valuable insights.
Day One: Mastering Business Growth & Company Culture
The speaker sessions kicked off with Brian Kerlin’s enlightening talk, “A Path to Success: Overcoming Founder-Led Growth Challenges.” Brian shared invaluable information about developing effective sales processes and understanding lead generation metrics. His insights on calculating the number of monthly leads needed to achieve business goals were particularly eye-opening, keeping the audience fully engaged.
Following a lively lunch discussion, we were treated to a dynamic presentation by Sean Glaze. As a former high school basketball coach and teacher, Sean now specializes in team building and culture development for companies. His interactive session delved into the essence of organizational culture and who bears responsibility for shaping it.
One of the highlights was taking the Animal Personality Test from the Smalley Center. It was fascinating to see how the group divided into Lions, Otters, Retrievers, and Beavers. I discovered I’m an Otter, falling into the “influential” category – fun and engaging, but not always detail-oriented. The description felt spot-on!
Sean introduced us to the POINT method for giving employee feedback:
- Permission- Asking to give feedback
- Objectively describe behavior
- Identify the impact on the team
- Negotiate next steps
- Track progress
This framework provided valuable guidance on addressing team members based on their animal personality type. The subsequent role-playing exercises were both entertaining and insightful, demonstrating how attendees navigate challenging employee interactions.
The day concluded with a themed “Glamping and Glitter” party, filled with great fun, refreshing drinks, and plenty of laughter.
Day Two: Wellness in the Workplace
The second day featured three Boardroom alumni discussing “Balance & Business: A Journey of Health & Wellness.” Lisa Kahn, Matthew Tenzin, and Cindy Aplanalp-Ruzicka shared their experiences integrating wellness into their lives and businesses.
Each speaker’s journey was remarkable:
- Matthew once lived as a monk
- Cindy’s husband experienced significant health improvements through cold plunge therapy
- Lisa has successfully incorporated health and wellness principles into every design she creates for her clients
Unfortunately, I had to depart early for the “What’s New, What’s Next” event in New York City, missing the final day of the retreat. However, the experience left me feeling rejuvenated and excited about the future of our industry.
Conclusion
The Pearl Collective Boardroom retreat, masterfully organized by founders Gail and Erin and their dedicated team, consistently delivers a transformative experience. Their carefully curated itinerary ensures that every attendee leaves with actionable insights and a renewed sense of purpose.
These events powerfully remind me of the value of community, continuous learning, and holistic approaches to business growth in the design industry. I’m already looking forward to the next opportunity to connect and grow with this inspiring group of professionals.
About Pearl Collective
Pearl Collective empowers interior design business owners to thrive, enabling them to earn more, worry less, and enjoy better relationships with their clients and teams.
Their programs are for rising design firms who want to effectively manage their business in alignment with their personal goals and values. It’s a place for you to obtain business clarity, confidence, prosperity, and fulfillment, as well as to be a part of a tribe of like-minded professionals who have your back and challenge you to be better.
Visit the Pearl Collective’s website to learn more about its team and the various programs it offers.
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