Welcome to this special Industry Spotlight episode of Design Biz Survival Guide! This supplemental format highlights brands and partners that support designers both creatively and professionally.

Today, we’re speaking with Brittany Bowen and Ava Vienneau, also known as The Girls at Flourish—a luxury photography firm specializing in interior design, real estate, and the home industry. Brittany and Ava share how professional photography can position design professionals as leaders and experts in their field. They also walk us through their thoughtful approach to capturing designers in their element and creating an experience rooted in trust.

• The Role of Branding Photography – Why designers need high-quality images of themselves, not just their work.
• Photography for Marketing & Visibility – How to use professional photos to attract high-end clients.
• The High Point Market Experience – Their exclusive photo sessions designed for interior designers.
• Curating the Perfect Image – How Girls at Flourish helps designers create strategic, on-brand imagery.
• Overcoming Camera Anxiety – Tips for feeling confident in front of the camera.

• “Designers are realizing they need their faces out there—clients want to see the person behind the brand.”
• “Photography should be intentional. It’s not just about looking good—it’s about visually communicating who you are and where you want to take your business.”
• “You can’t just compete on design alone anymore. The thing that makes someone hire you is trust, and your personal brand is the key to building that.”

• Learn More About Girls at Flourish: Visit Their Website
• Follow Girls at Flourish on Instagram: @girlsatflourish
• Schedule Your Photo Shoot at Spring High Point Market: Book Here

We’d love for you to follow us if you haven’t yet. Click that purple ‘+’ in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review,” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second, and it helps spread the word about the podcast.

Welcome to another episode of Design Biz Survival Guide! Today we welcome Helen and Simon Knox, the husband-and-wife team behind Lewis Knox Interior and Architectural Design based in Cheshire, UK. In this episode, we explore the business of design from a UK perspective.

Helen and Simon share their journey from design school to launching their own design business, and they explain their approach to developing a multi-faceted business model—including the addition of a cabinetry studio. We also discuss the state of the design community in the UK and how their experience at the first Business of Interiors Community Summit has impacted the growth and development of their business.

• Launching a Design Business: The pivotal moment when Helen and Simon took the leap.
• Business Model Evolution: How they integrated cabinetry into their services.
• Challenges & Growth: Lessons learned from building and scaling a design team.
• UK Design Community: The importance of networking, pricing transparency, and industry collaboration.
• The Business of Interiors Summit: Insights gained and why events like these are shaping the UK design landscape.

• “We never set out to run a business together. It just evolved naturally, and when the opportunity presented itself, we had to take the leap.”
• “In the UK, no one teaches you how to run a business. Design school is all about creativity, but figuring out the financials, the processes, and the structure—that was something we had to learn ourselves.”
• “Owning a cabinetry studio allows us to control the quality and timelines, which makes our design process smoother and our clients happier.”

• Learn More About Lewis Knox: Visit Their Website

• Follow Lewis Knox on Instagram: @lewisknox_

• Register for The UK Business of Interiors Community Summit: Event Details & Tickets

A big thank you to our sponsors:

• Design Manager – A comprehensive project management and accounting platform tailored for interior design professionals.
• Daniel House Club – Simplifying the business of design with exclusive trade pricing, concierge service, and commission opportunities.

We’d love for you to follow us if you haven’t yet. Click that purple ‘+’ in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review,” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second, and it helps spread the word about the podcast.

Welcome to another episode of Design Biz Survival Guide! Today we welcome Hannah Oravec, founder of Lawless Design—a New England-based residential and boutique commercial interior design studio focused on wellness and sustainability. In this episode, Hannah shares her design journey and the process of launching her own design business. We discuss her perspective on commercial and residential design and her strategy for qualifying projects that best align with her business model and personal design approach. We also dive into the value of expanding your professional circle, and Hannah shares her top networking tips for creative introverts.

• Business Beginnings: Hannah’s journey from commercial design to launching her own studio.

• Finding Your Niche: How wellness and sustainability became central to Lawless Design’s mission.

• Networking for Introverts: Hannah’s tips for creative professionals to make meaningful connections.

• Team Growth: The lessons learned from hiring and building a supportive design team.

• Infusing Joy: How to incorporate passion projects into your business model.

• “Design should be personal. We’re not just giving you a cookie-cutter design; it’s about how our clients live in their homes and what makes them feel good.”

• “I’m very upfront when interviewing clients—I’m not the designer for everyone, and that’s okay. There’s a designer out there for everyone.”

• “Make sure there is an aspect or component of your business that truly brings you joy. You’re the business owner; you have the ability to make joy part of your business.”

• Learn More About Lawless Design: Visit the Website

• Follow Lawless Design on Instagram: @lawless_design

• Book Recommendation: How to Win Friends and Influence People

• Register for The UK Business of Interiors Community Summit: Event Information

A big thank you to our sponsors:

• Design Manager – A comprehensive project management and accounting platform tailored for interior design professionals.

• Daniel House Club – Simplifying the business of design with exclusive trade pricing, concierge service, and commission opportunities.

We’d love for you to follow us if you haven’t yet. Click that purple ‘+’ in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review,” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second, and it helps spread the word about the podcast.

Today, we’re thrilled to host Julia Bocchese of Julia Renee Consulting, a firm specializing in SEO and Pinterest strategies for creative businesses, including interior designers.

In this episode, Julia breaks down the unique power of Pinterest and shares actionable ways design professionals can use the platform to expand visibility, drive traffic to their websites, and strengthen their brand messaging. From Pinterest’s role as a visual search engine to its ability to enhance SEO, this episode is packed with insights and strategies you won’t want to miss.

• The Pinterest Advantage: Why Pinterest is a visual search engine, not just another social media platform.
• Boosting Visibility: Strategies for using Pinterest to drive meaningful traffic to your website.
• SEO Synergy: How Pinterest activity can directly enhance your website’s SEO rankings.
• Public vs. Private Boards: The best way to use both to build relevance and showcase your style.
• Content Strategy: Tips for creating Pinterest-friendly content, from keywords to graphics.

• “Pinterest is a search engine. It’s not about followers or likes; it’s about using the right keywords and connecting with people actively searching for what you offer.”
• “If someone pins your image, it’s automatically linked back to your website. That’s a huge benefit for driving traffic and boosting your SEO.”
• “Instagram posts disappear in 24 to 48 hours, but a good pin can drive traffic for months or even years.”
• “Think of Pinterest as an extension of your portfolio. It’s a way to share your vision for styles that may not yet be in your online portfolio.”

• Learn More About Julia Bocchese: Visit Julia’s Website
• Follow Julia on Instagram: @juliareneeconsulting

• Design Manager https://www.designmanager.com
• Daniel House Club https://danielhouse.club/pages/dbsg

We’d love for you to follow us if you haven’t yet. Click that purple ‘+’ in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review,” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second, and it helps spread the word about the podcast.

Today, we welcome Molly Rose – a professional interior photographer and public relations partner for interior designers and architects. In this episode, Molly breaks down her 10-step strategy to help you create project campaigns that support your overarching brand and provide content throughout the design process. We discuss how a combination of micro storytelling, DIY photography, and a structured posting schedule can truly enhance your messaging and your PR strategy for each project.

Heads up – have your iPhone ready for a camera settings tutorial that will change the game for you!

• Molly’s experience interviewing Rick in EP78 of Design Biz Survival Guide Podcast
• Molly’s 10-step strategy for creating project campaigns
• Tips for using a phone camera effectively for interior photography
• How to document and share content from the inquiry phase of a new project
• Linking content together from different project phases
• Organizing and utilizing content across various social media platforms
• Documenting client reactions and the design reveal
• The role of media in validating designers and their work
• How to use AI to promote your design style

Settings → Search camera → Enable Apple ProRAW → Ensure grid and lens correction are on → Open camera → Portrait mode → Click the upward arrow to adjust exposure → Drag exposure down to -1.0 to -1.3 → Adjust aperture (F) between 5.0 to 5.6 for wide shots, 2.0 to 2.8 for detail shots.

• “Approach your work with the best intentions. It will get in front of somebody who will love it, and their appreciation might surprise you. And who doesn’t like it also might surprise you. But don’t be too worried about conforming to a certain approach because one size doesn’t fit all. Everyone has a place at the table.” – Molly Rose
• “Use AI to show stuff that you would do. Generate images to show stuff that you would do.” – Molly Rose

We’d love for you to follow us if you haven’t yet. Click that purple ‘+’ in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review,” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second, and it helps spread the word about the podcast.

Feature Guest Website – http://mollyrosephoto.co/

Design Stories Workbook – http://mollyrosephoto.co/stories

Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/mollyrose.photo/

James and James Trade Program

Design Manager

In this episode, we’re thrilled to welcome back Meredith Huck of House of Huck, a full-service design studio based in Milford, Connecticut. In this episode, we revisit our original conversation with Meredith from Episode #92, where she shared her newly launched design business and the strategy behind its success.

Fast forward three years, Meredith walks us through her thriving business today, lessons learned, and the hacks that make her operation both efficient and profitable. From process development to pricing strategies and marketing for visibility, this conversation is packed with actionable advice for building a successful design business.

• Strategic Launch: How Meredith's year-long launch strategy set the foundation for success.
• Efficient Systems: The power of templates, structured scheduling, and repeatable processes.
• Working with Trades: Building reliable trade relationships and the value of clear communication.
• Profitable Sourcing: Transitioning from retail to a streamlined sourcing model for higher profitability.
• Marketing Mastery: Tips on putting out the right content and leveraging local vendor relationships.

• “Put out what you want to receive. If you want a new build and you don’t have a new build, okay, I’m not suggesting that you lie about it. Absolutely not. But do your best to try. If you have one project that can even just appear to be a little bigger...try and hone in on that.”
• “Time freedom is the ultimate success. It’s the ability to create my own schedule. There are some weeks that are really hard, but being able to look at my calendar and say, ‘Next Tuesday, I don’t have anything. Maybe I’ll work, maybe I won’t. Maybe I’ll pick up my kid early.’ That’s why I started my business.”
• “Efficiency is not just about systems. It’s about relationships, trust, and maintaining a streamlined workflow with everyone you work with.”

• Learn More About House of Huck: Visit Meredith’s Website

• Follow Meredith on Instagram: @houseofhuck

• Register for the Design Biz Power Course: Sign Up Here

• EP92 with Meredith Huck

A big thank you to our sponsors:

• James and James Trade Program – Makers of solid hardwood furniture, supporting the design trade with quality craftsmanship and customization.

• Design Manager – A comprehensive project management and accounting platform for interior design professionals.

Be sure to follow the podcast and leave a review! Your support helps us bring more valuable insights to the design community.

Today we welcome Terri Brien, owner and principal designer of Terri Brien Interiors based in San Clemente, CA. In this episode Terri shares her experience working with a residential home builder for over nineteen years and the many lessons learned about design and business that influenced her current business model like detailed processes, time management, and problem solving. We also talk about the many ways that as a now solopreneur Terri has relied on our design community to build a network of trusted allies and resources to help her navigate the ever complex business of design.

• From Corporate to Solopreneurship: How Terri transitioned from a design management role to starting her own firm.

• The Power of Process: Why process mapping is essential for client satisfaction and team collaboration.

• Community & Networking: Building relationships with industry peers and leveraging shared knowledge.

• Lessons from Residential Builders: Insights from working on 50-70 homes per year and the impact on her design philosophy.

• Client-Centric Design: Understanding clients’ true needs through communication and material knowledge.

• “Getting out of my own way was the biggest challenge. I realized I already had a strong foundation; I just needed to trust it.”

• “Mapping your process isn’t just for efficiency—it’s about identifying pain points for clients, trades, and yourself and finding ways to make the entire experience better.”

• “It’s our job as designers to look beyond what clients say they want and dig into what they truly need for long-term happiness.”

• Learn More About Terri Brien Interiors: Visit Terri’s Website

• Follow Terri on Instagram: @terri.brien.interiors

• Register for the Design Biz Power Course: Sign Up Here

A big thank you to our sponsors:

• James and James Trade Program – Makers of solid hardwood furniture, supporting the design trade with quality craftsmanship and customization.

• Design Manager – A comprehensive project management and accounting platform for interior design professionals.

Be sure to follow the podcast and leave a review! Your support helps us bring more valuable insights to the design community.

Welcome to this special industry spotlight episode of Design Biz Survival Guide! In this format, we showcase brands and partners that empower interior designers, both creatively and professionally. Today, we’re excited to feature Jessica Nelson and Stephanie Lindsay, co-founders of AI for Interiors, a platform helping interior designers embrace the power of artificial intelligence.

In this episode Jessica and Stephanie share the back story of the brand and how a need within their own design business coupled with a passion for technology developed into what has become the leading resource for design professionals on AI which includes a podcast, online courses, and consulting.

• Why AI Matters: Overcoming fear and misconceptions about artificial intelligence in the design industry.

• AI for Design: Tools like ChatGPT, MidJourney, and Proam AI for inspiration, presentations, and project management.

• Practical Applications: How AI supports everything from client communication to creating unique patterns and custom designs.

• Behind the Scenes: Using AI to streamline back-end operations, such as HR and project analytics.

• Tips for Designers: Where to start with AI and how to integrate it into your design business.

• “You don’t have to know everything about AI. You just have to start somewhere—like ChatGPT—and let the learning grow from there.”

• “AI doesn’t replace creativity; it enhances it, giving designers more time to focus on their vision and clients.”

• “If you’re drained by repetitive tasks, that’s where AI can step in as your assistant and free you up for the things you love.”

• AI for Interiors Website: aiforinteriors.com

• AI for Interiors Instagram: @aiforinteriors

• Register for the Design Biz Power Course: designbizsurvivalguide.com/design-biz-power-course/

Be sure to follow the podcast and leave a review! Your support helps us bring more insightful conversations to the design community.

Today we welcome Renee Biery, owner of Devignier Design based in Wilmington Delaware and host of the The Only Girl on the Job site Podcast. In this episode Renee shares her journey of design and how she developed a niche expertise in managing large scale construction from renovations to new builds. We dive deep into the benefits of embracing the construction side of design and the nuances of contributing to the construction process from a design perspective. Renee pays it forward to the design community by informing and empowering designers on how to be more confident on the job site and she shares her top tips right here with us.

• Embracing Construction: Why designers should integrate construction management into their business models.

• Confidence on the Jobsite: How to project value and demonstrate leadership during construction projects.

• Collaboration Tips: Building rapport with trades, contractors, and clients for project success.

• Podcast Beginnings: The surprising origin of Only Girl on the Jobsite and its evolution into a go-to resource for designers.

• Resilience in Design: How Renee’s construction-first approach sustained her business during economic downturns.

• “You are an equal with the contractor, the architect, and the landscaper. The client sees all of you as equals, and designers need to embrace that confidence.”
• “Be curious, show up early, and stay a little late on job sites. Building rapport with trades can transform your projects and strengthen relationships.”
• “The secret to survival in this business is construction. No two projects, teams, or clients are ever alike. That’s what keeps it exciting.”​

Follow and Review:

We’d love for you to follow us if you haven’t yet. Click that purple ‘+’ in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review,” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second, and it helps spread the word about the podcast.

Devignier Design: devignierdesign.com

Devignier Design on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/devignierdesign?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

Renee’s Podcast: https://devignierdesign.com/podcast/

Register for the Design Biz Power Course – https://designbizsurvivalguide.com/design-biz-power-course/

James and James Trade Program: https://carpenterjames.com/pages/trade-program?ad=DBSG

Design Manager: https://www.designmanager.com/

In this episode, we sit down with Marc Halaby, owner of Halaby Restoration and Painting, a renowned artisan-based restoration and painting company in Southern California. Marc shares his journey as a third-generation craftsman, the legacy of his family’s artistry, and how his team collaborates with top designers, architects, and builders to create stunning, high-end residential projects.

With a philosophy rooted in collaboration and quality, Marc provides insights into leadership, craftsmanship, and his commitment to excellence. His dedication to team development and client satisfaction has helped him build a respected company where artisans can thrive and clients experience unparalleled results. Marc discusses the importance of involving trades early in the design process and creating a cohesive team dynamic that enhances every project.

• Marc’s family legacy and the evolution of Halaby Restoration and Painting.

• Building a company culture focused on support, trust, and continuous improvement.

• Collaborating with design partners to bring creative visions to life and elevate client experience.

• Training artisans to master unique finishes and transforming spaces with precision.

• How to leverage trades’ expertise for innovative and cost-effective solutions.

• “We got to do this with love. Seriously, we are nice to work with...We don’t have attitudes. We’re all there to do the same job.”
• “These guys literally make my life possible, and I like to think the same that I do for them. We’re like a big family.”

• Halaby Restoration: halabyrestoration.com

• Marc’s Instagram: @halabypainting

Sponsor Links:

• James and James Trade Program

• Design Manager