Darla sits down with interior designer Bambi Bratton to discuss setting proper expectations for install day, managing client relationships, and dealing with logistics. They discuss Bambi's journey in the design world, her marriage to a custom home builder, and the importance of developing strong relationships with workrooms and showrooms.  Bambi A’Lynn Bratton is an interior designer who lives in Austin and works all over the great state of Texas. She focuses on the residential market,...

Darla sits down with Katie Schroder, founder of Atelier Interior Design, to discuss her journey through challenging business partnerships and personal growth. Katie offers candid insights into her experiences, sharing advice for those considering business partnerships, particularly with close friends or spouses. She highlights the vital importance of having proper agreements and the difficult but transformative process of business 'divorces.' Atelier Interior Design is a full service,...

Are you struggling to voice your opinion on the job site with contractors? Do you want to feel empowered to speak up in a male-dominated space? Today’s guest, Elizabeth Lord-Levitt, shares some tips on how to learn the ins and outs of construction so you can feel knowledgeable about every step of your next project. Stay tuned! Elizabeth's construction centered approach to her designs is a culmination of almost 20 years in the remodeling industry. As a CMKBD and CLIPP certified designer with a...

What's the difference between a flat rate and an hourly rate? Which should you use when pricing your interior design services so you end up with more money in your pocket? Shelby and Kasey of Daley Home are here to help with transparent tips on how they price their services. "As a true extrovert and entrepreneur, it was only a matter of time before I turned my passion for design into a business. I founded Daley Home alongside my husband Kasey in 2017. We are driven by great design and a...

In this episode, Darla is joined by Katie McDonald to discuss the importance of self-care for business owners. Katie shares her personal journey from corporate burnout to wellness advocate and coach. The conversation delves into how self-neglect can impact both personal wellbeing and business success. Darla and Katie also explore actionable self-care strategies and the challenges high achievers face in balancing their drive with the need for self-compassion. Decades ago, the demands of Katie...

In this engaging conversation, Darla and Cheryl Clendenon explore the intricacies of running an interior design business, focusing on the importance of transparency in pricing, the value of client relationships, and the need for effective business management. They discuss the challenges designers face in pricing strategies, the significance of educating clients, and the impact of trust on business success. Cheryl shares her insights on leveraging trade programs and the psychology behind...

Has your client tasked you with designing a home gym? Have you considered the importance of lighting, temperature, flooring, and how high the ceiling is? Today's guest, Chris Howell, is the founder and owner of SPX Gym Design. He has lots of great insight on creating bespoke wellness environments for high-end homes and hospitality groups. Stay tuned! Chris is the founder and owner of SPX Gym Design, a company that has been transforming spaces since 2017. SPX Gym Design fuses interior design...

A collaboration between interior designers and architects…seems like a match made in heaven, right? Today’s guest, Gisela Schmoll walks us through the nitty gritty on creating those relationships - and keeping them. Stay tuned! Gisela Schmoll, a California licensed architect and industrial designer, is the luminary force behind Gisela Schmoll Architect, PC (GSA). With a multifaceted career that spans new residential projects and remodels, product design, and the iconic PalmPilot, Gisela...

If you’re a small business owner offering specialized services, you may be wondering how to price your services. How do you know if you’re charging too much? Well, according to today’s guest, Laura Thornton, you most likely aren’t charging enough. Stay tuned for lots of tips on flat rate vs. hourly pricing, how much work you should actually be billing for, and how to calculate your rates. With over 27 years of experience, Laura Thornton is a seasoned interior designer and the Founder and...

Do your goals for your design business feel unattainable, or are you afraid to even set those goals for fear of getting uncomfortable? Business and life coach Andrea Liebross has lots of great tips on how to get out of your comfy pond and reach your full potential within the waves of the “River of Misery.” Stay tuned! Andrea Liebross, a certified business and life coach, specializing in empowering female entrepreneurs to infuse thinking with action so they can drop the drama and figure out...

Is there a particular design style that you love creating, but you’re hesitant to cut down your other offerings for fear of leaving money on the table? Well, that may not have to be the case. Today’s guest, Diane Rath, has carved herself a successful niche with “The Rath Project,” designing bold and bespoke spaces in an area where that’s hard to come by. Stay tuned for tips on her transition to her specialty design, how niching impacts business growth, and thrifting vintage pieces to add...

Have your design clients requested a room designed to enhance intimacy and pleasure? Not sure where to begin, or how to create a sensual space with luxury in mind? Today's guest, Jenny Grimminck, is a master of creating spaces that make partners feel safe and sensual. She designs romantic homes that inspire lust and enhance the client's pleasure. Stay tuned! Jenny Grimminck is the creative genius behind White Wave Design, a boutique interior design studio specializing in intimate interiors...

It's summertime, so you might be thinking about what the best type of sheets are for staying cool. Today's guest is textile expert Heidi Luber, and she has tons of tips on finding the best quality sheets that will last (whether for you or your design clients). Stay tuned! Heidi Luber is the CEO and fourth-generation owner of Lubertex International, a textile firm with a rich legacy dating back to 1937 in Montreal, Canada. Heidi's journey is a captivating tale of innovation and reinvention. As...

Are you wondering whether to buy or rent a commercial space for your design business? Is now a bad time to buy a space? What are the risks? What are the benefits? Today's guest, Paul Neal, has spent over 30 years guiding entrepreneurs and businesses towards financial success, and he has lots of great tips on this topic. Stay tuned! Paul Neal, Founder and CEO of Vantage Point Commercial Capital, has spent over 30 years guiding entrepreneurs and businesses towards financial success. A...

Are you offering micro design in your interior design services? If not, you could be leaving money on the table. Guest Host Rebecca Hay sits down with Miranda Cullen of Inside Stories to discuss the rise of micro design, plus everything you need to know about franchising your design business. Stay tuned! Miranda Cullen is an internationally recognized interior designer and founder of Inside Stories, one of Colorado's top design firms. She currently leads a team of 20-plus designers in her...

Are you a new designer struggling to make connections with furniture manufacturers? Are you an experienced designer looking to streamline your sourcing and shipping? Today's guests, Peter and Alexander Spalding, are the creators of Daniel House Club, a website that helps designers find products, manage vendors, and maximize their creativity. Stay tuned! The concept behind Daniel House Club is both personal and professional to CEO Alexander Spalding and Chief Brand Officer Peter Spalding. As...

Are you struggling with your sleep hygiene? Do you feel the need to fight sleep in favor of productivity? When you do finally go to sleep, are you having trouble staying asleep? Today's guest is sleep expert Terry Cralle, and she shares lots of sleep tips for solopreneurs. Stay tuned! Terry Cralle, MS, RN, is a Registered Nurse based in Washington, DC. She is certified in clinical sleep health and has co-authored two books on sleep; Snoozby and the Great Big Bedtime Battle (Rowe Publishing,...

Are you an interior designer wondering what it takes to create your own furniture collection? Today's guest, Antonia Caicedo, created a luxury collection of pieces that forges a bond between Art Deco and Mid-Century modern styles. With her experience on both sides of the manufacturing business, Antonia knows what it takes to make a great vendor and a great design client. Stay tuned for lots of tips and another fantastic guest host, Nicole Heymer of Glory & Brand! With an innate...

Are you afraid of the IRS? Well, you don't have to be! Tax expert, Sugey Piedra, sits down with our guest host Liz Potarazu (LP & Co) and shares lots of tips on how interior designers can keep more money in their pockets and set their future finances up for success. As an enrolled agent and 20+ year certified tax preparer, Sugey Piedra likes to make her clients’ money work for them so that they don’t have to work forever. In her daily work as co-founder of Prominence Business & Wealth...

Guest host Liz Potarazu (LP & Co) interviews Couch.com founder and CEO, Alex Back. They discuss how people are buying couches these days, how AI plays a role in interior design and the retail experience, and how Couch.com can be a resource for interior designers. Stay tuned! Alex Back is the founder and CEO of Couch.com, a new platform dedicated to solving the single biggest problem facing the furniture industry: no one knows where the heck to buy a couch! He previously founded and ran...

As an interior designer or business owner, you may have seen your peers hosting podcasts and wondered if you should do the same. But will it lead to sales? Is it worth it? And do you really need to be on camera? Today's guest, Traci DeForge, is a podcast expert and has lots of insight on why every interior designer should have a podcast. Stay tuned! With over 30 years of expertise in Broadcast Media, Executive Management, and Fortune 500 Business Consulting, Traci DeForge is the founder of...

What's the difference between a flat rate and an hourly rate? Which should you use when pricing your interior design services so you end up with more money in your pocket? Shelby and Kasey of Daley Home are here to help with transparent tips on how they price their services. "As a true extrovert and entrepreneur, it was only a matter of time before I turned my passion for design into a business. I founded Daley Home alongside my husband Kasey in 2017. We are driven by great design and a...

One of the best kept secrets in the interior design industry is designing for vacation homes. How do you do it? How do you get into it? What are the benefits? Today’s guests, Melinda Cahill and Suzanne Glavin of North Shore Nest, discuss the ins and outs of vacation home design. Stay tuned! “We began North Shore Nest in 2004 from our basements in Glenview.  Prior to launching, we were doing design projects on the side for family and friends while we worked our full time careers.  When the...

Can niching down your business actually multiply your income? Is it possible to make a luxury service like design accessible to more people? How do you set boundaries with clients and start attracting the type of people you love to work with? All this and more on today's episode with Elle & Yvette of Decorelle Studio! We are Elle & Yvette, sisters and founders of Décorelle Studio, a luxury interior design firm servicing the DMV area and beyond. We founded Décorelle in 2018 to fill a...