In this episode, Shaun and Rebecca sit down with Melissa Oholendt of Oho Interiors to dig into how she built a high‑end residential design firm rooted in her signature “cottage‑traditional with a European/English influence” aesthetic — and how that clarity has helped her attract the clients she wants. Melissa shares what it took to scale from one person to a team across two states, how she shifted her pricing model, and why strong processes and trust are cornerstones of her business.

They also explore the emotional side of design work: how homes affect mental wellness, the tension of leading a team vs. being the face of the brand, and what growth looks like when you lean into your style instead of trying to adapt to external trends.

In this episode they discuss:

• Melissa’s journey from finance/PR/photography into interior design and why she finally said yes to doing what she loves.
• How she made the decision to be in two states (Minnesota and Colorado), the trade‑offs, and how that changed her business structure.
• Why she moved from flat‑fee pricing to hourly billing, and the importance of having historical data to price confidently.
• How Melissa builds trust with prospective clients before they even hire her — via Instagram, transparency around cost, and showcasing results.
• Her team structure, leadership style, and how she’s learning to delegate, let go, and empower senior and associate designers.
• How rising build costs and other recent industry shifts have forced process changes and ways to ensure feasibility earlier (so design work isn’t discarded due to budget surprises).
• What she feels most confident about (processes! systems!) and what’s still evolving for Oho Interiors.
• Melissa’s future goals: expanding influence, exploring product partnerships or retail, and building what she calls a modest “empire.”

Mentioned:

• Oho Interiors website — ohointeriors.com
• Oho Interiors on Instagram — @oho_interiors
• Oho Interiors Pinterest — /oho_interiors

Our links:

• Subscribe and leave a review - Apple Podcasts
• Like, Comment, & Follow - Hot Young Designers Club Instagram
• Rebecca’s Instagram
• Shaun’s Instagram
• For more information - Check out the website
• Become a “Loyal Hottie” - Support us on Patreon
• Design Resources - Check out our shop

In this episode, Rebecca and Shaun catch up on life, business, and creative growth. Rebecca just returned from a design retreat at a beautifully designed cabin (by Form & Field), where she worked on brand strategy and made tangible progress on her website. They also dive into frustrating vendor experiences, the evolving role of AI agents in design work, and a hot take on whether being barefoot in brand photos is ever appropriate.

In the second half of the episode, they debate the ethics, emotional labor, and financial risks that come with sourcing, receiving, and delivering furniture—especially when imperfections, shipping issues, and miscommunications arise. They also explore how one small branding detail like footwear in photos can signal so much about professionalism, identity, and client expectations.

In this episode they discuss:

• Rebecca’s design retreat: goals, structure, productivity, and what she accomplished (brand strategy guide, website refresh)
• The importance of having external accountability (“show and tell” among designer friends) to push projects forward
• Challenges working with vendors and receiving warehouses: damaged goods, imperfect manufacturing, inspection failures, and the cost (financial & emotional) of fixing them
• Why healthy project and product margins are non-negotiable in design to absorb unexpected costs
• The rise of AI agents in business: potential, limitations, risks (data access, automation gone wrong)
• The debate on brand photo styling: barefoot vs shoes, what each choice communicates about professionalism and personal brand
• Reflections on aging, style evolution, and gaps in the market (e.g. men’s clothing quality and age-appropriateness)

Mentioned:

• The Airbnb Rebecca stayed in for her retreat
• https://formandfield.com/work/donner-lake-cabin
• Rebecca worked on her brand guide based on ideas from Renee Bush from Tandem. Listen to Renee’s episode 150
• https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/150-renee-bush-from-tandem-on-building-cohesive-brands/id1505427626?i=1000717943157
• Agents in AI
• https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZT6u2YScK/

Our links:

• Subscribe and leave a review - Apple Podcasts
• Like, Comment, & Follow - Hot Young Designers Club Instagram
• Rebecca’s Instagram
• Shaun’s Instagram
• For more information - Check out the website
• Become a “Loyal Hottie” - Support us on Patreon
• Design Resources - Check out our shop

In this episode of Hot Young Designers Club, Shaun and Rebecca sit down with Jamie Young of Jamie Young Company. They dive into the wild and wonderful journey of launching their design brand nearly 28 years ago, sketching a story that blends art school daring with entrepreneurial grit—from concrete lamps to elevated, organic, globally inspired lighting, mirrors, and accent furniture. Jamie shares candid insights on balancing creativity and profitability, navigating manufacturing challenges across continents, and staying true to a brand founded on casual luxury and exceptional design.

This episode unpacks the emotional and practical realities of running a design-forward business in today’s turbulent global climate. Whether you’re a designer, design enthusiast, or entrepreneur, Jamie’s reflections on mistakes, margins, and maintaining a unique aesthetic offer both inspiration and grounded wisdom.

In this episode they discuss:

• Jamie and her husband, David’s, leap into business—starting with mixing cement lampshades and launching with just three lamps while parenting their first child.
• The aesthetic evolution: organic, understated luxury, working with natural materials, bespoke glazes, metals, and ceramics shaped by travel and craftsmanship.
• The lengthy and intricate product development process—from sourcing in South Asia, to sampling, inventory, and ensuring products are trade‑ready fast.
• Manufacturing challenges: product failures, warped mirrors, sampling issues, production hiccups, and how transparency and communication matter.
• How tariffs and global sourcing shifts act like a game of "whack-a-mole," and how Jamie Young Co. has adapted by diversifying materials and production countries.
• The often-overlooked truths about profitability in creative work: pricing for value, building team support for finance and operations, and maintaining creative boundaries.
• The importance of ego management, client-designer relationships, expectations, and the balance between being right and being done.

Mentioned:

• Jamie Young Co. on Facebook
• Jamie Young Co. on Instagram
• Jamie Young Co. on LinkedIn
• Jamie Young Co. on TikTok
• Jamie Young Co. on Pinterest

Our links:

• Subscribe and leave a review - Apple Podcasts
• Like, Comment, & Follow - Hot Young Designers Club Instagram
• Rebecca’s Instagram
• Shaun’s Instagram
• For more information - Check out the website
• Become a “Loyal Hottie” - Support us on Patreon
• Design Resources - Check out our shop