The Power of Design

How do you grow an engineering practice in a city where nobody knows you? Jack Ossa sits down with John Nowak, P.E., Project Manager at CAGE Engineering, who helped open the firm's presence in Charlotte one relationship at a time. In this episode: - Why John chose civil engineering and his early years on large industrial projects - Moving to Charlotte and the first six months in a new market - The question John asks at the end of every meeting - Hunting vs. farming in business development - How introverts can succeed by listening - Why clients buy an approval strategy, not a set of plans - CAGE's in-office culture and the next five years in Charlotte Links: Episode Page: https://www.ossastudio.com/thepowerofdesignpodcast/john-nowak-relationship-building Youtube: https://youtu.be/BcTxgrylybk John Nowak on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnnowakpe/ CAGE Engineering: https://cagecivil.com/ CAGE on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/cage-civil-engineering/ CAGE on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cage.engineering/ Jack Ossa on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jackossa/

Building a custom home is a multi-year journey, and most people start it without a map. Jack Ossa sits down again with Toby Witte, Principal and Founder of Wittehaus, to talk through what really happens before, during and after a custom home is built. In this episode: - Toby's path from drafting apprentice in Germany to founding Wittehaus - Why truly custom homes sit outside what banks and the market will value - What Supersizing Bliss says about why we build the houses we build - A diagnostic-first design process, VR walkthroughs and 1:1 floor plan projections - Craft builders vs. spreadsheet builders - Why architecture firms struggle, and why revenue comes from sales - How Ossa Studio is using AI, from its Maestro operating system to its first AI agent Links: Episode Page: https://www.ossastudio.com/thepowerofdesignpodcast/toby-witte-building-a-custom-home Youtube: https://youtu.be/czOD7CR8juc  Wittehaus:https://www.witteha.us/ Wittehaus on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/wittehaus/ Wittehaus on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/company/wittehaus/ Supersizing Bliss (book):http://www.supersizingbliss.com

In this episode of The Power of Design Podcast, Jack Ossa speaks with Dani Chesson, Founder & Director of Design Thinker Institute, about using design thinking to help leaders get unstuck. Dani shares how a career that began in graphic design led her into banking, transformation, behavioral design, and organizational change. Together, they explore why successful change depends on understanding people, context, and the experience of adoption, not simply implementing a new framework or technology. They also discuss how to use AI thoughtfully while preserving the critical thinking and human judgment that meaningful progress requires. Episode Page Dani Chesson on Linkedin Design Thinker Institute on Linkedin Jack Ossa

The Power of Design Podcast - Episode 117 UK-US Professional Licensing | Daniel Parry & Sarah Peeler Professional licensing can determine whether global expertise stays on the sidelines or reaches the projects that need it. In this conversation, Jack Ossa welcomes Daniel Parry, Chief Executive Officer of Civex Consulting Group, and Sarah Peeler, Executive Director of the British American Business Council, Carolinas, to discuss UK US professional reciprocity. They explore talent mobility, progressive infrastructure delivery, cross border partnerships, and the practical hurdles firms must navigate when bringing architects and engineers into a new market. Daniel Parry on LinkedInSarah Peeler on LinkedIn Visit Civex Consulting Group Visit British American Business Council, Carolinas Episode Page

What happens when branding, sales, marketing, and AI all start with the same question: what does the customer actually need? Ian Cromie, President of Breeez, joins Jack Ossa to discuss the connection between customer understanding and sustainable business growth. Ian shares his journey from accounting into sales and entrepreneurship and explains how years of working directly with customers shaped his approach to marketing. The conversation explores why branding must establish trust quickly, why businesses should understand the customer journey before designing a website, and why generating leads is only the beginning. Ian also explains how Breeez uses technology and AI to analyze customer conversations, improve lead handling, identify patterns, and uncover information businesses can use to make better decisions. Jack and Ian discuss industry specialization, referrals, sales, customer retention, and a practical philosophy for adopting AI: identify the business problem first and then determine how technology can help solve it. Ian Cromie Breeez Epsideo Page

Mike Buccialia built his career by repeatedly stepping into unfamiliar environments. From a call center at Frontier Airlines to international technology roles, enterprise sales, and executive coaching, his path reveals what can happen when curiosity meets a willingness to begin again. In this conversation with Jack Ossa, Mike explains his framework of courage, compassion, and commitment. They explore why courage requires fear, how compassion helps people recover from difficult moments, and why commitment matters when growth takes longer than expected. Mike also shares how genuine curiosity shaped his approach to sales and how he now helps executives, founders, and business owners recognize the beliefs that keep them stuck. The discussion connects mindset with design, showing how both internal beliefs and physical spaces influence human experience. It is a thoughtful conversation about relationships, self awareness, reinvention, and moving through uncertainty with greater intention. Guest: Mike Buccialia Position: Collective Chief Soul Officer | Founder Company: Mindworx Collective LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikebuccialia/ Website: https://mymindworx.com/ Episode Page 

Building Smart, AI, Design & Leadership With Christopher LaPata #114 In this episode of The Power of Design Podcast, Jack Ossa sits down with Christopher LaPata, commercial real estate leader at Walter P. Moore, to explore how diagnostic engineering, adaptive reuse, and AI are reshaping the built environment. Discover how trust, empathy, and smart innovation drive success in design and sales. Don't miss this conversation. Christopher LaPata Linkedin Walter P. Moore Episode Page Podcast Page Ossa Studio Instagram Jack Ossa Instagram Spotify Apple Podcast Amazon Music YouTube

In this episode of The Power of Design Podcast, Christianna Williams shares her journey in corporate real estate and explains how workplace strategy, office design, and business goals must align to create successful environments. Learn how companies are rethinking space, culture, and employee experience in a changing market. Discover how to make smarter real estate decisions that support long-term growth. Christianna Williams Linkedin Corporate Real Estate Advisory Episode Page Podcast Page Ossa Studio Instagram Jack Ossa Instagram Spotify Apple Podcast Amazon Music YouTube

In this episode of The Power of Design Podcast, Tatiana Mozerova shares how design can influence the way people feel, think, and experience spaces. From lighting and colors to nature and comfort, discover how architecture can improve wellness, productivity, and human connection. Listen now to explore how better spaces can create better lives. Tatiana Mozerova Linkedin Soma Design Studio Episode Page Podcast Page Ossa Studio Instagram Jack Ossa Instagram Spotify Apple Podcast Amazon Music YouTube

In this episode of The Power of Design Podcast, Monika Nessbach shares her journey from Germany to Charlotte, building designbar, and creating interior design experiences where brand, space, and emotion connect. Listen to discover how thoughtful design can transform business, creativity, and client relationships. Monika Nessbach Linkedin Designbar Episode Page Podcast Page Ossa Studio Instagram Jack Ossa Instagram Spotify Apple Podcast Amazon Music YouTube