Only Girl On The Jobsite

Allowances. This is what we are covering in today's episode: why they matter so much more than designers realize, and how ignoring them can absolutely blow up your hours, your relationship with the client, and their entire budget. This might not sound sexy, but I promise you it is mission critical.  Join the waitlist for my course here: https://www.reneedevignierdesign.com/construction-management-...

How much is this going to cost? This is a question every designer will get, especially newer designers to construction struggle with this question and will hear from every single one of their clients.  In this episode, we're diving into the uncomfortable but crucial budget conversation. From the fear of losing a job by being too honest, to the risk of saying too little and creating unrealistic exp...

Today, we are going to talk about a question I know you've silently asked yourself: "Who's really in charge here?" And more importantly, "How do I stay in charge of the part I am leading without turning every job site project into a tug of war?"  Learn how clarity, confidence, and consistent communication will help you take the lead — even when no one hands it to you. Join the waitlist for my cour...

If you've been wanting to break into the luxury market, or even if you already are there, today's episode is for you! Today, I am sharing a conversation with my friend, Vitalia (Vita) Vygovska. Vita grew her business from grass-roots marketing strategies that all of us can employ immediately in our business, and no one knows the luxury market like Vita. Vitalia (Vita) Vygovska is the founder and C...

I tell people all the time that no answer is an answer. No boundaries allow a free for all. No structure allows someone else to create it for you. All of this can be prevented by being clear on what you want, the values you bring, and the relationship you want to establish. Today we're going to talk about how we train people in our lives, whether it's clients, contractors, or architects, and how w...

If your schedule is feeling tight, or your fall is filling up way faster than you'd like or feeling pressure to take on just one more project, then today's episode is for you!  Scheduling can have an impact on the success of your projects, the health of your business, as well as your sanity. It's all about scheduling, no matter how experienced you are or how many systems you have in place. And how...

There is a powerful, yet overlooked question that you should ask yourself every time you start developing a proposal for your client: "So what?" Whether you're listing deliverables, defining construction roles, or setting your fees, this question forces you to clarify the purpose, value, and outcome of every line in your scope. If you've ever had a client question why you're needed on site—or why...

I often talk about the importance of industry partnerships for growing your business and keeping your project pipeline full. But today, I want to take that conversation deeper. In this episode, I'm sharing how truly powerful these relationships can be — not just for business development, but for your own growth as a designer and leader. From managing construction with confidence to navigating comp...

Today's topic hits home for so many designers. It honestly doesn't matter if you're new to construction or you've been around for years. Today, we're talking all about confidence, and specifically that gap between experience and confidence. This seems to trip up so many designers, and the two don't always go hand in hand. Confidence is not performative; it is built. And you absolutely have the abi...

Today's topic is another one that I don't think gets enough coverage or attention, and that's what happens after you get your contract signed.  We focus a lot on getting the signed contract, which makes sense because without it, you wouldn't be getting to this step. But I want to cover what you do after the client hires you. Find the full shownotes at:  https://devignierdesign.com/you-got-the-job-...

This wasn't my plan. This wasn't even close to my plan. I never set out to build a course, I never set out to be a podcaster. I certainly didn't imagine I'd be coaching designers or building a program like The Designers Edge. But somewhere along the way, I realized that every experience I've had, ever woman I worked for and the lessons I learned on their job sites, the lessons I learned on my own...

Today, I want to discuss the elephant in the room - and that is the economic unease that we're all feeling, and particularly, how it's impacting our industry. We're going to talk about what's behind the economic unease and how it is impacting both the construction and decorating worlds differently. It's not just about the rising tariffs, it's about who the buyer is that you are targeting. I've bee...

Today, we're going to have a little bit of a wreckoning from something I hear all the time from designers, and it starts something like, "Renee, I use square footage pricing to develop my fees for construction management." Or, sometimes it's a tiered flat fee, or per number room, or a percentage. While I'm not here to tell you that pricing formulas don't ever work, I am here to tell you this:  the...

If you've ever skipped billing for a "quick" call or job site decision, this episode is your wake-up call! In today's episode, you'll see how those small moments of expertise carry massive value—and why it's time to stop giving them away for free. Learn to protect your time, price your worth, and set clear boundaries on every project, and get ready to take some notes! Join my upcoming workshop, Ho...

Today we're going to talk about something that quietly chips away at your profits, your confidence, and your sanity on construction projects, and that is your unclear role, which affects your bottom line.  Join the waitlist for my course here: https://www.reneedevignierdesign.com/construction-management-interior-designers     Find the full shownotes at: https://devignierdesign.com/doing-it-all-get...

Today's episode is a really special one. I am joined by Mercedes G Quintanilla, a designer who completed every single lesson inside my course, The Interior Designer's Guide to Construction Management.  I actually offered an incentive for the first time for members inside the course, who completed it in its entirety, and Mercedes dove in headfirst. She not only went through the whole curriculum fro...

Today we are talking all about leadership. I know this is a skill you've mastered in your decorating projects and it is one you can translate many of the same aspects into construction. In today's episode, I'm breaking this down so you can start leaning into it today. Join the waitlist for my course here: https://www.reneedevignierdesign.com/construction-management-interior-designers   Find the fu...

Picture this, you're on a construction site, all sorts of hell is breaking loose, you're scrambling for answers, and you're also thinking, 'Oh my god, why didn't I see this coming?' If this feels like you, today's episode is for you!    Today you'll learn why building your knowledge before the problems start is the only path to confident and profitable projects and why cherry-picking info in crisi...

Today, I want to talk about construction projects from a holistic birds-eye view because the reality is that construction projects are hard, and I don't think I talk enough about the fact that they are challenging and sometimes can come with a steep learning curve.  I know there are more designers than not on construction projects, and I see designers every day diving in, determined to figure it o...

If you're ready to take your business to the next level, today's episode is for you! I am so excited to have my friend Katie Decker-Erickson on today's episode! Katie began her career in commercial color consulting as a part-time passion project in 2007. Color Works, has grown into a multi-million dollar commercial design company, currently operating in over 20 states nationwide, with a fully remo...

Today, we are bringing back a listener favorite from Season 5, Episode 177. Charging What You're Worth in Interior Design   We talked about the difference is between a hobby and a profession and how it can simply be boiled down to making money. So many designers undervalue their services and have anxiety about marking up procurements on construction projects, and this was a top downloaded episode,...

If you have been looking for that one perfect solution in your business - that one right way to be successful in your business, then today's episode is for you!  Today, I want to dispel the myth that there is only one right way, one successful way of running your projects and your business when that just isn't the case and how flexibility is the key to success! Find the full shownotes at: https://...

If you're finding your designs are constantly being questioned or dismissed, then today's episode is for you! On any given day, interior designs have a lot to keep track of. Most of us are self-employed so we are not just working in our business, we're working on our business. So today, I want to tackle something that will truly set you apart but is so often overlooked because we are so overwhelme...

I am honored to host LuAnn Nigara today to talk all about leadership in our industry, the struggles and the underlying reasons why stepping into leadership is so critical for the health and profitability of our business.  LuAnn Nigara is a celebrated media personality, keynote speaker and seasoned entrepreneur. Recognized as the "go-to" keynote speaker for leaders and entrepreneurs to launch their...

Today I want to talk about a critical component to your success of every construction project that you may not be thinking of because it doesn't take the form of a process, tip, or trick on a physical job site - and that is the value of a support network. One that you can lean on, transparently ask the questions you're afraid to ask, but most importantly, one that truly understands this crazy ass...