Resilient by Design with Rebecca Hay

Season 7 of Resilient by Design opens with an honest conversation about what it really looks like to grow an interior design business beyond the early hustle years. If you're busy, booked, and still exhausted, this episode is for you. Rebecca Hay shares why burnout is not a business model and why so many designers at the 2–5+ year mark feel successful on paper but overwhelmed behind the scenes. Th...

As we close out 2025, this episode is a pause. A moment to step back from the deadlines, the launches, the site visits, and the constant push to do more—and instead reflect on how far you've come. In this special holiday episode, Rebecca shares a heartfelt message for designers who showed up again and again this year. The ones who raised their rates, made hard decisions, took real rest, or simply...

If you want 2026 to feel more intentional and less reactive, this episode is your reset. In this guided Year in Review + Goal Setting workshop, I walk interior designers through my proven system to reflect on the year, review key numbers without overwhelm, and set clear goals you can actually execute. Grab a notebook, pull up your calendar, and follow along.   Episode Highlights: The year-end refl...

Real growth doesn't come from another course; it comes from consistency, mentorship, and staying connected to the work long enough to see the transformation. In this episode, Rebecca shares the moment she realized she needed to simplify even further in her business…and the big shift she's making in 2026 to support designers at a deeper level. You'll hear: • Why courses alone don't create long-term...

Still buying retail? It's killing your margins. In this episode, Rebecca talks with John Genova of Dovetail Furniture about the real profit advantages of sourcing wholesale and why strong vendor partnerships are essential as your design business grows. You'll learn how to choose the right trade vendors, what to look for at markets, how MAP pricing protects you, and why reliable partners can simpli...

Are you still doing work you never bill for? Still discounting your time? Still giving clients "just a little extra" because it feels easier than charging what you're worth? You're not alone, and you're definitely not new. Even experienced designers slide into patterns that chip away at profit and confidence without realizing it. In this episode, Rebecca breaks down the hidden places designers wor...

Feeling stuck in the cycle of doing everything yourself? In today's episode, we explore what it really takes to move  beyond survival mode and build a stable, profitable interior design business. Rebecca is joined by design-build founder Mae Reedy, who shares her hard-earned lessons on systems, hiring, communication, and managing a growing team. If you've been in business for a few years and you'r...

Scaling doesn't mean building a big firm or losing touch with what you love. It's about clarity, confidence, and control. In this solo episode, Rebecca dives into the mindset shift that helped her build a business that supports her life (not the other way around). She shares her five go-to reflection questions to help you visualize your next level and start leading like a CEO. Listen in to learn h...

Want to grow your interior design team without losing your creative edge? In this rebroadcast, Rebecca sits down with Dina Holland (Honey & Fitz) to talk hiring, delegation, process, and profit. Dina shares how authenticity on Instagram acts as a built-in client filter, why documentation is non-negotiable as you scale, and what she's learned running an e-commerce shop alongside a thriving studio....

Designer, educator, and all-around powerhouse Cheryl Luckett joins Rebecca to share how she went from a full-time corporate career to running Dwell by Cheryl Interiors...without burning everything down to start over. She walks us through her intentional 36-month exit plan, how she built her audience through blogging and Instagram back in 2012, and why consistency online still matters for designers...

You've got your systems dialed in—now what? In this episode, Rebecca dives into what comes after systems. Learn how to scale your interior design business by elevating your client experience, building your team, gaining financial clarity, and finding mentorship that propels you forward. Perfect for established designers ready to grow sustainably without losing their sanity.   Learn more about my M...

Headed to High Point Market? Designer and Cool Girls Guide founder Marisa Wilson breaks down exactly how to plan your days: curated events, must-visit showrooms, where to eat, transit tips, and how to protect your energy so you actually enjoy market. We also compare Round Top vs. High Point and why market truly is for every designer. In this episode: High Point vs. Round Top—what's different and w...

In this episode, Rebecca takes you behind the scenes of her recent trip to Nashville for Amy Porterfield's high-level mastermind. She shares what really happens inside the room, the lessons that shifted her business, and why community is the key to scaling a profitable interior design firm. Episode Highlights: You can't grow alone. Having peers who understand your challenges accelerates your succe...

High Point Market is often called "Disneyland for Designers" — but is it really worth the investment of time and money? In this episode, Rebecca Hay shares why attending HPMKT has been one of the smartest moves for her design business. From sourcing smarter and building vendor relationships to staying inspired and charging with confidence, Rebecca breaks down exactly how market can pay for itself...

What if you could make every project, big or small, profitable? In this episode, Rebecca Hay sits down with award-winning designer Miranda Cullen, founder of Inside Stories, about her innovative interior design franchise model. Dive into the episode to listen to: How micro-design services turn small jobs into revenue What it really costs to buy into a franchise The systems, training, and marketing...

Is fixed fee billing the answer for your design business—or a fast track to lost profits? In this rebroadcast, Rebecca Hay dives deep into hourly, fixed fee, and hybrid billing models, sharing the real pros and cons of each. You'll hear her candid stories of undercharging, discounting, and scope creep, along with the practical steps she uses today to track hours and charge with confidence. If you'...

Do you really need systems in your interior design business right now? The short answer is yes — and in this episode, I'm sharing why. If you've ever felt like your projects are running you instead of the other way around, this is your sign that it's time to build better systems. From indecisive clients and endless revisions to scope creep and late-night text messages, I've been there — and I know...

Three designers share how they doubled, and even 10x'ed, their rates by embracing process and confidence. What does it really take to raise your rates and run a thriving design business? In this episode, Rebecca sits down with three Calgary-based interior designers, Dana MacAulay, Kim Charbonneau, and Liza Kiegler, who share candid stories of growth after going through Power of Process. From doubl...

Celebrate 300 episodes of Resilient by Design with this behind-the-mic special. For the 300th episode, Rebecca Hay switches seats and becomes the guest! Darla Powell, founder of Wingnut Social, interviews Rebecca about the evolution of her design business, her shift into coaching, and the lessons she's learned along the way. From pricing and profits to confidence and consistency, this milestone ep...

Clients who can't decide, projects that grow beyond scope, and upholstery that's tough to sell without a sit test — sound familiar? In this Ask Rebecca episode, Rebecca Hay shares how she tackles these common design dilemmas. Learn how to: Guide indecisive clients toward confident decisions Sell upholstery without relying on retail showrooms Manage scope creep with clear agreements (and less stres...

Do you ever feel like you're behind in your design business? Like you should already be further along, have more clients, or be making more money? That's the mindset trap that keeps so many interior designers from feeling confident and successful. In this episode of Resilient by Design , Rebecca Hay breaks down how to overcome this trap by shifting from focusing on "the gap" (where you think you s...

Do you ever feel excited at the thought of getting more clients, but then suddenly dread sets in? You're not broken, you just don't have the right systems in place. In this episode, I'm sharing why more clients can feel overwhelming and what you can do to finally feel confident saying "yes" to the projects you want. I'll walk you through the shifts I made that took me from anxious and overworked t...

Four designers. One chance meeting. Unlimited opportunities. What started as a spontaneous trip to an industry event turned into a powerhouse partnership that's changing lives — both inside the design industry and in communities across the country. In this episode, I'm joined by the Designer Besties — Whitney Atkinson, Lori Johnson, Rhobin DelaCruz, and Nikki Watson — four talented creatives who h...

If you're trying to grow your interior design business but feel like you're spinning your wheels, this episode will be a breath of fresh air. Renee Bush, brand strategist and former Director of Operations at Studio McGee, joins me to talk about the reality of burnout, the power of brand alignment, and what it really takes to work smarter and build a business you love. We dive into: Why your market...

This is your sign to hit pause and check in. We're a little over halfway through the year, can you believe it? Whether you've been crushing your 2025 goals or feel like they've slipped off your radar, this rebroadcast is your invitation to reflect, realign, and reignite your momentum for the second half of the year. Originally released as our very first episode of 2025, this one's packed with prac...