Is your contractor ghosting you, or are you just not speaking their language?

Most interior designers know they need reliable contractors to grow their business, but few realize contractors are also sizing them up.

In this episode, Elizabeth Scruggs shares what makes contractors roll their eyes... and what makes them want to call you back. Whether you're a designer dreaming of launching a design-build firm or just tired of construction projects going sideways, this episode lays out the path forward with practical steps, stories, and no-fluff advice.

You’ll learn:

✅ Why finding contractors at the pro desk may be smarter than scouring Instagram.

✅ What builders are really evaluating when deciding to partner with a designer.

✅ The biggest mistake new design-build firms make, and how to avoid it.

✅ How to protect your business legally before the demo starts.

If you’re an interior designer looking to get more control, more confidence, and more respect from contractors, this is the episode that’s going to help you get there.

Listen now and start building the partnerships that elevate your entire business.

(00:00) Learning construction by doing: Elizabeth’s origin story.

(05:28) How designers can find and vet great contractors.

(12:19) The importance of setting expectations with trades.

(17:32) Legal and liability considerations for design-build firms.

(24:43) What contractors actually want from interior designers.

(30:33) Should you become your own general contractor?

Elizabeth Scruggs is a licensed general contractor and the principal designer behind Superior Construction and Design, LLC, one of the only female-led design-build firms in Middle Tennessee. With over 30 years of hands-on experience and a national reputation as a speaker, author, and High Point Market Insider Tour co-host, Elizabeth brings unmatched insight into bridging the gap between construction and design. Her passion? Helping interior designers confidently step into the design-build space and build businesses they love, without sacrificing quality or control.

Website

Instagram: @superiorconstructionanddesign

“Profit First” by Mike Michalowicz

Work with Wingnut

You’ve invested in professional photography. Your portfolio looks incredible. Your social media presence is growing. And yet… those high-end clients you’ve been aiming for? They’re still not booking. Something isn’t lining up, and the culprit might be hiding in plain sight: your website.

Many interior designers assume that a visually attractive website is enough to convert browsers into buyers. But what if your site’s design choices are actually sending subtle signals that work against the luxury service you provide? What if, despite your best efforts, your digital presence is whispering “entry-level” to the very clients you’re trying to attract?

I sit down with branding and web strategist Nicole Heymer, founder of Glory & Brand, to unpack the exact elements that create a high-end feel online, and the seemingly small details that can quietly sabotage it. We talk fonts, color palettes, white space, and layout, but we also go deep on things most designers overlook, like SEO structure, AI search visibility, and the impact of editorial copy on how your business is perceived.

Whether you’re a seasoned designer ready to uplevel your client base or you’re just starting out and want to set the right tone from the get-go, this conversation is a must-listen. Because in the luxury market, your first impression isn’t made in person, it’s made on your website. And it needs to feel just as high-end as the spaces you create.

You’ll learn:

✅ How to make your website immediately feel more high-end

If you’re an interior designer looking to attract premium clients and elevate your brand presence online, this is the episode that’s going to help you get there.

Listen now and learn how to align your digital first impression with the level of service you actually provide.

(00:00) The two-bucket problem - traffic vs. conversion

(02:39) Why a beautiful site isn’t enough if no one sees it

(06:00) What makes a website feel upscale (fonts, white space, color restraint)

(12:30) Balancing minimalism and SEO using hidden copy and structure

(16:02) How to handle your site when you’ve only got one good project

(20:59) AI reads everything: Why your site copy matters more than ever

(25:10) Costly DIY mistakes even luxury designers make on their websites

Nicole Heymer is the founder and creative director of Glory & Brand, a boutique agency specializing in branding, website design, and marketing automation for interior designers, architects, and builders. Since launching in 2011, Nicole has been known for her clear, practical approach to digital strategy, helping clients craft upscale, conversion-focused online presences that reflect their unique value. Her work has been featured in industry podcasts, conferences, and branding workshops, highlighting her influence in the design community.

Nicole's journey into entrepreneurship was inspired by her early experiences working with interior design firms and her passion for creating cohesive brand experiences. At Glory & Brand, she leads a team that delivers well-made, practical branding and websites, focusing on helping design firms make the most of their digital presence. Nicole's commitment to excellence and her ability to merge aesthetics with strategy have made her a trusted partner for businesses seeking to elevate their brand and attract the right clients.

Website

Work with Wingnut

What if being overlooked was the best thing that ever happened to your business?

When Wandra Cain walked into showrooms and got ignored, she didn’t flinch—she made a mental note. That “Pretty Woman” moment stuck with her, not as a grievance, but as fuel. She’d always had a sharp eye and a natural gift for pulling beauty out of limitation, but that experience sharpened her resolve to create a design business that didn’t ask for permission to be taken seriously. She built WCA Interiors from the ground up, not with flashy backing or a big team, but with intention, consistency, and a deep belief that her work belonged, regardless of who initially acknowledged it.

Her journey started with pivots. From corporate desk jobs to cosmetology school, and eventually to earning her interior design degree while working full-time, she followed the tug toward creativity even when the path forward looked unclear. Early projects tested her—contractors challenged her decisions, budgets fell apart, and she didn’t always know how to protect her time or profit. But instead of hiding the hard parts, she leaned in. Every mistake became a tool. Every misstep taught her how to run a better project, have firmer boundaries, and value her own expertise.

What really sets Wandra apart is her ability to show up with humility and confidence at the same time. She leads projects with warmth, listens deeply to clients, and isn’t afraid to say no when the fit or the numbers are off. Even with over 11,000 Instagram followers, she’s more focused on building genuine relationships—online and off—than chasing engagement. For her, design isn’t about ego or aesthetic signatures; it’s about helping people feel truly at home in their spaces. The business didn’t happen overnight. It was ten years of quiet hustle, small wins, big learning curves, and showing up again the next day.

You’ll learn:

✅ How to lead projects (and set boundaries) when contractors push back

✅ Why visibility matters—and how Wandra handled being underestimated

✅ Systems and client processes that helped her turn a hobby into a real business

✅ What she’s doing now to market her firm without burning out on Instagram

If you’re an interior designer looking to grow a business that reflects who you are—and makes money doing it—this is the episode that’s going to help you get there.

Listen now and remember: being underestimated might be your greatest edge.

(0:00) The “Pretty Woman” moment that shaped Wandra’s mindset

(0:50) Wandra’s origin story and entering the interior design world

(4:40) Why representation in the design industry matters

(12:30) Pivoting from cosmetology to design and going back to school

(15:50) Learning the hard way: pricing, client management, and early business mistakes

(22:40) Building confidence and refining systems and client processes

(30:50) Grassroots marketing, networking, and digital growth

Website

Instagram: @wcainteriors

Work with Wingnut

What if listening more—not designing more—is what actually makes you great at this job?

Emily Tucker says her best work hasn’t come from executing her own vision—it’s come from learning how to filter her clients’ visions through her design lens. She’s not here to imprint her style on every project. Instead, she’s gotten really good at making someone else’s taste look like something she’d proudly add to her portfolio. And it’s that mindset—meeting the client where they are, without losing yourself—that’s helped her build a design firm where both the work and the relationships feel like the real win.

She breaks down what it means to hold space for a client’s preferences, even when they clash with your instincts. That doesn’t mean rolling over. It means knowing when to guide, when to push, and when to let them lead. And sometimes, it means saying “absolutely not” with zero hesitation. That confidence doesn’t come from dominance—it comes from knowing exactly what your role is and who you're doing this work for.

Emily also shares the habit her firm follows religiously that keeps every client feeling looped in, cared for, and crystal-clear on progress. It’s not a tool. It’s not a tech stack. It’s a simple, consistent move most designers skip because it’s annoying to maintain. But doing it every week has completely shifted how clients perceive her team—and how her team stays organized enough to deliver on time, every time.

You’ll learn:

✅ Why letting go of full creative control can actually sharpen your aesthetic

✅ The one weekly habit that immediately upgraded client trust

✅ How to handle pushback (and when to say no with zero guilt)

✅ What “modern rooted in tradition” really looks like—and why it sells

If you’re an interior designer looking to attract better-fit clients and grow through your projects (not just finish them), this is the episode that’s going to help you get there.

Listen now and stop designing in a vacuum.

(0:00) When your client’s style isn’t yours

(4:54) Balancing your aesthetic with someone else’s style

(8:44) When the client’s vision really clashes—what then?

(10:57) Giving pushback with confidence (and respect)

(18:25) The weekly email that changed everything

(22:30) Hiring missteps, expectations, and what she fixed

(36:00) The future of her firm—and the real meaning of “timeless”

Her work balances classic design principles with the unique lifestyle and personality of each client, resulting in interiors that feel both grounded and alive. Whether designing a mountain retreat or a city townhouse, she believes that great design emerges through collaboration, listening, and a deep respect for place. Her thoughtful, process-driven approach ensures every space is beautiful, personal, and enduring. Emily’s work has been featured in national publications and is admired for its warmth, structure, and sophistication.

Website: etuckerdesign.com

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Resources & People Mentioned

Wingnut Academy 

Demon Copperhead book 

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Wingnut Website

Facebook

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SUBSCRIBE to The Wingnut Social Podcast

Apple Podcasts

YouTube

Feeling burned out and creatively stuck? This could be why.

What if the real reason you’re feeling drained in your business—uninspired, overwhelmed, and a little disconnected—has nothing to do with your workload, your clients, or your schedule? What if the missing piece is something far less obvious, but far more powerful: joy?

In this energizing and eye-opening episode, keynote speaker and author Lisa Even joins the conversation to challenge the hustle-at-all-costs mindset that so many creatives and entrepreneurs have come to accept as normal. Lisa makes a compelling case that joy isn’t just a nice-to-have emotion—it’s a strategy, a survival tool, and a business asset that too many of us are ignoring.

Drawing from both personal and professional experience—including the traumatic loss of her home in a fire—Lisa shares how she rebuilt not just her house, but her mindset. She walks us through her journey of moving from reactive, stress-fueled living to an intentional, joy-driven approach that transformed her work, her creativity, and her relationships.

If you’ve ever felt like your business is running you instead of the other way around, or like you’ve somehow lost touch with the spark that made you fall in love with interior design (or entrepreneurship) in the first place, this episode is for you. Lisa’s insights will help you reframe burnout, rediscover your purpose, and rebuild your energy—not by adding more to your plate, but by shifting your perspective and making intentional choices that nourish you creatively and emotionally.

You’ll learn:

✅ Why Lisa says “you happen to the world”—and what that really means for how you show up every day

Lisa’s approach is both refreshing and deeply practical. She doesn’t advocate blowing up your business or taking a six-month sabbatical to “find yourself.” Instead, she offers simple, actionable shifts you can make today—like creating a joy list or recognizing the difference between your circle of control and your circle of concern. These aren’t just mindset tools—they’re fuel for your creativity, resilience, and longevity as a business owner.

This episode is especially valuable for interior designers and creatives who are feeling the weight of expectations—whether from clients, deadlines, or themselves. Lisa reminds us that while joy might feel elusive in high-pressure moments, it’s often one of the most accessible tools we have when we learn how to tap into it.

The result? More energy, more inspiration, better client experiences, and a business that feels not only successful—but also sustainable.

Timestamps:

About Lisa Even:

🌐 Website: lisaeven.com

🎧 Listen now and start curating joy on purpose—not waiting for it to show up.

Mel Robbins – Let Them

Are your go-to vendors quietly tanking your margins—and you don’t even know it? Behind the scenes of your interior design business, a silent upheaval is happening. Tariffs are surging, especially on furnishings imported from China, with rates leaping from 40% to over 140%. What used to be a reliable supply chain is now a minefield of unpredictability. If you’re sourcing products the same way you did six months ago, you could be putting your profit (and client trust) at risk without realizing it.

We have design insider Warren Shoulberg breaking down the chaos: where designers are likely to get hit hardest, what U.S. manufacturing can and can’t realistically solve, and which countries might offer temporary relief before the tariff window slams shut again. Whether you're brand new to trade sourcing or already feeling the squeeze, you'll walk away understanding what this global shake-up means for your day-to-day decisions—and how to protect your business from it.

We also get into the long-term shift: why leaning into higher-end clients and luxury positioning isn’t just a branding move—it might be your most strategic safeguard. From sourcing hacks to client communication strategies, this episode is your guide to staying ahead of a market in flux.

You’ll learn:

✅ Why tariffs are wrecking margins

If you’re an interior designer looking to future-proof your sourcing strategy and protect your profit margins, this is the episode that’s going to help you get there.

Listen now and stay ahead of the supply chain madness before it blindsides your business.

(0:00) Tariffs hit home: What’s going on and why it matters

(5:19) The chaos in sourcing: Why nothing is predictable

(7:47) Can we benefit from cutting China out of the equation?

(9:03) Is U.S.-based manufacturing a realistic solution?

(14:10) How different tiers of designers are affected

(16:21) Where to look now: Domestic and European alternatives

(21:02) What to do now: Orders, upcharges, and last-minute pivots

(25:00) Why going high-end is the safest long-term move

Website: https://warrensreport.com

What if “great work” isn’t enough to attract the clients you really want?

Here’s what you’ll learn:

If you’re an interior designer looking to attract clients who value your work at the highest level, this is the episode that’s going to help you get there.

Listen now and start speaking the secret language of luxury.

Website: https://jeffreyshaw.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeffreyshaw/

What can interior designers learn from the world of luxury hospitality? In this episode, Darla sits down with designer and entrepreneur Harry Myers to explore how his background in hospitality and banking shaped his approach to high-end interiors.

Harry shares his journey from the service industry to running a thriving design business, unpacking the key lessons that helped him navigate a career pivot during COVID-19 and develop a hybrid business model that blends service and design. He dives into the importance of sensory-driven spaces, lighting, and intentionality—plus how asking the right questions helps uncover client needs and elevate your brand.

If you're an interior designer looking to refine your business strategy, attract luxury clients, and create spaces that leave a lasting impression, this episode is packed with insights to help you level up.

Listen now to discover how to infuse hospitality into your design process and build a business that thrives!

About Harry Myers:

Harry leads HLM Designs with an infectious energy, and a fresh eye for moody, transitional, eclectic modern design. A calculated risk-taker, Harry’s diverse professional background spans the worlds of corporate finance, marketing, hospitality, event services, and interior design. His enthusiasm, exceptional taste and extensive knowledge of materials and techniques inspire his clients to explore, experiment, and discover.

Website: https://www.hlmdesigns.com

Instagram: www.instagram.com/harrylmyersdesigns

***

📲CONNECT with Darla:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thedarlapowell

📚Resources & People Mentioned:

Wingnut Academy is LIVE: https://wingnutsocial.com/wingnut-academy/

"The 6 Keys to Success on Instagram" (Free Webinar): https://wingnutsocial.ewebinar.com/webinar/free-webinar-the-6-keys-to-success-on-instagram-9971

🏠FOLLOW Wingnut Social:

Website: http://www.wingnutsocial.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WingnutSocial/

X: https://twitter.com/wingnutsocial

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wingnutsocial/

Wingnut Webinars: https://wingnutsocial.com/webinar

🎧SUBSCRIBE to The Wingnut Social Podcast:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3RJzmtK

YouTube: https://bit.ly/designedonyoutube

Marketing isn’t just about showing your work—it’s about telling your story. In this episode of Designed by Wingnut, video marketing expert Jude Charles joins Darla to reveal how interior designers can use storytelling and docu-series to connect with clients, build trust, and grow their business.

Jude shares why authentic video content is a game-changer, how to overcome the fear of being on camera, and the secret to making potential clients feel like they already know you before you ever meet. Whether you’re looking to attract high-end clients, establish a personal brand, or use social media more effectively, this episode is packed with actionable strategies to take your marketing to the next level.

🎧 Listen now and start using video to set your design firm apart!

About Jude Charles:

For over 18 years, Jude Charles has been producing documentaries for entrepreneurs. He has produced stories for Google, Steve Harvey, and dozens of visionary CEOs. Jude is the author of Dramatic Demonstration. This book is a roadmap that teaches you how to dig deep to find compelling stories that no one else knows, and then leverage those stories to grow your business. Jude’s mission is to lead and empower entrepreneurs to have relentless, unwavering courage.

Website: http://JudeCharles.co

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/judecharles/

***

📲CONNECT with Darla:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thedarlapowell

📚Resources & People Mentioned:

Wingnut Academy is LIVE: https://wingnutsocial.com/wingnut-academy/

"The 6 Keys to Success on Instagram" (Free Webinar): https://wingnutsocial.ewebinar.com/webinar/free-webinar-the-6-keys-to-success-on-instagram-9971

🏠FOLLOW Wingnut Social:

Website: http://www.wingnutsocial.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WingnutSocial/

X: https://twitter.com/wingnutsocial

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wingnutsocial/

Wingnut Webinars: https://wingnutsocial.com/webinar

🎧SUBSCRIBE to The Wingnut Social Podcast:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3RJzmtK

YouTube: https://bit.ly/designedonyoutube

In this episode of Designed by Wingnut Social, Jason Yarusi introduces the Live 100 Mindset, a strategy focused on making small, consistent improvements to achieve long-term success. Drawing from his experience running 100 miles, Jason shares insights on overcoming fear, building self-awareness, and developing habits that drive business growth.

This mindset can be a game-changer for interior designers, architects, and creative entrepreneurs. Instead of getting overwhelmed by big goals, learn how breaking them into manageable steps can help you build a thriving interior design business with confidence.

Jason is a Private fund manager of over $300 million dollars in commercial real estate. Since 2017 his company Yarusi Holdings has amassed over 3000 apartment and commercial real estate units.Jason has built and exited multiple companies: construction, restaurants, a brewery and multiple large apartment communities. He is an avid ultra runner and workout enthusiast.

 ✔️ The power of small, consistent actions in business and life

Want to apply the 100 Mindset to your interior design business? Tune in now and start taking small steps toward big results.

🚀 Ready to grow? Subscribe to the Wingnut Social Interior Design Business Podcast for more expert insights!

***

📲CONNECT with Jason:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/JasonYarusi

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JYarusi

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jasonyarusi/

📲CONNECT with Darla:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thedarlapowell

📚Resources & People Mentioned:

Wingnut Academy is LIVE: https://wingnutsocial.com/wingnut-academy/

"The 6 Keys to Success on Instagram" (Free Webinar): https://wingnutsocial.ewebinar.com/webinar/free-webinar-the-6-keys-to-success-on-instagram-9971

🏠FOLLOW Wingnut Social:

Website: http://www.wingnutsocial.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WingnutSocial/

X: https://twitter.com/wingnutsocial

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wingnutsocial/

Wingnut Webinars: https://wingnutsocial.com/webinar

🎧SUBSCRIBE to The Wingnut Social Podcast:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3RJzmtK

YouTube: https://bit.ly/designedonyoutube