PONDERINGS FROM THE B2B PULPIT:
What an amazing job. To be in New York and hunting for inspirational success stories is as gratifying to the soul as it is motivational for my network of business-friends. Most self-starters believe that real business schooling comes from listening to how other dedicated professionals climbed their ladder. This is one of the best reasons why I network.

As a promoter, I wish to repay the universe by publishing stories about the climb, the arena and the successes from the professionals who make it happen. I seek out leaders whose stories reinforce the will and the spirit of the entrepreneur to (hopefully) bring new insight to the many challenges that lie ahead. This idea of spotlighting professionals came to me when I fell into a networking chat with one woman and was captivated by her career-conversion story. My first feature story stood graciously exchanging introductions, experiences and business cards at the Swiss American Council of Women’s networking night (at the prestigious halls of the great Trump World Bar).

Hers is a classic case of career building empowered by the many opportunities from the 'city that never sleeps'.

DENISE DUCRAY
From European Banker to Top New York Designer

(from left to right) Ducray with networking friends- Steve Nobel, Claudia Bayr (Wellness Consultant) & fellow interior designer Suzanne Simonelli

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Whether creating residential interiors, corporate environments, or leading construction management projects, Ducray’s design concepts carry the signature of sensitivity from a style that's unique and blissfully comfortable. The ability to contribute to a project at its construction phase is one of the hallmarks of Denise Ducray Design and an aspect of her services that sets it apart for other design firms.

Born and educated in Geneva, Switzerland, Denise Ducray’s professional career began in the finance. The Commercial School of Geneva graduate spent 3 years at the financial giant Citibank and worked for companies such as Nomura Securities, Bear Stearns and a Private Scandinavian Bank.

Although she excelled in the financial services industry, Ducray came to realize that her interests lay elsewhere. A life-changing trip to Greece and advice from a trusted friend gave her the insight to make a change. She soon left finance and spent the next few years traveling and sailing in the South of France and Greece. The clarity from her travels and a few jobs temping for corporations such as UBS, and the Red Cross put her in contact with the CEO of Cartier France who was looking for an assistant in New York City. Ducray jumped at the opportunity at moved to the Big Apple.

While at Cartier, Ducray’s passion for design was awakened. Recognizing that she needed to develop and refine her skills, she soon enrolled in classes at the prestigious Fashion Institute of Technology in Fashion, marketing, jewelry design, and drafting. Through Cartier, Ducray was then hired for a six month project by the President of the Jewelry Department of Christies.

After the Christies project was completed, her connections at Cartier and Christies led to work as a personal / business assistant for a French multi-million private real estate development concern, who owned several services companies in UK, France and US. As part of her job Ducray was instructed to redesign a triplex apartment in a leading hotel. Impressed with her talent, Ducray was asked to rework several apartments and properties for her employer. What started as interior design skills developed into full apartment renovation from demolition to construction. Ducray learned a lot with the contractors spending hours on construction sites, understanding and solving construction and design.

She really enjoyed the challenges which gave her the satisfaction to see to the end product. She attributes her banking background to give her that analytical edge and the organized skills necessary to orchestrate the proper development and success of the construction coordination and estimating costs.

Over the years, while working with her employer, Ducray arranged the purchase, demolition, and redesign of over 20 apartments including several located at the Lombardy Hotel, she worked on two duplex apartments at the Galleria, 3,500 sq ft apartment at the Olympic Tower which was previously owned by Imelda Marcos. She also updated her employer’s personal residences in Acapulco, Mexico. Moved to Miami Beach. as her employer purchased the Doral Ocean Beach Resort Hotel. She designed model hotel rooms at the Doral and a residence in Fisher Island. She managed the construction and design of a 10,000sq ft. at 745 Fifth Avenue, which was her first commercial design and construction work.

GOING "FULL TIME"
Soon Ducray realized that it was time for her to pursue a career in interior design on her own. She parted ways with her employer and permanently moved to New York City in 1996 where she opened Denise Ducray Design, Inc. .

Ducray worked on design and construction in projects such as a Hair Salon, a restaurant and CEO’s offices. In collaboration with Montroy Andersen DeMarco architect Ducray designed the offices of the largest fragrance manufacturer on West 57 street (giving a new image to the new office and design studio of a large fabric designer corporation) who moved in the former Tommy Hilfiger design studio and offices.

For her latest project, Ducray was given (by her client) carte blanche- a significant 'laurel in her professional cap'. Although one may relish the freedom to create, meeting clients' expectations can be a daunting task. Such was the challenge faced by Ducray during her conversion and design of three apartments, located at Madison and 62nd Street, into one fluid living space. The client, impressed with Ducray’s eclectic portfolio of commercial and residential spaces, left her to devise a design plan for an apartment that would double as the New York City home base for two well-established entrepreneurs and their wives-- and a space for entertaining.

Almost two years in the making, the apartment at Madison and 62nd Street (one of Manhattan’s most fashionable addresses) is the amalgamation of Ducray’s considerable talents. As one of only a handful of design consultants with her construction knowledge and experience, she assisted the project’s architect, during the demolition of the three apartments to be converted into one. However, from behind the exposed pillars and pipes, she had a vision for a space that seamlessly merged classic elegance with modern style.

These days, Denise Ducray has very little time to look back at her days in banking and finance. Her reputation and longlasting relationships with some of New York's high profile references keeps her talents in very high demand. "When you're young and exploring your options, it's all an adventure-- but as a European landing in New York, I was immediately swept by the diversity and the wealth of resources available (here)." Ducray explains. "To be frank, the city 'drove me' to decide what I should do. I guess I just went with it because it felt right and things fell into place-- as if it was design that found me. I feel very blessed that way."

For another great article on Denise Ducray, pls check out:
http://www.timeout.com

Copyright © 2008 Image Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. Network photo courtesy of Leo Getz (the Right Writers) and the Swiss American Council of Women. Interior design images courtesy of Denise Ducray Design, Inc (www.deniseducraydesign.com).