How many failures does it take to build a legacy? Gerrick's journey from two failed ventures to redefining hospitality design might just change how you think about success. WATCH VIDEO

🎥 What if every failure you’ve faced was preparing you for your ultimate success?

In my latest chat with Gerrick from Millé - Hospitality Obsessed Designers , he shared a journey that every entrepreneur and designer should hear.

💬 “I opened my first venue at 26—and I screwed it up. Opened another, and screwed that up too. Eventually, I figured it out and launched four successful venues in a year. Then I realized… I didn’t love running them. I loved designing them.”

What stands out about Gerrick's story isn’t just his honesty—it’s his ability to turn lessons from failure into a blueprint for success. Retraining as a designer, Gerrick founded Millé 7 years ago. Today, his personal experience as a hospitality brand owner informs his design philosophy: great design isn’t just aesthetic—it’s foundational to a profitable venue.

Here’s why this resonates:

👉 The designer-client connection is everything. Gerrick’s been in the trenches, making tough calls with his own money. He knows that thoughtful design is a game-changer for the operational success of hospitality brands.

👉 It’s not just about what looks good—it’s about what works. Every fit-out must balance creativity, functionality, and sustainability. It’s how spaces win awards and drive profitability.

And at Critical., we really resonate with Gerrick's values and hustle. As a failed designer myself who couldn't find sustainable materials for my projects, I've made it my mission today to help designers bring impactful, sustainable spaces to life using 100% recycled plastic panels we call Cleanstone.

🎯 Want to know how to create hospitality spaces that look stunning and work seamlessly? Watch my full interview with Gerrick and drop him and Millé - Hospitality Obsessed Designers a follow for insights that every designer and hospitality brand owner can leverage.

💬 Drop your thoughts below: What’s the most important factor in creating a successful hospitality fit-out?

Let’s kōrero. If you’re working on a sustainable project, DM me or visit criticaldesign.nz to learn more.

💬 Oh and don't you love how good AI is at captioning te reo Māori? It's 'ko wai koe?' Not: 'cool white queer' 😂😂 - Gerrick only has 2 out of 3 of those attributes.. Can you guess which ones? Drop you answer in the comments below for bonus points.

#HospitalityDesign #SustainableDesign #CircularEconomy #RecycledMaterials #GreenBuilding #InteriorDesign #Cleanstone #DesignForChange #CreativeSpaces #ArchitecturalInnovation #EcoFriendlyDesign