BusinessNate Berkus and Shawn Henderson Are Early Supporters for New Designer Connection Tool IntroThrough virtual consultations, the platform coordinates one-on-one meetings with design pros

By Jessica Ritz

November 17, 2021

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In the past year and a half we have optimized our virtual processes and have also established meaningful connections in surprising ways—a dichotomy in which many people have excelled. Communication platform Intro is positioned to continue these lessons in various creative disciplines—interior design included—through one-on-one video sessions with leading figures eager to lend their expertise.

“I’m amazed at what can be accomplished in 15 minutes,” New York interior designer Shawn Henderson says of the platform’s short-form video chats. Along with AD100 designer Nate Berkus and Cara Woodhouse, Henderson is part of the connection platform’s inaugural roster of interior design experts. They join notable names in other industries—such as fashion stylist Rachel Zoe, celebrity hairstylist Nicole Mangrum, and fitness trainer Sami Clarke—on Intro, which officially launches today.

A look at Intro’s interface.

Illustration: Anthony Boyd Graphics

“It’s really exciting to help someone for 15 minutes [as opposed to] a typical year-and-a-half long project that I’m entrenched in,” Henderson says. “It just feels so fun. And the energy to be able to help people in that way is fantastic.”

If only all introductions—and client meetings, for that matter—were so enthusiastic. But that’s the special thing about the new digital platform: With an allotted time and predetermined agenda, the virtual meetings are meant to be informative and productive. Callers come with a queue of design questions, and experts spill their recommendations.

AD100 designer Shawn Henderson hosts a virtual consultation.

Illustration: Anthony Boyd Graphics

After all, the consumer standing in the paint aisle facing hundreds of samples might just need a bit of expert clarity. The variety of people, projects, questions, and design challenges that have emerged during the platform’s beta testing have been a joy to encounter, Henderson says. The brief sessions are a major plus for participating designers as well—in addition to Intro consulting, Henderson is on the heels of the release of his new monograph, Interiors in Context, in addition to managing his full-service project list.

For Henderson and Berkus, rates start at $199 for the 15-minute “micro-consultations,” as Intro founder Raad Mobrem calls them. “Obviously we would love to facilitate in-person interactions, but that makes it somewhat infeasible for the experts,” Mobrem says. “By making it virtual, you’re getting something that otherwise would have been impossible.”

The platform features a range of creative disciplines.

Illustration: Anthony Boyd Graphics

Mobrem’s tech team developed all the software in-house, striving to keep the price point “a lot more digestible” for clients to seek advice from pros in their respective industries. Thus far, approximately 60% of Intro users book at least one additional session with the same expert or schedule time for guidance with others in different fields on the app, Mobrem says. And the platform has generated VC interest as well: Investors include basketball star Kevin Durant, agent Michael Ovitz, and comedian Tiffany Haddish, as well as Berkus and Rachel Zoe.

For pros on the platform, Intro’s booking tool makes it easy to schedule and match their availability with potential clients. After several sessions, Henderson has tips for how to make the most out of the process, whether it’s 15-minute sessions or longer calls that might tackle everything from selecting sconces to making larger layout decisions. Before dialing in, he advises clients: “The more organized, the better, so have prepared questions down. It’s deeply interactive, and there’s a lot of information that flows within that timeframe so be ready to take lots of notes.” In other words, class is in session.