#12 What does it really take to build a successful design business?

In this episode of The Blue Couch, Michael shares the raw story behind building MR — from starting in a garage, losing a mentor to leukemia, burning out from rapid growth, and learning the hard truth about saying no.

Check out JMH Design here...

https://jmhdesigns.au/

Check out MR Building Design here...

https://www.michaelandruysch.com.au/

Check Out the Blue Couch Podcast on youtube here...

https://www.youtube.com/@TheBlueCouchPodcast

#11 Jacob swaps "The Blue Couch" for "The Blue Chair" to share his journey from working on building sites to running a successful building design company.

Check out JMH Design here...

https://jmhdesigns.au/

Check out MR Building Design here...

https://www.michaelandruysch.com.au/

Check Out the Blue Couch Podcast on youtube here...

https://www.youtube.com/@TheBlueCouchPodcast

#10 Meet Steve from SE Building Solutions — military background, civil construction, and now one of Brisbane’s most detail-driven builders.

In this episode of The Blue Couch, we break down the real building process — the stuff homeowners never get told.

Check out SE Building Solutions here…

https://www.sebuildingsolutions.com.au/

Check Out the Blue Couch Podcast on youtube here...

https://www.youtube.com/@TheBlueCouchPodcast

#9 AI isn’t the enemy — ignorance is. Michael and Jacob sit down with Rashan from Inspired Education Australia to unpack how AI is transforming design, education, and construction. From ChatGPT to Tesla liability, Terminator fears to 3D printing homes — this episode cuts through the hype and hits the truth: learn, evolve, or fall behind.

Check out Rashan here...

https://rashansenanayake.com/

Check out Jacob at JMH Designs here...

jmhdesigns.au

Check out Michael at MR designs here...

michaelandruysch.com.au

Check Out the Blue Couch Podcast on youtube here...

https://www.youtube.com/@TheBlueCouchPodcast

#8 Decisions made in haste without considering all possible outcomes are where construction problems begin. Interior designer Melissa Woodcroft from Ivy Rose Interior Design reveals how proper planning transforms the building process, eliminating stress and budget blowouts along the way.

Check out Mels work at Ivy Rose Interior Design here...

https://ivyroseinteriordesign.com.au/home/

Check out Jacob at JMH Designs here...

jmhdesigns.au

Check out Michael at MR designs here...

michaelandruysch.com.au

Check Out the Blue Couch Podcast on youtube here...

https://www.youtube.com/@TheBlueCouchPodcast

#7 The journey to building or renovating your dream home begins long before the first blueprint is drawn. In this eye-opening episode, mortgage broker Kelly Cameron from Get Real Finance reveals why financial planning should be your first step.

Check out Get Real Finance here...

https://www.getrealfinance.com.au/

Check out Jacob at JMH Designs here...

jmhdesigns.au

Check out Michael at MR designs here...

michaelandruysch.com.au

Check Out the Blue Couch Podcast on youtube here...

https://www.youtube.com/@TheBlueCouchPodcast

#6 Structural engineer David Lewis from Apex Structural Engineers breaks down the critical importance of getting your home's foundations right and why early collaboration between engineers, designers, and builders leads to successful projects.

Check out Jacob at JMH Designs here...

jmhdesigns.au

Check out Michael at MR designs here...

michaelandruysch.com.au

Check Out the Blue Couch Podcast on youtube here...

https://www.youtube.com/@TheBlueCouchPodcast

#5 What makes a building project truly successful? Is it coming in under budget, or is there something far more valuable at stake? In this powerful conversation with builder Duayne Pearce, we uncover the profound purpose behind construction that goes beyond bricks and timber.

check out Duayne's website here...

https://duaynepearce.com/

Check out Jacob at JMH Designs here...

jmhdesigns.au

Check out Michael at MR designs here...

michaelandruysch.com.au

Check Out the Blue Couch Podcast on youtube here...

https://www.youtube.com/@TheBlueCouchPodcast