Michael Talbot
Atlanta,GA
Summary
People-first market development leader with 20+ years of experience in product development, brand strategy, showroom design, and specification programs for manufacturers and high-end retail. Skilled at rebranding, building trade and specification programs, designing immersive showroom experiences, and launching new revenue channels. Focused on creating seamless, customer-centered experiences that anticipate needs, remove friction, and elevate every interaction with the brand. NCIDQ licensed; LEED AP CI.
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
Work History
Vice President, Marketing and Design
Bottega Surfaces
08.2023 - Current
- Led full company rebrand from Bottega Stone to Bottega Surfaces, establishing brand architecture, naming, visual identity, messaging hierarchy, and a phased rollout plan across digital, retail, and sales channels.
- Directed the design and launch of a scalable showroom prototype for the company’s third location; managed design documentation, FF&E selection, vendor coordination, and construction oversight; replicated prototype across existing locations to create a cohesive retail system.
- Built brand infrastructure from scratch: authored brand guidelines and a brand book; developed trade sample program logistics and governance; produced customer-facing sales collateral, product photography, and digital assets.
- Implemented a standardized sales process and operational workflows across locations, including CRM best practices and sample management, increasing sales conversion rates and reducing quoting and follow‑up timelines.
- Launched a delivery service using existing resources with no incremental capital, establishing routing, fulfillment, and customer communication protocols that reduced operational costs while improving delivery reliability.
- Trained and coached showroom and sales teams on brand standards, product knowledge, and consultative selling; introduced ongoing training modules and performance checkpoints.
- Delivered double‑digit company growth following the rebrand and showroom reimaging through improved brand clarity, customer experience, and more efficient sales operations.
- Enhanced sales efficiency by improving lead‑to‑close speed and reducing operational bottlenecks, contributing to higher conversion rates and more predictable revenue flow.
Director, Creative and Marketing
Brick & Batten
10.2022 - 05.2023
- Led creative and product initiatives reporting to the CEO; launched the company’s first new product in five years by aligning product development with customer insights and market demand and drove 18% revenue growth.
- Created a comprehensive brand book and visual guidelines; oversaw production of marketing collateral, digital assets, and showroom materials.
- Managed external vendors, timelines, and budgets; redesigned design team training and onboarding to improve throughput and quality control.
Senior Manager, New Product Development and Brand
Hyundai L&C USA
08.2018 - 10.2022
- Oversaw the end‑to‑end design, timeline, vendor management, and execution of major showroom and trade show environments, including KBIS and Domotex USA, ensuring cohesive brand storytelling, high‑impact product presentation, and on‑time delivery.
- Managed vendor relationships, budgets, and production timelines for marketing assets and sample programs; delivered sales training and supported trade show activations and specification outreach to strengthen channel engagement.
- Responsible for new product development and customer-facing brand assets for HanStone Quartz, Hanex Solid Surfaces, and Crescendo Flooring across North America.
- Developed multi-year color and product roadmaps based on market research, sales feedback, and trend analysis; coordinated with international manufacturing and regional teams to execute product launches across multiple countries and regions.
- Led website redesign and launch, integrating showroom locators, product photography, video assets, and social content; created sales enablement materials and trained distribution partners on product positioning and trends.
Senior Design Manager
Beauflor USA
12.2017 - 08.2018
- Realigned collections for North America and identified design opportunities to broaden commercial appeal.
- Managed custom sample workflows and delivered tailored design solutions for major accounts.
- Liaised with corporate teams abroad to translate global innovation into local market offerings.
Senior Designer
Restoration Hardware
03.2016 - 11.2017
- Achieved approximately 23% sales growth over target through consultative design services and strong client relationship management.
- Managed client accounts using Salesforce; contributed to the transition from a retail model to a design-centric gallery approach and helped establish in-store Design Atelier experiences.
- Led a high-performing design team at the largest RH Full-Line Design Gallery, implementing process improvements and coaching associates on the Design Ethos.
Senior Product Designer
Shaw Contract Group
03.2012 - 06.2016
- Led global product innovation for resilient, porcelain, and engineered hardwood categories; translated market research into product roadmaps and commercial launches.
- Directed cross-functional, multi-country teams across design, technical, sourcing, and marketing to set creative vision and align launches with channel and go-to-market strategy.
- Managed vendor and manufacturing relationships to optimize development timelines, quality standards, and cost targets, accelerating speed-to-market.
- Produced go-to-market and marketing assets in partnership with agencies and internal marketing teams, including technical sell sheets, product photography, digital content, and trade show environments to support specification and distributor channels.
- Developed custom solutions for national and global clients, managing requirements, sampling, and production handoffs.
- Designed and delivered sales enablement and client education programs, including presentations and mill tours, to drive specification adoption.
- Created photorealistic presentations and layouts in collaboration with digital rendering teams for proposals, showrooms, and trade events.
Commercial Interior Designer
Heery International
06.2010 - 06.2012
Commercial Interior Designer
Commercial Design Interiors
05.2009 - 06.2010
Residential Interior Designer
Connie Seitz Interiors
08.2008 - 05.2009
Commercial Interior Design Intern
Gensler
05.2008 - 08.2008
Education
Bachelor of Interior Design -
Louisiana State University
Skills
- Brand & Marketing Strategy
- Specification & Trade Programs
- Go-to-Market Leadership
- Showroom Activation
- Channel & Distributor Enablement
- Sales Process Design
- New Revenue Models
- Product Development
- Vendor Management
- Team Leadership
- Digital Content & Visual Identity
- Salesforce
- Adobe Creative Suite
- SketchUp
Awards
- Best Booth Design, Domotex - Hyundai L&C USA
- Best of Year, Interior Design Magazine
- HIP Award, Interior Design Magazine
- Nightingale Gold Award, Healthcare Design
- 12 on 13 Nominee
Accreditations And Professional Activities
- NCIDQ Licensed Interior Designer
- LEED AP, Commercial Interiors
- Knoll Upstart
- Co-Chair, IIDA Dressed
Timeline
Vice President, Marketing and Design
Bottega Surfaces
08.2023 - Current
Director, Creative and Marketing
Brick & Batten
10.2022 - 05.2023
Senior Manager, New Product Development and Brand
Hyundai L&C USA
08.2018 - 10.2022
Senior Design Manager
Beauflor USA
12.2017 - 08.2018
Senior Designer
Restoration Hardware
03.2016 - 11.2017
Senior Product Designer
Shaw Contract Group
03.2012 - 06.2016
Commercial Interior Designer
Heery International
06.2010 - 06.2012
Commercial Interior Designer
Commercial Design Interiors
05.2009 - 06.2010
Residential Interior Designer
Connie Seitz Interiors
08.2008 - 05.2009
Commercial Interior Design Intern
Gensler
05.2008 - 08.2008
Bachelor of Interior Design -
Louisiana State University