Today we’d like to introduce you to Michael Wright
Hi Michael, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I was all in on becoming a Marine. All through high school I was in JROTC determined to become a soldier. It wasn’t until the last semester of my senior year that I had an art teacher who changed my life. I was very regimented and by the book. She truly opened my eyes and showed me you don’t have to live in a box to get results. She basically unlocked my creativity and I never looked back. I have been designing luxury interiors now since 2000 and am truly passionate about my career. I have had the privilege of working in 7 different markets in all types of companies. I recently obtained my Certified Kitchen and Bath Designer certification and also am the current President of the Ohio State Chapter of the National Kitchen and Bath Association. I have finally met my soul mate, Christine, and we have decided to plant our roots here in Northeast Ohio. We are in the beginning stages of purchasing the Cleveland Tile and Cabinet Company. The company is 94 years old and I’m honored to be able to take the reigns for the next several years.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Having worked in so many different markets I got to see a lot of good and bad ways of doing business not just in practices but also services offered. The biggest commonality I would say is that no man is an island and the most successful people in this industry are surrounded by a team that has specialized roles. I was in Hilton Head when the economy crashed in 2008. I was working for a company who was a cabinet only contractor who specializing in designing spaces for some of the most discerning clientele. Most of the projects were either vacation homes or ocean front retirement compounds. When things went south all the extra money seemed to dry up and we were having to bid every project that walked through the door. I was working 2 full time jobs trying to make ends meet only finally realizing that it was time to move on. Cleveland Ohio was booming and in need of designers. I made the trip not yet knowing this would be my forever home. I have lived in 8 states and Ohio is by far my favorite. From the lake being pretty much an ocean to the changing seasons, there is so much to love!
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I would say my specialty and what sets me apart is I rarely give my clients only what they ask for. I always try to challenge their thoughts on how they use the space and how we can make it better, not just in the aesthetics but the function as well. I feel I have earned my paycheck when I present a design to a client and their response is “I would have never thought of that, and I love it!” It is easy to order off a menu but I think my clients get the best results when they trust the process. Another piece I bring to the puzzle is trying to make the new space match the rest of their home and style as close as possible. I hate when you walk into one of Cleveland’s many century old homes and you see an ultra modern space. It just feels wrong as if wearing a coat 2 sizes too small because it looked in the catalog. If a client is truly in love with a style that is a little off of their home I will do my best to meld the homes style with their own.
Are there any books, apps, podcasts or blogs that help you do your best?
I am a big fan of Audiobooks since I drive around quit a bit. I have two favorites right now. The first is the Go-Giver series by by Bob Burg and John David Mann. It really helps you focus on generosity and putting others first and not trying to constantly meet your own expectations. The second is primarily because of the new professional chapter I am entering and that’s No Rules Rules: Netflix and the Culture of Reinvention by Reed Hastings and Erin Meyer. It is a brand new way of thinking about running a business. Seek the best, give them what they have never had and get the best results.
As far as apps/tools I swear by my Remarkable tablet. It is a no frills, no internet, note taking E-reader/E-ink type. I use it multiple times a day and love how disconnected it makes me. Our industry has a ton of moving parts so distractions are constant. This helps me focus. Also I have all of my spec books on it along with a plan set for every project I am working on. I can take notes right on the plans then send them to my CAD department all while using my phones Wi-Fi on a jobsite. Its a lifesaver.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://clekd.com
- Instagram: @wright_by_design
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/61551602865661/
