Ever wonder who's really behind the Designer Discussions podcast? Meet Jason, Miriam, and Maria – three industry experts who joined forces to create a no-nonsense resource for design professionals navigating the complex worlds of marketing, PR, and business growth.

Jason brings a unique dual perspective as both an architect and marketing agency owner. His journey began teaching at LSU, implementing marketing strategies for his own firm before expanding to help other designers. This blend of architectural expertise and marketing know-how gives him unparalleled insight into the challenges design professionals face from multiple angles.

Miriam (who good-naturedly mentions being mistakenly called Swedish when she's actually Swiss) contributes over 20 years of PR expertise, including nearly 15 years leading PR for Kohler's kitchen and bath division. After establishing her boutique PR firm, she recognized that traditional publicity services were often financially out of reach for many designers, which inspired her to create more accessible solutions. Her international background and deep industry connections make her a powerhouse resource for design professionals seeking media attention.

Maria rounds out the trio with 20+ years of interior design experience and what she calls a "tech-forward" mindset. As a University of Texas graduate who approaches design business challenges fearlessly, she cuts through industry fearmongering to deliver practical technology and business advice based on real application rather than anxiety-inducing tactics.

What began as a Clubhouse room during the pandemic has evolved into a comprehensive resource including the podcast, the Designer Discussions Academy, and personalized services – all designed to simplify marketing and boost business for design professionals. The team's organic growth reflects their genuine commitment to helping others succeed through strategic, integrated approaches rather than quick fixes or intimidation tactics.

Ready to transform your design business with guidance from experts who understand your unique challenges? Subscribe to the podcast, explore the Academy membership at designerdiscussions.com, and join a community of professionals who are learning to market themselves with confidence and authenticity.

Links referenced in this episode:

• https://www.designerdiscu

Transform your marketing with Designer Discussions Academy. In weekly face-to-face sessions, we equip busy business owners with cutting-edge PR strategies, marketing insights, and time-saving tools to not just work in your business, but on your business. Join us to outshine competitors and elevate your business.

Join us for our weekly live sessions and workshops: https://www.designerdiscussionsmarketing.studio/pages/academy

Designer Discussions is an educational interior design podcast on marketing, PR and related business topics. We also provide in-depth, actionable products in the Marketing Studio including time-saving templates and guides to help design professionals grow their businesses.

Download our FREE Client Avatar Guide https://designerdiscussionsmarketing.studio/store.

Designer Discussions is a partnership of three experts: Jason Lockhart, CEO of KABMS; Maria Martin, founder of DesignAppy; and Mirjam Lippuner, founder of Get Ink DIY

Ever wondered why design school taught you everything about color theory but nothing about growing a successful business? That glaring gap in education is exactly what The Designer's Academy addresses—and after two incredibly successful years, we're opening enrollment for our third session this October.

The Academy began as a simple PR membership but evolved when we realized designers needed comprehensive business education covering digital marketing, public relations, technology implementation, and now AI integration. What makes our approach unique is that you're learning directly from three specialists who actually work in these fields daily: a digital marketing agency owner, a boutique PR firm founder, and a tech-savvy interior designer who developed her own app. This isn't theoretical knowledge—it's practical expertise you can immediately apply.

Our members' success stories speak volumes. One secured a prestigious Forbes feature just one month after implementing our PR strategies. Another established strong Google Maps rankings within six months of following our Google Business Profile guidance. When members faced technical hurdles—like discovering duplicate business profiles online—we provided step-by-step support that saved them countless hours of frustration. Perhaps most transformative has been our AI implementation training, where we've broken down complex technologies into manageable processes that members describe with visible relief as "pretty easy" to integrate into their workflows.

The Designer's Academy runs for 12 months, providing structured learning that starts with quick-win fundamentals before building to more sophisticated strategies. Weekly video calls and fresh monthly content keep your entire team updated on best practices, with direct access to ask us questions at any time. This personalized guidance drastically cuts the learning curve compared to pre-recorded courses where you're left to figure things out alone.

Ready to fill the business education gap in your design career? Join our waitlist through the link in our show notes to access the early bird special before we launch in October. Don't just outsource your marketing and PR—master it with expert guidance from people who understand your industry challenges.

Links referenced in this episode:

• https://app.gohighlevel.com/v2/preview/kkpsJI5HHzeAYWc6SQ9j

Transform your marketing with Designer Discussions Academy. In weekly face-to-face sessions, we equip busy business owners with cutting-edge PR strategies, marketing insights, and time-saving tools to not just work in your business, but on your business. Join us to outshine competitors and elevate your business.

Join us for our weekly live sessions and workshops: https://www.designerdiscussionsmarketing.studio/pages/academy

Designer Discussions is an educational interior design podcast on marketing, PR and related business topics. We also provide in-depth, actionable products in the Marketing Studio including time-saving templates and guides to help design professionals grow their businesses.

Download our FREE Client Avatar Guide https://designerdiscussionsmarketing.studio/store.

Designer Discussions is a partnership of three experts: Jason Lockhart, CEO of KABMS; Maria Martin, founder of DesignAppy; and Mirjam Lippuner, founder of Get Ink DIY

The digital landscape is shifting beneath our feet as AI reshapes how content is discovered, shared, and monetized online. For creators and business owners who've invested years building valuable online resources, this evolution presents both challenges and opportunities.

In this eye-opening episode, Maria breaks down how AI systems are fundamentally changing website traffic patterns and potentially undermining revenue streams for content creators. When AI tools scrape your website and present information directly to users, those users never land on your site – eliminating opportunities for ad revenue, lead generation, and sales conversions. But there's a solution emerging.

Maria introduces us to Cloudflare's groundbreaking new features that put control back in creators' hands. Launched July 1st, these tools allow website owners to decide exactly how AI interacts with their content. Want certain pages available to everyone? No problem. Need to protect proprietary information or images from being scraped? You can block specific AI tools. Most intriguingly, Cloudflare now offers a micropayment system that requires AI companies to compensate you when they use your content – creating a digital tollbooth for your intellectual property.

For designers and visual professionals, this represents a crucial development. Your portfolio images, which once might have been silently incorporated into AI image generators' training data, can now be protected. Your expertise, shared through years of blog posts and articles, can either be monetized or shielded from exploitation.

The conversation offers practical guidance on implementing these protections, acknowledging that while Cloudflare's interface isn't the most intuitive, the benefits justify the learning curve. The hosts emphasize the importance of strategic planning – deciding what content to protect, what to monetize, and what to freely share to maximize visibility while preserving revenue opportunities.

Ready to take control of your online content in the AI era? Listen now, then visit designerdiscussions.com to join our Academy membership for ongoing support, weekly live sessions, and expert guidance on navigating this rapidly evolving digital landscape.

If you would like to get the links and show notes for this episode, click on the link below:​

• https://www.desig

Transform your marketing with Designer Discussions Academy. In weekly face-to-face sessions, we equip busy business owners with cutting-edge PR strategies, marketing insights, and time-saving tools to not just work in your business, but on your business. Join us to outshine competitors and elevate your business.

Join us for our weekly live sessions and workshops: https://www.designerdiscussionsmarketing.studio/pages/academy

Designer Discussions is an educational interior design podcast on marketing, PR and related business topics. We also provide in-depth, actionable products in the Marketing Studio including time-saving templates and guides to help design professionals grow their businesses.

Download our FREE Client Avatar Guide https://designerdiscussionsmarketing.studio/store.

Designer Discussions is a partnership of three experts: Jason Lockhart, CEO of KABMS; Maria Martin, founder of DesignAppy; and Mirjam Lippuner, founder of Get Ink DIY

The rules of search have fundamentally changed, and businesses that don't adapt risk becoming invisible online. Gone are the days when keyword optimization alone could propel your website to the top of search results. Today, AI-powered search has revolutionized how potential clients find and evaluate businesses.

When someone searches for information related to your services, they're likely to encounter an AI-generated overview that summarizes key points without ever needing to click through to a website. Our research shows a staggering statistic: when these AI answer boxes appear, traditional links get clicked only about 8% of the time. With two-thirds of Google queries now resulting in "zero-click" searches, your visibility strategy must evolve.

What powers these AI overviews? Large language models prioritize information from sources they algorithmically trust—especially media publications with established credibility. This is where PR becomes your secret weapon. When your business earns mentions in respected outlets, particularly regional or niche publications relevant to your audience, you gain a powerful advantage in AI search. One strategic media placement can surface across hundreds of different AI queries, functioning as a multiplier for your online presence.

Even traditional press releases have found renewed importance in this landscape. Their structured format—with headlines, quotes, and factual information—aligns perfectly with how AI systems process information. For design professionals and remodelers, this means incorporating targeted media outreach into your marketing strategy isn't just beneficial—it's essential for being discovered by potential clients.

Ready to leverage this powerful approach? Our Designer Discussions Academy teaches proven methods for securing media coverage that boosts your visibility in the AI search era. Visit designerdiscussions.com to learn how we can help position your design business at the forefront of this new search landscape.

If you would like to get the links and show notes for this episode, click on the link below:​

• https://www.designerdiscussions.com/episodes/episode-147-The-Secret-To-AI-Search

Transform your marketing with Designer Discussions Academy. In weekly face-to-face sessions, we equip busy business owners with cutting-edge PR strategies, marketing insights, and time-saving tools to not just work in your business, but on your business. Join us to outshine competitors and elevate your business.

Join us for our weekly live sessions and workshops: https://www.designerdiscussionsmarketing.studio/pages/academy

Designer Discussions is an educational interior design podcast on marketing, PR and related business topics. We also provide in-depth, actionable products in the Marketing Studio including time-saving templates and guides to help design professionals grow their businesses.

Download our FREE Client Avatar Guide https://designerdiscussionsmarketing.studio/store.

Designer Discussions is a partnership of three experts: Jason Lockhart, CEO of KABMS; Maria Martin, founder of DesignAppy; and Mirjam Lippuner, founder of Get Ink DIY

Tired of endlessly creating social media content with little return? This eye-opening episode reveals how content calendars can transform from tedious scheduling tools into powerful opportunity generators for your design business.

Miriam and Maria challenge the common misconception that content calendars merely help you post consistently. Instead, they demonstrate how planning eight weeks ahead creates three game-changing opportunities. First, you'll discover how advance planning facilitates strategic collaborations with complementary businesses like landscape designers or window specialists – effectively doubling your audience reach without doubling your workload. Rather than creating new content from scratch, you'll learn to repurpose existing portfolio images within seasonal frameworks that resonate with both clients and media.

The hosts share practical strategies for batching content production, allowing you to capture multiple posts in a single day. By thinking like a magazine editor with a seasonal editorial calendar, you can work smarter rather than harder. Most valuably, you'll learn how this approach positions you to become what the hosts call a "media darling" – a trusted resource that local publications, newspapers, and TV segments actively seek out for seasonal home-related content.

As a special bonus, the episode introduces a custom GPT tool developed specifically for designers that generates location-specific, seasonal content ideas with minimal input. This technological solution addresses the time constraints many designers face when developing strategic content plans, even suggesting potential collaboration partners and local publications to approach.

Ready to transform your marketing approach from reactive to strategic? Listen now and discover how simple seasonal planning can expand your reach, save you time, and elevate your status as a design authority in your community. Join our Academy to access this GPT tool and receive personalized coaching to implement these strategies in your business.

If you would like to get the links and show notes for this episode, click on the link below:​

• https://www.designerdiscussions.com/episodes/episode-146-3-Opportunities-Content-Calendars-Can-Make-for-You

Transform your marketing with Designer Discussions Academy. In weekly face-to-face sessions, we equip busy business owners with cutting-edge PR strategies, marketing insights, and time-saving tools to not just work in your business, but on your business. Join us to outshine competitors and elevate your business.

Join us for our weekly live sessions and workshops: https://www.designerdiscussionsmarketing.studio/pages/academy

Designer Discussions is an educational interior design podcast on marketing, PR and related business topics. We also provide in-depth, actionable products in the Marketing Studio including time-saving templates and guides to help design professionals grow their businesses.

Download our FREE Client Avatar Guide https://designerdiscussionsmarketing.studio/store.

Designer Discussions is a partnership of three experts: Jason Lockhart, CEO of KABMS; Maria Martin, founder of DesignAppy; and Mirjam Lippuner, founder of Get Ink DIY

Are you ready to revolutionize your design business's digital marketing strategy? The landscape is changing rapidly, and staying ahead means embracing sophisticated tactics that your competition hasn't mastered yet.

Jason dives deep into three game-changing marketing approaches that are reshaping how successful designers connect with clients in 2025. First, discover the critical differences between traditional SEO and AI search optimization – and why most designers are missing this crucial distinction. Learn the exact process for creating content that AI tools actually favor, including the specific formatting techniques that make your expertise discoverable when potential clients ask questions through ChatGPT and similar platforms.

The conversation then shifts to a surprising take on influencer marketing that doesn't require celebrity partnerships or massive follower counts. Instead, Jason reveals how to leverage local influence and manufacturer relationships to build credibility that resonates deeply with your target audience. This approach taps into existing trust networks that high-end design clients already value, creating powerful endorsements that feel authentic rather than promotional.

Finally, get the behind-the-scenes truth about paid advertising that most marketing agencies won't tell you. Beyond simply creating attractive ads, Jason explains the systematic monitoring and optimization process that prevents wasted budgets and declining returns. These practical insights help designers avoid the common pitfalls that make many small businesses abandon advertising altogether.

Ready to implement all ten advanced marketing tactics for 2025? Join us in the Designer Discussions Academy this August, where we'll expand on these strategies with step-by-step implementation guidance tailored specifically for interior design professionals. Visit designerdiscussions.com or click the link in our show notes to secure your spot and transform your marketing approach before your competition catches on.

If you would like to get the links and show notes for this episode, click on the link below:​

• https://www.designerdiscussions.com/episodes/episode-145-Clicks-Creators-and-Algorithms-Advanced-Tactics-for-2025

Transform your marketing with Designer Discussions Academy. In weekly face-to-face sessions, we equip busy business owners with cutting-edge PR strategies, marketing insights, and time-saving tools to not just work in your business, but on your business. Join us to outshine competitors and elevate your business.

Join us for our weekly live sessions and workshops: https://www.designerdiscussionsmarketing.studio/pages/academy

Designer Discussions is an educational interior design podcast on marketing, PR and related business topics. We also provide in-depth, actionable products in the Marketing Studio including time-saving templates and guides to help design professionals grow their businesses.

Download our FREE Client Avatar Guide https://designerdiscussionsmarketing.studio/store.

Designer Discussions is a partnership of three experts: Jason Lockhart, CEO of KABMS; Maria Martin, founder of DesignAppy; and Mirjam Lippuner, founder of Get Ink DIY

Struggling to generate consistent leads for your design business? The answer might be sitting right in your existing marketing toolkit. 

Email marketing has the potential to become your second most powerful lead generation tool after client referrals—even outperforming expensive SEO and PPC campaigns. Yet many designers watch their promising email efforts fizzle out as open rates plummet from 40% to single digits within months.

The culprit? Self-promotion overload. One world-class designer we worked with sent beautifully crafted emails showcasing her impressive portfolio for over a year, yet her open rate had fallen to just 8%. The solution lies in the 80-20 rule: dedicate 80% of your email content to delivering genuine value to your audience, with only 20% focused on your services—and even that promotional content should tie meaningfully to the value you're providing.

Strategic list segmentation is equally crucial, allowing you to personalize content for different audience groups—homeowners, manufacturers, other designers, or current clients. What once required hours of additional writing can now be accomplished in about 30 minutes per segment using AI tools. And don't overlook the technical side: authenticating your email domain ensures your messages actually reach inboxes instead of disappearing into spam folders.

By implementing these strategies, our Academy members consistently achieve open rates exceeding the industry average of 25%. Want to transform your email marketing from an ignored obligation into a powerful lead generator that works even while you sleep? Join our Designer Discussions Academy, where we tackle a new marketing challenge each month, providing hands-on guidance to grow your design business. Sign up through the link in our show notes to secure your spot for our October enrollment.

Transform your marketing with Designer Discussions Academy. In weekly face-to-face sessions, we equip busy business owners with cutting-edge PR strategies, marketing insights, and time-saving tools to not just work in your business, but on your business. Join us to outshine competitors and elevate your business.

Join us for our weekly live sessions and workshops: https://www.designerdiscussionsmarketing.studio/pages/academy

Designer Discussions is an educational interior design podcast on marketing, PR and related business topics. We also provide in-depth, actionable products in the Marketing Studio including time-saving templates and guides to help design professionals grow their businesses.

Download our FREE Client Avatar Guide https://designerdiscussionsmarketing.studio/store.

Designer Discussions is a partnership of three experts: Jason Lockhart, CEO of KABMS; Maria Martin, founder of DesignAppy; and Mirjam Lippuner, founder of Get Ink DIY

Unlocking the power of regional publicity could be your design business's greatest untapped marketing resource. Many designers dream of national magazine features while overlooking the goldmine in their own backyard – local publications that reach the very clients who might actually hire you.

This episode shatters the common misconceptions about media coverage. Getting press doesn't require hiring expensive PR firms or having celebrity clients. Regional magazines actively seek local talent and compelling projects to showcase. Unlike national publications that receive thousands of pitches weekly, local editors are typically more approachable and genuinely interested in featuring businesses from their community. The perceived value of print coverage remains remarkably high in the design world, providing credibility that digital mentions simply can't match.

What makes regional publicity particularly powerful is its targeted reach. When potential clients in your area see your work beautifully displayed in a local magazine, it positions you as a trusted expert while building valuable relationships with media professionals. These features provide exceptional social proof, enhance your reputation, potentially improve your SEO, and can continue working for your business for years after publication. We break down exactly how to craft effective pitches: identifying compelling project stories, finding the right editor contact, creating an introduction email, and providing quality photography. With these straightforward steps, you'll discover that pitching your work is far less intimidating than you might have imagined.

Ready to get your projects the visibility they deserve? Join our Designer Discussions Academy where we guide you through every aspect of marketing your design business. Sign up for our waiting list at designerdiscussions.com and transform how potential clients discover your work.

If you would like to get the links and show notes for this episode, click on the link below:​

• https://www.designerdiscussions.com/episodes/episode-143-How-regional-PR-drives-your-business

Transform your marketing with Designer Discussions Academy. In weekly face-to-face sessions, we equip busy business owners with cutting-edge PR strategies, marketing insights, and time-saving tools to not just work in your business, but on your business. Join us to outshine competitors and elevate your business.

Join us for our weekly live sessions and workshops: https://www.designerdiscussionsmarketing.studio/pages/academy

Designer Discussions is an educational interior design podcast on marketing, PR and related business topics. We also provide in-depth, actionable products in the Marketing Studio including time-saving templates and guides to help design professionals grow their businesses.

Download our FREE Client Avatar Guide https://designerdiscussionsmarketing.studio/store.

Designer Discussions is a partnership of three experts: Jason Lockhart, CEO of KABMS; Maria Martin, founder of DesignAppy; and Mirjam Lippuner, founder of Get Ink DIY

When economic uncertainty looms, most businesses make the critical mistake of slashing their marketing budgets first. But what if that's exactly the wrong move? In this illuminating episode, Jason shares battle-tested strategies to keep your design business visible and thriving during economic downturns—without breaking the bank.

Drawing from his wealth of marketing expertise, Jason walks through practical, low-cost approaches that design professionals can implement immediately. From website optimization and Google Business Profile maintenance to email list segmentation and automated follow-up systems, these strategies require minimal financial investment while delivering maximum impact. The common thread? Strategic thinking and consistent effort outweigh throwing money at marketing problems.

The episode takes a fascinating turn when Miriam shares insights from her time at Kohler Company, revealing how their visionary leader Herbert Kohler Sr. approached recessions differently. While competitors retreated from trade shows and advertising, Kohler maintained visibility—allowing them to capture market share while others disappeared from consumers' consciousness. This real-world example powerfully illustrates why maintaining your marketing presence when others pull back might be your most strategic business move.

Whether you're feeling the economic pinch now or simply want to prepare your design business for future uncertainty, this episode provides a clear roadmap for recession-proofing your marketing. Ready to implement these strategies and potentially emerge stronger while competitors struggle? Subscribe to Designer Discussions for more insights that help your design business thrive in any economic climate.

If you would like to get the links and show notes for this episode, click on the link below:​

• https://www.designerdiscussions.com/episodes/episode-143-How-to-Recession-Proof-your-Marketing-Plan

Transform your marketing with Designer Discussions Academy. In weekly face-to-face sessions, we equip busy business owners with cutting-edge PR strategies, marketing insights, and time-saving tools to not just work in your business, but on your business. Join us to outshine competitors and elevate your business.

Join us for our weekly live sessions and workshops: https://www.designerdiscussionsmarketing.studio/pages/academy

Designer Discussions is an educational interior design podcast on marketing, PR and related business topics. We also provide in-depth, actionable products in the Marketing Studio including time-saving templates and guides to help design professionals grow their businesses.

Download our FREE Client Avatar Guide https://designerdiscussionsmarketing.studio/store.

Designer Discussions is a partnership of three experts: Jason Lockhart, CEO of KABMS; Maria Martin, founder of DesignAppy; and Mirjam Lippuner, founder of Get Ink DIY

Facing a business slowdown? Your first move shouldn't be panic—it should be strategic competitor analysis. Jason shares a powerful yet underutilized approach that helped one Dallas designer develop an entirely new revenue stream matching or exceeding her design business income.

The conversation begins with a sobering reality check about social media reach. With Facebook delivering only 2% organic reach, Instagram 9%, LinkedIn 5%, and Twitter 3%, designers must shift their perspective on social platforms. Rather than viewing them as daily marketing necessities, Jason suggests using social channels strategically for competitor intelligence.

This comprehensive analysis approach starts by identifying your true competition—both those you recognize and those search engines define as your competitors. By examining what they post, how frequently they publish, engagement rates, and especially which ads they run consistently (those running 90+ days are definitely working), you'll discover gaps in the market where you can provide unique value.

The beauty of this approach lies in its versatility. The insights gained from competitor analysis extend far beyond social strategy, informing your website content, service offerings, blog topics, and overall marketing direction. By understanding what resonates with your audience and identifying where competitors fall short, you position yourself to thrive regardless of economic conditions.

Ready to implement these strategies and more? Jason invites listeners to join the Designer Discussions Academy, opening for enrollment in October. This membership provides weekly actionable steps to simplify marketing and boost business growth in the design industry.

Take control of your business future now. Remember, your potential clients learn 80% of what they'll know about you before ever making contact—will they find you or your competition when searching for their perfect project?

If you would like to get the links and show notes for this episode, click on the link below:​

• https://www.designerdiscussions.com/episodes/episode-141-What-is-the-first-thing-to-do-when-your-business-starts-to-slow-down

Transform your marketing with Designer Discussions Academy. In weekly face-to-face sessions, we equip busy business owners with cutting-edge PR strategies, marketing insights, and time-saving tools to not just work in your business, but on your business. Join us to outshine competitors and elevate your business.

Join us for our weekly live sessions and workshops: https://www.designerdiscussionsmarketing.studio/pages/academy

Designer Discussions is an educational interior design podcast on marketing, PR and related business topics. We also provide in-depth, actionable products in the Marketing Studio including time-saving templates and guides to help design professionals grow their businesses.

Download our FREE Client Avatar Guide https://designerdiscussionsmarketing.studio/store.

Designer Discussions is a partnership of three experts: Jason Lockhart, CEO of KABMS; Maria Martin, founder of DesignAppy; and Mirjam Lippuner, founder of Get Ink DIY