Every industry has its unique challenges and expectations, and the world of real estate and design is no different. Every project is an individualized combination of negotiated requirements, use cases, design goals, and functionality needs. Few two properties are the same, which means businesses operating in the real estate design industry must be flexible and creative—two things that require keen and effective leadership.
Jayson R. Pocius works to embody those traits, bringing both his passion for the industry and his years of experience to leading his real estate design firm, DONTBECHI Designs. Between his own rental property businesses in Chicago and his experience in Land Acquisition in the Las Vegas area at KB Home, acquiring, designing, and developing properties has been Jayson Pocius’ business focus for nearly ten years. He specializes in transforming properties through innovative design concepts that enhance both form and function, tailored to the needs of the client and the property.
As the founder and owner of DONTBECHI Designs, Jay Pocius consistently works to establish an internal working environment that fosters the creativity, flexibility, and professionalism expected of a leading real estate design firm. Through effective decision-making, wise leadership, and an eye for innovation, Jayson Pocius has been able to lead DONTBECHI Designs to consistent success.
Making the Right Decisions
An entrepreneur’s business lives or dies on the quality of their decisions, and DONTBECHI Designs is no different. Every new client, new property, and new opportunity comes with a slew of important decisions that could make or break an independent design firm. Jayson Pocius has leveraged his years of industry experience to develop a set of key decision making principles that guide him through new projects.
Before every new project or while onboarding every new client, Pocius makes sure there is alignment between the client’s vision and his design values. If the client wants a firm to design unsustainable, cheap, mass-produced properties with no room for collaboration, then it won’t be a good fit for anyone. Pocius and DONTBECHI Designs want to work with clients who share their passion for creativity, sustainability, quality, and collaboration. It’s these values that form the basis of any partnership, and those partnerships often turn into long-term, mutually beneficial relationships.
“I’m not just looking for one-off projects,” Pocius says. “I want to create lasting partnerships with clients who value open communication and a collaborative process.”
Once the viability of the partnership is established, the feasibility of the project itself is carefully examined. Budget, timeline, and resources are all analyzed in relation to the goals of the project, but so are the odds of the project positively impacting the space it’s in, and the community around it. The best projects are the ones that positively affect everyone—not just the design firm and their client.
Finally, Pocius weighs the creative potential of the project. Every project is a chance to make a statement, to innovate, and evolve the design of a space through new technology, materials, or design strategies. In Pocius’ words, “I love challenges that push me to think outside the box and do something different.”
These decision-making principles are what guided Pocius and DONTBECHI Designs to their industry niche: highly personalized, client-centered experiences and spaces. By combining these tailored, creative projects with elevated design trends, sustainable practices, new technology, and a deep understanding of their target market, Pocius has been able to lead his firm to success.
Building Relationships Within and Without
Part of Pocius’ success as a leader both in his field and in his business comes from the focus he puts into building long-term professional relationships with both his team and his industry partners. Given the personalized, community-minded nature of his firm’s clientele, Pocius has prioritized networking with local developers, architects, and contractors in his target market. This lets him stay integrated with the broader community and gain referrals from satisfied clients, benefitting the entire interconnected local real estate ecosystem.
This is made possible by Jayson Pocius’ focus on communication in every aspect of his professional life. Whether its clients, subcontractors, or other designers, maintaining clear and open lines of communication is essential to make sure ideas, goals, updates, and feedback are heard by everyone involved in a given project. Communication is what builds relationships, and Pocius is passionate about building and maintaining as many as possible.
Each relationship naturally has different needs. Pocius keeps clients transparently up to date on timelines, budgets, challenges, and goals to build long-term trust and confidence. He works with trusted partners who share his commitment to quality in order to build relationships with vendors and subcontractors. With other design professionals like architects, engineers, or creatives, Jay Pocius reaches out for partnerships to bring new perspectives and expertise to the table—even if it’s just for brainstorming or offering support.
“Ultimately, it’s about creating an environment where all parties feel valued, respected, and engaged throughout the entire process,” Pocius explains. “I strive to build long-lasting relationships that extend beyond just one project.”
This commitment to building relationships applies to his own team as well. His focus on clear communication pairs well with his empathetic leadership to build a working environment where everyone’s ideas and concerns are heard and understood. Without this, the creative environment that is crucial to DONTBECHI Designs’ success could not exist. Pocius encourages and participates in open brainstorming activities to bring the team together while also providing guidance and support to team members in need of assistance.
“As a leader, I also work hard to inspire creativity and maintain a positive, collaborative work culture,” he says. “By being approachable and supportive, I aim to create an environment where everyone feels empowered to do their best work.”
Perpetual Learning and Innovation
No business can grow, and no leader can find long-term success if they aren’t always learning, always looking to the next innovation to evolve their service offering. Jayson R. Pocius understands this and is constantly exploring new design trends and tools in order to give his clients the very best blend of new technology and timeless design principles. From new tools like BIM (Building Information Modeling) and 3D rendering software giving him new ways to interactively visual designs, to innovative management platforms to keep communications as clear and effective as possible, Pocius is constantly learning and integrating innovation into his business.
He’s particularly excited about the industry-wide shift toward sustainable, eco-friendly design using locally sourced materials, energy efficient technology, and climate-resilient techniques. Being able to create spaces that are beautiful, functional, and responsible is an exciting challenge that is uniquely within DONTBECHI Designs’ guiding principles and practice.
“I aim to blend the latest technology with timeless design principles, all while staying mindful of the evolving needs of clients,” Jayson Pocius says. “By continuously pushing to learn and adapt, I ensure that I’m not just keeping up with the industry, I’m helping to shape its future.”
