Jeaneen Barnhart and Doreen Dehar

Executive Summary Questions

Answers from Jeaneen Barnhart and Doreen Dehart

Q1) What time of the day you are most productive?

D. I am most productive from 9:00 a.m. to noon, but creative thinking/ concepting can happen anytime of the day or night.

J. My creativity usually starts to flow after lunch and can continue through to the late evening.

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2) What type of music do you like?

D. I like just about everything from Sarah Brightman to Led Zeppelin. I love really good creative dance mixes to keep my blood flowing when I work out. I have my dad’s massive collection of vinyl albums and when I clean the house, I play them. My favorite is “Frampton Comes Alive.” My parents used to listen to it all the time.

J. Depends on the mood. I need music to keep me moving…like the drawing itself. DJ mixes of ethereal trance and electronic lounge work well, along with romantic classical to rock.

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3) What do you stress over?

D. Everything. I stress over the details in graphic design that most people don’t even notice. I stress over how much I can get accomplished in a day.

J. It is always a challenge to grow as an artist and continue to bring my art to another level. I constantly struggle with the balance of art and life. It is easy to get overwhelmed by continuous urge to better myself while facing the distractions of everyday life.

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4) What big decision are you contemplating?

D. Whether to take a break from my career and get back into clay relief and other areas of art that I used to do before I became a graphic designer. There is a lot of creativity inside of me that has not surfaced.

J. Right now… how to paint my Gallopalooza horses!

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5) What do you do to wind down?

D. I wind down with a glass of red wine (or two). Sometimes I’ll read my son’s Social Studies textbook from school (since it skims the surface of world history). I did not realize how much I had forgotten.

J. I don’t wind down often. Perhaps after projects are complete or I have created something successful, I like to kick back with full-bodied red wine and listen to music.

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6) What is the biggest business mistake and lesson learned?

D. I can’t separate work from my personal life. Stressful projects really can take their toll on my family. And working at home doesn’t help. I have not learned my lesson yet, but I am working on it.

J. Working too much interferes with my personal life and the time I spend with family and friends – still learning this lesson.

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7) What was your “I made it moment?”

D. Graduating from college “Magna Cum Laud” was the first. I had two senior shows with a double concentration in painting and graphic design. I don’t know how I managed to work so much, yet still had time to teach aerobics and attend toga parties. The second moment was winning my first LGDA gold award with a project I designed while working at Stewart Lopez-Bonilla & Associates. “Twinspired” is my latest “I made it moment”.

J. I have “I’m making it moments,” like when a gallery owner actually tries to solicit my work instead of the usual “artist seeking gallery” scenario. Feels good!

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What business tool can you not live without?

D. My 17-inch Powerbook; my vision; my creativity.

J. Charcoal; pastels; and oil paint.

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9) What is something about you that few know?

D. I was a competitive bodybuilder in my teenage years (both of us were). It all started when we used bodybuilding magazines for references to draw the human figure. Somehow we took a great interest in it. Our dad opened a gym in South Florida and we entered our first competition at the age of 13. We even gave out trophies at a competition with Arnold Schwarzenegger as the guest MC. Jeaneen and I were “guest posers” at competitions by the time we were 16. By senior year of high school, we were done (burned out). It felt like another life.

J. I used to be a DJ for a dance club 4 nights a week.

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10) What is your smartest business move?

D. Working 10 years as Art Director for Abney-Huninghake Design Group, where I gained incredible experience from some wonderful people. When I ventured out on my own with “Twinspired,” it was an easy transition. They gave me confidence and insight.

J. Not to move. Louisville has been a great place to live, network and excel as an artist.

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11) When you are away from work, what do you like doing?

D. I love working out. It takes me back to my bodybuilding days; makes me feel young. When it’s warm outside, I love walking through St. Matthews with my dog. It’s a great place to live.

J. I like catching up with my family and friends; enjoy sunny warm days; visit art galleries; meet people!

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12) Is there anything else that you would like to add?

D. I have been married for over 14 years and my son Dane is the greatest gift of all.

Jeaneen and I are proud to be a part of the Louisville community.

J. I could not have accomplished all that I have without my sister.

1) What time of the day you are most productive?

I am most productive first thing in the morning (you know that time before everyone is awake and at the office and the phones aren’t yet ringing).

2) What type of music do you like?

I received an IPod for Christmas and it wasn’t until I was downloading my “playlist” that I realized what a variety of music I like…I love everything from Van Morrison, Ray Charles, Frank Sinatra, to Norah Jones, Maroon 5, Usher, INXS, Alicia Keys, OneRepublic, Blue October to Rihanna…and just about everything in between…I love music; it just makes me feel good.

3) What do you stress over?

I used to stress over everything and then I realized it was making me and everyone around me miserable; I have moments here and there when I stress over a deadline or a big presentation, but truly I work at trusting my gut instincts, my family, my friends and my staff; that way I don’t need to be stressed.

4) What big decision are you contemplating?

In this economy, I am hearing that there are a number of stellar designers and sales people looking for new jobs; and, while my business is steady, do I take the financial risk of hiring the talent now while I can, or do I wait until my business grows to the level where the hire is more justified – surround yourself with good people to go get the work…or go get the work and then find the right people?

5) What do you do to wind down?

Go home, turn on some music, have a glass of wine and cook dinner with my boyfriend; take my dogs for a walk and workout.

6) What is the biggest business mistake and lesson learned?

I have had moments when I get too comfortable in doing the same routine; pursuing the same type of clients; or even worse, spending too much time on existing business and not striking the right balance between prospecting and marketing for new business. I have learned that I must ALWAYS be selling – to my existing clients and prospecting for new; during the lean and the fat times.

7) What was your “I made it moment”?

I don’t think I will ever be able to say “I made it,” because I find myself always wanting more…needing to go after that next great “thing”…once I get there…I just set my sights higher; some day I will “make it,” but for now, I’m enjoying the ride there.

What business tool can you not live without?

My staff; I know they are not technically a “tool,” but put the cell phone, computer and email aside and we can still do business, a little slower, of course, but without the right people, none of the others really matter.

9) What is something about you that few know?

I am a bi-centennial Valentine’s baby.

10) What is your smartest business move?

Hiring a sales coach – it has made the world of difference to my outlook, the way I handle new business opportunities, and the way I earn my business.

11) When you are away from work, what do you like doing?

I love to travel; last year I made the time to catch up on the vacation time I just never seemed to take the four years prior; I made it to San Diego, CA, Scottsdale, AZ, and Las Vegas. It is just nice to disconnect, get away and re-energize.