Paul Foresman is the VP of Business Development and oversees our Woman-Centric Matters!® program, helping builders more fully appreciate women’s preferences in home design.
You have been with Design Basics for over 25 years. How did you get here and what makes you stick around?
I had been working for an advertising agency and Design Basics was one of my accounts. After a couple years, the owner of Design Basics offered me the position as Director of Marketing. Over the years I’ve been told I am “un-hirable,” being with the same company in the same position for so long. This may or may not be true, but the opportunity to do what you really enjoy, innovate, and grow your role with a team that’s become my second family is very rewarding, so why would I even think about leaving?
What do you like best about working at Design Basics?
The learning opportunities are endless here at Design Basics and my role has expanded in so many exciting ways. Just like homeowners want open designs rather than closed-off rooms, I wouldn’t be happy in a strictly defined job doing essentially the same thing day after day.
What do you find is most fulfilling about working with our customers?
The clients I get to work with inspire us to evolve home design in profound ways that’s having a significant impact on American housing.
Tell us a little bit about how you got involved in and launched the Woman-Centric program?
Woman-Centric Matters! was born out of years of (still ongoing) research. Also, I have a degree is in marketing research, so it was a natural fit for me. Really, it’s Marketing 101 – know thy customer. Women make most of the home buying decisions, yet most architects, engineers, builders, and construction tradespeople are men, so home design and construction has been from a decidedly male perspective. Hearing homebuyers say “You’ve thought of everything!” and “Why don’t other builders offer amenities like these?” validates the need for builders to gain an ever-increasing appreciation for women’s preferences in the home.
You are a Packers fan. How did that come about?
I was eight years old and Green Bay was going to face Kansas City in Super Bowl I. My older brother was a Chiefs fan so I took the Packers. One of the best days of my life was finally going with my youngest son to Lambeau field and watching the Packers beat Detroit in the final game of the 2014 season to win the NFC north division.
What do you like to do in your spare time?
I don’t believe in “spare time.” We’ve only been given so many days on this earth to make a difference in people’s lives, starting with family.
Name three things someone might not know about you:
I was adopted at a young age by wonderful parents. Adopted to me means “chosen,” and I thank God for His leading in my parent’s and my life.
My wife, Cindy, and I will celebrate 34 years of marriage, and the birth of our third grandson this December.
I was very into fast cars and drag racing in high school, which kept me out of trouble – all the money I earned went into my cars!
Learn more about Paul by clicking here.