Design Biz Survival Guide

Today we welcome Braden Drake of Braden Drake Law . He's the host and founder of one of my favorite podcasts, UNF*CK YOUR BIZ, and the super cool online community resource by the same name. Braden is dedicated to providing legit legal and tax education to the creative entrepreneur community. In this episode we talk about his process of establishing his specialty client market, identifying client n...

Today we welcome Traci Connell of Traci Connell Interiors , a full service design firm based in Dallas, Texas. In this episode Traci tells us how she built her business to be her rock during a time of challenge and how the pressure of necessity has lead her to a place of giving back to the design community in a very special way. This episode is all about transparency, and we're not talking about p...

Today we welcome Annette Reeves, a long time design build industry partner and appliance & fixture specialist at PIRCH. In this episode we discuss how Annette collaborates with designers, builders, and architects on projects big and small to help them specify like a pro! We also discuss being of service and our mutual passion to elevate the design community through informing and inspiring fellow d...

Today we welcome Jenny and Brooks Crawford of Brookside Design in Carlsbad, California. This husband and wife team turned their mutual love and respect for the outdoors into a mission to extend comfort and design beyond the carpeted area. In this episode we talk about the evolution of their multi faceted design business, how interior design drives their vision, and the delicate daily balance of ma...

Today we welcome award winning designer, industry leader, and visibility queen - Rachel Moriarty of Rachel Moriarty Interiors based out of San Diego, CA. In this episode Rachel shares her top visibility strategies for 2020 including the value of video content, how to leverage media exposure to be more relevant to consumers, and why you should get behind the microphone and use your voice.

Today we welcome Matt Dugally of Dugally Oberfeld - an internationally recognized luxury home builder. In this episode we re-visit team synergy and we hear Matt's perspective on the importance of the architect, builder, designer relationship. Matt also shares the top three things that luxury builders are looking for from design professionals as well as his concept of "construction physics" and how...

Today we welcome Robin Strickler - founder and principal of Design Works , a Southern California based design firm known for their stylish yet timeless design aesthetic. In this episode Robin walks us through her journey from fashionista to interior design tastemaker. We also discuss the heightened designer expectation, the reality of burn out among our peers, and our mutual fondness for Nate Berk...

Today we welcome Capella Kincheloe to the podcast and we discuss why she crossed over from Interior Design to design business coaching. Capella joins the growing ranks of design professionals who have found their true calling - to provide valuable information and guidance to help designers grow their business. Her 2020 Design Business Planner is my new obsession and we break it down for you, step...

Today we welcome Mark Weaver - founder of Mark Weaver & Associates , a full service design firm headquartered in Los Angeles, CA . With over forty years of design biz experience, Mark is no stranger to the ever changing design industry and in this episode he shares his perspective on the client experience, team culture, design education, and design inspiration. We also discuss the state of luxury...

Today we welcome Chris Johnson - founder of Design Tec , a California based design firm specializing in model homes and commercial spaces. In this episode we talk about attitude, ambition, and good old fashioned hard work. Chris also shares her thoughts on leadership, employee retention, and her path to reinvention which culminated into a trend setting business model of collaborative work space ex...

Today we welcome Kansas City based interior designer Tamara Day of Growing Days , a multi faceted design business. In this episode we talk with Tamara about growing her brand from scratch, how her annual open house consignment sale evolved into a thriving design and e-commerce business, and how she managed it all with a child on her hip. We also discuss her popular TV show Bargain Mansions and the...

Today we welcome our very first featured architect to the podcast, Paul McClean . Paul's ten person architectural firm specializes in contemporary residential architecture in and around Southern California and abroad. In this episode we talk about the "design team" dynamic from an architect's perspective. We discuss how architecture promotes community, the pros and cons of architectural guidelines...

Today we welcome Max Humphrey to the podcast. In this episode Max shares his "non-business model" and his secret to keeping it fresh and keeping it real. We also discuss how his experience in TV and film production and touring the country with his punk rock band influenced his exodus from Los Angeles to Portland, Oregon where he mans the helm of his thriving interior design business.

Today we welcome Nicole Perrault and Gina Villasenor from Haus of Design based out of Costa Mesa, CA. We talk about team work, project diversification, and the absolute value of fulfilling every commitment you make to your clients, your business, and yourself. Nicole and Gina both have experience working in design trade showrooms and they've leveraged that experience to develop processes and proce...

Today we welcome Sarah Strader - of Sarah Strader Textiles . In this episode Sarah shares her journey from interior designer to furniture designer to her current venture in hand blocked textile design. We talk about the pros and cons of having multiple ventures in play at the same time and how she refined her business model without sacrificing adventure and creativity. We also dig in to visibility...

Today we welcome Erica Bryen - Principal Designer and Owner of Erica Bryen Design . In this episode Erica shares her passion for interior design and her long time role as buyer for one of Orange County's premiere "to the trade" showrooms. We also talk about the reality of client relations, how she leverages her association with a showroom to streamline her design business, and her "real world" adv...

Today we welcome Erinn Valencich of E rinn V Design Group to the podcast and we discuss her many endeavors in the interior design industry from launching her own interior design firm to developing and designing her stunning made to order furniture line for the trade. Erinn openly shares her passion for the business of design, her very real observation of the industry, and her game changing solutio...

Today we welcome Brooke Wagner of Brooke Wagner Design - a full service design firm based out of Corona Del Mar, California. Brooke literally started her design firm from her dining room table fifteen years ago and has expanded to what is now a team of nine specializing in new construction collaborations with Orange County's top builders and architects. Brooke truly understands the value of commun...

Today we welcome Kylie Van Meter of Kylie Interiors - a full service design firm based out of Ventura County, California. Kylie is a recent design school graduate with a degree in Interior Design and Business Accounting. In this episode we talk about the reality of design school, the value of "on the job" work experience, and Kylie's path to launching her very own interior design business just a f...

Today we welcome Britany Simon of Britany Simon Design House based in Scottsdale, Arizona. You may recognize Britany from her recent appearance on Bravo Network's newest design show "Best Rooms Wins". She's also appeared on HGTV Design Star, The Travel Channel, and FYI Network - all while manning the helm of her award winning design firm. In this episode we focus on designing for TV and what it re...

In this special anniversary episode Raili Clasen from episode 7 returns for a PODCAST TAKEOVER! With Raili behind the controls and ME in the hot seat, we discuss the making of the podcast and how it has contributed to the design community. We uncover the mystery behind my day job, blow the cover off my weekend disguise, expose my introvert tendencies, and a few other things you may not know about...

Today we have a special encore presentation of our conversation with Alexa Hampton as part of the newly developed "non-market" concept ARRIVE hosted by Laguna Design Center in Laguna Niguel, CA. They day's events revolved around business and personal development for design professionals and what better way to kick off the day than with a fun and relatable conversation with Alexa Hampton. In this e...

Today we welcome Nancy Russert of Les Beaux Design and TWIST Custom Workroom . In today's episode we talk about how Nancy's passion, persistence, and instinct created a perfect recipe for her thriving design business and custom workroom. She went from intern to business owner practically over night and a few years later when the opportunity to expand her design business into custom fabrication pre...

In this episode we catch up with one of my all time favorite design bloggers Christina Fluegge of Greige Design . We talk about how her blog helped launch her brand which now extends across multiple platforms including interior design, textile design, and e-commerce. We also discuss the state of blogging today verses ten years ago and whether blogging is still relevant in the age of Instagram and...

Part 2 of our Modernism Week podcast featuring the talented designers of the Christopher Kennedy Compound located in beautiful Palm Springs, California. This talented group of world class designers helped create a showcase house which has become the hottest ticket in town. In this episode we chat with Brian Paquette, Lisa McDennon, Gordon Kurtis, Michelle Boudreau, and the man behind it all… Chris...