To-The-Trade with Interior Design Community

Laurie Laizure sits down with designer Kevin Twitty to discuss his journey from math major to an interior design professional. They explore essential business strategies for designers, including mastering SEO, networking within the Interior Design Community , and building resilience when entering new markets. Kevin shares how authenticity, community support, and adaptability have been key to his s...

Welcome to this episode of ‘To the Trade’ hosted by Laurie Laizure and Nile Johnson . We’re thrilled to have Meredith Huc k joining us today. Meredith shares her journey from corporate software sales to founding her interior design business, House of Huck . We discuss her experiences, challenges, and successes in building a design business that balances livable luxury with coastal casual elegance....

Join Laurie Laizure from To The Trade as she interviews Heather McManus from the Designers Collective . Heather shares her journey into the design industry, from her early struggles with learning disabilities to her education at Pratt and her first job in a workroom. She discusses her professional growth, her experience with high-end design, and the challenges she faced, including getting priced o...

Join Laurie Laizure and Nile Johnson from ‘ To The Trade ’ as they interview Katie Decker-Erickson , a skilled designer, coach, and MBA graduate. Katie recounts her transition from leading a multimillion-dollar design firm to helping fellow designers realize their aspirations. The conversation explores various topics, including the necessity of distinguishing personal identity from business, strat...

In this episode of ‘ To the Trade ’, Laurie Laizure and Nile Johnson reconnect after months apart, sharing experiences from Italy, especially the Mercanteinfiera and Modern Art Fair. They discuss the event’s significance for designers and insights from industry experts. They highlight Cheminne Taylor-Smith role in organizing impactful events and the importance of networking among designers. Laurie...

Join Laurie Laizure and Nile Johnson from To The Trade as they chat with renowned Canadian designer Jean Stephane Beauchamp . In this insightful episode, Jean shares his journey from studying fine arts and psychology to establishing his design firm over 25 years ago. Discover his design philosophy centered on enhancing the quality of life through beautiful and functional spaces, and learn about hi...

Join Laurie Laizure and Nile Johnson from To The Trade as she chats with Todd Howard Ezrin , the principal of Tobe DesignGroup . Todd shares his expansive journey from managing a small boutique design firm in Bethesda, Maryland, to handling international projects, including award-winning retail spaces. He opens up about the challenges and triumphs of scaling a business, maintaining vital relations...

Join Laurie Laizure as she chats with Mia Johnson , a dynamic interior designer who transitioned from a corporate project management career to thriving in interior design. In this captivating episode, Mia discusses her early inspirations, the pivotal moments that shaped her career, and the importance of community and mentorship in the industry. Mia also shares valuable insights on project pricing,...

Join Laurie Laizure from “ To-The-Trade ”  as she interviews cabinet expert Jonathan Rowland , who shares his extensive 30 years of experience in the cabinetry industry. Discover the latest trends, challenges, and tips for selecting the best cabinetry for your home or project. From the resurgence of traditional styles to the impact of AI on design, Jonathan offers valuable insights and practical a...

In this insightful discussion hosted by Laurie Laizure and Nile Johnson from Interior Design Community's To the Trade , Laurie and Nile interview Beth Greene , a veteran in product licensing within the interior design industry. Beth shares her extensive experience, having spent over 30 years at Cravit, leading their marketing efforts and managing her consulting business. The conversation explores...

In this episode, Laurie from To The Trade for Interior Design Community sits down with Marc and Corey from Designer Advantage , a leading procurement tool and accounting software designed for interior designers. Marc, the founder, narrates his journey from being an accounting major in Boston to launching Designer Advantage, tackling the challenges of effectively managing an interior design back of...

Join Laurie Laizure from Interior Design Community on a special episode of ‘ To the Trade ’. Laurie interviews Stephanie Lindsey and Jessica Nelson from Etch Design Group , based in Austin, Texas. They discuss their unique practice of balancing residential and commercial design, emphasizing their focus on creating beautiful and functional spaces. The conversation covers their experiences at the KB...

In this episode of ‘ To the Trade ,’ Laurie Laizure and Nile Johnson i interview Ruben Marquez , a seasoned interior designer from Pasadena, California. Ruben shares his journey from childhood home renovations to a successful 15-year career in high-end design, shaped by his global experiences. He addresses the importance of effective client communication and the challenges of international project...

Join Laurie Laizure and Nile Johnson from ‘ To the Trade ’ as they host a heartfelt conversation with Ben Warwas , the founder of Byben, an architectural firm specializing in hillside residential projects in Los Angeles. This episode explores the emotional impact of the recent fires on the community, featuring personal stories of loss and resilience. Ben reflects on his professional journey from f...

In this episode, Laurie Laizure and Nile Johnson from ‘ To the Trade ’ interview Swedish-American designer Christina Richardson . Christina shares her extensive interior design, construction engineering, and international business background. She discusses her transition from the mining industry in Sweden to pursuing a design career in the U.S., along with the cultural challenges she faced. The co...

In this episode of ‘ To The Trade ,’ Laurie Laizure from the Interior Design Community and co-host Nile Johnson welcome the renowned Kimberly Seldon . They explore Kimberly’s journey from being a television producer to a successful interior designer, television presenter, and design industry coach. Kimberly shares her experiences with early setbacks, the critical importance of business systems, an...

Laurie Laizure and Nile Johnson from the Interior Design Community host Joy Maier , founder of Aspiring Home Interiors , in an engaging discussion about blogging for interior designers. Joy shares her journey from event planning to managing a full-time interior design firm and blogging for SEO success. They explore the importance of utilizing blogging and social media for business growth, the evol...

In this episode of “ To-The-Trade ”, hosts Laurie Laizure and Nile Johnson interview Deb Barrett, an experienced interior designer who made the leap from the fashion industry to home design. Deb shares her journey from being a buyer for a major retailer to becoming an independent design entrepreneur specializing in window coverings. She discusses her roles in design education, consulting, and cont...

In this conversation, Laurie Laizure from “ To The Trade ” interviews Elizabeth Scruggs , a general contractor and interior designer from Nashville with 30 years of experience in the industry. Elizabeth discusses her company, Superior Construction and Design, and its multidisciplinary approach to projects that range from new constructions to interior redesigns. The discussion highlights the challe...

Laurie Laizure   of Interior Design Community welcomes Renee Leighann , a web and digital marketing expert with a background in interior design. Renee provides her unique perspective on servicing the interior design industry through effective web design and digital marketing strategies. They discuss the importance of having a well-optimized and visually appealing website, emphasizing the need for...

In this interview, Laurie Laizure from the Interior Design Community speaks with Abiola Amusan , founder of AV Luxury Design , about his role as a custom integrator for interior designers, specializing in home technology, automation, entertainment, lighting, and more. They discuss designers’ common challenges when integrating technology into their projects, the importance of early incorporation, a...

Hosts Laurie Laizure and Nile Johnson from “ To The Trade ” discuss with Megan Thompson , a Denver-based interior designer, regarding her ID Greenlist website and newsletter designed to help designers make informed decisions about sustainability. Megan shares insights from her background in sustainable interior design, including education on eco-friendly practices and overcoming industry challenge...

Laurie Laizure from " To The Trade " and the Interior Design Community interviews Anna Gibson , the founder of AKG Design Studio about her journey in interior design and managing her business while living with long COVID. Anna shares insights into her background, the initiation of her company, and the expansion of services beyond kitchen and bathroom design to include complete interior projects. S...

Laurie Laizure from " To The Trade " and Interior Design Community hosts Fiona Grunwald , a lighting design expert with a fascinating career transition from corporate HR to interior design in the U.S. Fiona discusses her journey, educational background, and passion for lighting design, emphasizing the impact of lighting on residential and commercial spaces. The conversation covers Fiona's approach...

In this episode of " To The Trade " for the I nterior Design Community , Laurie Laizure and Nile Johnson interview Irene Williams, a digital decluttering coach. Irene shares her journey from being an overwhelmed PR professional to becoming a coach who helps professionals manage their digital lives. She emphasizes the importance of reducing digital clutter to reclaim time, enhance mental clarity, a...