207: Jamie Stern, Woven Resistance | Special Industry Spotlight

This is a special Industry Spotlight episode of Design Biz Survival Guide. This supplemental format is designed to highlight brands and partners that support designers both creatively and professionally. This is our way of sharing valuable information and resources for your business with you, our loyal listeners.

Today we're speaking with brand founder Jamie Stern and the brand's Creative Director, William Oberlin. In this episode, we explore the brand's rich history, their commitment to the design community, and their innovative approach to engaging designers. Jamie and William also share a community activation that is near and dear to their hearts: Woven Resistance, a rug design exhibition and auction featuring a diverse cross-section of the design community benefiting PFLAG and the Sierra Club. This impactful program is a brilliant example of the intersection of social consciousness and creative expression.

SHOW HIGHLIGHTS

• The origin story of Jamie Stern and Jamie's nearly 50-year career in the design industry
• How the brand evolved from independent representation into a national, employee-based sales network
• The expansion of the Jamie Stern product lines: furniture, custom wool carpet, leather, and textiles
• The company's long-standing commitment to being trade-only
• The evolution of the New York showroom into a dynamic, event-driven space for the design community
• The inspiration behind Woven Resistance and its focus on activism through design
• The collaboration with 14 designers to create one-of-a-kind rug art pieces
• How the online auction and in-person events are raising funds for PFLAG and the Sierra Club

NOTABLE QUOTES

• "On my 20th birthday was my first day in sales, and I've been doing this ever since."
• "We now have 14 designers who have created amazing rug art."
• "We don't want to be controversial, but… we just want to bring that into our business."
• "We're very successful. We're making beautiful product, but now we want to also guide it into doing the right thing."

SUPPORTING RESOURCES

• View the online auction and support Woven Resistance: https://www.wovenresistancebyjamiestern.com/lite-ui/?controller=home
• Explore the Jamie Stern brand: https://jamiesterndesign.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jamiesterndesign/