Born in the United States in 1968, Thomas Shöner spent his formative years in Germany before returning to the U.S. to complete his education. He received his Bachelor of Fine Arts in Public Relations and Communications from Loras College in Dubuque, Iowa. After working at Janus Architectural Design/Build in Palm Beach, Florida, he moved to Chicago to attend Harrington Institute of Interior Design.

Shöner founded Thomas Shöner Associates in 1999. Previously, as an interior designer with Reed R. Krueger & Associates, he gained a broad understanding of the intricacies of interior design specific to high-end residential projects. He also gained valuable experience in commercial office design and project supervision while employed by Kevin Berg and Associates.

Thomas Shöner Associates is a full-service design firm with offices in Chicago and San Francisco that serves many restaurant, nightclub, retail, corporate, and residential clients around the country. The firm provides services of graphic design, web design, and idea consultation.