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By Nicholas Tamarin

The invite only NKBA | KBIS Certified Designer Luncheon presented an exclusive chance for the greatest luminaries of kitchen and bath professionals – those who have achieved NKBA | KBIS’ AKBD, CKD, CBD, CKBD or CMKBD designations – to reconnect, network and take a break from the busy show floor. During the first day of KBIS 2024 in Las Vegas, NKBA | KBIS’ Professional Development Specialist Lindsay Franco and Donille Perrone, senior brand manager at Platinum Sponsor Signature Kitchen Suite, welcomed the designers in a full-to-the-brim house. In addition to the tables full of designers, the crowd included reps from Diamond Sponsor Moen along with Gold Sponsors Hettich America and Blum Inc. All in attendance were mesmerized by inspirational keynote speaker, best-selling author, TV host and founder of the 100 Things Movement, Sebastian Terry, who delivered a moving speech about what he calls “The Passion Effect.”

The afternoon kicked off with Franco thanking the gathered designers. “Your leadership role plays a crucial part in continued professional development,” she said. “This not only means your own personal growth but how you support and guide the next generation down a path of success.” She then awarded CMKBD certificates to Rachel Hutchens, the owner and principal designer of Maven Home Interiors LLC and a 14-year NKBA | KBIS member who is currently serving as Mountain States Chapter Officer President, and to 13-year NKBA | KBIS member Faith Herring, a Senior Interior Designer at Dave Fox Design Build Remodelers, who is also Central Ohio’s Secretary/Treasurer Chapter Officer.

Perrone then shifted the gathering into gear with the surprise award of an all-expense paid trip to New York this summer for the True to Food NYC Culinary Experience to a randomly selected table of Certified Designers. The excursion will include both a chance to check out LG’s Innovation Campus and also the SKS Skyline Showroom.

Inspiration, Growth and Transformation

Terry, who works with companies including Google, TikTok, McKesson and Bank of America, then dove into his 15-year bucket list journey that not only changed his own life but that has also become a catalyst of inspiration, growth and transformation for people and teams around the world. Born in Australia and living in Los Angeles, Terry is driven by his philosophy that passion inspires passion, which has led him to becoming a thought leader in goal striving and community building. His story is now being turned into a best selling book and reality show. In addition to heartwarming stories of helping strangers that literally brought tears to the eyes of the audience, Terry imparted several nuggets of wisdom including:

• You won’t go professionally where you’re not willing to go personally

• A company with a healthy workplace culture, including valuing their employees, increases revenue by 4X

• 100 percent of employees who feel they have a voice in the workplace perform at a higher level

He emphasized that rather than being about skydiving or climbing mountains, bucket lists were “A holistic list of personal dreams and ambitions creating a blueprint for an individual to live their best life through personal fulfillment and self actualization.” He encouraged participants to both share one entry from their own personal lists with those around them in the room and also to send a random text to a self-chosen “accountability partner.” Terry then went on to explain that, according to a Harvard University study, those who “share a goal with someone will help achieve it by 42 percent.” And for those with an accountability partner, it’s as high as 95 percent.

NKBA | KBIS’ Certified Designers represent the top in the industry, having earned the highest levels of certification. The event on Tuesday provided the group with tools, insight and inspiration. To learn more about NKBA | KBIS’ Certification program click here.