Eric Goranson gives advice and gives back. By Loren Kessell

 

NKBA members sometimes wear many hats, and Eric Goranson, CKD, is no exception. He hosts his own radio show, “Around the House with Eric G,” every Saturday from noon to 2 p.m. in Portland, Ore., (FM News 101 KXL), providing advice on topics like home improvement and maintenance.

Goranson also works on a charity committee for a group called Girls Build, and he serves on the prestigious Baldwin Design Council. He also has a history of service to the NKBA, having served as Treasurer and Vice President of Communications for the association’s Puget Sound Chapter.

“I love the new website,” Goranson said of nkba.org. “It’s super-easy.”

He spoke with NKBA about his experience with the organization, his chapter, his podcast and his new profile.

NKBA: What do you consider to be the best benefits of NKBA membership?

 EG: There are a lot of benefits. Certification is a huge one. I think having an organization that tests members for residential projects is key to this industry.

NKBA: Was it easy to complete your profile?

EG: Yes — it just seemed to be simple and intuitive. There were boxes to fill in, and information to input. It really couldn’t have been easier.

NKBA: How has your chapter benefited you? Did attending meetings help you make professional connections? What have you learned at chapter presentations?

EG: I love networking with industry peers at chapter meetings and presentations. I have learned the most from some of the more “out of the box” presentations, when city inspectors or others come and discuss current topics.

NKBA: What was one of your favorite chapter presentations? What did you find most interesting about it? 

EG: Recently, our chapter had a building inspector from the City of Portland in for a question-and-answer session. I enjoyed it, as I could ask hard questions about situations many of us have been in with remodeling. It really helped a lot of members. Sometimes, the presentations are great for members who are in their first five years of the industry but might not be as informative. This one really helped everyone.

NKBA: How do you share your knowledge? Have you ever been a VFTI speaker or considered becoming one?

EG: I do it on my two-hour syndicated radio show each week as well as on TV. It is a goal of mine to do more in 2019.

NKBA: How do you mentor the next design generation?

EG: In years past, I’ve worked with students and spoken to classes about how to get started coming out of design school.

NKBA: What other important aspects of having a complete profile would you like to share that we may not have mentioned?

EG: Why would you not want to use the NKBA’s brand power? And, if you can fill out a profile on your social media pages, this is easier!

NKBA: How do you use other media to leverage your brand?

EG: I use both radio and television. My TV segments are used on local Meredith stations across the country. Social media is also a key to communication with potential customers or projects.

NKBA: Since you started your podcast, “Around the House,” what has been your favorite episode? How do you leverage your brand specifically with the podcast? 

EG: My radio show is syndicated and broadcast on the Radio Northwest Network. After it airs on stations here in the Northwest, it is immediately turned into a podcast so that people who might have missed the show on air, or on a live-stream, can still catch it later. One my favorite recent shows was on how to hire a contractor. We had the managing director of the Oregon Construction Contractors Board, who licenses contractors in our state, and I had my friend Skip Bedell from Spike TV’s “Catch a Contractor” call in with his tips and stories. I got a ton of feedback from listeners who really enjoyed that show. I love to discuss design and remodeling and how important certification is. It also gives me a great platform when interior design legislation is started in the Northwest to fight from.

NKBA: What is your current role on the Baldwin Design Council? How has being a part of the council helped you establish more connections?

EG: I have met so many interior design professionals that are outside of my NKBA circle—architects and designers who don’t specifically focus on the kitchen and bath industry. It has also helped me see the more specific styles of the different regions in the US. The design council, as a team, helps Baldwin understand design trends from our points of view and helps direct product design and style.