Jim Gauthier Discusses New Ventures

When you are lucky to know someone professionally for nearly 30 years, a bond gets formed. In the case of Kevin and Jim Gauthier, anyone can see how strong their relationship is when they get together. Their openness and comfort with one another really comes through in this wonderful conversation from the Boiler Room. And just wait until you hear them harmonize!

Jim covers a lot of ground in this episode and yet we know there is still plenty more to discuss.

For now, we were happy to hear him recount stories about his first job and early days of growing up in Western Massachusetts, and from there, learning how the Boston design scene shaped his career. Finally, we learn about what’s next for Jim as he considers what he has to offer to younger generations of designers.

The three moments we asked Jim to revisit were from the launch party of his new design and consulting firm, Jim Gauthier & Company. This was a special evening in May of 2024, where the old guard and the rising stars of Boston’s design community turned out. At some point, the music was lowered, and Jim spoke to the room. We were recording and captured the moment in the hopes that we could check back in with Jim to ask him to say more. The prompts we took from that speech are:

• Jim’s been working since he was eight years old. The summer of 2023 was the first time he took a summer off to think about what was next for him. We wanted to hear more about his origin story, of what that summer off was like, and then how it all informs his new venture.
  
  
• Jim announced he’s starting a new consulting arm called “Advisory Services.” He mentioned he’s been working as an interior designer for 35 years, knows how to run a successful business and make money, and wants to help other interior designers and others in the industry do the same.
  
  
• The “salon collective” program, another arm of his new venture, will involve bringing together an interesting mix of people who might not have contact with each other, part of his larger vision of elevating Boston’s design community.

And yes, of course Jim has his own Boombox Story. The impact of music on his life, at an early age, comes through as he effortlessly jumps into the middle verses of "American Pie." Kevin’s willingness to join in brings home the sincerity of their friendship—just a couple of craftsmen who know where they’ve been, and where they’d like to be.