My design and leadership philosophies run in tandem. Have absolute conviction in your process and your people, and you will never second guess the results.

You can't bullshit a bullshitter

I would like to thank my grandfather for this one. I can't place the exact historical context of the quote other than I was trying to bull shit him, I was nine, and it didn't work. It's not a design style but my approach to design, leave the bull shit at the door. Maybe that makes me minimalists, I wouldn't know. Architectural minimalism, art minimalism, minimalistic food and on and on. That's part of the bull shit. I don't set out to read design books and publications to talk at soirees about what some boy genius is designing in LA. I am just as likely to read a trade magazine, interior design blog or just sit in a cool space and await inspiration.

Tacos

I just want you to know I love tacos.  I started making them at a young age at Taco Bell and never looked back.

When someone asks you about something, you had to overcome in your career that made you successful I think about making tacos 15 years ago.  Not the time I got laid off, collected unemployment and then eventually worked retail at nearly 30 years old, but the summer I spent making tacos.  Unemployment was situational.  Tacos were foundational.  There was no shame or embarrassment.  Working at Taco Bell as a teenager wasn't exactly a badge of honor and the outfit was no chick magnet.  The hours were horrible, I stunk after work, and it was a death blow to my summer social calendar.  As if I had one.  The experience was an opportunity to learn about hard work, making money and appreciating what it took to operate a successful business.  Yes, the small business Taco Bell MBA.  Did you know that the cheese on a taco is one of the most expensive parts?  The metrics of a profitable taco relies on each taco being applied the right ounces cheese.  Half an ounce more per taco can lead to hundreds if not thousands of dollars in additional costs.  Cheese meetings with the boss were a big deal.  So I have an appreciation for the taco and its intricacies of ingredients and income.  Getting laid off just sucked and carried with it no more than the message that maybe I sucked at my job.  Ok, sure probably a valuable lesson in there, but I like the taco story better. 

Aggregation

Its one of my favorite words.  It’s neck and neck with holistically without reference towards medicine or taking periwinkle wart extract when I have a headache.  The words seem disconnected but what they both highlight in their way is the idea of bringing many things together to make one.  It’s a philosophy that reverberates through all aspects of my professional persona.  I think it is critical to assemble UNLIKE minded people and styles to produce a comprehensive solution to any problem.  The approach ensures that all aspects are in consideration even if it brings tension to a team.  I like to draw the detail minded together with the prominent thinkers.  The realists with the dreamers.  Oh and the deal junkies together with the accountants is a site to watch.  Now if anyone cares to revisit my written track record you will find hints of disdain for some collaboration (everyone relaxes) and a secret crush on the lone designer approach.  I still feel there is room in the world for the rogue designer.  Life is all about balance.