Latest news with #Polacek
Technical.ly
09-05-2025
- Business
- Technical.ly
Companies helping workers build wealth find strategic benefits along the way
From matching 401(k)s to building college pipelines, business leaders say doing good by employees can be good for business, too. Economic mobility demands that companies go beyond wages and benefits to support long-term employee success, with transparency, intention and equity, panelists said at the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia's Economic Mobility Summit earlier this month. Structure varies from company to company, but shares a common goal of promoting equity and stability through workplace investment. In short: Mobility isn't just a policy issue — it's a leadership one, according to the panelists. 'When you succeed, you have a responsibility to help the community,' said William Polacek, CEO of manufacturing firm JWF Industries. 'And when you help the community, you get a return as well.' Polacek spoke from personal experience. His company has long prioritized workforce development, partnering with local high schools to create early job pipelines and matching up to 10% of employees' 401(k)s. At Crayola, however, it's about culture and connection. President and CEO Peter Ruggiero said Crayola works with United Way of the Lehigh Valley and Lafayette College to help children see what's possible, from literacy programs to a chance to visit a college campus. Crayola's challenge, Ruggiero said, is attracting and retaining workers. Most hires start as temps and grow into full-time roles, supported by tuition assistance for college or graduate degrees. Incentives are tied to clear, achievable goals. 'Imagine their loyalty to the brand and the company,' he said. 'Imagine their knowledge of how we manufacture, our culture and how we operate.' Economic mobility support at every level Other businesses, like Amalgamated Bank, take a structural approach to address all levels of the economic mobility pipeline, according to Priscilla Sims Brown, the bank's president and CEO. The company's commitment to economic mobility starts with its own employees. For example, implementing a $15 minimum wage in 2015, with continued increases since. Stock options and benefit plans round out the package. The institution partners with organizations aligned with its values that also recognize the intersectionality of the wealth gap and wealth building, Brown said. 'If you're thinking about [the wealth gap], you can't think about it in a vacuum,' she said. 'There's health disparities which contribute to the wealth gap. There's educational barriers that contribute to the wealth gap.' Incentivising companies to do good For Damien Dwin, founder and CEO of private investment firm Lafayette Square, providing economic incentives to companies is key. Companies that provide services to employees, such as healthcare and retirement benefits, will get an interest rate step down, for example. Access to company data, like how much money employees make and how many are enrolled in benefits, can help Dwin come up with a personalized strategy to help companies reduce turnover, he said. 'If we can get turnover down, if we can get healthcare and retirement benefits up, workers will not only be more productive,' Dwin said. 'Society will be better off, and to us, that is the essence of economic mobility.' Efforts to keep employees engaged require consistent attention, but being transparent about the goals of the company can help, Ruggiero said. 'Transparency about what the objectives are for the organization,' he said. 'To set targets against that, and to incentivize all of your employees to chase that.' Sarah Huffman is a 2022-2024 corps member for Report for America, an initiative of The Groundtruth Project that pairs young journalists with local newsrooms. This position is supported by the Lenfest Institute for Journalism.
Arabian Business
29-04-2025
- Business
- Arabian Business
RoseBernard Studio founder discusses the importance of designing with cultural integrity, sustainability, and more
When it comes to design, may it be the branding, interior, or ethos of any hospitality firm, few names carry the same creative conviction as RoseBernard Studio. With over two decades of experience shaping some of the world's most captivating restaurant and hotel environments, Robert Polacek, the Partner and Creative Director of the studio, has carved out a distinctive niche, one that places cultural authenticity, human connection, and sustainability at the heart of every design decision. As US-based RoseBernard Studio expands its footprint into the Middle East and Europe with the launch of its new London studio, it is reframing the way the industry thinks about placemaking. With his expertise across luxury hotels, high-end restaurants, and high-concept commercial spaces, Polacek has spent his career travelling the world, often starting his research over a shared meal. 'Food is the ultimate icebreaker,' he reflects. 'When you sit down and break bread with someone, even across different languages, you understand them. That's where empathy starts, and so does design.' The same ethos continues within RoseBernard Studio, and cultural immersion is at the heart of every project. Whether designing in the US, Asia, Europe, or the Gulf, the team takes a deep dive into local customs and lifestyles, building out design concepts that reflect the real rhythm of life. 'We want locals to walk in and feel seen. And for travellers, we want the space to feel like a window into something true,' Polacek says. A perfect example is the studio's current project in Kuala Lumpur, where a restaurant inside a luxury hotel is being modelled on the experience of Malaysian street food culture. 'Some guests may not have time or feel confident exploring the streets,' Polacek says. 'So we brought the street to them. The layout, the materials, even the service style; it's rooted in the real experience.' With the London studio strategically focused on the MENA market, RoseBernard is positioning itself as a key design authority in the region. The design studio approaches every region with humility and an open mind. Polacek further iterates, 'Whenever you're designing in another culture, you're almost always perceived as a guest. That's the challenge: interpreting something sacred through your own lens. The key is to listen first. Observe. Collaborate. Then create.' That is why, as global design moves toward a more sustainable future, RoseBernard Studio is taking a firm stance on redefining what luxury truly means. 'Luxury isn't about excess anymore, with humans now focusing on longevity,' Polacek insists. 'The word has been redefined into consciousness, care, and craftsmanship that lasts.' The firm is currently engaged in several renovation projects, which Polacek sees as fertile ground for innovation. He says, 'Demolition costs more than just money. It includes the environmental cost, emotional cost, and the very obvious, very tangible financial cost. That is why we always ask before demolishing, 'Why are we ripping this out? Can we make it better instead of making it new?'' His philosophy extends to material choices and construction methods. From advocating for magnetic wiring systems that can be easily upgraded to praising the raw adaptability of Brutalist architecture, Polacek believes that design should adapt over time, not expire. 'The problem isn't the marble floor. The problem is thinking that beauty has an expiration date,' he states. RoseBernard also prioritises sustainability at every phase of a project. In Sacramento, a recent hotel development recycled every single piece of its demolition debris, an effort led by a client committed to green principles. 'It took more money and more effort,' Polacek admits. 'But it proved that people are willing to invest in the right thing when they understand the value.' Even as RoseBernard doubles down on its core mission of creating spaces rooted in cultural storytelling, the studio isn't afraid to think wildly ahead. Polacek has been developing conceptual designs, such as a futuristic luxury space station. 'It's 100 years away, sure. But if we start thinking about that now, we'll start inventing the technology that gets us there,' he shares. That same future-forward mindset is behind the studio's upcoming furniture line, Rosie&Bernie, slated to launch in 2026. With custom pieces already in production for a major three-tower Las Vegas hotel project, RoseBernard Studio is using these large-scale commissions as the foundation for a furniture brand that merges narrative design with practical elegance. At the core of Polacek's approach is a quiet rebellion against performative design. 'Anyone can make something look good,' he says. 'But does it work? Does it make people feel something? That's the real test.' And that test, he believes, starts with empathy. 'When I sit down at a restaurant, I'll ask my family, 'What colour was the floor? What was the ceiling?' Most of the time, they don't remember. But they remember how they felt. That's what good design does. It fades into the background, and the experience takes the lead,' Polacek remarks. As the studio looks toward a busy and expansive future globally, Robert Polacek's design philosophy continues to offer a compelling blueprint: one built on heritage, honesty, and the belief that when people listen to each other, the world becomes a little smaller and a lot more beautiful.
Khaleej Times
24-04-2025
- Business
- Khaleej Times
RoseBernard Studio is on a mission to expand Its global footprint
Hospitality design firm RoseBernard Studio, founded by industry veterans Robert Polacek and Justin Colombik in 2019, has taken a strategic expansion with its new studio in London. With studios already established in San Francisco and Chicago, the London location cements RoseBernard's presence in the EMEA region, strengthening its ties with visionary developers across Europe and the Middle East and expanding the reach of its acclaimed, storytelling-driven approach to interior design. The studio has built its reputation as one of the global leaders in reshaping luxury spaces with narrative-rich concepts that resonate emotionally, operate practically, and stand the test of time. With a combined over 40 years of experience, the two partners have led projects for some of the world's most prestigious hotels and restaurant brands, applying an interdisciplinary methodology that blends interior design, branding, and strategy. 'Our work has always been about evoking a unique story through our design for each of our clients,' confirms Partner and Creative Director Polacek. 'The London studio will now allow us to connect more deeply with our clients in Europe and the Middle East and offer a fresh, forward-thinking perspective on hospitality spaces.' RoseBernard's ability to evolve with the times while staying rooted in craft, culture, and creativity has fueled its rapid growth. Since launching with just the two partners, along with a few team members, the firm has expanded to more than 40 designers, strategists, and creatives worldwide. The company's international model and the founders' global exposure give it the ability to understand and incorporate different cultural ethos in its design. Currently, RoseBernard is designing a major hospitality project in Las Vegas, comprising three hotel towers and a comprehensive custom furniture program. This large-scale initiative will also lay the groundwork for the studio's next venture: a bespoke furniture line aptly named Rosie&Bernie in honor of the founders' creative lineage. Launching in 2026, the brand will reflect the same ethos that defines the studio, blending artisanal craftsmanship with storytelling and sustainable innovation. Named after their grandparents — Rose, a model and artist, and Bernard, a master chef and carpenter — Polacek and Colombik built RoseBernard on the principles of curiosity, creativity, and legacy. Rather than hire executive-level talent from other firms, the studio embraces a mentorship-focused hiring philosophy, developing young creatives from the ground up. 'We want people to work for the idea behind our company,' says Colombik, Design Director. 'Our team consists of individuals from various creative backgrounds and artists who think differently and aren't afraid to challenge convention. That's how you change the hospitality game.' In an industry often bound by tradition, RoseBernard Studio remains committed to shaping the future. From concept development to branding, market research, and full-service interior design, the firm's holistic approach has earned it a reputation as one of the most inventive forces in luxury hospitality. Whether reimagining public spaces, guest rooms, or F&B experiences, RoseBernard remains focused on creating environments that tell meaningful stories and perform efficiently for their operators. 'We don't just wait for clients to come to us with ideas—we generate our own,' Polacek affirms. 'We're exploring concepts for space stations, modular hotels, and more. It's all about thinking ahead and presenting our clients with what's next before they even ask.' With a strong foothold in North America, a new base in London, and a pipeline of groundbreaking projects, RoseBernard Studio is poised to redefine the global hospitality landscape one narrative at a time.
Yahoo
02-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
First house in Polacek Veteran Home Initiative to be built on Somerset Street in Johnstown
JOHNSTOWN, Pa. – A hand-picked local military veteran will soon own a brand-new, free, 1,000-square-foot, three-bedroom house with a deck overlooking the Stonycreek River on Somerset Street in Johnstown. It will be gifted to the person through the Polacek Veteran Home Initiative, a Vision Together 2025 capture team. Details about the program were provided during a press conference Tuesday at 1st Summit Arena @ Cambria County War Memorial in Johnstown. 'This is much more than just a house to a deserving veteran,' JWF Industries CEO and Chairman Bill Polacek said. 'It will give them hope. And it's also revitalizing our community. This is the beginning of what could be a wave of things to help our community build itself.' Polacek said the goal is to give 'a hand up, not a handout' to the veteran and family. The plan calls for starting with one home, but Polacek hopes that as many as eight or so could be built in the area as part of a 'veterans row.' 'My hope and prayer is that we are guided by our faith and come together to help not just build one of these, but, as I said, many of them,' Polacek said. Details about the application and selection processes are available at The ideal recipient will be an honorably discharged veteran with high achievements who has sacrificed and who may hold a Department of Veterans Affairs rating. Applicants with dependents, a proven record of serving the community, a history of good credit but unable to purchase a home because of a poor income-to-debt ratio, and a willingness to give back are also preferred. Veterans living in Cambria and Somerset counties are eligible. A DD214 certificate of discharge must be provided. Applications can be submitted until May 11. Evaluations and interviews will take place. A veteran community panel will make the final selection. The recipient will be notified May 24. 'The most important aspect of this is to find the right veteran and their family because we have thousands in the two counties that we'll be looking at,' said retired U.S. Army Col. Jeff Pounding, who is involved in the process. 'The idea is to assist a veteran and their family with financial stability and quality of life. We want these people to move into this new home – custom-designed for them – and allow them to grow as long as they want and to help shape their kids through this home and this quality of life.' A home build is expected to take place in July. The project is being supported by the Polacek family, Vision Together 2025 and several veterans groups. Organizers are looking for volunteers to help with the construction. The veteran, if physically able, and family members will assist in the work, too. 'If this does happen the way we expect it to happen and these folks will be involved, it's going to get done because there will be people like all of you (here at this press conference) that will show up to help,' said Norman Ed, a local volunteer builder. 'Just keep your ears open to that. That's really why I'm here. I'm just one of the volunteers.'
