Hot Young Designers Club | Interior Design Business Podcast

Shaun and Rebecca explore how interior designers can borrow luxury‑hospitality practices (think boutique hotels, high‑end resorts) and apply them to their own design businesses. They dig into the idea that service isn’t just about furniture or finishes–it’s about how you make your clients feel, and how you structure your process, your purchasing, your hiring, and your client‑experience to reflect...

In this episode of the Hot Young Designers Club, Rebecca and Shaun welcome interior‑photographer turned editor and marketing strategist Jessica Burke to unpack when and why designers should not photograph—or publish—every single project. Jessica shares her transition from the wedding industry into shooting editorial interiors, how to evaluate when a project is worth photography, how to structure t...

In this episode, Rebecca and Shaun dive into everything designers need to know about attending Las Vegas Market — from travel logistics to strategy, networking, sourcing and setting up your post‑market follow‑up. Whether you're a veteran or preparing for your first market, they share hands‑on tips on planning, navigating the show, maximizing your time, and turning the experience into content and b...

In this episode, Shaun and Rebecca sit down with Melissa Oholendt of Oho Interiors to dig into how she built a high‑end residential design firm rooted in her signature “cottage‑traditional with a European/English influence” aesthetic — and how that clarity has helped her attract the clients she wants. Melissa shares what it took to scale from one person to a team across two states, how she shifted...

In this episode, Rebecca and Shaun catch up on life, business, and creative growth. Rebecca just returned from a design retreat at a beautifully designed cabin (by Form & Field), where she worked on brand strategy and made tangible progress on her website. They also dive into frustrating vendor experiences, the evolving role of AI agents in design work, and a hot take on whether being barefoot...

In this episode of Hot Young Designers Club, Shaun and Rebecca sit down with Jamie Young of Jamie Young Company. They dive into the wild and wonderful journey of launching their design brand nearly 28 years ago, sketching a story that blends art school daring with entrepreneurial grit—from concrete lamps to elevated, organic, globally inspired lighting, mirrors, and accent furniture. Jamie shares...

Rebecca’s rewatch of Girls sparked a spirited metaphor that drives this episode: Interior designers need to stop being the passengers in their own projects and take the wheel. Shaun and Rebecca dive deep into what it really means to be the leader, not just in process but in energy, communication, and confidence. From preemptive client education to handling those take-the-wheel clients, this episod...

In this episode, Shaun and Rebecca welcome Judi Lee‑Carr, the Singapore‑born, self‑taught interior designer behind Jubilee Interiors, a boutique firm in Westlake Village, California. With a background in visual merchandising and a journey that has taken her through Singapore, Jakarta, London, Paris, and now Southern California, Judi has built a thriving design business grounded in her ethos of Org...

In this episode, hosts Shaun and Rebecca kick off another round of the beloved Just Stop series—this time inviting submissions directly from their listener community. With a few listener submissions already in hand, they dive into some trends and pet peeves in the world of interior design branding, communication, and business practices. Expect their signature blend of candid humor, designer insigh...

In this episode, Rebecca and Shaun sit down with Renee Bush, founder of Tandem, a consultancy for interior designers. She’s the secret weapon behind the brand and business strategy at powerhouses like Studio McGee. Renee shares her journey from graphic and studio operations into honing a niche helping designers align business structure, brand identity, and marketing. They dive deep into how strate...

Danielle Chiprut, owner and creative force behind Danielle Rose Design Co., joins Shaun and Rebecca to unpack how intentional investments in her business—from team expansion and PR to education and a new studio space—have fueled her growth. With over five years in the interior design world, Danielle shares candid insights on trusting her gut, building boundaries, and empowering her team to elevate...

In this episode, Shaun and Rebecca dive deep into the nuts and bolts of creating and managing a materials library for interior designers. They discuss everything from sourcing sample accounts and organizing fabrics, tile, rugs, paint, hardware, lighting, and window coverings, to managing the relentless influx of materials and avoiding storage chaos—all while keeping things inspiring and client-rea...

In this episode, Shaun and Rebecca dive deep into the world of custom and bespoke furnishings and how they can elevate not only your designs but your entire interior design business. They share real-life experiences, lessons learned, and the emotional ups and downs of taking the custom route—from sourcing local artisans to managing the expectations of clients and contractors. They also explore how...

This week, Shaun and Rebecca are joined by Natalie Papier of Home Ec Op to talk all things color, creativity, and carving your own design path. Natalie shares how her background in fine art has shaped her interiors, how she grew her business organically through Instagram, and the whirlwind of launching multiple product lines, filming a design TV show, and publishing her first book. She opens up ab...

In this heartfelt and vulnerable episode, Shaun and Rebecca open up about their personal mental health journeys and how those experiences impact their lives as interior designers and creative entrepreneurs. In recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month, they shed light on how common mental health struggles are within the design industry, and how important it is to build a life and business that...

In this episode, Shaun and Rebecca sit down with interior designer and TV personality Rasheeda Gray of Gray Space Interiors. Rasheeda shares how she transitioned from a 15-year corporate marketing career into a thriving design business — and how she made her purpose and passion align. They also dive into how she’s leveraged local television and mentorships to grow her brand, and what it’s really l...

Shaun and Rebecca are back with another Mixed Baggie episode filled with updates, rants, and juicy industry talk! Rebecca shares a major manifestation win — landing a restaurant design opportunity just weeks after putting it out into the universe. They dig into writing proposals and pricing for commercial work, hitting critical mass in your business, and dealing with clients who have unrealistic e...

In this powerful and soul-nourishing episode, Rebecca and Shaun welcome special guest Coach Jackie (aka Jacquelyn Vasquez), a money mindset coach who’s all about helping entrepreneurs shift their inner narratives to transform their outer realities. With her background in NLP, EFT, and hypnosis, Coach Jackie offers actionable insights and energetic real-talk to help creatives, especially interior d...

In this episode, Rebecca and Shaun bring back their fan-favorite "Just Stop" series, diving into the latest industry grievances and personal pet peeves. From unexpected social media drama to frustrating client revisions, they share unfiltered takes on what needs to stop in the design world. If you’ve ever dealt with a client revising a project into oblivion or questioned the logic behind tiny show...

In this episode, we're sitting down with Caroline Turner of Caroline Turner Interiors and Confessions of an Interior Designer to talk about running a design business, building a waitlist, handling referrals (or not), and using social media for client growth. Caroline shares her unfiltered thoughts on why she’s not a fan of referrals, how she sets project minimums, and the major shifts she’s made i...

If you’ve ever thought about attending High Point Market but felt overwhelmed by the planning, logistics, and sheer scale of the event, this episode is for you! Shaun and Rebecca break down everything you need to know before making the trip—what to expect, how to prepare, and how to make the most of your time. Whether you’re going for the first time or looking to refine your market strategy, they’...

Shaun and Rebecca are kicking off 2025 by setting new goals for their businesses and getting clear on what’s out this year. From refining client processes to rethinking professional development, they’re sharing six major focus areas that will help shape a more intentional and productive year. Tune in for a candid discussion on what’s working, what’s getting cut, and how they’re evolving their busi...

Meredith Huck, founder and principal designer of House of Huck, joins Shaun and Rebecca to share her journey from corporate sales to running her boutique interior design firm in coastal Connecticut. Meredith discusses her time-saving processes, the value of clear boundaries, and the creative inspiration behind her rapid success. Discover how her corporate background helped her build efficient syst...

Shaun and Rebecca dive into a mixed bag of topics this week, sharing personal updates, industry insights, and reflections as they kick off a new year. From refining boundaries to tackling social media fatigue, this candid conversation is full of relatable moments and tips for navigating the ever-evolving design industry. In this episode, we discuss: Kicking off 2025 – Celebrating milestones, setti...

Join us as we dive deep with Heather Knight-Wilcock, a Southern California interior designer and owner of Heather KW Styles and Copper Interiors. Heather opens up about her creative journey, balancing a design and staging business, and the importance of adaptability and resilience in the ever-evolving world of interior design. In this episode, we discuss: Heather's unique approach to building her...