1233: Chana-Rivka Thierman & Faigy Chaskelson: How to Make Industry Events Worth Your Time

Today with Chana-Rivka Thierman & Faigy Chaskelson:

Are you attending industry events by wandering the expo floor, visiting the same vendors you already know, collecting business cards, and hoping something valuable comes from the day? There’s a more intentional way to do it.

Today, I’m joined by commercial interior designer Faigy Chaskelson and architect Chana-Rivka Thierman to talk about how they use industry events to build relationships, discover resources, meet peers, and connect with professionals outside their immediate circles. And Faigy truly practices what she preaches. Years ago, she drove more than an hour each way to attend a Window Works Lunch and Learn because she wanted to meet me. That introduction grew into a relationship, and ultimately Faigy was the person who suggested I speak at the Design X Architecture Summit, DXAS. That relationship is also part of the reason the three of us are having this conversation today.

We talk about going into an event with a plan, being selective about whom you want to meet, approaching conversations with genuine curiosity, and following up afterward so a promising introduction has the opportunity to become a real relationship. We also talk about why your relationships with other designers, architects, vendors, builders, and industry professionals can become an important resource for your business.

And, of course, we talk about DXAS, happening December 1st at American Dream in East Rutherford, New Jersey. I attended last year, I’ll be speaking this year, and I genuinely enjoyed the environment they created for learning, sourcing, and actually spending time with people.

If you’re investing a day away from your business to attend a conference, market, or trade show, this conversation will help you make that day count.

The first 100 A Well-Designed Business listeners can attend DXAS for $24.99 with code LUANN26.

More about Chana-Rivka Thierman & Faigy Chaskelson

CHANA-RIVKA THIERMAN

Founder & CEO, THIERMAN Design & Consulting

Chana-Rivka Thierman is a French-registered architect and founder of THIERMAN Design & Consulting, an interior design studio based in the USA. She has international experience across France, Russia, and the United States, with a career spanning architecture, design, workplace strategy, BIM, and construction.

In France, she worked within Bouygues, one of the country’s largest construction groups, including on the construction of the Paris Courthouse designed by Renzo Piano Building Workshop. Working within a large-scale construction environment shaped her understanding of how design connects to execution, coordination, decision-making, and the broader business of building.

Today, she brings that cross-disciplinary perspective to her own design practice and to her involvement in helping shape the programming for DXAS 2026, bringing together perspectives across design, architecture, development, construction, technology, and industry.

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Faigy Chaskelson is an entrepreneur, commercial interior designer, and co-founder of The Artify Group, where she leads business development and builds strategic relationships across the design and architecture community.

She is also the founder and CEO of Styles Design Interiors, a commercial interior design and procurement firm serving senior living, healthcare, multifamily, and public-sector projects.

With experience on both the design and business-development sides of the industry, Faigy has built her career around connecting people, resources, and opportunities. She believes some of the strongest business growth happens when professionals stop simply networking and start intentionally building relationships that create value for everyone at the table.

Connect with Chana-Rivka Thierman & Faigy Chaskelson:

DXAS 2026 - Register here!

Chana’s Website

Faigy’s Website

Chana’s Instagram

Faigy’s Intagram

Chana’s LinkedIn

Faigy’s LinkedIn

Aha Moments with Chana-Rivka Thierman & Faigy Chaskelson:

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