As the Founder and CEO of The Designers Group, Blima Ehrentreu combines her creativity and talent to reform the design industry. Her passion for empowering women, giving back to the community, and championing women in the workforce earned her the Globe St. Women of Influence award in 2020 & 2022 and Crains Notable Leaders in Real Estate in 2023. With a diverse project portfolio that spans the residential, hospitality, healthcare and commercial sectors, The Designers Group is a key leader in the industry, specializing in high-end interior design.
Please tell us a little bit about your business – what is The Designers Group all about?
I founded The Designers Group with a mission to “Design with purpose and create a better world.” Today, as a multinational enterprise with offices in Toronto, New York, and Miami, we remain committed to this mission. Our belief in the transformative power of design drives us to bring innovative solutions to every project we undertake, catering to various sectors, including residential, institutional, educational, retail, healthcare, workplace, and hospitality projects.
Tell us briefly about your background and how you started your company.
My childhood passion for design led me to pursue a master’s degree in interior architecture and design. After working at an architectural firm to gain technical skills, I knew I wanted to develop my own designs. In 2009, I co-founded The Designers Group (TDG) in Toronto, and expanded to New York in 2016. The move to New York transformed TDG, establishing it as an international firm and spurring substantial growth. Today, we have completed over 500 projects across various sectors and opened a third location in Miami, along with a virtual office operating worldwide. TDG is honored to be recognized as the Most Innovative Multi-Sector Interior Design Firm 2023 in New York by LUXlife Magazine.
As a MWBE owner in the male-dominated commercial real estate industry, I’ve focused on building a respected brand and giving back to the community. Our initiatives include TDG Gives Back, providing pro-bono design services to nonprofits, TDG Furniture Exchange facilitating no-cost furniture donations, and TDG Insider, an internship program for aspiring designers. This commitment to innovation and community involvement has contributed to TDG’s recognition and growth, ranking 15th on Inc. Magazine’s list of the fastest-growing private companies in the New York City Metro Area in 2021. In 2022, RedConnect also recognized TDG as the Women-owned Design Firm of the Year.
What would you say are the top 3 skills needed to be a successful entrepreneur, and why?
- Three fundamental skills crucial for achieving success as an entrepreneur are vision, adaptability, and accountability. Firstly, a well-defined vision is essential. Successful entrepreneurs must possess a clear sense of what they aim to achieve and excel at communicating it effectively to their team. This vision acts as a guiding force, ensuring that all team members are aligned and motivated to work towards a common goal. At TDG, our vision was driven by our mission to design with purpose, deliver cutting-edge solutions to clients, and contribute to the community. By committing to this vision, we achieved our objectives and established ourselves as an industry leader.
- Secondly, adaptability is a critical trait among successful entrepreneurs. In today’s dynamic business landscape, change is inevitable. Entrepreneurs who can swiftly adapt to new circumstances and innovate are the ones who thrive. During the COVID-19 pandemic, we pivoted to remote work and our team adapted to this new work environment, devising creative methods to stay motivated and engaged. This led to the official launch of TDG’s Virtual Office in 2022, offering clients a seamless design experience.
- Lastly, accountability plays an indispensable role in entrepreneurship. Effective leaders hold themselves and their team members accountable for their actions and outcomes. This fosters a culture of ownership and responsibility, motivating every team member to excel and take ownership of their work. At TDG,I take responsibility for any mistakes made by our team. By demonstrating accountability, we have transformed these errors into valuable learning opportunities. This approach nurtures a culture of continuous improvement and shared responsibility, which is pivotal for entrepreneurial success.
What are your plans for the future, how do you plan to grow this company?
At TDG, our mission is to enrich lives through transformative design, champion women in construction, and support communities. We seek to expand our global project portfolio and philanthropic efforts to sustain our growth. We are dedicated to attracting diverse talent who share our vision of positive change. We firmly believe that design is a powerful tool for meaningful transformation and community betterment.
How have the pandemic and Lockdown affected you or your new business?
During the pandemic, navigating a path forward was challenging. However, in retrospect, our resilience and adaptability were more important than ever. Team members stepped up as leaders and emerged stronger. With the motivation to help people and strengthen TDG’s philanthropy, we launched TDG Furniture Exchange, a philanthropic initiative facilitating no-cost furniture donations connecting generous donors with recipients in need.
We have also recently launched a website to help facilitate donations across three countries. Additionally, TDG Virtual backgrounds were created to enhance remote work settings and strengthen brand recognition for our clients. These are some examples of how we created an empowering environment for our team to overcome challenges and achieve success even during challenging times.
Tell us a little bit about your marketing process, what has been the most successful form of marketing for you?
At TDG, our marketing process focuses on highlighting our innovative design projects, philanthropic initiatives, and thought leadership across multiple channels. These include our website, social media platforms active participation in industry events, and mentoring activities. The most successful and consistent form of marketing for us has been maintaining good relationships with our clients and executing their projects flawlessly. Our online platforms enable us to share our innovative designs, philanthropic efforts, and cutting-edge processes all while keeping our audience engaged and informed. ‘
What’s a productivity tip you swear by?
In the dynamic realm of business and leadership, dedicating time to self-care is not only essential but incredibly empowering. Staying active, mindful moments, traveling or simply giving myself a break to recharge, are all important for maintaining a positive outlook, high energy, and focus. It’s not just a tip; it ensures I’m at my best to take care of daily challenges and lead with enthusiasm and positivity.
What is your favorite quote?
“Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.”
— Winston Churchill
What valuable advice would you give new entrepreneurs starting out?
For those stepping into the world of entrepreneurship, I encourage you to welcome challenges as they pave the way for personal and professional growth. It’s important to push beyond your comfort zone and embrace risks; they’re stepping stones for your development. Remember, the key to success lies in ongoing learning and growth. Cultivating resilience and adaptability will unlock the doors to a thriving entrepreneurial journey.
What is your definition of success?
My definition of success revolves around achieving a balance between professional and personal growth while making a positive impact on the world. It’s not solely about financial achievements or professional accolades, but about contributing to the betterment of individuals and communities. Success is embracing challenges, learning from failures, and continuously growing as a person. It’s about finding joy in the journey, fostering meaningful relationships, and leaving a lasting legacy of purpose and positive change.
How do you personally overcome fear?
Overcoming fear has been a personal journey, and the strategy I’ve discovered to be most impactful is directly confronting the things that instill fear. It involves me recognizing those fears, deconstructing them into manageable steps, and then taking decisive action. This proactive method not only simplifies the source but also fosters confidence as I recognize my ability to navigate it. Confronting my fears head-on has been so important for my growth and overcoming obstacles, both personally and professionally.
How can readers get in touch with you?
Readers are welcome to explore my work and stay updated on our latest projects by visiting TDG’s website thedesignersgroup.com. If you’d like to connect personally and engage in a conversation, I encourage you to connect with me on LinkedIn.
