We had the good fortune of connecting with Federico Martin and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Federico, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I started my first business at the age of 21, my grandfather and my Dad were both business owners, so I guess inside me, because its all I saw since an early age.

It is not the same thought process each time I started a business, it has to be something I am passionate about, and when I find the product or idea of business that I like, the whole mental process starts, especially on how I am going to take it into reality, which involves a lot of hours of thinking, planning, ideas, etc. its actually a good time, exciting, but at the same time intense. its good to give it time and dont rush it.

What should our readers know about your business?
I came to the US in 2010, motivated for the economy crisis that was hitting everywhere but, in my case, especially Spain, my country. When I came here, since I knew US for multiple times here, I knew from the beginning that I wanted to be in the Interior Design Industry. Dint know that it would be in the kitchen/bath industry specifically until I got my real estate license as a plan B and realized that the kitchen industry here was very interesting. That is how I started importing kitchens and baths from Italy for the next 10 years, focusing in modern and transitional custom kitchens.
When you sell European kitchens, is not usual to have them custom, and that was the differentiator factor that make my business different, the fact that my factories suppliers in Italy were doing custom kitchens for me, as per the client design.

That was like that until 2020, when we stop showroom operation because of the pandemic, and decided to make a change that could make us even more different, that change was to fully operate in the US, producing our own kitchen/bath/closet line called CULNOVA in our own 44,000sf factory here in CT, but using European finishes, that almost 100% are coming from my country, Spain. Our offer is the same as any European brand, with a very large variety of finishes in laminates, wood veneers, lacquer finishes, etc. We also do everything custom.

This risk we took at that point, turns out to be the best decision we took, since we are able to produce and deliver kitchens in 10 weeks, which is unheard in our European competitors, because of the shipping situation and lack of raw materials in Europe.

We are very proud of what we accomplished in a very short period of time, being able to produce a full custom kitchen/bath/closet line.

Along the way, lesson learn, you need to surround yourself with the best Team and people possible, that also believe in the project. sometimes that is the most difficult part.

In 2020 I also created BSPK Shoes & Clothing Co. a virtual and physical Atelier (we are opening very soon in Greenwich, CT) where do custom suites, jackets, shirts and Shoes! the majority of our production is in Spain. We have a state-of-the-art 3D software that allows clients to customize their garments online in a very easy and friendly way. Very soon clients that are in the Greenwich area will be able to visit our brand-new Atelier showroom, where they will enjoy the experience of Customize garments made in Spain.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I think I would take them for a nice tour in NYC, perhaps vising some of my favorite restaurants, that coincidentally are Spanish. Mercado Little Spain for example, is the best place to have a gastronomic tour of Spain in NYC.

Since Spanish Little Spain is in Hudson Yards, perhaps go to The Edge, to have one of the more spectacular views of the city.
A walk in SoHo is always a most, and over there, have dinner at Tomiño Taverna Gallega, my other go to restaurant when I am craving spanish food.
Second day probably would be to go out of the city and show them the little towns on the water in Fairfield County, CT, its only 50 minutes from the city and its beautiful and peaceful to hang out over there and grab a bite close to the water.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I think in terms of how I am and how I do things at work, my dad without a doubt, for years I saw him working really hard, endless hours and always not giving up through the ups and downs of being a business owner and running a company, and I do the same, and I still remember every little phrase he said and I listened even if it was not for me, or advise he gave me. Then of course, there are many people along the way that you learn from or that they help you during your journey.

Website: www.irpdesigns.com and www.bspkshoes.com

Instagram: @irpdesigns and @bspkshoes

Image Credits
Maria Grazia Facciola Photography @mariagraziafacciolaphotography

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutMiami is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.