Founders & Friends

On this episode of Founders and Friends , Ronniesha Rivera welcomes Julia Stanton , the creative force behind Design by JRS —a full-service branding studio known for its bold, colorful, magnetic design style. Julia shares how she skipped the traditional career path and launched her business immediately after college, then grew it during the pandemic by leaning into education, strategy, and serving...

In this episode, Ronniesha Rivera sits down with Kat Oldershaw , founder of Kat & Co. , to unpack what actually makes operations work for interior designers—and why more tools don’t always mean better systems. Kat shares their unconventional path from studying psychology at UC Berkeley, through biotech and creative studio leadership, and into entrepreneurship as an Online Business Manager (OBM...

What happens when you actually track your marketing—and tell the truth about what worked and what didn’t? In this episode of Founders and Friends , host Ronniesha Rivera pulls back the curtain on a four-month experiment she calls the “Six Marketing Shifts.” Born out of a slow season in early 2025, the experiment generated nine leads and $33,000 in secured design fees and product revenue —but the r...

Returning guest Georgia Economus of Designs by Georgia joins Ronniesha Rivera for a candid continuation of their earlier conversation — this time diving deep into the realities of process, pricing, and packages in an interior design business. Georgia shares how running a “one-woman show” boutique studio has allowed her to expand beyond cabinetry into full renovations while still protecting her tim...

After nearly 30 years in the interior design industry, Georgia — founder of Designs by Georgia — reached a pivotal moment: stay comfortable, or take the leap into business ownership. In this episode, Georgia and host Ronniesha Rivera have an honest, no-fluff conversation about what it actually takes to start and run a sustainable design firm — especially at the construction and kitchen & bath...

In this episode of Founders and Friends , Ronniesha Rivera sits down with Candace Plotz , founder of Candace Plotz Design , for a candid conversation about building a design business rooted in intention, clarity, and real-life balance. Candace shares her unlikely path into interior design — a leap from a secure career in healthcare and pharmacy into a creative life sparked by renovating her own wa...

In this episode of Founders and Friends , Ronniesha Rivera sits down with Carleen Lamay, founder of C2 Accounting — a financial powerhouse serving over 60 clients, nearly half of them interior designers. Carleen shares the real story behind C2 Accounting’s growth from a part-time solo venture into a multi-member firm with a strong niche in the interior design industry. She breaks down why so many...

utsourcing, boundaries, and the journey to finding your niche — this episode has it all. In this episode of Founders and Friends , host Ronniesha Rivera sits down with Cassidy Martin , founder of CM Interiors , to unpack her evolution from junior designer to sought-after rendering artist and business owner. Cassidy shares how she discovered renderings as a powerful niche, what it took to step into...

In this episode of Founders and Friends , host Ronniesha Rivera sits down with Kristen Thomas , founder and principal designer of Studio Thomas , for an inspiring conversation on building a design firm rooted in integrity, education, and heart. Kristen shares how her journey began with a desire to provide for her family and a love of design inspired by her late father. She opens up about the early...

On this episode of Founders & Friends , Ronniesha Rivera sits down with Rick Campos — interior designer turned business coach, podcast host, and public speaker — to explore the business side of design and what it takes to build a fulfilling, profitable career. Rick shares his journey from running a design studio during the recession to pivoting into education and mentorship for designers. He o...

In this episode of Founders & Friends , host Ronniesha Rivera sits down with Brad Leavitt , founder of AFT Construction , to unpack what it truly takes to build a thriving construction company — from humble beginnings to leading one of the most respected firms in the industry. Brad shares his entrepreneurial journey, the challenges of starting and scaling in the construction world, and what se...

In this episode of Founders & Friends , host Ronniesha Rivera sits down with Judi Lee-Carr , founder of Jubilee Interiors , to explore her unexpected path from fashion merchandising in Singapore to running a thriving design studio in California. Judi opens up about starting her firm in 2020 after being laid off during the pandemic, embracing uncertainty with courage and calculated risk. They d...

In this episode of Founders and Friends , host Ronniesha Rivera sits down with Breanna Cain, founder of the VA Leadership Academy and agency owner, to talk about her journey from stay-at-home mom to seven-figure entrepreneur. Breanna shares how she built a thriving business teaching and connecting virtual assistants, the strategies that fueled her growth, and the lessons she’s learned along the wa...

In this episode of Founders and Friends , Ronniesha Rivera sits down with Meredith Huck of House of Huck to talk about the realities of building a thriving interior design firm while raising a family. Meredith shares how motherhood shaped her entrepreneurial journey, why setting boundaries with clients is essential for work-life balance, and her approach to pricing luxury design services. We dive...

On this episode of Founders and Friends , Ronniesha Rivera sits down with Caroline Lewis, CEO of Lawson House , to talk about her journey from administrative assistant to business owner, and the mindset shifts required when moving from employee to CEO. Caroline opens up about leading her team through transition, building a strong brand identity, and shifting Lawson House’s focus to create deeper i...

In this episode of Founders & Friends , host Ronniesha Rivera sits down with Rumble Interiors to unpack their inspiring journey from a 30-year hairstyling career to launching a thriving interior design business during COVID-19. We talk about taking a leap of faith into design, finding clients through Instagram and word-of-mouth, and the power of playful, authentic branding. Stephanie with Rumb...

On this episode of Founders and Friends , host Ronniesha Rivera sits down with Kiara Magee , founder of Honey Home Designs , a thriving home staging business in Spokane. Kiara shares her journey from staging one home a month to running a business that now transforms 15–18 homes every month —all while balancing motherhood and entrepreneurship. She opens up about the real challenges of starting a st...

In this episode of Founders & Friends , Ronniesha Rivera sits down with Kate Greunke, founder of The Socialite Agency, to talk about the real journey of entrepreneurship—the grit, sacrifice, and resilience it requires. Kate shares how early influences shaped her path, why she walked away from traditional employment, and how rebranding her business unlocked long-term scalability. Together, she...

On this episode of Founders and Friends Podcast , I’m opening up about the six major marketing shifts I’m making for Alder and Stone between now and the end of 2025. After taking 18 months of maternity leave and going through a challenging client experience that almost made me close my business, I realized I needed to rebuild with intention. These shifts are all about setting myself up for stronge...

In this episode of Founders and Friends , Ronniesha Rivera sits down with Lindsey Borchard, founder of Lindsey Brooke Design and co-founder of Design Camp, to explore her journey from unpaid passion projects to running a profitable, full-service design firm. Lindsey shares how she overcame early pricing fears, built a supportive team, and learned to separate emotion from business decisions. The tw...

In this episode of Founders and Friends , host Ronniesha Rivera sits down with bold-but-introverted designer Lesley Myrick, founder of Lesley Myrick Interiors and co-creator of a designer coaching program alongside Nancy Quinn. Despite identifying as an introvert, Lesley shares how she's grown a public-facing business by leaning into relationship-building, in-person networking, and staying tr...

In this episode, I sit down with Ben Rutledge , co-founder of Sidemark , a marketing and lead-generation platform created specifically for interior designers. Alongside co-founders Michelle Lynn, Nicole Ogden, and his brother, Ben shares how Sidemark evolved from a simple marketing tool into a full-service growth engine for creative entrepreneurs. We unpack Sidemark’s journey from MVP to a hybrid...

In this episode of Founders & Friends, I’m joined by Emily Aborn — content writer, podcast host, and creative entrepreneur — who helps businesses find their voice and communicate with clarity. Emily shares how thoughtful copywriting can transform how you connect with your audience, what most creatives get wrong when writing about their work, and why being yourself is one of the most powerful t...

When the traditional path in interior design didn’t feel like the right fit, Ashleigh Cochran trusted her instincts and chose something different. In this episode, she shares how that bold decision led to the creation of Oar Haus Interiors — a CAD and rendering studio built specifically to support other designers behind the scenes. Ashleigh opens up about her early love for the technical side of d...

In this episode of Founders & Friends we chat with Nina Silver, the founder of Drafted by Design. Nina talks candidly about how the birth of her son inspired her to make big moves within her drafting business. As her family grew so did her business so she talks in depth about the struggles and advantages in balancing the two.  She also dives into the complexities of hiring employees and how sh...