The Design Dialogues Podcast

After 133 episodes, 85 interviews, 54 solo shows, and two live events… I’m pressing pause on the Design Dialogues podcast. This isn’t goodbye forever, but it does feel like the right moment to stop, breathe, and reflect on what’s next. When I started this podcast back in July 2023, I honestly didn’t know if anyone would listen. But week after week, you showed up. You tuned in on commutes, while wa...

In this episode of Design Dialogues, I’m sharing why your second, third, or even fourth career is not a setback — it’s actually your biggest strength as a designer. I know it’s easy to feel like you’re behind if you didn’t study interiors straight out of school. But the truth is, the skills and experiences you’ve gained in other industries can give you a real advantage in building your design stud...

This week on Design Dialogues, I’m joined by Alison Wheeler, founder of boutique digital advertising agency Society State. Alison’s mission? To take the mystery (and stress!) out of social media advertising for small creative businesses. From starting out in PR and events to running a thriving agency while raising two little ones, Alison has walked the walk. She shares exactly how much budget you...

In this episode, I’m tackling a topic every interior designer has faced at some point: the nerves that come with walking into a showroom. From imposter syndrome to sales pressure, I’ve been there myself (yes, awkward mumbling about fabric samples included!). But here’s the truth: showrooms need us as much as we need them. In this episode, I share practical strategies, mindset shifts, and personal...

This week I’m joined by Lisa Sinagra, interior designer, founder of Stylis Creations, and the driving force behind the Perth Design Community. With more than 20 years in the industry, Lisa knows the real ups and downs of running a design business—and she’s passionate about making sure other designers don’t have to figure it all out the hard way. In our chat, Lisa shares the lessons she’s learned a...

In this solo episode of Design Dialogues, I’m exploring one of the most powerful tools an interior designer has in today’s crowded market: your brand story. With more designers setting up studios across Australia — from city hubs to growing regional areas — standing out is no longer just about your logo or your aesthetic. It’s about how you tell your story. I share why your brand story is so impor...

In this episode, I’m joined by Marc Bennett, Marketing Director at Momo Handles, a brand that has redefined what thoughtful, well-designed hardware can do for a space. Marc’s story is one of longevity, craftsmanship, and connection. With over 30 years of experience in the interiors industry, he’s seen trends come and go — and he’s learned that the brands that truly last are the ones that focus on...

In this solo episode, I’m exploring a question I hear so often from interior designers who are just starting out — how do you bridge the gap between design school and running your own studio? Whether you’re stepping into design as a second or third career, or you’re graduating and wondering what comes next, this episode will help you think about what skills you already bring, what knowledge you’re...

In this week’s episode of Design Dialogues, I’m joined by Washington, DC–based interior designer Laura Hur, founder of Lorla Studio. Laura’s journey into design is anything but conventional — from growing up in Key West surrounded by stacks of shelter magazines, to earning her master’s at Pratt Institute, working for Gensler, and eventually building her own thriving luxury residential practice. La...

In this solo episode, I’m sharing a personal story about the part of my interior design business I used to dread: documentation. It drained my energy, stole my time, and left me feeling constantly behind. Instead of pushing through, I chose to outsource—and it changed everything. If you’ve ever felt pressure to do it all, this episode is for you. I share what outsourcing actually looks like in a s...

In this episode of Design Dialogues, I’m joined by Hannah Brown, the founder of Hey! Design, a Central Coast-based documentation expert supporting interior designers, cabinet makers, and builders with the technical side of interior design. Hannah shares her fascinating journey from working in child protection in the UK to starting her own design documentation business here in Australia. We dive de...

In this solo episode, I’m sharing something I’ve been thinking about a lot lately: What happens when the business you worked so hard to build no longer fits the life you want to live? After my recent conversation with Shelley Boyd (Episode 121), I felt compelled to explore what it really means to reassess, realign, and sometimes reimagine your interior design business—especially when burnout creep...

In this episode, I sit down with Shelley Boyd, founder of Boyd Blue, to discuss her remarkable 26-year journey building a wholesale furniture and design business. From starting in 1999 to navigating through economic downturns and a pandemic, Shelley shares candid insights about supplier relationships, quality craftsmanship, and the importance of authenticity in business. Her story offers valuable...

After a little time away (hello, school holidays and a much-needed breather), we're back and really looking forward to this next season of Design Dialogues. The break gave me time to reflect on how I run my own business—what’s working, what needs adjusting, and how I want to structure my weeks moving forward. In this solo episode, I’m sharing a more realistic and creative-friendly approach to time...

In this episode, I’m joined by Eliza Smoothey, founder of Eliza Grace Interiors, to talk about building a multi-stream interior design business that’s both sustainable and intentional. With over 12 years of experience, Eliza shares how she’s strategically grown her studio to include full-service design, online styling sessions, an e-course, and regular collaborations with retail partners—while sta...

In this episode, I talk about why collaboration is one of the most powerful—and underutilised—strategies for sustainable growth in interior design studios. If you’ve ever felt like you need to do everything yourself—concepts, drawings, sourcing, admin, installs—you’re not alone. But trying to wear every hat in your business can lead to exhaustion and diluted results. Instead, I’m sharing how strat...

In this episode, I sit down with Fiona Killackey — business coach, author, and founder of My Daily Business — to talk about building a business that supports your life, not the other way around. Fiona shares her refreshing take on what it means to run a values-led creative business in 2025, why she’s proudly anti-hustle, and how AI can be used intentionally to support your work (without replacing...

Winter Series - The Design Dialogues Podcast is taking a break over the winter holidays - time to regroup and recharge, ready for the rest of 2025. I have selected some of my favourite guests for you to have a second list to as I am sure you will get so much out of them. Our Thursday episodes will be taking a break as well for the next few weeks. We will be back mid July refreshed and ready with s...

Winter Series - The Design Dialogues Podcast is taking a break over the winter holidays - time to regroup and recharge, ready for the rest of 2025. I have selected some of my favourite guests for you to have a second list to as I am sure you will get so much out of them. Our Thursday episodes will be taking a break as well for the next few weeks. We will be back mid July refreshed and ready with s...

Winter Series - The Design Dialogues Podcast is taking a break over the winter holidays - time to regroup and recharge, ready for the rest of 2025. I have selected some of my favourite guests for you to have a second list to as I am sure you will get so much out of them. Our Thursday episodes will be taking a break as well for the next few weeks. We will be back mid July refreshed and ready with s...

Winter Series - The Design Dialogues Podcast is taking a break over the winter holidays - time to regroup and recharge, ready for the rest of 2025. I have selected some of my favourite guests for you to have a second list to as I am sure you will get so much out of them. Our Thursday episodes will be taking a break as well for the next few weeks. We will be back mid July refreshed and ready with s...

Winter Series - The Design Dialogues Podcast is taking a break over the winter holidays - time to regroup and recharge, ready for the rest of 2025. I have selected some of my favourite guests for you to have a second list to as I am sure you will get so much out of them. Our Thursday episodes will be taking a break as well for the next few weeks. We will be back mid July refreshed and ready with s...

In this episode, I explain why interior designers need a "success plan" rather than a traditional business plan. Learn how to create a living, breathing document that defines success on your terms, tracks what matters most to you, and helps you stay focused on building a business that supports the life you actually want to live. This isn't about impressing investors—it's about creating clarity and...

In this Q&A episode, I answer real questions from interior designers covering the challenges we all face in building sustainable design businesses. From pricing confidence and marketing strategy to speaking opportunities and avoiding burnout, this episode tackles the practical issues that keep designers up at night. If you've ever wondered about charging what you're worth or felt stuck between beg...

In this episode, I reveal why systems are the secret sauce behind every confident, growing design studio. Learn what systems actually are (hint: it's not complicated tech stacks), discover the top three systems every interior designer needs, and understand how creating repeatable processes transforms your business from chaotic to scalable. If you've ever thought "I'm so busy but don't know where m...