Have you taken into consideration the commitment you are making when signing a lease for a shop? How would you react to losing a vital member of your design team? Have you thought about offering different types of services and products in order to attract a variety of clients? We chat about this and more, with Katie Monkhouse of Katie Monkhouse Interior Design. In this episode, we talk about:Katie’s journey: From a career in fashion to then becoming an interior designerUnderestimating the amount of work and commitment level required to have a shopPlanning ahead of time versus just getting something doneLosing a junior designer and a large project in the same dayWhat Katie’s team looks like now, after re-assessing everythingThat happy dance feeling when someone makes a purchase on the websiteDiversifying revenue so you don't have to rely on client work all the timeNot constantly giving away free adviceTalking about how the current economy is affecting the design industryWhen to charge a flat fee versus when to charge hourly
Mentioned: Katie’s Instagram Katie’s website Westpark Home Instagram 
 Westpark Home website Millroad website 
 Our links:Subscribe and leave a review - Apple PodcastsLike, Comment, & Follow - Hot Young Designers Club InstagramRebecca’s Instagram Shaun’s Instagram For more information - Check out the website Become a “Hottie” member - Support us on Patreon 

85: A Conversation with Katie Monkhouse

They're not that hot, or that young - but hosts Rebecca Plumb (Studio Plumb) and Shaun Crha (Wrensted Interiors) spill the tea every week on how a new generation of interior designers run their business. Join a community exploring the emotional, practical, and humorous side of the interior design business.

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Self-Improvement

The design industry can be exciting to explore, but it's not always easy to break into. If you're looking to shift careers and work in interior design, Shaun and Rebecca have some valuable advice for you. They talk about the skills from your previous job that will add value to your design career, the challenges career-shifters face when switching into the design industry, and share tips that will help you break into the new field. In this episode, Rebecca and Shaun discuss:The challenges of switching careers in interior designTips and strategies for someone transitioning from another career into interior design Transferable skills someone can bring from another career that offers value in interior designChallenges entrepreneurs face when switching industriesThe need for entrepreneurs to set aside their ego to have a successful learning experience when switching industriesChallenges designers face in taking on inexperienced interns or employeesHow can career changers demonstrate value beyond just design skills when pursuing opportunities in interior designThe challenges of transitioning from DIY home projects to working professionally in the design industryWhat designers look for when it comes to hiring and training new employeesWhat does it take to find the right fit when switching to a new industry like interior design
Our links:Subscribe and leave a review - Apple PodcastsLike, Comment, & Follow - Hot Young Designers Club InstagramRebecca’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 Mentioned in this episode: Moe's Home Collection Moe's just released their new Tailored & Timeless Collection.
Create an accout at https://moeshomecollection.com/hydc

120: For the career-shifters. You want to work in the design industry

Today’s guest, Ashley Ausland, shares her journey of growing her design business over the last few years while dealing with personal hardships—divorce, cancer, and becoming a single mother of four kids. She discusses the lessons she learned about business management, client relationships, and creating homes with soul and timeless appeal. In this episode, Rebecca and Shaun speak with Ashley Ausland to discuss:Ashley’s journey of starting her business from her garage with no employees to now having a team of 4Ashley’s struggles and healing process of going through divorce and cancer and learning the importance of boundaries, self-care, and forgivenessGrowing her design projects from small remodels to ground-up constructionsVetting clients carefully by looking for red flags like clients who want to change contractsHow Ashley balances her business with caring for her four kids as a single momAshley’s struggles with delegating design work and maintaining creative control over projectsIncorporating vintage elements and old designs into new homesPreserving historical details in home renovationsFocusing on durability and value over trendsAshley’s billing model and the challenges she faces while time trackingThe challenges designers face with sharing their work and receiving feedback
Mentioned: Ausland Interiors Website: https://www.auslandinteriors.com/  Ashley Ausland on Ig: https://www.instagram.com/auslandinteriors/  Ausland Interiors on Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/auslandinteriors/   
 Our links:Subscribe and leave a review - Apple PodcastsLike, Comment, & Follow - Hot Young Designers Club InstagramRebecca’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 Mentioned in this episode: Moe's Home Collection Moe's just released their new Tailored & Timeless Collection.
Create an accout at https://moeshomecollection.com/hydc

119: A Conversation with Ashley Ausland, How her personal hardship lead to growth

Shaun and Rebecca discuss the issues around designers’ rights to their work. They talk about a recent situation where a company used photos of designer Natalie Myers’s work without her permission and modified the pictures a little with the help of AI. They discuss this issue, how having no rights over the pictures of their work is not fair to designers, and finding a fair solution to this issue. In this episode, Rebecca and Shaun discuss:How designers are often overlooked for bringing food and maintaining morale on job sites while photographers profit off photos without the designer’s consentThe unauthorized brand use of photos of a designer’s workThe Natalie Meyer situation where a company used her photos without permissionPhotographer-designer relationships The complexity of photo licensing contracts and how the system favors photographers over designersThe lack of control designers have over photos of their own workHow designers can have more control over their workFinding a fair way for photographers and designers to share rights and paymentsPhotographers can share licensing rights and revenue with designers when companies use photos of their designs
Mentioned: Episode 107: Just Stop Vi: Judgement Day https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hot-young-designers-club-interior-design-business-podcast/id1505427626?i=1000637922368 Natalie Meyer's IG Post https://www.instagram.com/p/C32pAPzrOzF/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh;=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== Ethnik Living's Apology https://www.instagram.com/p/C34kSOztN2I/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh;=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== The movie 'The Congress' with Robin Wright has some parallels to what we're talking about: The Congress - Prime Video 
 Our links:Subscribe and leave a review - Apple PodcastsLike, Comment, & Follow - Hot Young Designers Club InstagramRebecca’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 Mentioned in this episode: Moe's Home Collection Moe's just released their new Tailored & Timeless Collection.
Create an accout at https://moeshomecollection.com/hydc

118: Do Designers Have Rights?

Will Brown of Will Brown Interiors believes that interior design should be more than just aesthetics — it should also support clients’ well-being and energy flow within a space. In this episode, Will shares how he uses ancient Feng Shui principles to help clients optimize the flow of energy in their homes. In this episode, Rebecca and Shaun speak with Will Brown to discuss:Will’s career transition from corporate graphic design to interior designWill’s experience working at Hallmark and how it influenced his careerHow Will got introduced and certified in Feng Shui principles How Will’s clients receive the idea of Feng Shui Will’s process for integrating Feng Shui into his interior design process and consultationsSome examples of Feng Shui practices that Will suggests for clients Recommendation of Mindful Homes by Anjie Cho as a guide for enhancing the main areas of a homeHow Will tailors his Feng Shui solutions based on a client’s individual needs, interests, and comfort levelWill’s way of helping clients understand and optimize the flow of energy in their homes through Feng ShuiClearing misconceptions about Feng Shui Bringing in an ad hoc team based on project needs and how it helps him stay focused on his role as the creative directorAbout the Midwest Design & Furniture Fair — Date, venue, competitions that are going to happen there, and more!
Mentioned: The Mindful Design Feng Shui School New York: Mindful Design Feng Shui School Will’s website: Will Brown Interiors Will’s Instagram: @willbrowninteriors on Instagram  Using a Bagua Map for your home: How to Use a Bagua Map: Simple Steps for Powerful Change | LoveToKnow Mindful Homes by Anjie Cho: https://amzn.to/3vMEeIN  Midwest Design & Furniture Fair: Midwest Design and Furniture Fair Our links:Subscribe and leave a review - Apple PodcastsLike, Comment, & Follow - Hot Young Designers Club InstagramRebecca’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 Mentioned in this episode: Moe's Home Collection Moe's just released

117: How Will Brown helps clients approach Feng Shui in their homes - Will Brown Interiors

As a designer, do you prefer working on kitchens or bathrooms? Are kitchens and bathrooms worth the effort in terms of payoff? Doing kitchens and bathrooms requires a lot of work but doesn’t always result in big profits. Shaun and Rebecca are here to discuss tips and strategies for making smaller projects like kitchens and bathrooms more profitable. In this episode, Rebecca and Shaun discuss:Challenges and benefits of working within the limitations of kitchen and bathroom spacesDifficulty in finding a contractor who only does bathroom or kitchenThe crucial role contractors play in referralsWays to make kitchen and bathrooms more profitable and enjoyableDoing minimum expenditures on kitchen and bathroom to guarantee more revenueNot adding things that you don’t have any markup onHow can designers guarantee more revenue through minimum purchasing requirementsHow some contractors undermine design decisions by suggesting cheaper alternativesImportance of bringing up material purchases early in the project Challenges of photographing home renovation projects that include NDAsCobbled together approach for making money in kitchen designThe risks and rewards of custom cabinetryBuying products directly from manufacturers and selling them without a third-partyValue of offering design-only services for self-managed clients

 Mentioned: Client Purchasing Guide https://shop.hotyoungdesignersclub.com/products/client-purchasing-guide Check out Episode 82 with Linda Hayslett https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hot-young-designers-club-interior-design-business-podcast/id1505427626?i=1000595637345 Patreon Episode - Can kitchens and bathrooms be profitable? https://www.patreon.com/posts/design-to-go-how-99023498?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm;_source=copyLink&utm;_campaign=postshare_creator&utm;_content=join_link 
 Our links:Subscribe and leave a review - Apple PodcastsLike, Comment, & Follow - Hot Young Designers Club InstagramRebecca’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 Mentioned in this episode: Moe's Home Collection Save an extra 10% off your purchase using code HYDC10 at checkout. https://moeshomecollection.com High...

116: Can kitchen and bathrooms be profitable?

Hot Young Designers Club | Interior Design Business Podcast

85: A Conversation with Katie Monkhouse

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