Charissa Durst, President and owner of ACRA member firm Hardlines Design Company, has been named one of the honorees in Smart Business Columbus magazine’s list of 2019 Central Ohio Smart 50 award winners. 

The Smart 50 Awards recognize the top executives of the smartest companies in the region for their ability to effectively build and lead savvy organizations, according to Smart Business Columbus magazine, which hosts the awards. The honorees had to address several questions, such as how their company innovates and develops new products, services or solutions; what kind of impact their company has on its employees and other constituents; and how the company’s impact and innovation have led to a sustainable, scalable business.

In announcing the winners, Smart Business Columbus magazine noted how “Durst has established Hardlines Design Company as an expert in historic architecture, able to field research on a historic property and help clients apply for and manage the use of historic tax credits. She’s built a skilled team, strategically hiring and mentoring female architects, and invested in technology upgrades to keep the firm on the cutting edge.”

Durst and her company were honored with other honorees in the Class of 2019 at a special celebration on July 18 and will be recognized in a special editorial report in Smart Business Columbus.

Charissa Durst at the July 18 Small Business Columbus celebration

“It’s an honor to be in the company of such engaged, successful business executives in the Columbus area,” Durst said. “We also appreciate the recognition of the impact that an architectural firm like Hardlines Design Company can have when it carves a niche for itself in historic architecture as we have done. After 29 years, we look forward to continuing to pursue our passion — historic architecture and preservation.”

Congratulations to Charissa and Hardlines Design Company!