Natalie Hartkopf, CEO of Hightower, shares her journey in the furniture industry and how this family-founded business evolved from importing European designs to creating their own award-winning Hightower Studio products while becoming a certified B Corporation.
• Natalie started with Hightower around 2003, beginning in Seattle before moving to New York
• They shifted from purely importing European designs to manufacturing upholstered pieces in North Carolina
• Won Best of NeoCon recognition for their innovative Flote chair designed by their in-house design team
• Became a certified B Corporation, looking holistically at governance, community impact, and employee welfare
• They've implemented people-first initiatives including living wage commitments and 529 education savings contributions
• They're transparent about how they're navigating the current issues with fluctuating tariffs
• Focused on product discoverability to help specifiers find products that meet specific requirements
• Working to improve existing products with end-of-life and sustainability considerations
• Embraces AI tools to help team work more efficiently and provide better customer service
• Advocates for greater diversity in industry leadership positions, particularly racial diversity
Resources:
The Trend Report Ep. 38 - Rest and Recovery of the Corporate Athlete with Kibibi Springs - https://www.sidmeadows.com/episode38
Connect with Natalie:
Hightower - https://hightower.design/
Flote - https://hightower.design/collections/flote
Email - Natalie@hightoweraccess.com
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/nataliehartkopf/
The Trend Report is your inside look at the people, products and ideas shaping the future of workplace design. We explore the evolving world of contract interiors, office furniture, and workplace design. From the interior design industry to commercial furniture and the future of work, we share insights, trends, and strategies that keep the office furniture industry and the interior design community informed and inspired.
Connect with Sid:
Home Page: www.sidmeadows.com
Podcast Website: https://www.sidmeadows.com/podcast
Sid on LinkedIn
Sid on Instagram
Sid on YouTube
The Trend Report introduction music is provided by Werq by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4616-werq License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
