Build Beautiful | Creative Entrepreneurship

Send us your feedback, thoughts or comments!

What does it take to start a business at 45, when the world already thinks it knows who you are?

Nicole O'Neil has lived several lives in the public eye. Born in Dubai to a Lebanese father and Swedish mother, she moved to Sydney in the 1980s, became Miss Australia and later appeared on The Real Housewives of Sydney.

But at 45, Nicole decided to build something of her own.

As the founder of Bon Wellness, the business behind BonPatch wearable wellness patches, she has stepped into a new chapter as an entrepreneur, building a brand with ambitions beyond Australia.

In this episode of Build Beautiful, Linda Habak sits down with Nicole to explore identity, reinvention, motherhood, visibility and the courage it takes to begin again.

From navigating cultural expectations and public perceptions to launching a wellness business and expanding into the United States, Nicole reflects on the experiences that shaped her and why she believes timing matters.

In this conversation, we explore:

• Growing up between Lebanese and Swedish cultures and the traditions Nicole has carried into motherhood
• Becoming Miss Australia and representing a multicultural Australia
• Her experience on The Real Housewives of Sydney and the difference between public perception and personal reality
• Starting Bon Wellness at 45 and embracing entrepreneurship later in life
• Building BonPatch and taking an Australian wellness brand into the US market
• The differences between Australian and American attitudes towards ambition and business
• Tall poppy syndrome and learning to advocate for yourself
• The relationship between identity, visibility, motherhood and legacy
• Why starting again can be an opportunity rather than a setback

Why this conversation matters

There is often an expectation that by a certain age, we should have figured out who we are and what we're going to do.

Nicole's story challenges that idea.

It's a conversation about recognising that we can evolve, change direction and build something meaningful at any stage of life. Sometimes the most interesting chapter begins when we give ourselves permission to start again.

About Nicole O'Neil

Nicole O'Neil is the founder of Bon Wellness, the company behind BonPatch wearable wellness patches.

A former Miss Australia and cast member of The Real Housewives of Sydney, Nicole is now focused on growing her wellness business internationally.

Follow Nicole: @nicolegazaloneil

About Build Beautiful

Hosted by interior designer and property developer Linda Habak, Build Beautiful explores the human stories behind creative lives and businesses, from interior design and architecture to creative entrepreneurship and beyond.

Where design meets depth.

Season 3 is proudly supported by Tappeti Fine Hand-Crafted Rugs.

Follow @buildbeautiful_podcast.

To get in touch with Build Beautiful or to follow us head to our socials: 

on Youtube

on Instagram

on Facebook

on LinkedIn

If you'd like to be on the podcast, or want to collaborate with Build Beautiful feel free to contact us on [email protected]

Send us your feedback, thoughts or comments!

Interior designer Dylan Farrell's career has been anything but conventional. From growing up surrounded by architects, artists and gallerists in New York to building an international creative business, his story is one of experimentation, unexpected opportunities and finding his own way.

In this episode of Build Beautiful, Linda Habak sits down with Dylan to explore his journey through interior design, the challenges of building a design studio across New York and Australia, and the experiences that have shaped his creative practice.

From a rocky beginning at Pratt and years playing in avant-garde industrial bands to establishing Dylan Farrell Design and launching his furniture collection, After Editions, Dylan reflects on what it means to build a business that matters without losing sight of the life you want to lead.

In this conversation, we explore:

• Growing up in a family of architects, artists and gallerists
• Why finding your direction later in life isn't necessarily a disadvantage
• The differences between New York and Australian design
• Building and leading a creative business across two countries
• Developing After Editions and expanding beyond interior design
• Digital fatigue, patience and the realities of burnout
• How family and slowing down have changed Dylan's approach to work

Why this conversation matters

Creative ambition can take us in unexpected directions. Dylan's story is a reminder that building a meaningful creative career isn't always a linear process, and that success is as much about how we live as what we create.

About Dylan Farrell

Dylan Farrell is the founder of Dylan Farrell Design, an interior design practice working across New York and Australia, and the creator of furniture collection After Editions.

Follow Dylan: @dylan_farrell_design

About Build Beautiful

Hosted by Linda Habak, Build Beautiful explores the human stories behind creative lives and businesses, from interior design and architecture to creative entrepreneurship and beyond.

Where design meets depth.

Proudly supported by Tappeti Fine Hand-Crafted Rugs.

Follow @buildbeautiful_podcast.

Connect with us on Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn.

For guest enquiries and collaborations: [email protected]

To get in touch with Build Beautiful or to follow us head to our socials: 

on Youtube

on Instagram

on Facebook

on LinkedIn

If you'd like to be on the podcast, or want to collaborate with Build Beautiful feel free to contact us on [email protected]

Send us your feedback, thoughts or comments!

Can you build a successful interior design studio without developing a signature style?

For Rachel Luchetti, co-founder and creative director of Luchetti Krelle, the answer is yes.

Over the past 17 years, Rachel has helped build one of Australia's established hospitality and retail interior design practices, creating spaces that respond to the people who use them rather than following a recognisable aesthetic.

From restaurants and bars to retail environments, her approach is grounded in the belief that every project deserves its own response, shaped by the client, the brief and the experience of the end user.

In this episode of Build Beautiful, Linda Habak sits down with Rachel to explore her creative philosophy, the evolution of Luchetti Krelle and the lessons learned from building and leading an interior design business.

Their conversation moves between the creative and the commercial, from designing spaces that feel as good as they look to navigating difficult clients, expensive mistakes, business growth and the responsibilities that come with running a studio.

Rachel also reflects on the importance of trusting your instincts, knowing when to say no and resisting the pressure to create work simply for recognition.

In this conversation, we explore:

• Building Luchetti Krelle into an established Australian hospitality and retail design practice
• Why Rachel has never wanted to develop a signature interior design style
• Designing for the people who use a space rather than for industry recognition
• The importance of atmosphere, acoustics and the emotional experience of interiors
• Balancing creativity with the practical and commercial demands of hospitality design
• Lessons learned from expensive mistakes and challenging projects
• Growing an interior design studio slowly and deliberately
• Leading a creative business through periods of uncertainty and crisis
• Recognising client red flags and knowing when to walk away
• The challenges of unpaid design concepts and protecting the value of creative work
• Building a business around personal conviction rather than external expectations

Why this conversation matters

For creative professionals, there's often an expectation that success comes from developing a recognisable style, building a larger team or producing work that attracts attention.

Rachel offers a different perspective.

Her career demonstrates the value of remaining curious, responding thoughtfully to each project and recognising that the strength of a creative practice lies as much in its decisions and relationships as in the work itself.

It's a conversation about creative independence, commercial judgement and building a business that reflects what matters to you.

About Rachel Luchetti

Rachel Luchetti is the co-founder, principal and creative director of Luchetti Krelle, a Sydney-based interior design practice specialising in hospitality and retail environments.

Based in Surry Hills, the studio is recognised for its considered, individual approach to projects and its focus on creating spaces that respond to the needs and experiences of the people who use them.

Follow @luchetti_krelle.

About Build Beautiful

Hosted by interior designer and property developer Linda Habak, Build Beautiful explores the human stories behind creative lives and businesses, from interior design and architecture to creative entrepreneurship and beyond.

Where design meets depth.

Season 3 is proudly supported by Tappeti Fine Hand-Crafted Rugs.

 
#BuildBeautiful #RachelLuchetti #LuchettiKrelle #InteriorDesign #HospitalityDesign #DesignPodcast

To get in touch with Build Beautiful or to follow us head to our socials: 

on Youtube

on Instagram

on Facebook

on LinkedIn

If you'd like to be on the podcast, or want to collaborate with Build Beautiful feel free to contact us on [email protected]

Send us your feedback, thoughts or comments!

What happens when the creative business you've spent years building begins to take more from you than you can give?

Alexandra Kidd is the founder of Alexandra Kidd Interior Design, a respected Sydney-based interior design studio that has grown from a solo practice into an all-women team of twelve.

For more than 20 years, Alexandra has built a career creating thoughtful residential interiors. But behind the success of her design practice was a very different personal experience.

At the end of 2018, after years of managing an increasingly demanding business and carrying the responsibility for almost every decision, Alexandra experienced a breakdown that forced her to reconsider how she was living and working.

In this episode of Build Beautiful, Linda Habak sits down with Alexandra to explore the realities of building an interior design business, the personal cost of ambition and the process of rebuilding both her life and her studio.

From the pressures of growing a creative practice to learning how to delegate, establish boundaries and rediscover the joy in her work, Alexandra shares an unusually candid account of what happens when success comes at a personal cost.

Their conversation also explores the next chapter of her creative journey, including the launch of Atelier, her collection of Australian-made glass lighting created in collaboration with local artisans.

In this conversation, we explore:

• Alexandra's early relationship with design and the personal experiences that shaped her career
• Building an interior design studio from a solo practice into an established team
• The challenges of managing rapid business growth and increasing project demands
• Her experience of burnout and the breakdown she experienced in 2018
• The twelve-month recovery period and the difficult process of reassessing her priorities
• Learning to ask for help and letting go of the need to control every decision
• Introducing stronger business systems, delegation and professional boundaries
• Rebuilding a creative business around a healthier way of working
• Launching Atelier and exploring a new creative direction through collectible glass lighting
• Redefining success after more than two decades in interior design

Why this conversation matters

Creative businesses are often built on passion, personal investment and an enormous sense of responsibility. But when the person behind the business becomes responsible for everything, the cost can be significant.

Alexandra's story challenges the idea that success must come at the expense of our wellbeing.

It's a conversation about vulnerability, resilience and recognising that sometimes the most meaningful growth comes not from doing more, but from changing how we work and live.

About Alexandra Kidd

Alexandra Kidd is the founder of her eponymous Sydney-based interior design studio, which has grown into an all-women team of twelve.

With more than 20 years of experience in residential interior design, Alexandra is known for her thoughtful approach to creating considered, enduring interiors.

In 2024, she launched Atelier, a collection of Australian-made glass lighting developed in collaboration with local artisans.

About Build Beautiful

Hosted by interior designer and property developer Linda Habak, Build Beautiful explores the human stories behind creative lives and businesses, from interior design and architecture to creative entrepreneurship and beyond.

Where design meets depth.

Season 3 is proudly supported by Tappeti Fine Hand-Crafted Rugs.

Follow @buildbeautiful_podcast.

Proudly supported by Tappeti Fine Hand-Crafted Rugs.

To get in touch with Build Beautiful or to follow us head to our socials: 

on Youtube

on Instagram

on Facebook

on LinkedIn

If you'd like to be on the podcast, or want to collaborate with Build Beautiful feel free to contact us on [email protected]

Send us your feedback, thoughts or comments!

Interior designer and property developer Simone Mathews has built a creative business that challenges the conventional idea of success.

As the founder of Soul Home, Simone has created a distinctive design and development practice alongside her builder husband, Ben, with projects including Soul of Gerringong, The Bower and The Pause.

But rather than pursuing a bigger studio, a larger team and an ever-growing portfolio, Simone has deliberately chosen a different direction.

In this episode of Build Beautiful, Linda Habak sits down with Simone to explore her unconventional career journey, the realities of running a design-led business and why she's chosen to prioritise energy, family and creative fulfilment over constant growth.

From an unexpected first job at 19 to working across marketing, real estate, interior design and property development, Simone reflects on the experiences that shaped her approach to business and the importance of defining success for yourself.

In this conversation, we explore:

• Simone's unexpected career journey from marketing and real estate into interior design
• Her first job at 19 as personal assistant to Rodney Adler
• Building Soul Home alongside her husband, Ben
• The story behind Soul of Gerringong and her approach to design-led property development
• Creating a distinctive design philosophy centred on bringing a holiday feeling into everyday living
• Building authentic brand partnerships that extend beyond gifted products
• Navigating the responsibilities of being both an interior designer and property developer
• Why Simone deliberately chose to make her studio smaller rather than continue scaling
• Rethinking work-life balance and learning to shift priorities
• Building a creative business that supports the life you want to lead

Why this conversation matters

Growth is often presented as the ultimate measure of business success. A bigger team, more projects and greater visibility.

Simone offers a different perspective.

Her story explores what happens when we question those expectations and give ourselves permission to build something more intentional. It's a conversation about ambition, creative independence and recognising that a successful business doesn't necessarily need to become a bigger one.

About Simone Mathews

Simone Mathews is an Australian interior designer, property developer and founder of Soul Home.

Working alongside her builder husband, Ben, she has developed a distinctive approach to residential design and property development through projects including Soul of Gerringong, The Bower and The Pause.

She is also a mother of four.

About Build Beautiful

Hosted by interior designer and property developer Linda Habak, Build Beautiful explores the human stories behind creative lives and businesses, from interior design and architecture to creative entrepreneurship and beyond. Where design meets depth.

Proudly supported by Tappeti Fine Hand-Crafted Rugs.

To get in touch with Build Beautiful or to follow us head to our socials: 

on Youtube

on Instagram

on Facebook

on LinkedIn

If you'd like to be on the podcast, or want to collaborate with Build Beautiful feel free to contact us on [email protected]

Send us your feedback, thoughts or comments!

What does it take to reinvent yourself as an artist in your 40s, after spending much of your life believing you weren't creative?

For Sydney-based contemporary artist Antonia Perricone Mrljak, the journey into painting began later in life, following a career in fashion styling, motherhood and years spent finding her place in the world.

Growing up in Sydney's western suburbs in a Sicilian-Australian family, Antonia's early experiences shaped her understanding of identity, belonging and self-expression.

Although creativity had always been present in her life, it wasn't until she returned to study at Sydney College of the Arts that she began to recognise herself as an artist.

After graduating with first class honours, Antonia went on to paint live across nine metres of canvas at Sydney Contemporary, an experience that helped launch her professional painting career.

In this episode of Build Beautiful, Linda Habak sits down with Antonia to explore her unconventional path into contemporary art, the courage required to begin again and the experiences that have shaped her artistic identity.

From growing up between cultures and finding independence through fashion to navigating the contemporary art world and building a career outside traditional gallery relationships, Antonia shares an honest account of what it means to trust your creative instincts.

In this conversation, we explore:

• Growing up Sicilian-Australian in Sydney's western suburbs and the influence of cultural identity
• Discovering self-expression through fashion and her early career as a stylist
• The experiences that shaped her understanding of art and creativity
• Returning to university in her 40s and studying fine arts
• The influence of motherhood on her decision to pursue a creative career
• Painting live at Sydney Contemporary and the opportunities that followed
• Finding confidence and developing an identity as a contemporary artist
• Overcoming self-doubt and the fear of being exposed as an outsider
• Navigating gallery relationships and choosing to work independently
• Understanding the commercial realities of building a career as an artist
• Why she believes emerging artists should protect themselves through clear written agreements
• The importance of trusting your instincts and recognising that creativity has no age limit

Why this conversation matters

We often imagine that creative careers begin with an early recognition of talent, followed by formal training and a clear professional path.

Antonia's experience challenges that assumption.

Her story is a reminder that creative identity can emerge at any stage of life, and that the experiences we accumulate before finding our direction can become an essential part of the work we eventually create.

It's a conversation about belonging, courage, reinvention and the freedom that comes from recognising who you are.

About Antonia Perricone Mrljak

Antonia Perricone Mrljak is a Sydney-based contemporary artist whose practice developed following an earlier career in fashion styling.

She graduated from Sydney College of the Arts with a Bachelor of Fine Arts with first class honours in 2018.

In 2019, she painted live across nine metres of canvas at Sydney Contemporary, an experience that helped establish her professional painting career.

Her work has since been exhibited in Australia and internationally.

About Build Beautiful

Hosted by interior designer and property developer Linda Habak, Build Beautiful explores the human stories behind creative lives and businesses, from interior design and architecture to creative entrepreneurship and beyond.

Where design meets depth.

Season 3 is proudly supported by Tappeti Fine Hand-Crafted Rugs.

To get in touch with Build Beautiful or to follow us head to our socials: 

on Youtube

on Instagram

on Facebook

on LinkedIn

If you'd like to be on the podcast, or want to collaborate with Build Beautiful feel free to contact us on [email protected]

Send us your feedback, thoughts or comments!

What happens when an architect starts sharing her opinions about design online and suddenly finds herself speaking to millions of people?

Georgina Wilson is a registered architect and founder of Georgina Wilson Associates, a Sydney-based architecture practice specialising in residential design and renovations.

After years spent building her career and establishing her own practice, Georgina began sharing her thoughts about architecture, home design and the decisions people make when building or renovating.

One video reached three million views almost overnight.

In this episode of Build Beautiful, Linda Habak sits down with Georgina to explore her unconventional journey into architecture, the unexpected rise of her social media presence and what it means to build a professional reputation in the digital age.

From training under one of Australia's leading residential architects to establishing her own studio during the global financial crisis, Georgina reflects on the experiences that shaped her career and the importance of speaking honestly about what she believes.

Their conversation also explores the intersection of creative expertise, social media, business and the opportunities that emerge when you find your own voice.

In this conversation, we explore:

• Georgina's early interests in ballet and music before finding her way into architecture
• Training under an established Australian residential architect
• Starting her own architecture practice during the global financial crisis
• The unexpected social media video that reached three million views
• Overcoming the fear of putting yourself and your opinions online
• Why Georgina believes good architecture should be accessible and understandable
• Building a social media audience while maintaining a bespoke residential architecture practice
• The relationship between professional expertise, authenticity and audience trust
• Why she's resisted conventional influencer monetisation
• Using social media to educate people about residential architecture and home design
• Finding the confidence to develop a public voice without compromising your professional values

Why this conversation matters

For many creative professionals, visibility can feel uncomfortable. There's a tension between wanting your work to be recognised and putting yourself in the public eye.

Georgina's story offers a different perspective on what it means to build an audience.

Rather than following trends or creating content simply to attract attention, she's built a following by sharing her expertise, questioning conventional thinking and speaking directly to the people she wants to reach.

It's a conversation about courage, creative independence and the opportunities that can emerge when you stop waiting for permission to be heard.

About Georgina Wilson

Georgina Wilson is a registered Australian architect and founder of Georgina Wilson Associates, a Sydney-based architecture practice specialising in residential design and renovations.

Alongside her architectural work, she has developed a substantial online following through her candid commentary on architecture, design and the realities of building and renovating homes.

About Build Beautiful

Hosted by interior designer and property developer Linda Habak, Build Beautiful explores the human stories behind creative lives and businesses, from interior design and architecture to creative entrepreneurship and beyond.

Where design meets depth.

Season 3 is proudly supported by Tappeti Fine Hand-Crafted Rugs.

Follow @buildbeautiful_podcast.

To get in touch with Build Beautiful or to follow us head to our socials: 

on Youtube

on Instagram

on Facebook

on LinkedIn

If you'd like to be on the podcast, or want to collaborate with Build Beautiful feel free to contact us on [email protected]

Send us your feedback, thoughts or comments!

What if failure wasn't something to avoid, but an essential part of building something extraordinary?

Grace Miller is Head of Failure & Experimentation at FlightStory, Steven Bartlett's media company behind The Diary of a CEO, one of the world's most recognised podcasts.

Originally from Australia's Gold Coast, Grace moved to London in 2022 and joined the team when it was still a handful of people working around one table.

Over the following four years, she became part of the extraordinary growth of The Diary of a CEO and the wider FlightStory business, helping develop an approach to experimentation, innovation and audience growth.

In this episode of Build Beautiful, Linda Habak sits down with Grace to explore the thinking behind building a global media brand, the importance of learning through failure and what it takes to create a culture where experimentation is encouraged.

From testing creative ideas and challenging conventional marketing strategies to navigating ambition, uncertainty and the personal sacrifices that come with building a career, Grace offers a perspective on success that is both practical and deeply human.

Their conversation explores the intersection of creativity, business, marketing and the courage required to pursue opportunities without knowing exactly where they'll lead.

In this conversation, we explore:

• Grace's journey from the Gold Coast to London and joining the early FlightStory team
• The growth of The Diary of a CEO into a globally recognised podcast and media brand
• What it means to be Head of Failure & Experimentation
• Why experimentation is essential to creative innovation and business growth
• The relationship between failure, psychological safety and high-performing teams
• How data and audience insights influence creative and marketing decisions
• Testing ideas, learning quickly and recognising when something isn't working
• The commercial realities of building and scaling a successful podcast
• What media companies look for when considering new podcasts and creative projects
• Building an audience through experimentation rather than assumptions
• Navigating ambition, uncertainty and self-doubt
• The personal sacrifices and opportunities that come with pursuing an unconventional career
• Grace's entrepreneurial journey through Grace Experiments and Experiment Media

Why this conversation matters

We tend to celebrate successful businesses, creative projects and personal achievements once the difficult work has already been done.

What we rarely see are the experiments that failed, the decisions that didn't work and the uncertainty that sits behind the finished result.

Grace's approach challenges the idea that failure is something to be embarrassed about.

Instead, she sees it as information, a necessary part of learning, improving and creating work that connects with people.

It's a conversation about ambition, curiosity, resilience and recognising that meaningful progress often comes from being willing to try something before you're certain it will succeed.

About Grace Miller

Grace Miller is Head of Failure & Experimentation at FlightStory, the media company founded by Steven Bartlett and associated with The Diary of a CEO.

Originally from the Gold Coast, Australia, Grace moved to London in 2022 and became part of the team during a period of significant growth.

Her work focuses on experimentation, innovation, marketing and audience development across media and creative businesses.

She is also the founder of Grace Experiments and Experiment Media, ventures focused on helping individuals and organisations develop an experimentation mindset.

About Build Beautiful

Hosted by interior designer and property developer Linda Habak, Build Beautiful explores the human stories behind creative lives and businesses, from interior design and architecture to creative entrepreneurship and beyond.

Where design meets depth.

Season 3 is proudly supported by Tappeti Fine Hand-Crafted Rugs.

To get in touch with Build Beautiful or to follow us head to our socials: 

on Youtube

on Instagram

on Facebook

on LinkedIn

If you'd like to be on the podcast, or want to collaborate with Build Beautiful feel free to contact us on [email protected]

Send us your feedback, thoughts or comments!

Yasmine Ghoniem is one of Australia's most distinctive interior designers. Founder and director of YSG Studio, Vogue Living's Interior Designer of the Year 2025 and co-host of ABC's Grand Designs Transformations, she has built an award-winning creative business known for its fearless approach to colour, materials and storytelling.

But behind the public success is a deeply personal story.

When Yasmine was ten, her father left for Kuwait for what was meant to be a couple of months. Seven months later, her mother still didn't know whether he was alive. He had arrived the day Iraq invaded Kuwait.

In this episode of Build Beautiful, Linda Habak sits down with Yasmine to explore how her nomadic childhood across Kuwait, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Sydney shaped her creative identity, her approach to interior design and the business she would eventually build.

Their conversation also explores the private experiences behind her professional success, including seven years of unexplained infertility before the arrival of her daughter, Sahara.

From establishing YSG Studio and developing a distinctive creative practice to navigating ambition, motherhood and the personal cost of building a business, Yasmine shares an unusually candid perspective on what success really means.

In this episode, we explore:

• Growing up between cultures and how those experiences shaped her approach to interior design
• Her father's disappearance during the Gulf War and the lasting influence of her childhood
• The colours, materials and memories that continue to inform her work
• Building YSG Studio after separating from Amber Road, the practice she shared with her sister
• Creating the eight-pillar document that defines YSG's creative approach
• Building an award-winning design business without traditional marketing
• The influence of music, performance and creative expression throughout her life
• Seven years of unexplained infertility and the arrival of her daughter, Sahara
• The relationship between professional ambition, personal fulfilment and motherhood
• What success means when you've achieved so much of what you once wanted

Why this conversation matters

We often see the finished work and the accolades without understanding the experiences behind them.

Yasmine's story reveals how personal history, displacement, ambition and vulnerability can shape a creative life. It's a conversation about the relationship between what we create and who we become along the way.

About Yasmine Ghoniem

Yasmine Ghoniem is the founder and director of YSG Studio, the Sydney-based interior design practice she established in 2020.

Previously, she co-founded Amber Road with her sister, landscape architect Katy Svalbe. Her work has received recognition from Architectural Digest and leading Australian design industry awards, including being named Vogue Living's Interior Designer of the Year 2025.

She is also co-host of ABC's Grand Designs Transformations alongside Anthony Burke.

About Build Beautiful

Hosted by interior designer and property developer Linda Habak, Build Beautiful explores the human stories behind creative lives and businesses, from interior design and architecture to creative entrepreneurship and beyond.

Where design meets depth.

Season 3 is proudly supported by Tappeti Fine Hand-Crafted Rugs.

Follow @buildbeautiful_podcast.

Connect with us on Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn.

For guest enquiries and collaborations: h[email protected]

To get in touch with Build Beautiful or to follow us head to our socials: 

on Youtube

on Instagram

on Facebook

on LinkedIn

If you'd like to be on the podcast, or want to collaborate with Build Beautiful feel free to contact us on [email protected]

Send us your feedback, thoughts or comments!

The bank told Nicholas Karlovasitis they could not give him a business loan. No trading history. So he called back and told them he needed $30,000 for a pool party. An epic one. Just the once. They offered him $50,000. That was 18 years ago. Today, Design By Them — the studio Nicholas built with his co-founder Sarah Kay from a Newtown apartment — has a team of 35 and dealers across Dubai, the UK, the Netherlands, and the US. When their accountants recently asked about their exit strategy, Nicholas and Sarah walked out of the meeting laughing. They do not have one. They just really love what they do.

This conversation goes somewhere most design podcasts do not. We talk about what it means to be given the gift of choice — and what it costs to build a business that tries to pass that on to other people. Nicholas is the son of migrants who watched his mother count hours at a paper factory and his father work 16-hour days to pay off a home loan in four years. Everything he has built is quietly shaped by that. Including the royalty model that puts real money in the hands of Australian designers who have been treating their work as a side project for too long.

In this episode, we explore:

• Growing up as a child of migrants and what that instilled — the optimism, the relativity, and the lifelong obsession with a better future
• A conversation with his father in Year 7 that removed the burden of expectation and gave Nicholas the gift of choice
• Deciding on industrial design at 13, and why passing up a Qantas avionics engineering programme was the best decision he almost did not make
• Working school holidays at a paper factory with his mother — and the moment he understood what an hour of someone's labour was worth
• The pool party loan: how Design By Them was founded on $30,000 a bank was happy to hand over for an epic one-time event
• Building a furniture brand in a market that barely existed — and why 'if there's no industry for us, we'll create one' became the founding philosophy
• The white t-shirt principle: the early business advice that shaped how they thought about products, cashflow, and creative ambition
• The copied letterbox incident that sharpened their supply chain strategy and changed how they thought about protecting designers' work
• The real economics of manufacturing locally versus overseas — and why the debate almost always misses the most important argument
• Building a supply chain in China over five years, and what quality control actually looks like when you are doing it seriously
• Running a business by designers for designers — and why they put prices on their website when no one else did
• Exhibiting at 3 Days of Design Copenhagen and the patient, deliberate path to global reach
• Why Nicholas and Sarah walked out of a meeting with their accountants laughing: no exit strategy, no Porsche, just the work

Why this conversation matters

In a world where scaling fast is celebrated and soul is usually the first casualty, Nicholas Karlovasitis offers a different model. Design By Them has grown from two people to 35 without losing what it set out to be: a brand that pays designers properly, builds for the long term, and believes that clarity of purpose is not a luxury — it is the strategy. His story is also a reminder that the most meaningful businesses are often built not to be sold, but to outlast the people who started them.

About Nicholas

Nicholas Karlovasitis is the co-founder and creative director of Design By Them, the Sydney-based furniture design studio he built alongside Sarah Kay from a Newtown apartment in 2007. He studied industrial design at UTS, where he also taught for a period, and has spent nearly two decades championing Australian designers while pursuing global reach. Design By Them manufactures across China, Japan, Malaysia, Vietnam, India, the US, and Italy, operates a royalty model for the designers it represents, and is currently expanding into the UK, Netherlands, and US markets. Nicholas describes the business simply: it was built by designers, for designers. He still does not have an exit strategy.

Watch / Listen

▶️  Watch the full episode on YouTube

🎧  Available on Spotify & Apple Podcasts

If this episode resonated, please like, subscribe and share — it helps Build Beautiful continue to tell deeper stories from the world of design, architecture and creative life.

RESOURCES MENTIONED

Design By Them: designbythem.com

Instagram: @designbythem

3 Days of Design Copenhagen: 3daysofdesign.dk

To get in touch with Build Beautiful or to follow us head to our socials: 

on Youtube

on Instagram

on Facebook

on LinkedIn

If you'd like to be on the podcast, or want to collaborate with Build Beautiful feel free to contact us on [email protected]