Just before the holidays, we celebrated an impressive career milestone with Project Director, Lauren Riedling: seven whirlwind years at Nimble.
Joining our team in 2016, Lauren has grown from Project Manager to a trusted leader, mentor and partner beyond our studio walls. She is respected by clients and the industry and sought out for her disciplined eye and grounded perspective in making the conceptual, tangible.
Is it even possible to summarize seven years in a few words? Let’s attempt.
Collaborative session with Lauren and Candice
Seven years and counting at Nimble.
How do you feel today?
LJR: Thankful. Appreciative for this team. In awe that it’s already been seven years!
Remind us, what considerations originally brought you to Nimble.?
LJR: Coming from the world of trade shows, everything I was working on felt temporary. I wanted to find a place where I could contribute lasting impact, both on my team and in a tangible way felt by real people in living environments. Nimble. specifically stood out because it was a small team (just three at the time!) in an early growth stage with a palpable passion for shaping place—but still iterating how to achieve this at scale.
What opportunities or influences drive you to stay?
LJR: Getting to work daily with a team I genuinely consider friends to create great things and make big impact alongside external partners with the same drive.
Reflecting back on your original role and how you have professionally evolved, what growth moments or experiences are you most empowered by?
LJR: When I joined Nimble., my role greatly focused on external execution. Navigating how we take these great ideas our team has concepted and bring them to life in the real world, working with vendors across the country to execute them.
After seven years, that external piece is still a big part of my day-to-day, but my role has evolved with an enhanced focus on higher-level project operations: defining and assessing our processes while guiding our workflow across project timelines.
I’ve gone from ‘doing all’ to teaching others to do while contributing a guiding voice to ensure the concepts we develop will transition into the real world in the smoothest, most successful way possible.
What is one of the hardest aspects of your role?
LJR: The uncertainty of time. There will always be an “ideal” timeline, but that is often in conflict with the desired timeline (aka “ASAP,” my favorite acronym😉) and the realistic path of pivots and pauses that projects will inevitably take. Balancing those three interwoven timelines is a constant (but rewarding, when completed) juggle.
What fills your cup and motivates you to keep going?
LJR: Broken record here, but this team. Even when frustrated or fatigued, knowing you have a team that has your back is invaluable, and this team proves that time and time again.
A personalized array of chosen visuals at Lauren’s work space
How has Nimble. changed as a company over your active tenure?
LJR: I don’t even know where to start … We’ve gone from an ambitious team of four with a start-up mentality to just get it done, to now an established team with a broad skillset. That means more projects, a lot more to juggle on a daily basis and a whole new way of working to ensure we’re all moving in the same direction. It also means so many new, more complex problems to solve, amazing opportunities to work on community-shaping developments and the opportunity to grow personally and professionally.
Name one bucket list project you’ve yet to tackle.
LJR: Having just moved to the Westside of Atlanta, I’d love to get into a new, community-centered development in my new neighborhood. There’s so much happening and transitioning on the Westside, and we’ve gotten a taste of several—but to really get to sink our teeth and talents into something that is truly just an idea right now would be amazing.
(Ideally, it would also include a boutique hotel and a brewery or wine tasting room that needs our help.😉)
Nimble. 2023 holiday party at The Foxglove
Nimble. turns ten this year. What’s one prediction you have for our tenth year in business?
LJR: I couldn’t be prouder to reach ten years! Manifesting for a moment, I’m predicting we get the opportunity to tackle a customer-facing business type we haven’t encountered yet. Hotel, lifestyle retail, plant shop, tasting room … bring ‘em on!
From brand to signage to interiors, there’s so much potential we have yet to uncover.
What’s next for LJR?
Fill us in on one personal or professional goal for 2024.
LJR: Celebrate eight years at Nimble. 🎉
Personally, I need to get back out into the world. My husband and I have a travel bucket list and plan to check a couple boxes off this year.
Professionally, helping our team grow so we can collectively push more boundaries and do MORE. The success of any leadership team is most evident in their people, full stop.
Relaxing and recharging at the 2021 Nimble. retreat
New WFH happy place with pups Banner (left) and Kona (right)
Leadership team at 2021 holiday party
Thanks for reading this special edition entry. For questions or to add to the conversation, contact us at hello@nimbledesignco.com.