✨ From paint with crystals to whole-home integration, here’s what made HPMKT unforgettable.

Hiya Reader. Whether we crossed paths at Market Square or in one of the many bustling showrooms, I hope you were just as enchanted by High Point Market’s magic this past October as I was!

And for the new faces here: Hi, I’m Ericka! 👋

I’m a designer and brand strategist, obsessed with how our built environment shapes the human experience. Through this newsletter, I share stories and insights about marketing, branding, and our industry’s creative pulse. My hope is to spark ideas that help you grow your business and build a brand that truly shines.

This month, I’m sharing some of my biggest takeaways from HPMKT.

Let's get started!

This month’s email was drafted from 35,000 feet somewhere between High Point and my other home in Marseille, France. Writing it felt bittersweet, as leaving High Point always does for me.

Not just because High Point is where I grew up a million billion years ago, but because the connections I've made coming back over all these years are so real. Leaving my family is hard. Leaving my industry is hard. Living outside of my culture is hard.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m fortunate to return to a beautiful life in France. But there’s a piece of High Point I carry with me wherever I go; a pride that comes from being part of a community where creativity, craft, and innovation aren’t just buzzwords, they’re in our DNA.

Whole Home Integration: The future of HPMKT...?

The most standout product for me this market wasn’t furniture or lighting. It was paint.

Hear me out.

I spent some time this fall at Cisco Home’s enchanting showroom (if it’s not already on your Spring Market agenda, fix that). There, I met the founders of Alkemis Paint, who told a brand story so compelling, it stuck with me.

Their mineral-based paint (one of the only to be Cradle to Cradle certified) is literally made from crystals.

Yes. Crystals in the walls...ya'll. ✨

I couldn’t come up with a better brand story if I tried!

But what struck me wasn’t just the product. It was how their story was seamlessly woven into Cisco’s showroom—a perfect example of integration. Pairing paint with furnishings creates a far more immersive story, one that makes you feel the lifestyle that both brands represent...and while this may seem so forking obvious to collaborate with like-minded brands, the question of "WHY isn't this happening on a much larger scale" is the bigger, more important question here, no?

I think it is, but not just with paint.

The presence of kitchen, bath, and surface brands at High Point Market this fall reflects the same trend. The NKBA’s Design Experience popup, for instance, points to a future where High Point becomes the ultimate destination for the entire home.

This kind of integration doesn’t just make sense—it’s strategic. 🚀

Why? Because buyers are looking for more value in fewer trips.

When a showroom combines categories, it’s not just about clever merchandising—it’s about creating an experience that makes the buyer’s job easier, more emotional, and more connected.

Integration like this is also a lifeline in a tight economy.

Collaboration between manufacturers can share costs, amplify reach, and create unforgettable showroom experiences that really stand out. Brands like Cisco and Alkemis Paint remind me that innovation doesn’t always mean inventing something new.

And isn’t that what great branding is all about? Selling an emotion, not just a product. 💕

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Ok ok...it really is all about showing up!

There was a palpable vibe on the streets this fall. Every conversation I had, every panel I moderated, came back to the same theme:

But here’s the thing: The brands that thrive don’t run from their uniqueness—they lean into it.

They use it as leverage to build something extraordinary. 💥

High Point is a reminder of that. It’s not just a marketplace; it’s a culture that celebrates creativity, resilience, and innovation.

Market, for me, has always been about more than just product. It’s about the people.

Meeting the makers, hearing their stories, and experiencing their passion firsthand is what makes it all worthwhile.

This fall, I hosted and spoke on a slew of panels about building a brand in our industry. Across every session, one message stood out: consistency, authenticity, and making those big investments (hello, website updates and brand refreshes!) are the keys to long-term success.

In a tight economy, it’s tempting to cut or cancel your event budget all together.

But HPMKT reminds us why showing up matters—both online and in person. The brands that last are the ones that invest in visibility, relationships, consistent messaging, and authentic connections.

When you show up and share your story, you build more than a brand. You build a legacy.

I left Market this year with a renewed sense of hope. Hope that together, as an industry, we can lean into our uniqueness and build something truly extraordinary!*

So tell me....what were your impressions of HPMKT? Hit reply and let me know—I love hearing from you and read every response.

To your success,
Ericka

The Post Script

Designers...get published! Residential interior designers based in New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, and D.C. are invited to submit projects for the January/February issue of Designer’s Today. Deadline: November 25. Learn more here >>​

Stop doing everything yourself (and make more money!). I loved learning about the BSD Group's new procurement service at market and you will too...they're HP locals with deep industry partnerships and have vetted a huge list of over 1500 skus of product. Let them take the stress of dealing with ordering out of your hands AND give you back the time you need to be your best creative self. 🫶

And speaking of being your best creative self...you can now enroll in Marketing School for Creatives year round 🎉 🎊 Join us now and start growing your business and your career.

Making space for meaningful moments. Listen in to someone else besides me talk about the power of creative leverage, defining your brand's ideology, and the power to do whatever you want in this short life.

❤️ Muah!
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*Perhaps even one day building a metro network in High Point!