Happenings at SOFA

June 28th brought many decorators and designers to SOFA, www.visitsofa.com once again for a great seminar from Karl Lohnes.  Everybody seems to really enjoy Karl's great spirit and he has such a way of speaking and presenting facts he keeps you entertained.  You want to know him better.  He has presented to CDECA members in the past, most recently at our annual AGM and we all come away in a 'happy place' thanks to him.

'Another Packed House' to hear Karl Lohnes speak

This event was sponsored by Magnussen Home, www.magnussen.com who are located in the SOFA showroom area of the International Centre.   Thanks to Linda Kafka and Azma Ousmand for all the work they do to offer us such wonderful seminars with great speakers.


The topic was: 'Keeping the design ball rolling" during the slowest times of the year!  Great presentation.  Karl gave us much to ponder and act upon as well as sharing his recent "status" as an Artist.  Yup, Karl has signed to have his very own piece of art available through CB2, www.cb2.com (new store by Crate & Store).  Wow, that is really something and as Karl told us, he just felt like being creative and fun one weekend and someone showed somone,  and someone else and on and on;  just from a little networking and people sharing,  he got the attention of top people at C&B and they loved what he created and voila you can now purchase his artpiece.  Karl shared some other interesting options ahead for him, so keep following. 

A bit of England to celebrate the Queen's Jubliee

I came away with a lot of tips and was glad to have confirmation that some of what he shared, and I have already started, is a good thing.  I believe the reason Karl is so sought after as a speaker and why he captures his audience,  is that he talks to them as if we are all friends just sitting around having a little talk.  He shares situations he has been in and how they generated business and does it such a way that is so down to earth, one feels, Yes, I could try that.

The seminar offered many great ideas and also stressed Social Media, Networking,  the importance of good and honest Communication with potential and current Clients & Suppliers as well as other ventures you can stream into that could be related to your current career as a Decorator or Designer. 

A new focus can also be an enhancement to your current business as well as generate additional income, especially during the slowest times of the year.  For instance a lot of us write for magazines, newspapers, why not a book??  Perhaps you can do DIY projects, sew, paint or any other creative work. 

I am a little late in writing this blog, but now that the hot days of July are upon us I am working on some of Karl's great tips!!  Gonna go and tweet Karl now.......