Coffee with Creatives - November 18, 2024

Featuring

Tara Braatz of Tara Lee Interior Design

Rebecca Bertoldi of My Local Marketing Shop & 222 Marketing

EPISODE RECAP

Coffee with Creatives: A Journey into Design and Marketing

Good morning, everyone! Happy Monday! Welcome to another engaging session of "Coffee with Creatives," where excitement and creativity meet over a cozy cup. Your hosts today are Rebecca Bertoldi, a passionate digital marketer, and Tara Brot, an ingenious interior designer specializing in both commercial and residential properties.

Morning Rituals and a Love for Coffee Mugs

We kick off today’s session with our favorite coffee mug stories. Can't start a morning without admiring Tari's adorable mug, which she couldn’t resist buying from Home Goods after a day-long contemplation. This mug, with its charming red suspenders, turned into a small joy that brings laughter and personality to her morning routine.

Rebecca also shares her fondness for her mug, a meaningful piece from Block Island, reminiscent of family traditions and nostalgic games of Scrabble with her grandmother. These morning coffee rituals set the stage for creativity to flourish.

Personal Projects and Creative Engagements

Preparing for a Themed Bar Mitzvah

As we sip our coffee, Tara dives into her latest project—a Hobbit-themed bar mitzvah! Her home and barn have turned into a bustling hive of creativity, filled with dessert dishes, candy stations, photo booths, and an impressive task of creating 11 centerpieces. The process may seem overwhelming, but for Tara, it’s all about diving into the doing and creating.

Rebecca chimes in with her approach to managing tasks through list-making, emphasizing the balance between planning and action. They discuss their personal nuances in tackling projects, underscoring the universal need for order amidst chaos.

"Sometimes I'm just like, I don't want to put this on a list. I just want to get it done."

A Showcase of Design: Airbnb Elegance

Rebecca had the chance to tour an Airbnb spectacularly designed by Tara. The seamless flow and cohesiveness of Tara's design amaze anyone who steps inside. Her ability to make complex spaces feel unified is a testament to her talent, pushing the boundaries of interior design.

Visualizing the Space

Tara's work is not only about aesthetics but encapsulates a journey through thoughtfully arranged elements. Her rooms speak both tranquility and harmony, attesting to the synergy she creates within diverse spaces.

Staging for Real Estate: The Art of Preparing a Home

Tara discusses her recent staging project in Waterford, Connecticut. Transforming an empty foyer into a welcoming space within a tight timeframe was both a challenge and a pleasure. She elaborates on the art of staging, integrating old and new furniture to ensure the colors and designs flow seamlessly from room to room.

Highlights of the Project

• Location: Waterford, Connecticut

• Challenge: Short timeframe, creating coherence without permanent changes

• Technique: Balance of furniture heights and thoughtful use of color

"In this particular case, the living room flowed right into the eat-in kitchen, so I had to ensure the color flowed as well."

Design Essentials: Engaging with Textures and Patterns

A crucial lesson in interior design is using varying heights, angles, and textures to transform a space from ordinary to extraordinary. Tara emphasizes thinking through these elements meticulously while staging or designing, inviting us to imagine her vast yet organized warehouse of design elements.

Upcoming Thanksgiving: Ideas and Inspirations

As Thanksgiving approaches, Rebecca shares her menu planning and elusive quest for the most beloved side dishes by state. While green bean casserole reigns supreme in the Northeast, personal favorites like sausage stuffing stand out as comforting holiday staples.

Exploring Popular Side Dishes Across the U.S.

• Northeast: Green bean casserole

• Vermont: Cucumber salad

• California & Delaware: Stuffing

• Idaho & Nebraska: Twice baked potatoes

Engaging discussions about family traditions and the comforting ambiance of the Macy’s Day Parade remind us of Thanksgiving's essence—a time to be grateful and share warmth.

Engaging in Communities: Marketing and Networking

Rebecca has been busy with the official launch of her Marketing Insiders Club, a resource for local businesses seeking tailored marketing support. For just $47 a month, members can access specific strategies that cater to their unique business needs, moving away from generic advice.

"Instead of going to YouTube to try to figure out what to do next, wouldn't it be better just to get someone familiar with your business to give you advice?"

She also discusses her ongoing project with the software transition for coaches and service-based businesses, saving them significant monthly expenses and rectifying her realization about the need for additional assistance.

Networking Events

Rebecca will be attending several networking events this week, including the Southeastern Connecticut networking event and a mastermind gathering in New London. These engagements reflect the dynamic nature of developing valuable connections in the business landscape.

Creative Projects and Future Plans

Tara teases upcoming work, showcasing samples of vibrant wallpaper that might intimidate some. However, in the right setting, they bring an intriguing splash of creativity to any space.

Renovation Highlights

• Project: A living room and entryway revamp in Mystic, Connecticut

• Style: Modern aesthetics with an update

• Future Goals: Begin with select spaces and extend revitalization throughout the home

Reflecting on Childhood Creativity

In a delightful addendum, Tara and Rebecca reminisce about their childhood creative endeavors and how parental support fostered their paths. Tara’s love for arranging her room and her fondness for unique interior elements sparks a conversation about innate talents guiding life’s journey.

Final Notes

As we wrap up this enriching session of "Coffee with Creatives," it's a gentle reminder that creativity flourishes not just in grand gestures, but in the small coffee mug joys and Thanksgiving dinners. We urge you to spread kindness, cherish your creative endeavors, and join us in future discussions where imagination knows no bounds.

Remember, "Life's too short. Be happy."

Until next time!