Natalie Hartkopf: Sameness is the Real Risk

What happens when you refuse to follow the industry’s playbook? In this episode of Play with Matches, Natalie Hartkopf, co-owner and chair of Hightower, shares how independence, curiosity, and collaboration have shaped one of the most distinctive brands in contract furniture.From rethinking product development to challenging trade show norms and pushing for real supply chain transparency, Natalie makes a compelling case for why differentiation—not scale—is the true competitive advantage.In a market full of lookalikes, sameness isn’t safe. It’s the risk.Hightower | Show TranscriptThink you’d make a great guest on Play with Matches? We’d love to hear from you. UpSpring is a strategic PR, marketing, and growth partner for firms and product companies shaping the built environment. For more than 17 years, the agency has helped architecture, design, development, and building product brands turn expertise into market authority.Learn more about UpSpring: Website | LinkedIn | Instagram