Resilient by Design with Rebecca Hay

Success in business isn't about working harder—it's about working smarter. In this episode, Rebecca Hay sits down with Anika Schachtler, a rising star in the interior design world, to discuss how she has built a thriving interior design business by refining her processes, niching down, and hiring early. Since her last appearance on the podcast, Anika has made incredible strides—shifting her busine...

Growing a successful interior design business requires more than just serving clients—it takes dedicated time to work on the business, not just in it. In this episode, Rebecca Hay shares why prioritizing business development is essential for long-term success and how interior designers can break free from the cycle of constant client demands. She provides actionable strategies to help designers re...

No matter where you are in your design journey, the skills and experience you've gained can be the perfect foundation for transitioning to interior design. Our guest, Heather Lastiwka, has worn many hats in her career (including a stint at Earls—just like me! 😉) before taking the leap into running her own design business. She opens up about how burnout led her to rethink her path, why design has...

The Secret to Getting a Fast YES from Clients Before we can bring a vision to life, we need a solid YES from the client. The key to making that decision effortless? Owning your expertise—because you are the expert. In this episode, I'm sharing practical strategies to help you communicate your ideas with confidence and streamline your client process. We'll dive into some (potentially controversial)...

We all want to work with our version of a premium client, but before we do so, we need to establish a premium approach. Working with premium clients demands a premium approach, and in this episode, I'm sharing how to do exactly that!  This episode shares examples of what kind of client this person actually is and what they expect. One spoiler I'll give away is that a premium client doesn't always...

In this episode, I'm sharing a tip that will change your life and your business. As an interior designer, you are first and foremost a problem solver! High-level clients want solutions, not a menu of options! The best thing you can do to help clients understand your value is to hone in and define your core offering, a prime service that will be the pillar of your business. This helps to establish...

We all want consistent work, but what happens when that work is consistently lacking? Today I share my own experience being stuck inside a seemingly never ending loop of budget clients, how it happened and how I escaped. These are clients that may be great when you start out, but don't level up budget wise or quality wise as you and your business grow. You need to be sure you are aligned with your...

Our identities shift and evolve as we age and I've found clinging to the ego can do more harm than good. I've been battling through a major business decision for over a year and have finally been able to come out through to the other side which I share in this episode. I had to listen to my body, say goodbye to the ego, and let go of the perceptions of others to finally reach this place of peace....

We are only human. We're not machines and no matter how good your memory is with the day-to-day, something is bound to be forgotten or slip through the cracks. We simply can't be on top of EVERYTHING in our business and lives. This is why we need systems in place, they are our failsafe and they keep us on track!  In this episode, I'm sharing a few systems that I've learned over the years are non-n...

You may think that working with your dream client is a once-in-a-lifetime experience but I'm here to tell you it doesn't have to be! In this episode, I'm sharing tried and true tactics to ensure that I keep the ideal clients coming and the non-ideal clients away.  I dive into an exercise that I use at the end of every year that brings intention and, more importantly, attention to the traits of my...

If you only choose one thing to focus on in 2025 let it be this: stop 'people pleasing' your clients! We're used to the adage that the customer is always right, but I'm here to tell you that to build a sustainable, successful business means not being at the complete beck and call of your clients. After years of hearing stories from fellow designers and my own experience, I've decided on a few appr...

2025: The year to think BIG!  In this episode, I'm sharing a simple yet powerful goal-setting system designed to help you make 2025 your best year yet. If you've reflected on the past year and find yourself asking, "What's next?"—don't worry, I've got you covered! Here's what to do: carve out dedicated time and space to fully engage with this episode. I'll guide you through 7 actionable steps that...

Welcome to 2025 and a brand new Season 6! I know this is going to be our best year yet, I can feel it! Today I share my word for 2025 along with the one main goal I want to achieve above anything else by the end of the year and I invite you all to do the same. Get excited about this upcoming season because it will be thrilling, inspiring, and educational!   Download our Free Resources ➡️ Pre-quali...

We're finally here, the last episode of 2024! We wanted to celebrate the year in the best way by rebroadcasting the top episode of the year!  This episode is all about permitting yourself to leave the 9-5 job that's dragging you down to start your own interior design business. So before we dive into 2025, give this episode a listen because if you've been holding out for a sign to take the career l...

Running a business is full of trial and error, but it's what we  do with those errors that shape our growth. In this episode, I'm opening up about some of the biggest mistakes I made in 2024—sharing more detail than I ever have before. It's not always easy to admit where we went wrong, but my hope is that by getting real with you, these lessons can inspire you to reflect on your own journey and ap...

Designers, it's time to toss out those preconceived notions about sales! This episode will completely transform how you approach selling your services, discussing money, and guiding potential clients to say "yes." I'm joined by the incredible Kirsten Schmidtke, a certified coach and sales expert, who is here to ease the pressure of sales, shift your mindset, and arm you with the best questions to...

Like many creatives, I tend to avoid looking at my business numbers but that's not going to be true after this conversation! Danielle Hendon of 4Corners CFO empowers and encourages entrepreneurs to get their heads out of the sand and confront their numbers - including me during our conversation. Danielle shares her fascinating career origin story, the effect the pandemic had on its trajectory, and...

The best plans are made ahead of time! Even though 2024 is not over yet, it's the perfect time to take a look back at the year, assess, and start planning for a successful 2025 now!  In this episode, I list key questions that will help you review your year in business as a business owner and human. Your end-of-year review should not only look at your financials but also your livelihood, because wh...

You're in for a treat with this episode. It's Resilient by Design LIVE!  This episode is the panel discussion I hosted with three talented and experienced designers at Fall 2024 High Point Market, Renee Biery, Dina Holland, and Jamie Merida, all about the complexity of our business and its profitability.  We had an incredibly candid discussion about what works, and what doesn't, tipping points in...

I'm bringing all sorts of new things to the show today! While at High Point Market, I sat down with Jude Charles, who produces documentaries for entrepreneurs, including the phenomenal docuseries with LuAnn Nigara. We spoke in depth about the power of storytelling in your business - from marketing to client relations. Through this episode, Jude shares many of his own personal stories as he walks u...

As Design Business Owners, we're all doing the best we can with the tools we have, but due to the nature of our solo businesses we can sometimes feel alone, isolated, and adrift. I felt this way too for the first few years in my business! That is until I found my secret weapon and made it a core facet of my business over the last few years - and that is community. I want to encourage us all to giv...

This episode is all about knowing, and charging, the value of the service you provide. Through the episode, I share the steps and my insights to help you address the fears and myths currently keeping you from charging the right value of your knowledge, expertise, and luxury services. I dive into the questions you need to ask yourself ahead of time, how to calculate your new rate, and how to commun...

If you ever wondered if the grass is greener in the product world instead of the service realm, this episode may set you straight. I'm beyond impressed with my guest, Whitney Atkinson, who is the owner and inventor of WUGS which are weighted rugs! She shares the inspiration behind her new business venture, how she balances her design business while sewing 8 hours a day, and how she brilliantly set...

High Point Market is nearly here, are you ready? I'm re-releasing part 2 of my sit down with 3 designer friends who joined me at the 2022 Fall event. In this episode, we chat about trends, vendors, and our favorite showrooms to help you put together a High Point Survival Kit.  If you are at High Point Market in the Fall of 2024, don't forget to stop by my Event on October 28, 2024! DM me on Instag...

Burnout. We've all been there and I have too. Today I'm sharing my own recent experience of hitting a wall after burning the candle at both ends and sharing this information for myself as much as for you.  My motto is progress over perfection; I feel like I forgot it for a moment. My body involuntarily gave that reminder after going so hard that I ended up in bed for two days. We all need to be wa...