Design Biz Survival Guide

Today we welcome Leader, Community Builder, and Culture Creator Natasha Hogan. Natasha is the Vice President of Marketing and Development for Dugally Oberfeld , a premiere  luxury home builder based in Los Angeles, California. In this episode, Natasha shares her journey in the luxury residential market and how she built a community along the way. We also discuss her passion for team culture and th...

Today we welcome Rozit Arditi, Founder and Creative Director of New York based design firm, Arditi Design . In this episode we go there… yes, we talk finances. Rozit is a numbers girl and she shares with us the value of knowing your numbers from how it helps you keep a handle on budgets to understanding how common mistakes can impact your bottom line. We also discuss her background in furniture de...

Today we welcome Catie Bouchard - founder of Pen + Napkin , a 501c3 Non Profit design community that furnishes and decorates homes for families and individuals transitioning out of homelessness. In this episode Catie shares how a budding career in industrial design was sidelined by an ah-ha moment that re-defined her life passion. We also discuss the impact that design has on the people and famili...

Today we welcome Lindsay Stokes Kennedy and Alexandra Cole - the dynamic duo behind the brand Kennedy Cole Interior Design . In this episode Lindsay and Alex share their partnership in the business of design and the benefits of collaboration and how it influences their overall client experience. We also discuss the value of clear and honest communication and how it contributes to the ongoing devel...

Today we welcome Meredith Huck, owner and principal designer of House of Huck based out of Milford, Connecticut. In this episode Meredith shares how a home renovation triggered a creative spark that evolved into her newly launched interior design business. We also discuss the many resources that Meredith credits to the development of her business. From college sports, and her previous career in sa...

Today we're re-capping our recent trip to Las Vegas Market. We checked in with our "must see" showrooms to see what's new to market this year.  We even "hit record" and sat down with Leigh Kalvelage of MOE's Home Collection and Wes Stewart of Sunset West Outdoor Furnishings to discuss the current state of availability and how designers and vendors can work better together to establish realistic ex...

Today we welcome Ann Ueno - owner and lead designer of her full service design firm based in Miami, FL. In this episode we discuss how years of experience in digital marketing in the hospitality industry opened the door for a new career in interior design. Ann shares her journey of learning critical design skills, developing a client experience, and the business of design. We also discuss the conc...

Today we welcome Kate Pourhassanian, COO and self proclaimed "director of everything else" at Unscripted Interior Design . Kate is co-principal of the Colorado Based design firm along with her sisters Kari and Kasey. In this episode Kate shares how an ah-ha moment among sisters turned into a thriving design business built upon a foundation of trust and team culture. We dive deep into the value of...

Today we welcome Laura Brophy of Laura Brophy Interiors - a luxury residential design firm located in Orange County, California. In this episode Laura shares her course of education and discovery and how she leveraged every learned experience to launch her business of design. We also discuss her marketing strategy to align her brand among the best in the business and how she balances risk and inno...

Today we welcome Chrissy Crawford Corredor - founder and CEO of ARTSTAR . The New York based online resource offers a curated collection of fine art available to collectors and the design trade. In this episode Chrissy shares what prompted her to launch the online gallery and the process of navigating e-commerce pre Shopify. We also discuss ARTSTAR's commitment to supporting emerging artists and t...

Today we welcome Sara Brennan of Sara Lynn Brennan Interior Design based in Waxhaw, North Carolina. In this episode Sara shares how she identified weaknesses in her business early on and instead of ignoring them she tackled them head on and created a renewed seven figure business in just three years. We also discuss Sara's perspective on trading time for money, how she leverages her extended team...

Today we welcome Gage Edward, Interior Designer and Head of Partnerships at Side Door. In this episode Gage tells us about his journey of design from re-imagining spaces as a kid to his introduction to a multi faceted business of design twelve years ago. We also discuss the challenges that design professionals face, particularly sales and procurement, and the industry's most promising solution emp...

Today we welcome Jordan Hackworth of J Hackworth Interiors based in Atlanta, GA. In this episode Jordan shares his journey of design from the set of reality television in Hollywood to the launch of his own design business in 2020. Jordan learned many lessons in his first year of business and he shares some of his most eye opening realizations about his own strengths and weaknesses, the client expe...

Today we welcome Desi Creswell, a certified life and business coach who helps interior designers stop feeling overwhelmed so they can intentionally build profitable, fulfilling businesses that enrich their lives as a whole. In this episode we discuss tips and strategies for prioritization, productivity, and achieving your goals! Click here to download her Interior Designers Get it Done Daily Plann...

In this episode I answer a few of the burning questions submitted by you - our listeners! We talk motivational influencers, top design biz resources, design school pros and cons, and how to pick your lane in the business of design. We also discuss my untold path that led me to the business of design. 

Today we welcome Christina Kim of Christina Kim Interior Design all the way from Manasquan, New Jersey. In this episode Christina shares her path to design and her strategy for launching her own design business. Christina also shares her trials and errors and how establishing a niche for her design business was the key to elevating her brand and attracting predictable clients. 

Today we welcome one of our featured speakers at this year's Design Biz Retreat, Marketing Specialist Kate Greunke - better known as Kate the Socialite . In this episode we discuss Kate's "Confidence Based Approach" to marketing and visibility to create a more profitable and successful business. We also discuss back end strategies for your website, refining your marketing voice, and how to attract...

Today we welcome Marketing Consultant Bobby Tsui to the podcast. Bobby specializes in Marketing and Visibility Strategies for design professionals and is the founder of "Same Circle Method" which is an e-learning program that helps designers develop influential positioning in their markets so they can grow their business profitably while staying in their zone of genius. In this episode we discuss...

Today, photographer and podcast super fan Molly Rose is asking the questions and I do a whole lot of talking as we celebrate our 3 year anniversary of Design Biz Survival Guide. We re-cap some highlights of my journey over the past few years and we dig into some of today's biggest challenges and opportunities for design professionals. We also have a little fun as we look back at how this whole jou...

Today we welcome Designer and Executive Business Strategist Kate Rasmussen of Wade Weissmann Architecture . In this episode Kate shares her journey of design and architecture and the many influences that shaped her perspective. We also discuss what attracted her to the business of design and how a team culture rooted in optimism contributes to the firm's signature collaborative service model and a...

Today we welcome Lisa Gilmore, Principal Designer and Owner of Lisa Gilmore Design based in St. Petersburg, Florida. In this episode Lisa shares her fast track journey to design business ownership and a life defining moment that stopped her in her tracks and prompted a complete makeover of her finances. We also discuss how she embraced the concept of "profit first" and the impact it had on her bus...

Today we welcome Susan Thiel of Susan Thiel Design to the podcast. Susan launched her full service interior design business in 2008 which specializes in new construction and major remodels. In this episode we discuss Susan's decision to transition her design business from a traditional office space to Orange County's premiere co-working space exclusively for interior design professionals, Studio 8...

Today we welcome Anderson Somerselle to the podcast. In this episode we discuss Anderson's namesake showroom SOMERSELLE and how he designed what he has dubbed "the new showroom experience" from the inside out with the needs of design professionals in mind. Anderson shares how he's made a career of being of service to interior designers and how he plans to reinvigorate the connection between design...

Today we welcome our sales tax guru Amy Monroe to the podcast! Amy specializes in sales tax consulting and audit defense for businesses big and small. In this episode we discuss some sales tax basics and how they relate specifically to the business of design. We also dig a little deeper and discuss strategies to keep your business organized and compliant. Amy is one of our featured speakers this F...

Today we welcome Hawlie Ohe of White Sands Design Build - a full service construction, development and design firm located in the South Bay Area of Los Angeles. In this episode we discuss the benefits of having the entire design build process under one roof, how it streamlines the creative process, and how the business approach takes service and communication to the next level. Hawlie also shares...