Today we welcome Lowe Delgado, owner and principal designer of his namesake design studio, Delgado Interiors, based in Seattle, Washington. In this episode, we discuss Lowe's recently launched interior design business after more than a decade in the industry, how his understanding of construction enhances his business model, and his data-driven approach to design. Lowe also shares his perspective on visibility in a competitive marketplace, and we discuss his newly reinvigorated relationship with social media, which has brought a new level of joy to his business.

SHOW HIGHLIGHTS

• Lowe shares how being laid off became the catalyst for launching Delgado Interiors as a full-time namesake design firm.
• He reflects on how his early exposure to construction shaped his understanding of homes, possibility, and transformation.
• Lowe discusses his unconventional path into interior design, including studying graphic design and interning at Country Living Magazine.
• He explains how his construction knowledge helps him create more feasible, informed, and successful design solutions.
• Lowe shares how he uses a data-driven approach with clients, observing how they interact with materials, furnishings, and spaces.
• He opens up about the realities of entrepreneurship, including the wake-up call of managing the business side on his own.
• Lowe talks about giving clients permission to embrace what feels personal, joyful, and even a little weird in their homes.
• He discusses his renewed relationship with social media, how authenticity changed everything, and why comparison really is the thief of joy.

NOTABLE QUOTES

• "I feel honestly pretty lucky to be one of those people who gets the privilege of saying, I've always known I was going to do this."
• "If you just continually show up and you try to exercise bravery to do things that feel like you want to do it, but you're not exactly sure how, I just feel like for me, that's been the recipe for success."
• "Design is human centered. Like we would have no design without humans. It needs to be catered to how we actually live."
• "I need to be myself."

SUPPORTING RESOURCES

• Delgado Interiors on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/delgadointeriors/
• Delgado Interiors Website: https://www.visitdelgadohouse.com/

SPONSOR LINKS

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

Today we welcome Rhobin DelaCruz, owner of Rhobin DelaCruz Designs based in New York. In this episode, we discuss Rhobin's discovery of his creative talents and how, at the urging of a professional colleague and a dear friend, he realized that interior design was his calling. We discuss his experience breaking into a new industry, the lack of peer-to-peer support at the time, and how he blazed his own trail to discover community. Rhobin also shares how a rebrand after sixteen years in business ignited an exciting new journey of visibility and service.

SHOW HIGHLIGHTS

• Rhobin shares how his early career in advertising and marketing at Columbia Pictures and MTV helped reveal his creative instincts.
• A pivotal conversation with his boss, Rick Bispel, helped him realize he belonged in a creative field rather than ad sales.
• With encouragement from a close friend, Rhobin began to see interior design as a true career path.
• He opens up about entering the design industry 18 years ago without formal design education and facing gatekeeping along the way.
• Rhobin discusses how Homepolish introduced him to peer support, collaboration, and a sense of community that helped shape his business.
• After 16 years in business, he made the decision to step back, invest in coaching, and learn the operational side of running a stronger firm.
• He talks about how his rebrand led to greater visibility, deeper purpose, and exciting new opportunities in the industry.
• Rhobin reflects on the power of surrounding yourself with inspiring people and why community has been central to his success.

NOTABLE QUOTES

• "Failure wasn't an option."
• "It's never too late for growth."
• "When you have a voice, you have a responsibility."
• "Understand process and put them in order."

SUPPORTING RESOURCES

• Rhobin DelaCruz Designs: https://rhobindelacruz.com/
• Rhobin DelaCruz Designs on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rhobindelacruzdesigns/

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, recorded live at KBIS in the KBIS Podcast Studio, sponsored by AJ Madison.

Today, we're speaking with designer, television host, and author Tamara Day. We're catching up on her most recent achievements in the industry and how she balances and prioritizes the creative and business sides of design. Tamara also shares her hot design takes in kitchen and bath, how she successfully collaborates with brands to elevate her design projects, and the inspiration behind her recently published book, Laid-Back Luxe.

SHOW HIGHLIGHTS

• Tamara shares how her business has expanded from television-only projects to coast-to-coast residential and commercial design work.
• She explains the key differences between designing for TV clients versus private clients, including process, team structure, and client experience.
• Separate teams, procurement systems, and support staff have been essential to balancing multiple sides of her business.
• Tamara discusses why the best brand collaborations are built on creativity, trust, and solving practical design challenges.
• She highlights one of her favorite collaboration examples: creating statement lighting that works beautifully in homes with 8-foot ceilings.
• Live from KBIS, Tamara shares her favorite trends in kitchen and bath, including colorful appliances, standout hardware, and more maximalist design.
• She talks about the emotional experience of creating her new book, Laid-Back Luxe, and why she wanted it to feel approachable for every kind of home.
• Tamara reflects on how her definition of success has shifted from business milestones to building a life that allows for meaningful time with family.

NOTABLE QUOTES

• "I'm not looking for partners that just want my name on stuff."
• "I want partners that actually want my ideas and my vision and want to implement that."
• "You have to be scrappy in this business."
• "There's always a way to solve a problem, right?"

SUPPORTING RESOURCES

• Tamara Day Website: https://tamaraday.com/
• Tamara Day on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tamaraday

SPONSOR LINKS

• AJ Madison Pro: https://www.ajmadison.com/pro

Today we welcome Ben Johnston, Founder and Creative Director of Benjamin Johnston Design, an interior design and architecture firm based in Houston, TX. In this episode, Ben shares his journey from architecture school and his residency at Cesar Pelli in Tokyo to his decision to shift his focus to interior design. We also discuss his discovery and passion for cultivating a team, overcoming fears and leading by example, and the experience of chronicling the creative journey in the brand's first book, Refined Interiors: Timeless Homes for Modern Living. Ben is also the Chair of the Diversity Advocacy Alliance and shares their commitment to expanding representation of the BIPOC community within the home furnishings industry.

SHOW HIGHLIGHTS

• Ben reflects on how early exposure to architecture in high school helped shape his career path.
• He shares how a residency at Cesar Pelli's office in Tokyo expanded his worldview and clarified his desire for more intimate, human-centered design work.
• Ben talks about building his business by saying yes to a wide range of creative opportunities, from restaurant furniture and branding to residential interiors.
• He explains how teaching interior design helped him develop the design process that now informs the way his firm operates.
• Ben opens up about the unexpected joy he found in becoming an employer, mentor, and leader.
• The conversation explores what it takes to grow and sustain a collaborative team, including understanding billable hours, profitability, and client service.
• Ben discusses the journey behind his firm's first book, Refined Interiors: Timeless Homes for Modern Living, and why it represents a true team milestone.
• As Chair of the Diversity Advocacy Alliance, Ben shares why representation matters and how the organization is working to amplify underrepresented voices in the home furnishings industry.

NOTABLE QUOTES

• "If you don't know that it exists, if you don't know it's a possibility for you, you're not going to envision it for your future."
• "If opportunity doesn't knock, you've got to build a door."
• "I think my personal definition of success is that Maya Angelou says, nobody remembers you for what you do, but how you make them feel."
• "As we are liberated from our fears, we automatically give permission for others to do the same."

SUPPORTING RESOURCES

• Benjamin Johnston Design https://www.benjamin-johnston.com/
• Benjamin Johnston Design on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/benjaminjohnstondesign/
• Diversity Advocacy Alliance https://www.highpointmarket.org/DiversityAdvocacyAlliance

SPONSOR LINKS

• Design Manager / Design Spec https://designspec.com/survivalguide
• Design Biz Retreat and 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 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/