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SPOTLIGHT
BECKY WALKER
Owner/Principal Designer, The Design Studio
Q: What’s the biggest misconception about interior design that you encounter?
“I graduated from LSU with a bachelor’s degree in interior design and every day since, I’ve had to explain the difference between a professional interior designer and a decorator. Certification as a Professional Interior Designer requires completion of an intense four-year program at an accredited school of interior design and two years of post-graduate work under a licensed interior designer before you even qualify to take the national board exam. Once you’ve passed your national boards, you’re eligible to be licensed. The complexity of our work is to not only beautify a space, but to ensure compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and all other local, state and national codes, regulations and standards with the intent of improving work/home/worship etc. with the best quality of life. We often operate as the mediator between architect, contractor and client and at times, landscape architect and engineers. I deal with everything from single-family homes to multi-million-dollar commercial and multi-family developments. I’m not just making your space pretty; I’m protecting your investment, your property value and the regulatory compliance of your home or business. When you work with a certified Professional Interior Designer, you’re working with someone who has met the rigorous criteria and acquired the credentials needed to function as a true, multidisciplinary architectural, design and construction professional.”
JACKLYN GALLO
SVP Regional Manager, JD Bank
Q: As a Louisiana-based community bank, what is JD Bank’s unique value proposition to perspective borrowers as compared to national banks?
“We could all say that a bank is a bank is a bank. A checking account is a checking account. Those things are true … until you need a personal and trusted relationship with your banker to resolve an issue. Financial issues do not age well, and we are here to dive into the details with our clients. Whether it be a personal issue, a family matter, a residential construction concern, a commercial project complication – having someone to call and someone who picks up the phone and recognizes you becomes critical. This is the relationship that we share with our clients as we work together to find solutions. That’s what we want to be known for at JD Bank, and that’s what we strive for every single day. As our bank’s President recently said: “There’s no shortage of banks, but there’s certainly a shortage of banks like us.””
MIKE RICCI
Principal & Director, Rampart/Wurth Holding, Inc.
NAI Rampart
Q: NAI Rampart, through its predecessor NAI Latter & Blum, has been operating in Louisiana for more than 100 years. How does that kind of longevity benefit you in a turbulent economy?
“To me, it means our team has seen it all. We’ve been through crashes, recessions, COVID, and – unfortunately – natural disasters. All of those challenges are part of life and part of business. And like the people of Louisiana, we’ve survived. We don’t blink. We see ourselves as a new company moving forward, carrying the same experience, expertise, and history of NAI Latter & Blum – with many of the same team members – but forging our own path. With time and a lot of hard work, we want to make NAI Rampart synonymous with commercial real estate in Louisiana… and beyond.”
LANCE FAUCHEAUX
Operations Manager, Level Homes
Q: Level Homes has been synonymous with quality single-family home construction for 25 years. What is driving the strategy to add Build-to-Rent construction to your portfolio?
“High-quality single-family homes for sale are still our primary focus. Adding build-to-rent construction is a natural extension of what we already do well. It allows us to meet the growing demand for horizontal rental developments – places that look and feel like neighborhoods but are built for renters. It also gives us flexibility. When one side of the market slows, the other may gain momentum. That balance helps us stay strong as a company and continue doing what we do best: building great homes.”
BRANDON CRAFT
Owner/Realtor, Craft Realty | Interiors | Homes
Q: Craft is known for bringing together real estate, interior design, and homebuilding under one brand. What makes your approach stand out from others in the market?
“We didn’t set out to become a fully integrated firm, but the market showed us what was needed – and we built it. What began with homebuilding grew into real estate and interior design, not as a business strategy, but as a response to real gaps we saw our clients facing. Today, having all three under one roof gives us a rare line of sight into the full picture of what drives the market and what today’s buyers actually want. A builder alone might overlook the impact of flood insurance on deal flow. A realtor without a design eye might miss the power of presentation. Because we see it all – development, sales, and design – we’re able to deliver homes that aren’t just beautiful, but smart, market-aware, and ready to perform. That’s what sets Craft apart.”
