Tune in to this conversation with Colleen Bennett to hear about fascinating design difference around the world, design for epilepsy, and sustainable design decisions.

Colleen Bennett founded her first Interior Design Studio, Caducus Folium, in 2006. This Costa Rica-based firm quickly expanded into six design centers located in Ecuador, Colombia, Mexico, Nicaragua, and Honduras. Colleen designed most of the presidents’ and dignitaries’ homes in Central America and throughout the region. In 2012 Colleen moved back home to North Carolina and opened the US division of the company, CBB Design Firm, based in Morganton, NC. Shortly after graduating from Wake Forest University, Colleen became the youngest furniture representative hired by Drexel Heritage. Travelling the world, she visited over 60 countries and designed thousands of vignettes of every style and budget for her clients. In 2009 Colleen was hired as the youngest account manager and visual merchandiser for Ralph Lauren Home where she was responsible for all of their home stores in Africa, Australia, and Latin America. Colleen takes her international portfolio and brings that resort living to her designs in the NC market. She specializes in residential and commercial designs as well as historic renovations. Colleen is involved in every aspect of the design process from the initial development phase, Cad Design, 3D Renderings, color and finish selections, furniture selections and installation to the finished home! She is able to show the client, visually, what the finished product will look like so that they can confidently make decisions. Colleen also founded and owns Morgan Stuart Logistics in Morganton, NC which represents luxury hospitality and residential furniture manufacturers. The company ships worldwide and currently services over 40 countries. Colleen’s passion for design is equaled only by her profound love of family and strong desire to give back. Colleen is a mother of three daughters. She spends her free time in mentoring roles with the Girl Scouts, Epilepsy Foundation and coaching. In 2020, during the pandemic, Colleen founded “Bute Couture”, a sustainable luxury handbag company. All of the handbags are made of upcycled fabric and leather from the scraps of the furniture industry that would have otherwise been sent to landfills. The company prioritizes ethical practices and pays workers living wages. Ten percent of proceeds from handbag sales are donated to local women’s charities. @colleen_bute_bennett

@cbbdesignfirm

@butecouture

@mimosahomenc

Tune in to hear this conversation with Jimanekia aka the Trauma Queen. We get into topics around trauma-informed design, self care, and all sorts of juicy tidbits.

Here is a little more about Jimanekia: Jimanekia Eborn is a Queer, Sexual Assault & Trauma Expert, Trauma Media Consultant, and Comprehensive Sex Educator, who has worked in mental health for the past 16 years in sex education and sexual trauma support. Jimanekia is the Founder of Tending the Garden, a non-profit for sexual assault survivors of different marginalized identities and Co-founder of Cintima, bringing increased representation to the field of Intimacy Coordination in the film industry.

http://instagram.com/jimanekia

https://x.com/Jimanekia

Meet Tamzin founder of The Neurodiversity Academy, committed to empowering individuals to embrace their unique selves. With over 25 years of leadership experience, Tamzin is not only an accomplished author and qualified performance psychology coach but also a passionate advocate for neurodiversity. As a dyslexic herself, she leads by example, inspiring others to embrace their differences and thrive.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/tamzin-hall/

https://www.instagram.com/tamzin_hall/

Join us for an inspiring episode of Room for Every body with guest Sequoyah Hunter-Cuyjet, founder of Harmony in Hue, an interior design firm that embraces community engagement and cultural heritage.

Sequoyah shares her journey from growing up on Shinnecock territory to designing high-end interiors and finding her voice in advocating for inclusive, meaningful spaces. She dives into her experiences navigating identity as a queer, neurodivergent, Shinnecock and Afro-Indigenous woman in the design world, and the challenges she faces bringing non-Western narratives into interior spaces.

In this conversation, Sequoyah discusses how her heritage and community-centered approach influence her work, emphasizing the importance of honoring cultural histories and community needs in design. We also explore her belief in "luxury as craft," redefining luxury not by cost but by uniqueness, intention, and cultural storytelling.

This episode is rich with Sequoyah's insights on decolonizing design, celebrating tactile heirlooms, and creating inclusive environments that genuinely reflect the people they serve.

In this inspiring episode, host Enzi welcomes Acacia Bettencourt, a talented visual designer and advocate for inclusive design. Acacia shares insights from her decade-long journey in design and DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion), discussing how her multifaceted identity as a mixed-race designer, mother-to-be, and advocate informs her work. From her time working with global nonprofits to her current role at Brevity & Wit, Acacia’s focus has been on making visual design more equitable, respectful, and accessible.

The conversation dives into practical tips for more inclusive design, covering topics like legibility and contrast, the careful selection of photos, and designing with diverse functionality in mind. Acacia also reflects on the impact of physical workspace design on personal well-being and creativity, sharing how she’s tailored her own home office to meet her unique needs.

Whether you’re a designer, an advocate for inclusivity, or simply curious about creating a more welcoming world through design, this episode offers valuable takeaways for everyone. Tune in and join us as we explore how thoughtful, inclusive design can transform spaces and experiences for all.

Connect with Acacia further: https://www.linkedin.com/in/acaciabetancourt/

https://www.instagram.com/spottingracism/

In this episode, Enzi is in conversation with award-winning product designer Kaly Ryan, founder of Capella Design. With over a decade of experience in furniture design and manufacturing, Kaly shares how her company is transforming the way we think about home mobility aids, like shower chairs and grab bars. Capella Design integrates both beauty and function to create products that enhance physical and emotional well-being at home. Join us as we discuss the power of aesthetic mobility aids, the design process, and Kaly’s advocacy for reducing the stigma around accessible furniture. Tune in for an inspiring conversation on how thoughtful design can make a difference in people’s lives. https://www.instagram.com/designbycapella?igsh=MXc2eGFremUyaDAxZQ==

Join us for an enlightening conversation with Hannah Silver, a passionate advocate for inclusive and sustainable design. As a key member of Holst Architecture, Hannah leverages her background in architecture and urban planning to champion health, equity, and the needs of spatially marginalized communities.

In this episode, we dive into Hannah's journey—from founding Informal/Function to her current role at Holst—where she helps project teams integrate equitable community engagement strategies into their designs. We explore the critical intersection of personal experience and professional practice, as Hannah shares how her identity as a queer woman with an invisible disability informs her approach to teaching and designing.

With insights on workshop facilitation and design justice, Hannah emphasizes the importance of centering diverse voices in the built environment. Tune in to discover practical strategies for making design accessible and welcoming for everyone, and learn how we can all contribute to a more inclusive future.

✨ Whether you’re a design professional, educator, or simply passionate about creating spaces for every body, this episode is filled with inspiration and actionable ideas!

Don't forget to subscribe and share your thoughts with us!

https://www.linkedin.com/in/hansil/ https://informalfunction.thinkific.com/collections

Friends, welcome back to another thought-provoking episode of "Room For Every Body" Today, we have a wonderful guest, Katie Selby, who will take us on a journey through her unique experiences and identities. Katie shares candidly about her journey as a person with language impairment and learning disabilities. From being nonverbal at a young age to discovering her own methods of expression through body language, Katie's resilience shines through her story. Now, as a paraprofessional for children with special needs, Katie lends her support and guidance to students, helping them navigate the challenges they face. Join us as we dive deeper into Katie's life, exploring the importance of understanding and advocacy, and discovering the spaces that have shaped her along the way. Get ready for an insightful conversation about the importance of self-advocacy.

Learn More about Katie Here: Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100047780778306&mibextid=ZbWKwL

Instagram: https://instagram.com/collegematerialgirl?igshid=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA==