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Last September, a longtime Las Vegas journalist named Jeff German was shot and killed. The person charged in his death is a public official German investigated. There were other investigations German hadn’t completed when he was murdered, including one about a Ponzi scheme. Reporter Lizzie Johnson picked up where he left off, reporting a story about a scam that, as scams so often do, enriched a few at the expense of many:
Jager had told Mabeus about the opportunity to make money in August 2019, during a couples trip to Mexico, she said. She felt flattered to be included.
“We were a little nervous, but we trusted him,” Mabeus said. “Because we were friends and belonged to the same church, the red flags were heart-shaped. I was like, ‘Wow. We are really lucky to be involved in this investment.’”
The next month, she and her husband wired over $140,000. Ninety days later, the first interest payment of $18,000 arrived, right on time. The couple continued adding money, until they reached a total of $680,000, she said.
“There was never a hiccup,” Mabeus said. “My bishop was involved and invested, and so were my closest friends. A lot of people were told to keep it quiet.”
When she and her husband, a former Major League Baseball pitcher who worked for a medical device company, divorced in June 2021, Mabeus agreed to take the investment as alimony. She planned to rely on the dividends, along with child support payments, to remain at home with her daughter and three sons. A former elementary school teacher, she hadn’t worked for 13 years.
Now, Mabeus hung up the phone, horrified.
She tried to call Jager. No answer.
“Word is spreading like wildfire,” Mabeus remembered. “People are texting left and right. No one is getting responses.”
Maybe it was all a big misunderstanding, she thought. She told herself that she’d know for sure the next day, when the quarterly interest payment was scheduled to hit her bank account.
But when Friday arrived, the money didn’t. All her savings, Mabeus realized, were gone.
The Design Milk X Modenus Talks Lounge, also known as the #dmmtalks Lounge, is back at KBIS with a schedule that’s jam-packed full of presentations and conversations covering design business, social media, and trends. Also returning are the popular BrandTalks that give exhibitors an opportunity to speak about the vision and mission behind their brands, as well as introduce audiences to new products and innovations. We’re excited to dig into these hot topics at the Kitchen & Bath Design Show January 31st to February 2nd, 2023 in Las Vegas with our partner, Modenus. If you’re not already signed up to attend the show, you can register here. Check out what’s in store for the Lounge located in the North Hall at N1577 below!
9:15 AM
KBIS Newbie Kickoff: What Not To Miss at KBIS 2023 – RSVP HERE
KBIS 2023 is a big show, and we invite you to start your experience in the #dmmtalks lounge to learn about major show highlights, cool new pavilions and exhibits, and VIP opportunities for you to benefit from as influencers.
Presenters: Modenus Media CEO, Veronika Miller + Principal at White Good, Sherry Qualls
Sponsored by Signature Kitchen Suite
10:30 AM
The Design – Build Collaboration: Pitfalls, Processes, and Profits – RSVP HERE
The relationship between the designer, builder, and the client is critical to the success of every design build project and communication is at the heart of every successful relationship. Join LuAnn Nigara as she moderates a rock star line up to discuss best practices between designers and builders.
Moderator: LuAnn Nigara, Keynote Speaker, Author + Podcast Host at The Well Designed Business
Panelists: Brad Leavitt, President AFT Construction, Susan + Paul Kadilak, Owners Kadilak Homes + Hosts Renovation Rekindle
Sponsored by Signature Kitchen Suite
12:00 PM
Efficiency is Beautiful: Essential Automation for Design Firms – RSVP for Lunch
If you’re saying or doing anything repeatedly, there’s a potential opportunity for automation. Learn how to implement key automation – for marketing, sales, and operations – and sleep well knowing the work is getting done.
• 3 categories of automation that are useful to almost any design firm
• What can be automated… and what can’t? How to quickly tell the difference
• How to actually make it happen – from tech to internal process
Presenter: Nicole Heymer, Owner + Creative Director Glory and Brand
Sponsored by Signature Kitchen Suite
1:30 PM
BrandTalks: Wellborn – Meet The Brand
Each 15 minute presentation is followed by an opportunity to ask your most pressing questions and meet company leadership face-to-face.
Sponsored + Presented by Wellborn Cabinet
2:00 PM
BrandTalks – Fisher & Paykel: Kitchen Perfection – RSVP HERE
Learn about Fisher & Paykel’s design philosophy and their latest initiatives around sustainability, the connected home, and Kitchen Perfection. Each 15 minute presentation is followed by an opportunity to ask your most pressing questions and meet company leadership face-to-face.
Sponsored + Presented by Fisher & Paykel
3:00 PM
Behind the Curtain with Claire Jefford: Pricing Projects: Disclosing Design Fees & Deliverables – RSVP HERE
Posting a pretty picture on Instagram is one thing, but the actual process and documentation created for implementing a client project is something no one really shows you. And whether designers are charging an hourly or a flat fee to their clients, how do they come up with these numbers? Here you’ll get a rare peek ‘Behind the Curtain’ of Kitchen and Bathroom projects by well-established designers. We’ll be reviewing three custom projects, sharing details of the scope of work, design proposals, presentation slides, and fee structure.
Moderator: Principal at Claire Jefford Inc. and Interior Design Business Coach
Panelists: Jennifer Stoner, Principal Jennifer Stoner Interiors, Sheri Bruneau, Principal Sheri Bruneau Interior Design
9:15 AM
Influencer Breakfast: Top Tips For Maximizing New Ideal Client Acquisition While Avoiding Social Media Burnout – RSVP HERE
Do you find yourself feeling burnt out being on social media? Attend this one hour talk with Leslie Carothers, founder of Savour Partnership and the #designwealthcommunity on Facebook, and get her top tips on proven strategies for new ideal client acquisition – while minimizing the time you spend online.
Presenter: Leslie Carothers, Principal Savour Partnership
Sponsored by nobilia
10:30 AM
Diversifying Income Streams by Creating New Profit Centers – RSVP HERE
Increase the bottom line with new profit centers found within your existing business infrastructure. Diversifying your services, adding new products, and finding hidden revenue is the best way to hedge against any downturns in the marketplace. We are creatives folks! Let’s get creative with not only what we can offer our existing clients but appeal to new prospects too by getting them engaged with your brand even if they are not currently in the market for a larger ticket sale. Success these days is often defined one client at a time.
Presenter: Cheryl Clendenon, Principal In Detail Creative Group
Sponsored by nobilia
12:00 PM
Creative Collaboration for Diversifying Your Design Business – RSVP for Lunch
Navigate today’s working challenges by creating collaborations to diversify your design business. We’ll discuss how aligning with kitchen and bath retailers and skilled tradespeople can build powerful relationships that could create significant revenue streams.
Presenter: Wendy Glaister, Principal Wendy Glaister Interiors
Sponsored by nobilia
1:30 PM
BOSS Academy Roundtable with Claire Jefford – Establishing Trust with Clients: Solid Relationships are Everything – RSVP HERE
When clients aren’t fully invested in you and your design ideas, it’s because there is a lack of trust. The best clients are the ones who fully trust you, don’t push back on your fees and design ideas, nor do they demand changes to your contract. The sooner you can successfully establish trust, the more enjoyable the design experience is for everybody – including your trades and staff. Here we’ll share actionable items, starting with a well-thought-out website and various touch points throughout the working relationship to ensure you only work with clients who value you as a respected Interior Design BOSS.
Moderator: Claire Jefford, Principal at Claire Jefford Inc. + Interior Design Business Coach
Panelists: Nicole Heymer, Owner + Creative Director Glory, Ariana Lovato, Owner + Principal Honeycomb Home Design
3:00 PM
BrandTalks – Moen: Around the Globe to Your Kitchen – RSVP HERE
Go behind-the-scenes with Principal Industrial Designer Jessica Birchfield to explore how firsthand trendspotting and research informs the design of Moen products. Uncover the style inspiration that led to their latest kitchen faucets, including the use of unique materials and industrial-inspired elements.
Sponsored + Presented by Moen
3:30 PM
Happy Hour – The Rise of Multi-Generational Living – RSVP HERE
Between the pandemic and anxieties of inflation and an uncertain economy, many are making the practical choice to combine households. But what does this mean for home design? Join us to learn more about how flexibility, accessibility, and a balance of private and common spaces must be considered to support the well-being of all who occupy a home – and how to support these needs in a way that still allows for beautiful design.
Moderator: Pamela McNally, SVP Marketing + Digital NKBA
Panelists: Sydney Marshman, Occupational Therapist and CEO Happy At Home Consulting, Patti Carpenter, Trend Forecaster + Principal Carpenter + Company, Danielle DeBoe Harper, Senior Creative Style Manager Moen,
Jessica Birchfield, Principal Industrial Designer Fortune Brands
Sponsored by Moen
9:15 AM
BrandTalks : NKBA Design Bites – Behind the Scenes
10:30 AM
Designhounds Influencer Meetup – RSVP HERE
You see them everywhere at KBIS, Modenus Media’s Designhounds have been scouring trade shows around the world in search of best in class design trends and innovations since 2011. Join us for Donuts + Coffee to learn what it takes to be a Designhound and what’s next for the network of over 700 design influencers that have joined the ranks of the most successful design influencer program in our industry.
If you’d like to attend the show, you can register here.
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