CHICAGO–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Interior Define, the digitally native and vertically integrated customizable furniture brand, announces today the addition of Bahniman Hazarika as Chief Financial Officer, William Savage as Chief Supply Chain Officer, and Chris Travers as Chief Business Officer and General Counsel. With proven track records of building high-growth companies, Hazarika, Travers, and Savage round out the C-Suite at a core moment in Interior Define’s massive 200% retail expansion and growth plans of 30+ stores slated for the remainder of 2022.
“I am thrilled to come on board at a crucial moment in Interior Define’s growth to ensure that the brand is aligned in ways to help advance the business. I’m looking forward to helping see through the intricacies of this ever-evolving company over the years.”
Bahniman Hazarika
Bahniman Hazarika, the new Chief Financial Officer at Interior Define, previously held positions at leading companies such as The Home Depot, Ernst & Young, Gray Ghost Ventures, and Wachovia Securities. Prior to Interior Define, Hazarika was the Finance Director/Business Unit CFO at The Home Depot where he owned and managed the P&Ls for Homedepot.com, Blinds.com, TheCompanyStore.com, and HD Home (Home Depot’s Home Furnishings Business). With experience in corporate finance, venture capital, management consulting and investment banking and a demonstrated track record of building high-growth companies in the US, Asia, and Sub-Saharan Africa, Hazarika’s strategic finance experience proves his abilities in capital raising, investor relations, corporate development, risk management, and controllership as well as analyzing the company’s financial strengths and weaknesses and managing its financial health.
Hazarika states, “I’m excited to bring my previous experience to this emerging brand as we find new areas of opportunity and propel into various markets in addition to new home furnishing categories. During this formative era for Interior Define, I am honored to be a part of their ongoing evolution.”
Hazarika will be overseeing Interior Define’s financial strategies and optimizing the brands’ financial performance including analyzing the strengths and weaknesses and managing financial health through the exponential growth of the brand into new markets and cross-categories.
William Savage
William Savage, the new Chief Supply Chain Officer, has impressive credentials in the supply chain industry with accelerating revenue and achieving profitable growth through business model innovation and speed. He held the role as Executive Vice President, Chief Global Supply Chain Officer at Pier 1 where he established a world class sourcing team to procure $1bn in imported goods, while re-engineering the value chain to create increased customer value. In addition, he rationalized and strengthened distribution networks to support fast and successful growth in e-commerce meeting demands of consumers during the recent pandemic. Prior to Pier 1, Savage held positions at globally recognized brands including Walmart, Sears, and Tesco.
Savage says, “As [Interior Define] grows, we want to challenge every element of the supply chain to move faster. Sourcing from closer to home and holding more inventory will certainly allow us to shorten lead times. At the same time investing in technology that gives greater visibility to where our inventory is will allow us to manage products more efficiently through the supply chain journey.”
Savage will work closely with the supply chain management team to navigate through the end-to-end supply chain strategy including manufacturing, planning, procuring, and distribution of products as Interior Define works to expand its category offerings to become a whole home resource.
Chris Travers
Chris Travers joins Interior Define as the Chief Business Officer/General Counsel to support the business growth while maintaining the company’s core values. With robust experience as General Counsel & Chief Business Officer at Bonobos and VP and COO, Digital Consumer Brands, at Walmart eCommerce, Travers has a background that prepared him for the extensive expansion and growth of Interior Define in the near future. Prior to this, Travers worked at White & Case and Mayer Brown.
Travers will be responsible for all operational aspects of the company’s corporate and business activities as well as providing strategic business solutions to conflicts that may arise. In his new position, Travers will be spearheading growth for the brand to increase market share and profit through Interior Define’s omni-channel presence.
Travers says, “I am thrilled to come on board at a crucial moment in Interior Define’s growth to ensure that the brand is aligned in ways to help advance the business. I’m looking forward to helping see through the intricacies of this ever-evolving company over the years.”
The Complete C-Suite
“We are bringing on seasoned veterans to further fuel our high-growth phase and margin expansion while investing in key strategic initiatives to ensure that we further differentiate Interior Define’s position, over time,” says Antonio Nieves, CEO.
The three new hires increase the leadership team to seven as they combine alongside Antonio Nieves (CEO), Catherine Colwell (now Chief Experience Officer), Jill John (Chief Customer Officer), Christina Holland (Chief Product Officer), and Casey Darnell (VP of People).
As the CEO, Antonio Nieves is responsible for managing Interior Define’s overall operations and steering the strategic direction and business strategies that align with the company’s long- and short-term goals. Prior to Interior Define, Nieves was the CEO of ModCloth, COO & CFO at Bonobos and held positions at Logitech, Gilead Sciences, Blue Coat Systems, and Johnson & Johnson.
Catherine Colwell, former VP of Product & Technology, now Chief Experience Officer, oversees how technology serves the customer and design expert’s experience. Through the end-to-end customer journey, from brand discovery through post-delivery, Catherine drives deliberate and disciplined design and delivery of exceptional technology experiences. In addition, she is responsible for increasing the brand’s understanding of the customer experience with the use of research, data, and strategic vision as well as managing all digital and data processes, services, and products. Prior to Interior Define, Colwell was the Senior Director, Product Management & Design/UX at Framebridge and held posts at Huge, General Assembly, Wedding Wire, and Accenture.
As the Chief Customer Officer, Jill John’s role centers around establishing the voice and visual identity of the brand by creating a genuine, unparalleled connection with consumers through an integrated approach with the customer at the center of the decision-making process. With over 20+ years of experience in the luxury home category, John has a proven track record for driving growth and innovation along the customer journey. Prior to joining Interior Define, John was the SVP of Customer Experience and Brand Marketing at Serena & Lily and Director of Sales and Business Development at Williams-Sonoma Inc.
Christina Holland, Chief Product Officer, oversees product merchandising, product design, visual merchandising, and web merchandising for the brand. Before joining Interior Define, Holland was the VP, Head of Merchandising for Serena & Lily and VP, Textiles for Restoration Hardware. Previously she held positions at Levi Strauss & Co., Disney, Nike, and Gap Inc.
Casey Darnell, VP of People, is responsible for talent acquisition, training and development, employee engagement, and HR, as well as implementing strategies to diversify the talent pool and create strategic initiatives around people culture including the implementation of diversity training as well as benefits like monthly mental health days. Darnell previously was the Head of HR at Culture Studio and People Lead (HR Business Partner) at Thoughtworks.
Retail Expansion News
With the new hires, Interior Define’s C-Suite is now complete with a mix of experienced and established professionals equipped with the knowledge to assist the brand amongst a massive and rapid retail expansion plan to over 30+ brick-and-mortar store openings slated for the remainder of 2022. The new locations, called “Interior Define Studios,” will have an average of 3,500-8,000 square feet and showcase over 80% of their current product assortment on the floor as well as make room for growth across new product categories.
This aggressive expansion comes after a big year for Interior Define in 2021, as they were recently recognized in The Lead’s Foremost 50 List: The Annual Power List of High-Growth DTC Brands that are reinventing and redefining the future of fashion, retail, and consumer. Interior Define significantly grew the product assortment in 2021, increasing the product categories by 4x with similar growth plans for 2022. The cornerstone of Interior Define’s business is the depth of customization they offer across all of their upholstered sofas, sectionals, chairs, and ottomans, including thousands of different options to design a one-of-a-kind piece from 125+ fabrics, 20+ leg options, multiple lengths and depths, and cushion fills all at affordable price points. In addition to their made-to-order offerings, Interior Define has expanded into over 10 new categories to build out the living room, dining room, and home offices to help customers create an entire space that is uniquely theirs. Interior Define will continue to build out the lifestyle segment into 2022 with an aggressive roadmap of products including a new bedroom collection.
The Interior Define Studios feature an evolutionary retail concept providing customers with a seamless home planning and shopping experience from start to finish. With customers at the center of the omnichannel strategy, Interior Define provides a seamless user experience from online to offline and ranked first place with the highest e-commerce merchandising index in Cylindo’s Top 100 U.S. Furniture Retailers report. At the brick-and-mortar level, the updated customization center offers everything to help create a one-of-a-kind piece including hundreds of fabric and rug swatches, leg samples, as well as a curated collection of home accessories including tables, desks, lighting, and decor. Interior Define is revolutionizing the traditional retail model as the customer can work with an Interior Define Design Expert, complimentary for every customer, online and seamlessly translate the same information to in-store Design Experts, and vice versa.
CHICAGO–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Interior Define, the digitally native and vertically integrated customizable furniture brand, announces today the addition of Bahniman Hazarika as Chief Financial Officer, William Savage as Chief Supply Chain Officer, and Chris Travers as Chief Business Officer and General Counsel. With proven track records of building high-growth companies, Hazarika, Travers, and Savage round out the C-Suite at a core moment in Interior Define’s massive 200% retail expansion and growth plans of 30+ stores slated for the remainder of 2022.
“I am thrilled to come on board at a crucial moment in Interior Define’s growth to ensure that the brand is aligned in ways to help advance the business. I’m looking forward to helping see through the intricacies of this ever-evolving company over the years.”
Bahniman Hazarika
Bahniman Hazarika, the new Chief Financial Officer at Interior Define, previously held positions at leading companies such as The Home Depot, Ernst & Young, Gray Ghost Ventures, and Wachovia Securities. Prior to Interior Define, Hazarika was the Finance Director/Business Unit CFO at The Home Depot where he owned and managed the P&Ls for Homedepot.com, Blinds.com, TheCompanyStore.com, and HD Home (Home Depot’s Home Furnishings Business). With experience in corporate finance, venture capital, management consulting and investment banking and a demonstrated track record of building high-growth companies in the US, Asia, and Sub-Saharan Africa, Hazarika’s strategic finance experience proves his abilities in capital raising, investor relations, corporate development, risk management, and controllership as well as analyzing the company’s financial strengths and weaknesses and managing its financial health.
Hazarika states, “I’m excited to bring my previous experience to this emerging brand as we find new areas of opportunity and propel into various markets in addition to new home furnishing categories. During this formative era for Interior Define, I am honored to be a part of their ongoing evolution.”
Hazarika will be overseeing Interior Define’s financial strategies and optimizing the brands’ financial performance including analyzing the strengths and weaknesses and managing financial health through the exponential growth of the brand into new markets and cross-categories.
William Savage
William Savage, the new Chief Supply Chain Officer, has impressive credentials in the supply chain industry with accelerating revenue and achieving profitable growth through business model innovation and speed. He held the role as Executive Vice President, Chief Global Supply Chain Officer at Pier 1 where he established a world class sourcing team to procure $1bn in imported goods, while re-engineering the value chain to create increased customer value. In addition, he rationalized and strengthened distribution networks to support fast and successful growth in e-commerce meeting demands of consumers during the recent pandemic. Prior to Pier 1, Savage held positions at globally recognized brands including Walmart, Sears, and Tesco.
Savage says, “As [Interior Define] grows, we want to challenge every element of the supply chain to move faster. Sourcing from closer to home and holding more inventory will certainly allow us to shorten lead times. At the same time investing in technology that gives greater visibility to where our inventory is will allow us to manage products more efficiently through the supply chain journey.”
Savage will work closely with the supply chain management team to navigate through the end-to-end supply chain strategy including manufacturing, planning, procuring, and distribution of products as Interior Define works to expand its category offerings to become a whole home resource.
Chris Travers
Chris Travers joins Interior Define as the Chief Business Officer/General Counsel to support the business growth while maintaining the company’s core values. With robust experience as General Counsel & Chief Business Officer at Bonobos and VP and COO, Digital Consumer Brands, at Walmart eCommerce, Travers has a background that prepared him for the extensive expansion and growth of Interior Define in the near future. Prior to this, Travers worked at White & Case and Mayer Brown.
Travers will be responsible for all operational aspects of the company’s corporate and business activities as well as providing strategic business solutions to conflicts that may arise. In his new position, Travers will be spearheading growth for the brand to increase market share and profit through Interior Define’s omni-channel presence.
Travers says, “I am thrilled to come on board at a crucial moment in Interior Define’s growth to ensure that the brand is aligned in ways to help advance the business. I’m looking forward to helping see through the intricacies of this ever-evolving company over the years.”
The Complete C-Suite
“We are bringing on seasoned veterans to further fuel our high-growth phase and margin expansion while investing in key strategic initiatives to ensure that we further differentiate Interior Define’s position, over time,” says Antonio Nieves, CEO.
The three new hires increase the leadership team to seven as they combine alongside Antonio Nieves (CEO), Catherine Colwell (now Chief Experience Officer), Jill John (Chief Customer Officer), Christina Holland (Chief Product Officer), and Casey Darnell (VP of People).
As the CEO, Antonio Nieves is responsible for managing Interior Define’s overall operations and steering the strategic direction and business strategies that align with the company’s long- and short-term goals. Prior to Interior Define, Nieves was the CEO of ModCloth, COO & CFO at Bonobos and held positions at Logitech, Gilead Sciences, Blue Coat Systems, and Johnson & Johnson.
Catherine Colwell, former VP of Product & Technology, now Chief Experience Officer, oversees how technology serves the customer and design expert’s experience. Through the end-to-end customer journey, from brand discovery through post-delivery, Catherine drives deliberate and disciplined design and delivery of exceptional technology experiences. In addition, she is responsible for increasing the brand’s understanding of the customer experience with the use of research, data, and strategic vision as well as managing all digital and data processes, services, and products. Prior to Interior Define, Colwell was the Senior Director, Product Management & Design/UX at Framebridge and held posts at Huge, General Assembly, Wedding Wire, and Accenture.
As the Chief Customer Officer, Jill John’s role centers around establishing the voice and visual identity of the brand by creating a genuine, unparalleled connection with consumers through an integrated approach with the customer at the center of the decision-making process. With over 20+ years of experience in the luxury home category, John has a proven track record for driving growth and innovation along the customer journey. Prior to joining Interior Define, John was the SVP of Customer Experience and Brand Marketing at Serena & Lily and Director of Sales and Business Development at Williams-Sonoma Inc.
Christina Holland, Chief Product Officer, oversees product merchandising, product design, visual merchandising, and web merchandising for the brand. Before joining Interior Define, Holland was the VP, Head of Merchandising for Serena & Lily and VP, Textiles for Restoration Hardware. Previously she held positions at Levi Strauss & Co., Disney, Nike, and Gap Inc.
Casey Darnell, VP of People, is responsible for talent acquisition, training and development, employee engagement, and HR, as well as implementing strategies to diversify the talent pool and create strategic initiatives around people culture including the implementation of diversity training as well as benefits like monthly mental health days. Darnell previously was the Head of HR at Culture Studio and People Lead (HR Business Partner) at Thoughtworks.
Retail Expansion News
With the new hires, Interior Define’s C-Suite is now complete with a mix of experienced and established professionals equipped with the knowledge to assist the brand amongst a massive and rapid retail expansion plan to over 30+ brick-and-mortar store openings slated for the remainder of 2022. The new locations, called “Interior Define Studios,” will have an average of 3,500-8,000 square feet and showcase over 80% of their current product assortment on the floor as well as make room for growth across new product categories.
This aggressive expansion comes after a big year for Interior Define in 2021, as they were recently recognized in The Lead’s Foremost 50 List: The Annual Power List of High-Growth DTC Brands that are reinventing and redefining the future of fashion, retail, and consumer. Interior Define significantly grew the product assortment in 2021, increasing the product categories by 4x with similar growth plans for 2022. The cornerstone of Interior Define’s business is the depth of customization they offer across all of their upholstered sofas, sectionals, chairs, and ottomans, including thousands of different options to design a one-of-a-kind piece from 125+ fabrics, 20+ leg options, multiple lengths and depths, and cushion fills all at affordable price points. In addition to their made-to-order offerings, Interior Define has expanded into over 10 new categories to build out the living room, dining room, and home offices to help customers create an entire space that is uniquely theirs. Interior Define will continue to build out the lifestyle segment into 2022 with an aggressive roadmap of products including a new bedroom collection.
The Interior Define Studios feature an evolutionary retail concept providing customers with a seamless home planning and shopping experience from start to finish. With customers at the center of the omnichannel strategy, Interior Define provides a seamless user experience from online to offline and ranked first place with the highest e-commerce merchandising index in Cylindo’s Top 100 U.S. Furniture Retailers report. At the brick-and-mortar level, the updated customization center offers everything to help create a one-of-a-kind piece including hundreds of fabric and rug swatches, leg samples, as well as a curated collection of home accessories including tables, desks, lighting, and decor. Interior Define is revolutionizing the traditional retail model as the customer can work with an Interior Define Design Expert, complimentary for every customer, online and seamlessly translate the same information to in-store Design Experts, and vice versa.
In addition to prioritizing the e-commerce experience for customers, Interior Define implemented various strategic initiatives to promote and elevate their internal employees. The brand is proud to be able to pay their Design Experts with starting salaries much higher above other similar retail positions and equip employees with the proper tools for maximum productivity and career growth through a variety of management practices.
Interior Define focuses on the full employee experience within work, and outside of work, by providing training from coaching and management skills to meditation and financial wellness to ensure that their employees know they are a people-first brand. Interior Define continues to promote and strive for diversity in the workplace and reports that nearly 80% are female directors and above and 73% female team members. Interior Define encourages promotions from within and helps employees through career mapping for optimal career advancement as well as providing managers with a training curriculum to ensure a supportive and consistent employee development experience.
To learn more about Hazarika, connect with him on LinkedIn.
To learn more about Savage, connect with him on LinkedIn.
To learn more about Travers, connect with him on LinkedIn.
To learn more about Interior Define, schedule an appointment with a Design Expert.
ABOUT INTERIOR DEFINE
Digitally native and vertically integrated brand, Interior Define, offers the most compelling and in-depth custom furniture experience in the industry. Interior Define’s unique, made-to-order production approach enables customization across configuration, size, cushion fill, leg style, and fabric and leather upholstery including Oeko-Tex© Standard Certified, performance and kid- and pet-friendly options. Each product is designed by you to be uniquely yours for the space you live in. Interior Define’s omnichannel approach enables customers with personalized support from Design Experts each step of the way, from designing mood boards to offering expert advice on fabric and floor plans, to help bring a design project to life. Democratizing customization fuels the Interior Define vision of providing an experience like no other for each unique living space. Visit Interior Define in Atlanta, GA, Austin, TX, Boston, MA, Charlotte, NC, Chicago, IL, Dallas, TX, Los Angeles, CA, New York, NY, Philadelphia, PA, San Francisco, CA, Seattle, WA, and Washington, DC.
For more information on Interior Define, please visit www.interiordefine.com and follow Interior Define on Instagram @interiordefine
For interviews, content and more details, please contact James Hagenberg at InteriorDefine@theconsultancypr.com