Sometimes a book, or even just a line, chapter or passage within a book can stick with us long after we’ve read its final page. We asked some of our favorite community members to tell us about a book that’s had a meaningful impact on them.

Lauren Eddy | Musician & Events Coordinator

I’m mostly big on fiction from my local library, but a life-changer this year was “Don’t You Know Who I Am” by Dr. Ramani Durvasula. It’s more along the lines of interpersonal self-defense. If you’re a gentle personality that ends up in the orbit of something a bit more controlling or unpredictable—this is THE guide to seeing the signs and saving yourself from a world of unnecessary angst. I highlighted the hell out of that book, and it’s never leaving my shelf! If you want to be a better gatekeeper or manage a relationship you aren’t able to avoid (like at work or with a family member), it’s an essential read. Read more>>

Scott Frankel | Co-President & Principal

One book that has impacted my thinking of leadership and communication since I’ve read it is The Paradox of Choice. In the book, it explains that if you give someone too many choices, they can’t and won’t make a decision. In thinking in terms of our business, this resonated with me. If our customers have too many choices in front of them (for example flooring options), it can overwhelm them in their decision. Eventually, they may make a decision, but it could ultimately impact their timeline and lead them to create uncertainty in their own thought process. If you decrease the number of choices a customer has, we can limit unneeded anxiety and create a better experience for our customers. The book has helped me to keep Frankel Building Group people-centric and to keep the experience of the customer top of mind. Read more>>

Bea Porter | Social Media Manager & Founder

I read Raving Fans in 2016, and it inspired me to change my entire outlook on how a business should be managed. At that time, I worked full-time as an Admin at a local Houston Private School and provided Social Media Freelancing services on the side. Raving Fans describes how to provide a service so well that your customers become “raving fans” of your business, and in turn, loyal customers. My takeaway from the short read was that if you treat your clients with respect, honesty, and loyalty, and as if you are their number one fan, they will do the same for you. I have taken that lesson into every client interaction since then. I started my agency full time less than a year after reading that book, and I truly believe the success of my business is due to my being each of my clients’ number one fan! Read more>>