This is a special Industry Spotlight episode of Design Biz Survival Guide. This supplemental format is designed to highlight brands and partners that support designers both creatively and professionally. This is our way of sharing valuable information and resources for your business with you, our loyal listeners.

Today we're speaking with Stephanie Thornton Plymale, CEO of Heritage School of Interior Design. In this episode, we discuss the backstory of the brand and how Stephanie went from a student at Heritage to the owner of the design school. We also discuss the various levels of certifications available to students, campus culture, and the brand's commitment to efficiency, accessibility, and affordability. If you're considering a formal education in interior design or continued education for yourself or your team members and are looking for a direct path to achievement, this episode is for you.

SHOW HIGHLIGHTS

• Stephanie shares her journey from foster care and a lifelong love of home to becoming CEO of Heritage School of Interior Design.
• Learn how Heritage evolved from a closed, outdated school into one of the fastest-growing interior design schools in the country.
• Rick and Stephanie discuss Heritage's accelerated model and why its focused, career-driven curriculum appeals to second- and third-career students.
• Stephanie breaks down the school's educational pathways, including the Fundamentals of Design program, residential and commercial master's tracks, and preparation for the RIDQC exam.
• The conversation highlights Heritage's commitment to affordability, accessibility, and live instruction, both in person and virtually.
• Stephanie explains how weekly field visits, showroom tours, and guest speakers help students build confidence, community, and industry connections.
• Rick and Stephanie talk about Heritage's expanding campus footprint, including Portland, Denver, Seattle, Dallas, Salt Lake City, Los Angeles, and its growing virtual program.
• Stephanie also shares how Heritage Design Magazine showcases the work of students and alumni while extending the school's influence across the design community.

NOTABLE QUOTES

• "This school is open to everybody who wants this career and that's going to stay the brand."
• "I always say that time is money and we need to be very mindful of that for our students that they're spending their time and money here and we need to make it as successful for them."
• "I really feel that it needs to happen in-person."
• "The sky's the limit in this industry and as a designer."

SPONSOR LINKS

• Heritage School of Interior Design Website: https://www.heritageschoolofinteriordesign.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heritageschoolofinteriordesign/

Today we welcome Eddie Mickenberg, owner and principal designer of his namesake design studio based in Los Angeles, California. In this episode Eddie shares his journey from design school directly into the luxury design market and the countless lessons he learned before launching his own design business. We also discuss Eddie's strategy for keeping his business model small and nimble, allowing him to stay in his zone of creative genius and Eddie shares his perspective on comparison, community, and courage.

SHOW HIGHLIGHTS

• Eddie shares how moving from San Diego to Los Angeles at 19 to attend design school became the start of his interior design journey.
• He reflects on interning and working in luxury design showrooms and firms, where he learned to "observe and absorb" both the good and the bad.
• Rick and Eddie discuss the many different ways a design business can be structured and why there is no one-size-fits-all model for success.
• Eddie explains why he intentionally keeps his business small and nimble, outsourcing as needed so he can stay focused on design and client experience.
• He opens up about getting comfortable with discomfort, taking calculated risks, and betting on himself when he fully launched his business in 2020.
• Eddie talks through his approach to pricing, contracts, client communication, and protecting his time while building trust from the very beginning.
• He shares why courage is his secret to survival and why fear is often part of building a creative business that lasts.
• Eddie also speaks candidly about representation in the industry and why inspiring the next generation of designers, especially minority designers, matters so much to him.

NOTABLE QUOTES

• "I was able to observe and absorb all of the day-to-day nuances that go on in interior design firms and also luxury showrooms and I took so much out of it, the good and the bad."
• "Uncomfortable is the place I live in."
• "We're scared but we still do it."
• "The secret to survival, in my opinion, is just courage."

SUPPORTING RESOURCES

• Eddie Mickenberg's Website: https://www.eddiemickenberg.com/
• Eddie Mickenberg on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eddiemickenberg/

SPONSOR LINKS

• Design Manager / Design Spec: https://designspec.com/survivalguide
• Design Biz Retreat and the Business of Interiors UK Summit: https://designbizsurvivalguide.com/retreats-for-interior-designers/

This is a special Industry Spotlight episode of Design Biz Survival Guide. This supplemental format is designed to highlight brands and partners that support designers both creatively and professionally. This is our way of sharing valuable information and resources for your business with you, our loyal listeners.

Today we're speaking with interior designer and business coach Betsy Brandenburg. In this episode, Betsy shares her design business journey, what she learned along the way, and how it inspired her to develop her coaching program, Designer Sanity. We also discuss the pivotal moment when she replaced hope with real process, and Betsy shares the three simple but crucial deliverables that are the key to her signature design roadmap system, which revolutionized her business and can do the same for yours.

SHOW HIGHLIGHTS

• Betsy shares her 30-year design journey and how running her own firm exposed the gap between knowing design and knowing how to manage projects effectively.
• She opens up about the painful project experience that forced her to confront disorganization, missed timelines, and damaged professional relationships.
• We discuss the turning point that led Betsy to replace "hope and a prayer" with a clear, repeatable process.
• Betsy breaks down the three core elements of her Design Roadmap System: what you're doing, when you're doing it, and how long it will take/how much it will cost.
• She explains how a simple roadmap can build client trust, improve contractor relationships, and reduce constant follow-up and confusion.
• Betsy shares how her process helped her scale from smaller jobs to high-end, multi-million-dollar projects with more confidence and control.
• We talk about why veteran designers often benefit the most from process refinement, delegation, and systems that allow them to reclaim their time.
• Betsy explains how Designer Sanity supports designers through courses, coaching, masterminds, and customized process development.

NOTABLE QUOTES

• "I knew just hoping it would be okay was not going to work this time."
• "We all know if it's not on the calendar, it's not getting done, right?"
• "I just wish everybody knew how easy it is."
• "It's not a, getting organized is not an end in and of itself. We're doing this because we love design and we want to enjoy it and we want to enjoy our lives."

SUPPORTING RESOURCES

• Designer Sanity Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/designersanity/

SPONSOR LINKS

• Designer Sanity: https://www.designersanity.com/

Today we welcome Nicole Roe - Owner and Lead Designer at R. Nickson Interiors - a full-service residential and commercial design firm based in Central Florida. In this episode, Nicole shares her journey of growth and her love for construction and renovation. We also discuss her choice to commit to studio and warehouse space, and Nicole shares her strategy for getting her business in a financial position to support the overhead. If you're thinking about committing to a studio space, this episode is for you!

SHOW HIGHLIGHTS

• Nicole shares how her background in construction shaped her confidence in renovation, new build, and large-scale project work.
• Rick and Nicole discuss the emotional and practical realities of investing in both warehouse and studio space.
• Nicole explains how opening her own receiving warehouse gave her team more control, efficiency, and profitability.
• The conversation explores the mindset shift required to support higher overhead and a more complex business model.
• Nicole offers insight into improving relationships with trades by leading with preparation, respect, and collaboration.
• They talk candidly about money mindset, pricing, cash flow, and the financial awareness needed to sustain growth.
• Nicole reflects on the role risk tolerance played in purchasing a commercial property for her design studio.
• She shares how wellness, sleep, and daily rituals have become essential to her long-term survival in the business.

NOTABLE QUOTES

• "I was always very, very affected by the rooms I was in, the spaces I was in."
• "Entrepreneurship is in my blood."
• "It has to feel right and it also can't completely destroy your life if it doesn't work."
• "It is hard, it is very hard, and I think that people don't think about that going in, but I'm glad that you said that it's magical because it really is."

SUPPORTING RESOURCES

• Nicole Roe / R. Nickson Interiors Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rnicksoninteriors
• R. Nickson Interiors website: https://rnicksoninteriors.com/

SPONSOR LINKS

• Design Manager / Design Spec: https://designspec.com/survivalguide
• Design Biz Retreat and the Business of Interiors UK Summit: https://designbizsurvivalguide.com/retreats-for-interior-designers/

Today we welcome Rebecca Hay—interior designer turned business coach and host of the Resilient by Design Podcast. In this episode, Rebecca shares how she discovered her passion for design and entrepreneurship and how she built her Toronto-based interior design business from the ground up. We also discuss Rebecca's biggest lessons learned along the way, including the value of systems and structure, how to build an informed and empowered team, and how to manage scope creep before it derails a project.

SHOW HIGHLIGHTS

• Rebecca's unconventional journey from acting and restaurant work to launching a luxury interior design firm in Toronto
• The "budget client loop" and how referral patterns can quietly cap your growth
• Why systems and repeatable processes reduce decision fatigue and protect your creativity
• How creating SOPs transforms helpers into empowered team members
• The difference between being busy and being intentional in your business
• Why hiring before you feel ready can accelerate growth
• How to turn scope creep into an opportunity instead of a frustration
• Rebecca's transition from running a seven-figure design firm to becoming a full-time business coach

NOTABLE QUOTES

• "Structure doesn't kill creativity like I thought it did. It actually protects it."
• "If you're not following your process, you're following your client's process."
• "If your team relies on you for every decision, you don't have a team, you have helpers."
• "Anytime you hear yourself either in your head or out loud use the word just—don't do it."

SUPPORTING RESOURCES

• Rebecca Hay on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rebeccahaydesigns/
• Resilient by Design Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/resilientbydesignpodcast/
• Rebecca Hay Designs: https://www.rebeccahaydesigns.com/
• Rebecca Hay Coaching & Programs: https://rebeccahay.com/

SPONSOR LINKS

• Design Manager: https://designspec.com/survivalguide
• Design Biz Power Course – March 25th at Seattle Design Center: https://designbizsurvivalguide.com/interior-design-workshops/

This is a special Industry Spotlight episode of Design Biz Survival Guide. This supplemental format is designed to highlight brands and partners that support designers both creatively and professionally. This is our way of sharing valuable information and resources for your business with you, our loyal listeners.

Today we're speaking with brand founder Jamie Stern and the brand's Creative Director, William Oberlin. In this episode, we explore the brand's rich history, their commitment to the design community, and their innovative approach to engaging designers. Jamie and William also share a community activation that is near and dear to their hearts: Woven Resistance, a rug design exhibition and auction featuring a diverse cross-section of the design community benefiting PFLAG and the Sierra Club. This impactful program is a brilliant example of the intersection of social consciousness and creative expression.

SHOW HIGHLIGHTS

• The origin story of Jamie Stern and Jamie's nearly 50-year career in the design industry
• How the brand evolved from independent representation into a national, employee-based sales network
• The expansion of the Jamie Stern product lines: furniture, custom wool carpet, leather, and textiles
• The company's long-standing commitment to being trade-only
• The evolution of the New York showroom into a dynamic, event-driven space for the design community
• The inspiration behind Woven Resistance and its focus on activism through design
• The collaboration with 14 designers to create one-of-a-kind rug art pieces
• How the online auction and in-person events are raising funds for PFLAG and the Sierra Club

NOTABLE QUOTES

• "On my 20th birthday was my first day in sales, and I've been doing this ever since."
• "We now have 14 designers who have created amazing rug art."
• "We don't want to be controversial, but… we just want to bring that into our business."
• "We're very successful. We're making beautiful product, but now we want to also guide it into doing the right thing."

SUPPORTING RESOURCES

• View the online auction and support Woven Resistance: https://www.wovenresistancebyjamiestern.com/lite-ui/?controller=home
• Explore the Jamie Stern brand: https://jamiesterndesign.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jamiesterndesign/

Today we welcome Stephanie Hunt, Owner and Principal Designer of The Flairhunter, a multifaceted interior design studio based in Park City, Utah. In this episode, Stephanie shares her exhilarating design journey and the many lessons, growth experiences, and revelations she's encountered along the way. We discuss the importance of saying yes to new opportunities, the value of continued education, and the power of remaining nimble as a business owner. Stephanie also shares how an open mind and an extraordinary client experience opened the door to opportunities beyond residential design, including aviation, maritime, and specialty commercial and hospitality projects.

SHOW HIGHLIGHTS

• Stephanie reflects on celebrating 25 years in business and the evolution of her design career
• Why saying "yes" to opportunities before you feel ready can change the trajectory of your business
• How continued education and real-world experience shaped Stephanie's confidence as a designer
• The role mentorship played in her growth—and why she now prioritizes mentoring others
• Expanding beyond residential design into aviation, maritime, and specialty commercial projects
• The importance of being nimble, flexible, and open to change as a business owner
• How an extraordinary client experience can lead to unexpected and exciting opportunities

NOTABLE QUOTES

• "Sometimes it takes hearing yourself say it out loud to realize you actually do have a story."
• "You can shift and evolve as many times as you want—that's your right as a business owner."
• "It really boils down to how you make a client feel."
• "Say yes to new opportunities, even if you're unsure, and trust that you'll figure it out."

SUPPORTING RESOURCES

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theflairhunter/
• Website: https://www.theflairhunter.com/

SPONSOR LINKS

• Design Manager: https://designspec.com/survivalguide
• Design Biz Power Course – March 25th at Seattle Design Center: https://designbizsurvivalguide.com/interior-design-workshops/

This is a special Industry Spotlight episode of Design Biz Survival Guide. This supplemental format is designed to highlight brands and partners that support designers both creatively and professionally. This is our way of sharing valuable information and resources for your business with you, our loyal listeners.

Today we're speaking with Tammy Covington, President and CEO of High Point Market Authority. In this episode, Tammy shares the history of High Point Market and she pulls back the curtain to reveal the magic behind the industry's favorite furniture market. We also break down the role of High Point Market Authority and their contribution to the overall experience of market. Get ready to hear some surprising statistics, insider tips and strategies for navigating market, and their commitment to diversity through the launch of the Diversity Advocacy Alliance.

SHOW HIGHLIGHTS

• The history of High Point Market and how it has evolved over 100+ years
• The vital role of High Point Market Authority in organizing and enhancing the Market experience
• Surprising stats: 180 buildings, 1,800+ exhibitors, and 75,000 attendees per Market
• An overview of the transportation system and concierge-level service for guests
• The launch and purpose of the Diversity Advocacy Alliance (DAA)
• Strategic partnerships, including with the NKBA, to support the "whole home" design approach
• Breakdown of Market attendees: 60% are designers, 40% are retailers and industry professionals
• Educational offerings including tours, peer-to-peer learning at The Point, and keynote presentations

NOTABLE QUOTES

• "High Point Market is in the DNA of this area. The industry really lives here."
• "We want you to feel like you've received an ROI on your trip to High Point."
• "Designers now make up about 60% of our buyer base — and that's transformed how we shape the Market experience."
• "This market is built on relationships — it's about connection, storytelling, and access."

SUPPORTING RESOURCES

• High Point Market Website
• High Point Market Instagram

SPONSOR LINKS

• High Point Market

Today we welcome Kaitlyn Wolfe, Founder and Principal Designer of her namesake design and construction studio based in Phoenix, Arizona. In this episode, Kaitlyn shares her multifaceted business model, her intention behind bringing construction services into the mix, and her approach to building a diverse team of leaders to support the brand. We also discuss her perspective on mindset and comparison, and how expanding one and limiting the other creates room for innovation, growth, and creativity.

SHOW HIGHLIGHTS

• How Kaitlyn built a hybrid design-build firm and the importance of clearly defined processes for each
• The evolution of her business from solo design-build to a team of 30 with multiple divisions
• The mindset shift needed to scale a business and empower team leaders
• How she approaches the design process with construction costs in mind to manage expectations and budgets
• The origin of her retail concept "Shop My Warehouse" and her philosophy on curated, intentional materials
• Launching her own furniture and lighting line, and how travel inspires her product collections
• The importance of staying true to your "why" when making business decisions
• Why mindset is Kaitlyn's ultimate key to survival in the design business

NOTABLE QUOTES

• "Just make it exist, and then we'll make it perfect over time."
• "It's like falling in love with a wedding dress you can't afford."
• "There's way more differences than there are similarities between a design process and a construction process."
• "Finding the confidence to delegate allows the business to grow and allows you to continue to be in your zone of genius."

SUPPORTING RESOURCES

• Kaitlyn Wolfe Instagram: @kaitlynwolfe__
• Kaitlyn Wolfe Website: kaitlynwolfe.com

SPONSOR LINKS

• Design Manager
• Design Biz Retreat + Business of Interiors Community Summit

Today we welcome Edith Ponciano, founder and principal of EP Atelier, a Nevada-based hospitality interior design studio specializing in sports venues. In this episode, Edith shares her ten-year journey of honing her skills, cultivating relationships, and building the confidence to launch her own interior design business. We unpack the complex niche of sports venue design and how the tenets of hospitality design have influenced the look, feel, and function of the world's leading sports arenas. Edith also shares the value of personal brand building and how it helps establish relevance and trust with existing and future clients.

SHOW HIGHLIGHTS

• Edith's unique path into hospitality design and the inspiration behind EP Atelier
• How a decade at Gensler prepared her for entrepreneurship
• The intersection of hospitality and sports design, from club suites to locker rooms
• The evolving role of stadiums as year-round entertainment destinations
• Why personal brand building within a firm is vital for long-term success
• Insight into long-term, large-scale projects like Nissan Stadium in Nashville
• Navigating confidentiality in high-profile design work
• How Edith is mentoring the next generation of hospitality designers through her course

NOTABLE QUOTES

• "Essentially, it is hospitality design, but just on a different scale."
• "Everything that you do really builds your future credibility."
• "Success is living a life that feels meaningful at the end of the day and not just productive."
• "I wish someone would have told me to treat myself like a brand earlier."

SUPPORTING RESOURCES

• EP Atelier Website: epatelier.com
• Instagram: @ep_atelier_design
• Mastering Hospitality Interior Design Course: View Course
  • Use code PODCAST10 for 10% off

SPONSOR LINKS

• Design Manager
• Design Biz Retreat + Business of Interiors Continuity Summit