THE LIFE OF A STARTUP ARTICLE FEATURED MY CO-FOUNDER AND I

Founded in New York City, George and Chris launched their business together in 2015.

I was recently interviewed for an article in SuperbCrew with my business partner, Chris Hartswick. We were thrilled and honored at the chance to give the journalists at SuperbCrew an inside look into Ideoli.

The piece was a traditional Q&A story feature, offering us the chance to dive a little deeper into the story behind Ideoli’s founding, the work done at Ideoli, what sets the company apart from others in the industry, as well as what our clients and team members can look forward to from us in the future.

Be sure to check out the story here. You can also read the interview below.

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Custom-Interiors Specialist Ideoli Creates Vibrant Products For Its Progressive Partners Located Around The World

Below is our recent interview with George Stroumboulis, CEO and Co-Founder and Chris Hartswick CPO and Co-Founder of Ideoli Group:

Q: Could you provide our readers with a brief introduction to Ideoli Group?

A: Ideoli is a custom-interiors specialist that creates vibrant products for its progressive partners located in markets around the world. We are experts in the design, prototyping and manufacturing of lighting fixtures, furnishing elements and showcase pieces, and adopting them to market-specific conditions quickly. Ideoli has quickly become a go-to leader in the custom development of products for various client types looking to expand and implement cutting-edge technology lighting products and other elements.

Q: How was your company founded?

A: Ideoli was founded in 2014 by George Stroumboulis and Chris Hartswick in New York City. Both George and Chris worked together previously and were part of a LED lighting company startup. That startup experienced tremendous growth within a few short years and was later acquired and went public on the New York Stock Exchange. Now working for a larger corporation, both guys knew it was time to start their own company. With an international footprint, they knew to be successful, they had to tap into markets outside of the United States quickly, during the initial stages of their company’s infancy. Both George and Chris complement each other in their personalities, skillset, craziness and drive to be the best at what they do, while having fun along the way. Which is evident with the team they have established and the travels around this world.

Q: What types of services/products do you offer to your clients?

A: Through an invigorated and integrated design and manufacturing approach, Ideoli creates the highest quality products that are installed in retail, restaurant, hospitality, commercial and industrial environments across the world. We design and produce lighting fixtures, furnishing elements, showcase pieces and also assist with the sourcing of products when necessary.

– Lighting Fixtures: we fabricate custom lighting fixtures that are designed by lighting experts and feature the latest LED lighting and driver technologies on the market. We can create for any application imaginable and on any scale—large or small.

– Furnishing Elements: we develop the highest-quality furniture and fixtures for retail and restaurant environments. Depending on the requirements, we craft elements needed to bring the experience to life.

– Showcase Pieces: we conceptualize the most magnificent statement pieces for those high-profile applications. Whether you require a single fixture or a few elements for a flagship opportunity, we can drive the long and creative process with all parties.

– Sourced Products: we are procurement collaborators when our clients need to buy better or seek items already existing on the market. We aid our countless international partners when customization is not required. When engaged, we own the process and work with existing partners to deliver products per specifications.

Q: Who are your clients and what are some of the key challenges you’re helping them solve?

A: Our clients include reputable global brands in the retail, restaurant, hospitality, commercial and industrial industries. We work with companies such as Hilton, American Girl, WeWork, Carls Jr., California Pizza Kitchen and dozens of other brands to design and manufacture their custom lighting and furniture products. Our industry partners include the most progressive companies in the design, specification, distribution and architectural arenas around the world. Some of the key challenges we’re helping to solve is through our value proposition is being able to take a product concept for a new space, work with the client to refine their specific requirements, prototype samples quickly, certify as needed and roll into mass production in a matter of weeks. This has truly revolutionized the way we go to market and clients realize this. We had a client for example where we developed a custom LED fixture for their global locations, from the time of approval, we were manufacturing 20,000+ units monthly and were able to certify this for 30+ countries in a matter of months. Something that is not the norm.

Q: What makes you stand out from your competition?

A: We make product customization an easy process. From an idea in your head to an inspiration sample in hand, Ideoli helps its partners design, prototype and mass-produce customized products across multiple industries. We have mastered the process and have accelerated the time it takes from taking an idea in your head, to furnishing your physical locations. We also have a boutique team with a global footprint. With strategic offices in the United States, Asia, South America and Europe, we have a team of invigorators that work together around the clock to provide the solution in product design and manufacturing on another level. Clients are blown away how quickly and professionally we bring their product concepts to life.

Q: What are your plans for the future?

A: We are continuing to build our international footprint with new offices opening in Argentina, Greece and Vietnam. Our ability to bring products to market is dependent on the global network we have created and continue to build. Ideoli is becoming active in global projects on a larger scale where we are furnishing lighting products and interiors for casinos and large hotels in international markets and have started outfitting municipalities in Europe with the latest LED street lighting technologies. We are expanding into strategic markets while maintaining our core focus on advanced technology and quality.