Hi Glenn, thank you so much for joining us today. We’re thrilled to learn more about your journey, values and what you are currently working on. Let’s start with an ice breaker: What is something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
What brings me joy outside of work is my antique house in Litchfield County, Connecticut.
I had fantasized for three decades about a place outside of NYC where I could ‘put my feet in the grass’ – really a metaphor for an alternative to a rich and busy metropolitan life – and then it happened!
I found a Greek Revival farmhouse on 8 acres of land and jumped into my very first house, with both feet!
About six years ago, I discovered a mid-twentieth-century period in the house’s history that included world-renowned Surrealists. The research is an ongoing and captivating pastime. And after a lengthy process, I was able to get the house listed on the National Register of Historic Places!
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
In a presentation to my eighth-grade class about career aspirations, I said I wanted to become an interior designer. And by golly, that is what I did!
It was a somewhat circuitous path that included seven years in college at three different schools before graduating with degrees in Fine Arts and Architecture from the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD). Less than four years later, when a young fashion designer named Michael Kors asked me to design a showroom and offices for him, I quit my job and started Glenn GIssler Design.
And with a blink of an eye (thirty-eight years later) I am still at it.
At this point, my design practice is focused on private residential projects, mostly in the New York Metropolitan area, for a range of clients and stylistic approaches. We create enduring, livable, and sophisticated homes in a variety of scales and locales for young families, extended families, empty nesters, captains of industry, and some bold-faced names.
Okay, so here’s a deep one: Who saw you clearly before you could see yourself?
Two people who immediately come to mind are my third-grade teacher, Josanna Berdzinski, and my Aunt Chris!
Then, Miss Berdzinski opened many doors for me that I enthusiastically walked through. She encouraged my enthusiasm and curiosity, personal exploration and adventure, self-expression, reading, and kindness.
My Aunt Chris – my father’s sister, now 84, is still one of my favorite people ever! I refer to her as my GREAT Aunt Chris! All of my friends who meet her and spend time with her ‘adopt’ her as their Great Aunt too.
I have very special bonds with both of these people that started when I was very young and continue to this day. I had lunch with Miss Berdzinski on her 80th birthday in Florida – I flew down from NYC, met her for lunch, and took the next plane back to NYC – a little crazy maybe, but I am so glad that I was able to have her know how important she is to me.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Not really. I have certainly felt beleaguered and beaten down quite a few times in my life, but I just keep putting one foot in front of another, imagining better days.
The challenging times have been personal, interpersonal, and professional.
Last year I was asked to give an overview of my professional life to a small group of industry colleagues, but given the nature of what I do for a living, there are many overlaps with my personal life.
These challenges have included starting fresh at three colleges, Black Monday (two weeks after I started my business), 9/11, World Financial Crisis, Hurricane Sandy, COVID, two divorces, a couple of lawsuits with former clients who owed me money, this of course doesn’t include the standard ups and downs of a shifting economy, fickle and in some cases mean clients, and the day-to-day challenges of running a creative business in a competitive industry including staffing and cash flow challenges and the punishing cost of doing business in NYC.
I don’t give up easily!
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. What would your closest friends say really matters to you?
Beauty, ambiance, art, design, history, family and friends, and experiences, especially sharing a meal with people in my home – the more the merrier!
Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
He was a good son and a great father.
He was a person with great aesthetic taste and a kind heart.
He is extremely loyal, very generous, and deeply supportive of his family and friends.
He always worked hard and persevered through challenging times.
He is enthusiastic about many things and is committed to making a difference in the world in small, medium and large ways.
He has integrity and a solid moral compass.
He throws great parties!
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