News– Page 18 – Michele Varian Shop

Feb 02, 2018

Design Talk by MV no. 018 - ¬ And Here’s What We’re Doing About It: Exploring Commercial Rent Increases Amidst a Struggling Brick and Mortar Sector Pt. 03

Here we are! The final of our three-part series on the silly, confusing, unwarranted paradox facing retail today: defying supply and demand, commercial rents are higher than ever, at the exact same time brick and mortar retail is struggling. Here is the most uplifting post in the series, I promise! Solutions, resources, and friends in the fight… comin’ atcha.

Jan 24, 2018

Design Talk by MV no. 017 - The Nitty Gritty and Biz Economy Vs. Social Economy: Exploring Commercial Rent Increases Amidst a Struggling Brick and Mortar Sector Pt. 02

Jane Jacobs rocks. When she highlighted the social and civic harm invoked by losing independent retailers and artisans, she was paving the way for the exact thinking that we’re doing here today. In this week’s Design Talk by MV, I’ll address the anxious realities of (re-)zoning and investment, as well as the social economies that form and support our neighborhoods.

Jan 19, 2018

Design Talk by MV no. 016 - When the Concept of Supply and Demand Fails: Exploring Commercial Rent Increases Amidst a Struggling Brick and Mortar Sector Pt. 01

To kick 2018 off strong, I really GOTTA KNOW why retail rents are increasing so gravely at the same time that retail, as we know it, is becoming less profitable. What gives? In the first of a three-part Design Talk, I’ll address the paradox, how it’s in total defiance of traditional supply and demand economics, and nail down a few of the reasons I see supporting the screwy trajectory.

Jan 07, 2018

Design Talk by MV no. 15 - My Father, From Whom I Still Learn: An Interview with Dennis Varian

Happy 2018! To ring in the New Year, I decided to do something a little different, a format for Design Talk that I hope to continue sporadically: an interview.

Over the holidays, I spoke with my dad, one of my favorite people, about entrepreneurialism and the ways that commerce and industry change alongside the cities that host them.

Dec 19, 2017

Design Talk by MV no. 14 - I ❤ My Tool Belt – How We are the Tools for Our Economic Communities

There’s my literal tool belt, which I still wear all the time, and which is invaluable to my creativity. But there’s also my tool belt of resources, which contains advice, books, and the presence of mentors. Next week I’ll share my favorite and most valued picks from my metaphoric tool belt, and how they’ve guided me as a designer – but also as a businessperson.