Our Team
A retail store is a machine for selling-it must be functional, compelling, inviting
and memorable-otherwise it has failed both the retailer and the customer.
Joan is the principal and owner of doyle + associates, and has over twenty-five years of diversified retail planning and management experience with emphasis on retail specialty store operations, strategic planning, profitability improvements, retail store design and new store openings. Before starting her own consulting firm in 1996, Joan was the retail director for the American Institute of Architects Design Center where her retail store won numerous awards, including “Peoples Choice and Best of Philly”. Before that Joan worked as the accessories buyer for Yves Saint Laurent (YSL) boutiques, U.S. division. Joan started in retail as a sales clerk in a regional bookstore chain and worked her way up the managerial ranks. This background, along with her training in the visual arts influences her retail consultation philosophy.
Joan is an avid enthusiast of the arts and has served as president and development chair for Collab, the committee that supports modern design at the Philadelphia Museum of Art.
BFA Design, Temple University, Tyler School of Art
AWARDS
- Texas Architect: Shop Too! – Fort Worth Museum of Science & History, 2010
- City Paper People’s Choice Award: Wood Turning Center, 2005
- Best of Philly: Souvenir Shop – Lights of Liberty Shop 1999
- Design Award, American Institute of Architects: Transit Museum Store, 1997
- How Design Magazine, 1997 International Design Competition, Winner, Packaging Design: Transit Museum Store Shopping Bag
- Best of Philly: Bookstore – AIA Bookstore 1989, 1991
- Best of Philly: Gift Shop – AIA Bookstore 1992, 1993, Transit Museum Store 1996
LECTURES
- Bricks and Mortar Retail-If you build it will they shop?
- How to anticipate a retail trend
- Designing retail success
- The Light Magic of Ingo Mauer
- Sensuality of the French Art Nouveau
- The Early Decorative Arts of the 20 th Century
- Phillip Starck & Ian Schrager: Reinventing the American Hotel
- Order and Contradiction in the work of Richard Meier
Associates
Michael FulkersonMichael has fifteen years of experience as a retail buyer, visual merchandiser and merchandise developer. Michael joined doyle + associates in 2007, as lead associate and in this position holds considerable project responsibility and direct contacts with clients. Prior to working with doyle + associates, Michael was the Retail Director for the AIA Bookstore and Design Center in Philadelphia. Under his tenure the Center developed a national reputation as one of the most comprehensive sources for modern and contemporary design products and resources. His innovative merchandising skills have received numerous awards and recognition. In addition, as part owner and business partner for the Ozzie Perez Salon, Michael has proven entrepreneurial vision and sound business skills.
BA Graphic Design, Michigan State University
Debra has twenty-five years experience in graphic design, photography, art direction and copy-writing. As a graphic designer she has created identity and catalog design, advertising, print and e-newsletters: from concept through on-press art direction. She has worked with doyle + associates on product development, merchandising concepts, graphics and packaging and visual merchandising. A successful artist in multiple mediums, she brings a fine art sensibility to commercial projects. Her creativity and design skills are extraordinary and never fail to make our clients happy with the results.
BFA Painting, University of the Arts, Philadelphia