All photos by: Bianca Simonian
Photoshoot Location: KBC by Benjamin Sullivan 73-790 El Paso Palm Desert, CA 92260 760.864.8522 www.kbcofpalmsprings.com
Morraika Simonds
OWNER, AN INTERIOR MOTIVE DESIGNS LLC Q: How would you describe your style? Morraika Simonds: Eclectic! I like many different styles, but it is not about what I like. It is what my clients want for their homes. My strength is to take their style and make a cohesive design come to fruition.
Vincent Battaglia
FOUNDER AND OWNER, RENOVA SOLAR
Q: What inspired you to get into the solar energy business? Vincent Battaglia: That essentially goes back to when I lived in Russia. I saw the waste and I knew there were better ways to use energy without so much waste of natural resources and electricity. Q: Your company is young—founded in 2006— and you have already won many awards. Will you tell us about some of them? VB: It makes me happy to hear us be called a young company. Four years is the average for a solar company. I like the recognition, but I use it as a motivator. My greatest honor was to receive Dealer of the Year from Sun Power. We use their modules. Of the 452 dealers, we were dealer of the year and it is great to receive that recognition from our peers. I was a finalist last year in the Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the year award for the Inland Empire and Orange County. Q: It is fascinating that you envisioned Renova Solar as your Master's thesis. Can you tell us more about that and did the thesis eventually become your book Cut the Cord? VB: Yes. In 2007 there was so much misinformation about solar energy, batteries, our right to use the sun and energy independence. So, I started to write notes about
the horrible business models of the energy companies, microgrids and batteries in the home. Eventually, I had so many notes I had to cut them down and turned them into my book. If anyone would like to learn more, they can reach out to me at Renova Solar, and I will send them a copy free of charge. Q: You emphasize that you are a local company. How do you see your role in the community? VB: I want this community be proud of what can be grown here. We can be more than small businesses with 10 employees. We can grow national organizations. I want to see the Coachella Valley lead as entrepreneurs and continue to use our valley as a headquarters. Q: Why are you so passionate to get everyone off the grid? VB: Because, when I left Russia, and I had seen the oligarchies and how mean they are to their people and their control over power companies, I knew I had to do something about it in my country. I saw how corrupting centralized power can be. I am not selling something that will not work. I have no bag of tricks. Every day, with every contract, I use the sun for my purpose.
Renova Solar 75-181 Mediterranean Ave, Palm Desert, CA 92211 760.503.3417 | www.renovasolar.com
GETTING SYMBOLIC • Saffron orange is Renova Solar’s mascot color, as it’s the color of light and eternal life. GREAT BEGINNINGS • Renova Solar started officially in 2006, and are dedicated to being an energy company offering closed loop, holistic solutions that will help consumers avoid the electric utilities who really are the energy companies of yesteryear.
Q: What are people looking for in an interior designer? MS: Someone that will listen and communicate. Someone who will create a design that is functional and who will tailor a design to the individual. Someone who will create a unique design that they may not be able to envision on their own. Q: How did growing up in the Coachella Valley affect your feelings about interior design? MS: Growing up in the Coachella Valley, I was exposed to big beautiful homes and unique architecture. We have the best of the best here and it taught me anything is possible. Q: As a long time desert resident, how do you see your role in the community? MS: I came from very modest beginnings. Growing up in the desert, I was provided many opportunities, and I see myself as an example to the young people growing up that you can start with nothing and create success for yourself. Q: To what do you owe your success? MS: I owe my success to my supportive family, my great clients, hard work and a little luck! An Interior Motive Designs 760.424.9209 | www.aninteriormotivedesigns.com Photoshoot Location: KBC by Benjamin Sullivan 73-790 El Paso, Palm Desert, CA 92260 760.864.8522 | www.kbcofpalmsprings.com LOCALE MAGAZINE 37