Episodios

  • 159 | From Dreaming to Designing Series #1: How to Identify Your Design Niche

    159 | From Dreaming to Designing Series #1: How to Identify Your Design Niche
    Oct 6 2025

    Wondering why your message isn’t reaching anyone? It is because you’re trying to appeal to everyone. Many interior designers run into this problem when they haven’t defined their niche.


    With so many designers out there, those who specialize tend to stand out, get more referrals, and often earn higher fees than generalists.


    In this episode, I show you how to find or refine your niche so you can stand out, connect with your ideal clients, and feel confident as an expert. Whether you’re new to interior design or thinking about focusing on a specialty, you’ll find clarity and direction here. If you’ve been struggling to attract the right clients or charge what you’re worth, this episode is for you.


    What You’ll Learn in This Episode

    ✔️ Why niching down doesn’t limit your opportunities

    ✔️ The three-part process to uncover your niche (passion, strengths, and market demand)

    ✔️ How niching makes you stand out in a saturated market

    ✔️ Why specialists can charge more than generalists

    ✔️ Real examples of niche statements you can model

    ✔️ How to use your background, skills, or life experiences to shape your niche

    ✔️ A simple formula to write your own “I Help” statement


    Read the Blog >>> How to Identify Your Design Niche


    NEXT STEPS:

    🎯 Join the waitlist for Launch Your Business Bootcamp


    Check out our Designer's Playlist!

    *️ Start Your Interior Design Journey List

    *️ From Newbie to Confident Designer List

    *️ Switching Gears to Interior Design List


    Grab your freebies:

    📌 Your Roadmap to a Career in Interior Design

    🎨 3 Things I Wish I had known when I Started my Career


    Connect With Me:

    📧 Email: podcast@rwarddesign.com

    🔆 Instagram: @rwarddesign

    🌎 Website at rwarddesign.com


    Thanks for listening! I hope this helps you discover if interior design is the career for you. See you next week...


    Timestamps

    00:00 Introduction: From Dreaming to Designing Series

    01:20 Why Defining Your Niche Is the First Step to Standing Out

    02:12 Common Myth About Niching

    04:46 Generalist vs. Specialist

    05:15 Define Your Niche Step 1: What Lights You up as a Designer

    07:02 Define Your Niche Step 2: Strengths and Unique Background

    08:38 Define Your Niche Step 3: Identifying Gaps and Opportunities in the Market

    10:15 Crafting Your Niche Statement: The “I Help” Statement Formula

    10:52 Examples of Niche Statements
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    16 m
  • 158 | The Smart Way to Transition From Residential to Commercial Design With Marcy Sagel

    158 | The Smart Way to Transition From Residential to Commercial Design With Marcy Sagel
    Sep 29 2025
    “Residential was never my preference. I landed here because I graduated right as the pandemic hit, and the entire industry stalled—except residential.”Or maybe you’ve caught yourself saying, “I’m bored with residential and want to switch to commercial projects.”Many interior designers find themselves stuck in residential work—not because it’s their passion, but because it was the most accessible way to start. Yet making the leap into commercial interior design can feel overwhelming when you’re unsure about business operations, contracts, or the technology skills needed to compete.In this episode, Marcy Sagel shares her journey from residential to commercial design, emphasizing the importance of understanding business operations and leveraging new technologies like Revit to stay ahead. She breaks down the realities of running a design firm, the challenges of transitioning into commercial projects, and the strategies that helped her thrive in a constantly evolving industry. You’ll also hear how she builds strong client relationships, fosters collaboration, and creates her training program, Designer Bank, to help designers sharpen their technical skills.🎧 Tune in now and learn how to build the commercial design career you’ve been dreaming about.Featured GuestMarcy Sagel is the founder and principal of MSA Interiors, a nationally recognized commercial interior design firm specializing in multifamily housing, student housing, senior living, affordable housing, and other complex projects. With over 25 years of experience, she has not only led large-scale design projects but also advised manufacturers in developing product lines to meet evolving market demands. A thought leader and speaker, Marcy blends creativity with business acumen and continues to shape the future of commercial interiors.What You’ll Learn in This Episode✔️ Why the residential to commercial transition is challenging and how to make it smoother✔️ The importance of understanding business operations, contracts, and financials as a design entrepreneur✔️ How to adapt quickly to new technologies like Revit and Enscape to stay relevant✔️ The differences between working with residential clients and large-scale developer teams✔️ How commercial materials and finishes have evolved to allow for high-end, residential-inspired looks✔️ Strategies to diversify your revenue streams so your firm can withstand economic downturns✔️ How mentorship, peer groups, and continuous learning fuel long-term business growthRead the Blog >>> >>> Smart Way to Transition From Residential to Commercial DesignNEXT STEPS:🎯 Join the My Design Mentor to kickstart a successful career in interior design!Grab your freebies:📌 Your Roadmap to a Career in Interior Design🎨 3 Things I Wish I had known when I Started my CareerConnect With Me:📧 Email: podcast@rwarddesign.com🔆 Instagram: @rwarddesign 🌎 Website at rwarddesign.comThanks for listening! I hope this helps you discover if interior design is the career for you. See you next week...Timestamps0:00 Introduction2:32 Marcy’s Journey From Residential to Commercial Design6:41 Starting Her Own Design Firm and the Lessons Learned in Business Operations9:07 Why Every Designer Must Know Their Numbers and Margins12:27 The Power of Mentorship and Entrepreneurial Peer Groups13:50 Transitioning From Cad to Revit and Why Designers Must Adapt16:46 Designer Bank: Online Training Modules for Designers22:59 How to Navigate Commercial Design Projects30:20 How to Future-Proof Your Design Business
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    33 m
  • 157 | Sneak Peek Inside Sacramento Thrive Retreat for Interior Designers

    157 | Sneak Peek Inside Sacramento Thrive Retreat for Interior Designers
    Sep 22 2025
    Do you ever feel like you’re running your design business on autopilot—too busy with client deadlines to pause and ask yourself if this is really the life and business you want? Many interior designers fall into the trap of working nonstop but never taking the time to reflect, reset, and plan ahead. The result? Burnout, scattered focus, missed opportunities for real business breakthroughs, and a business that feels more like a burden than a passion.In this episode, I sit down with leadership coach Sierra Collins and designer and entrepreneur Cathy Tonks to share what’s in store for the upcoming Sacramento Design Business Collective Thrive Retreat for Interior Designers (SDBC Thrive Retreat). We talk about how Thrive Retreat can help you step away from the grind, increase productivity, step into 2026 with clarity and confidence, and create a balanced life where your business supports your dreams instead of competing with them.If you’ve been craving clarity, accountability, and a community of designers who truly understand your challenges, this episode will show you why the Thrive Retreat could be the one thing you need.What You’ll Learn in This Episode✔️ Why stepping away from your business is essential for growth and productivity✔️ The power of DISC and Working Genius assessments in communication and teamwork✔️ The power of designing a business model that aligns with your life goals✔️ How procedures, automation, and team building simplify business complexity✔️ Mindset shifts every designer needs to scale from scarcity thinking to CEO thinking✔️ The importance of accountability and building supportive design community connections✔️ How to craft your ideal day and create a 2026 roadmap with intentionRead the Blog >>> >>> Sneak Peek Inside the 2-Day Sacramento Thrive RetreatNEXT STEPS:🎯 Sign up for the Sacramento Thrive Retreat! Spots are limited to just 20 designers, and registration closes October 24th at midnight. Grab your freebies:📌 Your Roadmap to a Career in Interior Design🎨 3 Things I Wish I had known when I Started my CareerConnect With Me:📧 Email: podcast@rwarddesign.com🔆 Instagram: @rwarddesign 🌎 Website at rwarddesign.comThanks for listening! I hope this helps you discover if interior design is the career for you. See you next week...Timestamps 0:00 Introduction02:30 Why Personal and Business Growth Is Non-Negotiable06:50 How Much Time Designers Lose to Distractions (And How Retreats Reclaim It)09:40 The Struggle to Honor Personal Time and Why Non-Negotiables Matter14:15 Day 1 Preview: DISC, Working Genius, the Language for Success19:40 What Breakout Sessions and Roundtable Discussions Look Like22:00 Day 2 Preview: Goal Setting, Productivity Hacks, and Preparing for 202628:50 Retreat Details: Limited Spots, Payment Plans, and Why This Investment Pays Off
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    33 m
  • 156 | The Impact of Custom Furniture in Your Interior Design Projects With Michael Brinkley

    156 | The Impact of Custom Furniture in Your Interior Design Projects With Michael Brinkley
    Sep 15 2025
    Are you tired of sourcing the same mass-produced furniture pieces your clients can find anywhere?Imagine offering them something truly unique—a custom furniture solution that not only fits their space perfectly but also reflects their personality and lifestyle.In this episode, I explore how interior designers can elevate their projects through custom furniture with builder Michael Brinkley. Michael shares how designers can turn client frustrations, like the wrong size, finish, or style in mass-produced pieces, into opportunities by collaborating with a custom furniture maker. He walks us through his creative process, from sketching and 3D modeling to building functional, heirloom-quality pieces that solve real design challenges. Through stories of unique projects, like a dining table made from wine crates and a barn door with a built-in TV, Michael highlights how custom furniture isn’t just a design upgrade; it’s a powerful way for interior designers to stand out in a competitive market.If you’re an interior designer looking to deliver distinctive, tailor-made solutions for your clients while elevating your business, this conversation will give you the insider’s perspective you need.Featured Guest:Michael Brinkley is the owner and master craftsman of Brinkley Furniture, a nationally recognized custom furniture studio in Redding, California. With over 30 years of experience in cabinetry and furniture design, he specializes in creating heirloom-quality, one-of-a-kind pieces that blend timeless design with modern functionality. His work is celebrated nationwide for its craftsmanship, innovation, and ability to bring designers’ and clients’ visions to life.What You’ll Learn in This Episode✔️ How partnering with a custom furniture builder can help you deliver one-of-a-kind solutions for your clients.✔️ The process of transforming client ideas into functional, beautifully engineered custom pieces.✔️ Why communication and collaboration between designers and builders are key to a successful project.✔️ Real examples of standout custom furniture projects.✔️ Tips on sourcing materials locally and navigating budget-conscious options without sacrificing style.✔️ How custom furniture can help you differentiate your design business in a competitive market.✔️ Why investing in custom furniture is a long-term value for clients, offering heirloom-quality pieces.Read the Blog >>> ⁠The Impact of Custom Furniture in Your Interior Design Projects ⁠NEXT STEPS:🎯 Connect with Michael Brinkley and start offering custom furniture solutions that set you apart.🎯 Join The Sacramento Design Business Collective Thrive Retreat to surround yourself with like-minded designers and learn strategies for growing your interior design business.Grab your freebies:📌 Your Roadmap to a Career in Interior Design🎨 3 Things I Wish I had known when I Started my CareerConnect With Me:📧 Email: podcast@rwarddesign.com🔆 Instagram: @rwarddesign 🌎 Website at rwarddesign.comThanks for listening! I hope this helps you discover if interior design is the career for you. See you next week...Timestamps0:00 Introduction2:19 How Michael Discovered His Passion for Woodworking3:47 Transitioning From Cabinetry to Custom Furniture6:15 Designing and Prototyping Unique Furniture Pieces8:56 Working With Interior Designers vs. Direct Clients10:01 The Process of Creating a Custom Furniture Piece for Designers12:16 The Story Behind the Wine Crate Dining Table17:52 Building a Barn Door With a Built-in TV for a Smart Home20:56 How to Connect With Brinkley Furniture21:28 Why Custom Furniture Is an Investment, Not an Expense
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    27 m
  • 155 | 3 Proven Keys to Your Designer Business Breakthrough

    155 | 3 Proven Keys to Your Designer Business Breakthrough
    Sep 8 2025

    Is your interior design business stuck in the weeds or stagnant? You're not alone! Many interior designers get caught up in client work and admin tasks, leaving little time to grow or dream bigger.


    Breakthroughs don’t usually happen when you’re stuck in your to-do list or working late at the office. They come when you intentionally step back, shift your perspective, and surround yourself with the right people who can inspire and challenge you.


    In this episode, I’m sharing how designers can find clarity, creativity, and confidence to grow their business without sacrificing their health or burning out.


    If you want more freedom, profit, and joy in your design career, this episode offers both inspiration and practical tips to help you get there.


    What You’ll Learn in This Episode

    ✔️ Why stepping away from your daily routine is essential for a designer's business breakthrough

    ✔️ The science behind how travel and new environments boost creativity by up to 50%

    ✔️ The power of proximity: how surrounding yourself with the right peers elevates your results

    ✔️ Why networking and mastermind groups are critical for business growth

    ✔️ How to work on your interior design business, not just in it

    ✔️ Why the most successful design firms don’t work more hours—they work smarter

    ✔️ How attending an interior design business retreat like The Sacramento Design Business Collective Thrive Retreat can spark lasting change


    Read the Blog >>> 3 Proven Keys to Your Designer Business Breakthrough


    Related Episodes:

    ✨ Episode 147: Mindset Shift Series: Design a Career That Supports Your Life

    ✨Episode 153: Mindset Shift Series #4: Normalizing Imposter Syndrome in Interior Design


    NEXT STEPS:

    🎯 Join The Sacramento Design Business Collective Thrive Retreat to unlock your next designer business breakthrough


    Grab your freebies:

    📌 Your Roadmap to a Career in Interior Design

    🎨 3 Things I Wish I had known when I Started my Career


    Connect With Me:

    📧 Email: podcast@rwarddesign.com

    🔆 Instagram: @rwarddesign

    🌎 Website at rwarddesign.com


    Thanks for listening! I hope this helps you discover if interior design is the career for you. See you next week...


    Timestamps

    01:25 Why You Need to Step Out of Your Daily Routine for Breakthroughs

    03:38 The Power of New Environments and Nature

    07:49 The Power of Proximity and Who You Spend Time With

    08:50 Networking and Building Connections

    11:43 The Value of Retreats and Working on Your Business

    16:55 How the Design Business Collective Thrive Retreat Can Help You Grow Your Design Business
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    21 m
  • 154 | Mistakes, Difficult Clients & Lessons Learned in Running a Design Biz With Bre Hance

    154 | Mistakes, Difficult Clients & Lessons Learned in Running a Design Biz With Bre Hance
    Sep 1 2025
    What if a side project could turn into a full-blown design career?In this episode, I chat with Bre Hance, founder and principal designer of InHance, who shares how she went from helping her husband with a few design projects to running her thriving interior design and build firm in Los Angeles. She opens up about the early days of her business—starting without a portfolio or website—and how she found her first clients by showing up, being creative, and believing in her skills.Bre also talks about what it takes to grow a design business, from hiring a team to learning the hard lessons through expensive mistakes. You’ll hear how she discovered her signature style, Elevated Everyday Living, and how social media, especially Instagram, helped her grow her brand and attract ideal clients. She shares her secrets to avoiding stress and building trust.If you're an aspiring or new interior designer, Bre’s honest insights and practical advice will leave you inspired, wiser, and ready to take action. 🎧 Tune in now!Featured Guest:Bre Hance is the founder and principal designer of ⁠InHance⁠, a high-end residential design-build firm based in Los Angeles. With over a decade of experience, Bre has designed more than 200 homes across the U.S. Known for her bold use of color, eclectic luxury style, and her trademarked philosophy, Elevated Everyday Living, she helps clients create beautiful, practical spaces from concept to completion.Why you’ve got to check out today’s episode:📌 Learn how to create authentic content for Instagram to attract your clients and grow your design brand📌 Get honest advice on scaling smart and staying true to your values📌 Avoid mistakes that cost thousands and other common pitfallsCheck out the show notes >>> Mistakes, Difficult Clients & Lessons Learned in Running a Design BizNEXT STEPS:🎯 Join the My Design Mentor to kickstart a successful career in interior design!Grab your freebies:📌 Your Roadmap to a Career in Interior Design🎨 3 Things I Wish I had known when I Started my CareerConnect With Me:📧 Email: podcast@rwarddesign.com🔆 Instagram: @rwarddesign 🌎 Website at rwarddesign.comThanks for listening! I hope this helps you discover if interior design is the career for you. See you next week...Timestamps:0:00 Introduction02:04 Bre's Early Beginnings & How She Got Into Design06:09 Scaling and Shaping the Business09:49 Defining Her Signature Style12:58 Future Dreams: Lifestyle Brand Possibilities14:09 Impact of the LA Fires and Community Involvement17:28 Using Social Media to Grow a Design Business21:58 Mistakes, Difficult Clients & Lessons Learned31:16 Advice for Aspiring Interior Designers
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    36 m
  • 153 | Mindset Shift Series #4: Normalizing Imposter Syndrome in Interior Design

    153 | Mindset Shift Series #4: Normalizing Imposter Syndrome in Interior Design
    Aug 25 2025

    Do you ever feel like you’re not good enough to be a designer? Have you ever thought, “What if my clients discover that I’m not as skilled as they believe I am?”


    In this final episode of the Mindset Shift Series, I discuss the real struggles that new designers face, such as feelings of insecurity and imposter syndrome.


    These feelings are completely normal, and even experienced designers go through them.


    So, I share simple yet powerful strategies to uplift you when you're feeling down, help shift your mindset, and boost your confidence. Plus, I also share real stories from my own journey.


    If you’ve ever felt like you don’t know enough, don’t have a signature style, or wonder why anyone would pay you for your design work, this episode will help you feel seen and supported.


    This is also your reminder that you can do hard things, and you don’t have to do them alone. 🎧 Listen now and share it with a designer friend who could use a little encouragement, too!


    Why you’ve got to check out today’s episode:

    📌 Learn how to reframe negative thoughts so you can feel more confident

    📌 Leverage community and connection to help you beat burnout and self-doubt

    📌 Start seeing your progress even when it doesn’t feel like a straight line


    Check out the show notes >>> Normalizing Imposter Syndrome in Interior Design


    NEXT STEPS:

    🎯 Join the My Design Mentor to kickstart a successful career in interior design!


    Grab your freebies:

    📌 Your Roadmap to a Career in Interior Design

    🎨 3 Things I Wish I had known when I Started my Career


    Connect With Me:

    📧 Email: podcast@rwarddesign.com

    🔆 Instagram: @rwarddesign

    🌎 Website at rwarddesign.com


    Thanks for listening! I hope this helps you discover if interior design is the career for you. See you next week...


    Timestamps:

    0:00 Introduction

    02:13 Common Thoughts and Limiting Beliefs in New Designers

    6:49 Age, Comparison, and the Myth of Being "Behind"

    08:29 Understanding Imposter Syndrome

    11:00 Building Community and Support Network as a Solution

    15:19 Tools for Combatting Imposter Syndrome

    16:45 Navigating Nonlinear Progress

    19:45 Action Steps for Overcoming Imposter Syndrome

    21:44 Wrap-Up and Invitation to a Designer Retreat

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    23 m
  • 152 | Build a Thriving Interior Design Business Without a Design Degree: Insights From Michelle Lynne

    152 | Build a Thriving Interior Design Business Without a Design Degree: Insights From Michelle Lynne
    Aug 18 2025
    Have you always loved furniture, picking out paint colors, making spaces feel beautiful, or helping friends with their homes, but never thought you could actually get paid for it? That’s exactly how Michelle Lynne felt.In this episode, she shares how she followed a corporate path, managing restaurants and a recruiting firm, until a turning point pushed her to pursue what she truly loved: interior design. Then she built a 7-figure design business without a degree.Her story proves that your creative passion isn’t just a hobby. It can become a thriving business with the right mindset and support.If you’re starting out without formal training, Michelle explains why investing in a coach or mentor is the smartest move you can make. It saves you from years of trial-and-error and gives you the clarity and confidence to run your business like a pro.Michelle also talks about her signature program which offers step-by-step systems designed to help you grow a design business with confidence and profit. Plus, she introduces Sidemark, a powerful tool that saves you time and money by replacing multiple apps with one easy-to-use platform made just for designers.Ready to stop guessing and start growing? Tune in now and take your next step today.Featured Guest:⁠Michelle Lynne⁠ is the owner of ML Interiors Group, a successful interior design firm based in Dallas–Fort Worth, Texas. She is also the founder of ⁠The Design Bakehouse⁠, formerly known as Designed for the Creative Mind, where she teaches interior designers and decorators how to run a profitable and systemized design business.Her signature program, The Interior Design Business Bakery, has helped hundreds of designers scale to multiple six figures with confidence and clarity.She also hosts the ⁠Designed For The Creative Mind⁠ podcast and organizes the annual Interior Design Business Success Summit. Through all her ventures, Michelle is passionate about helping other designers skip the trial-and-error and grow businesses they love—while staying true to themselves.Why you’ve got to check out today’s episode:📌 Discover the benefits of investing in a coach or mentor to fast-track your growth and avoid common mistakes in the interior design industry📌 Find out how using the right tools, like Sidemark, can simplify your business, save you time, and help you stay organized as you grow📌 Overcome your self-doubt and gain confidence and clarityCheck out the show notes >>> Build a Thriving Interior Design Business Without a Design DegreeRelated Episode:✨ Episode 132: Stress-Free Framework to Attract Clients to Your Design Business With Ben RutledgeNEXT STEPS:🎯 Join the My Design Mentor to kickstart a successful career in interior design!Grab your freebies:📌 Your Roadmap to a Career in Interior Design🎨 3 Things I Wish I had known when I Started my CareerConnect With Me:📧 Email: podcast@rwarddesign.com🔆 Instagram: @rwarddesign 🌎 Website at rwarddesign.comThanks for listening! I hope this helps you discover if interior design is the career for you. See you next week...Timestamps:0:00 Introduction & Michelle Lynne's Bio01:44 Michelle’s Unconventional Journey into Design05:07 Transition From Home Staging to Interior Design07:05 The Struggles of Building a Design Business08:56 Introduction to the Design Business Bakery14:17 The Story Behind the “Bakery” Branding16:19 Authentic Branding and Lessons Learned20:16 Inside ML Interiors Group & Studio Works Co-Op26:22 Sidemark: Software for Designers29:29 Advice for Aspiring Designers
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    33 m