A new year calls for a smarter format. We’re kicking off 2026 by opening the studio doors to the people building design and remodeling businesses every day—so you hear what’s working, what isn’t, and how to fix it without guesswork or gimmicks. Think of it as a workshop you can return to, with clear steps, practical tools, and honest stories that help you create momentum in your marketing.

We share a big update: Maria is shifting from weekly co-host to recurring expert, bringing focused segments on AI and fast-moving tech that actually help designers save time, refine strategy, and tell stronger stories. No hype—just what to use, what to skip, and how to apply it to PR, social, email, and search. Alongside that, we’re expanding guest features from design and remodeling pros who walk through their journeys, the channels they bet on, and the lessons they learned when campaigns missed the mark.

You’ll also hear two new formats built for action. First, Business of the Month: candid conversations with firms about positioning, lead flow, and marketing choices, followed by targeted next steps you can adapt to your own studio. Second, Fix My Marketing: you send real challenges—flat engagement, messy websites, cold PR outreach—and we respond with specific fixes you can try this week. We’ll keep host-led episodes tighter and more tactical, focusing on the essentials: better pitches, clearer offers, content that converts, and simple analytics that guide smart decisions.

If you want useful tactics, a community of peers, and guidance shaped by what’s happening on the ground, this is your year with us. Subscribe, share with a friend who needs a nudge, and join our newsletter to get resources tied to each topic. Got a success story or a stubborn roadblock? Apply to be featured and let’s solve it together.

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

• www.designerdiscussions.com/episodes/episode-157-Whats-Next-for-Designer-Discussions-Podcast-in-2026

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

A year of experiments revealed a simple truth: design businesses grow faster when they trade constant posting for consistent systems. We open our playbook and revisit the strategies that delivered real results—using social more strategically, running an email newsletter that actually brings referrals, and treating PR as a core engine rather than a nice-to-have. Along the way, we unpack what we learned from KBIS so you can talk trends with clients even if you skipped the show floor, and we share a step-by-step plan for staying visible when inquiries slow.

One highlight you’ll love: a designer from our academy set a bold goal and landed Architectural Digest by following a clear PR routine—tight stories, strong images, and calm, timely follow-up. That story anchors a bigger shift we’re seeing across search. As AI-driven platforms source answers from trusted outlets, media placements now do double duty: they win client confidence and help search engines understand and elevate your expertise. We connect the dots between E-E-A-T signals, local visibility, and how a single placement can ripple through your website, newsletter, and proposals.

If you’ve felt stretched thin by social, we lay out a low-burn approach: fewer channels, batched content, and posts aligned to real business goals. For slower markets, we map a 90-day “momentum sprint” that refreshes your site, activates past clients, and turns one helpful email per send into booked consultations. We also touch on our reintroduction—who we are, what we teach, and how we support designers and remodelers with marketing that respects your time and protects your energy.

If this resonated, tap follow, share it with a colleague who needs a calmer plan, and leave a quick review to help more design pros find the show. Then tell us: which 2025 episode was your favorite and what should we dig into next?

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

• www.designerdiscussions.com/episodes/episode-156-What-worked-this-year-in-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

If your marketing swings from frantic bursts to total silence, you’re not alone—and you’re not broken. We’ve seen the same pattern in studios and remodelers for years: a few social posts, a one-off newsletter, a trade show, then disappearing when jobs heat up. The result is a lead drought that shows up right when you’re busiest. We’re changing that with a straightforward, design-first framework that turns scattered tasks into a system you can run even on a packed calendar.

We break down the five pillars every design or remodeling business needs: foundation, visibility, authority, nurture, and sales. Foundation starts with your website as the hub you control, supported by practical SEO and a complete Google Business Profile so you’re visible in local search. Visibility is about consistent presence where homeowners and builders already look. Authority builds trust through PR, media mentions, and awards that shorten sales cycles and raise perceived value. Nurture keeps relationships warm with value-first emails and thoughtful check-ins that turn single projects into repeat work and referrals. Sales ties it all together with a clear path from inquiry to signed agreement, backed by simple steps and follow-ups that convert.

You’ll hear real stories that prove small changes move fast. A designer who lived on Facebook rebuilt their foundation after a six-week shutdown and stabilized lead flow. An academy member who felt intimidated by PR landed a Forbes mention within a month once they focused. A celebrated interior designer revived “dead” email by switching to an 80-20 value mix and watched opens and conversions climb. We finish with a quick-start plan for 2026: pick one pillar for Q1, set one action you can complete, and choose one person to keep you accountable. No 60-page plan. Just momentum you can feel.

Ready to ditch random marketing and build a system that holds up under real-world workload? Listen now, then subscribe, share with a colleague, and leave a quick review to help more design pros find us. Want deeper support? Grab the link in the show notes to join our live masterclass and map your 12-month plan together.

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

• Master Class Link

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

Want homeowners to find you on sites they already trust—and choose you faster? We pull back the curtain on a marketing system built for design and remodeling businesses, where credible PR, a sharp website, and practical SEO work together to lift authority and generate better leads. Miriam lays out a step‑by‑step approach to fast media wins using HARO, SOS, and Qwoted, then shows how to pitch editors for regional features that actually drive local projects. She explains when a press release is newsworthy, how to craft it, and why newswires now matter as AI search leans on brand credibility.

From there, Jason builds the digital backbone: your website as the hub, brand consistency across pages, and portfolio updates that attract the right clients. We dive into Google Business Profile tactics that behave like social—weekly posts, Q&A, photos—and share the 90‑day path to measurable visibility. We install Google Analytics and Search Console, then translate the data into clear answers: which channels work, where visitors come from, and what content sparks inquiries. Along the way, we touch email strategy, social support from specialists, and paid ads that avoid common money traps.

Across the conversation, the theme is focus over frenzy. Pick three to five moves, ship them well, and stack proof of authority in places your clients already read. With weekly coaching, guest experts, and a nimble curriculum, you’ll have guidance to personalize your plan and scale what works. Ready to turn mentions into momentum and clicks into consults? Subscribe, share this with a colleague who needs a marketing reset, and join our newsletter or masterclass at designerdiscussions.com. Your next best project might be one credible feature away.

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-154-Marketing-Makeover-Masterclass

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

Want a website that quietly does the heavy lifting—qualifying visitors, building trust, and turning the right people into clients? We dig into the 2026 web trends that matter for design professionals and remodelers: practical customer experience improvements, content that speaks directly to an ideal client, and AI tools that uncover what you’re missing behind the scenes.

We start with the visitor journey and show how to spot friction by asking someone outside your business to navigate your site. You’ll get simple prompts to guide their feedback and translate it into clear fixes: sharper headlines, stronger proof near claims, and CTAs that meet visitors at the right moment. From there, we make personalization concrete with a tight client avatar that shapes your service pages, portfolio blurbs, and resource hubs. Instead of broad promises, you’ll learn to write specific, outcome-focused copy that mirrors the language your prospects actually use.

Then we put AI to work as a practical auditor. By combining your URL and your client avatar, you can get focused suggestions that touch SEO, messaging, imagery, and internal linking. We explain how to turn those insights into a smoother path from homepage to contact, and when to offer low-friction steps like a quick fit check or a project readiness guide. Along the way, we share a simple method for competitor research so you can fill local gaps with real differentiation—clear process visuals, case summaries with constraints and outcomes, and transparent next steps.

If you want a site that feels custom-fit to your best clients and easier to manage month to month, this conversation lays out a repeatable plan: test, refine, personalize, and measure. For deeper coaching, templates, and live feedback, join our Academy where we review member sites and map upgrades that move the needle. If this was helpful, follow the show, share it with a colleague, and leave a quick review so more designers can find it.

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-153-Website-Trends-for-2026

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

Prospects decide who to trust long before they ever call, and the media they read shapes those choices. We break down a fast, practical PR system for design and remodeling professionals who want to be discovered as experts—without spending five figures a month on an agency. You’ll hear why third‑party credibility changes buyer behavior, how quick expert quotes outperform long project pitches for busy editors, and the compounding benefits of press logos and backlinks on your website.

We walk through the exact routine that fits real schedules: 20–30 minutes twice a week to scan Qwoted, HARO-style lists, and SOS threads for relevant queries, then craft crisp replies with specific, quotable advice. Along the way, we share real-world wins—early placements in Forbes and the Wall Street Journal—and set honest expectations about the numbers game behind PR. Ten thoughtful submissions might yield one or two features, but those features open doors to higher‑end clients, stronger SEO, and faster sales conversations.

If you’ve wondered what to say, we spell it out: give one sharp takeaway, add a concrete example from your projects, include a short credential line, and link to a relevant page on your site. Keep it simple, be consistent, and run your outreach in one‑ to three‑month sprints so the habit sticks. By the end, you’ll have a clear plan to turn your everyday expertise into media coverage, social proof, and a steady flow of better-fit leads. If this helps, subscribe, share the show with a colleague, and leave a review to tell us your first target outlet.

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-152-Get-Quick-Press-PR-That-Works

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

Robbie Maynard, a seasoned interior designer with over three decades of experience in San Diego, California, joins us to reveal her remarkable transformation from PR novice to confidently landing features in House Beautiful, Forbes, and Martha Stewart Living.

With refreshing candor, Robbie shares how she initially felt "petrified" when submitting her first pitch to editors. "I thought they wanted me to be a writer and make it sound wonderful," she admits, reflecting a common misconception among design professionals. Through consistent practice and expert guidance, she discovered that editors simply valued her design expertise, not her writing skills—a revelation that freed her to pursue major publication opportunities with confidence.

The conversation takes a fascinating turn as Robbie discusses the evolution of her business strategy. After recognizing that her website showcased outdated Tuscan-style projects no longer aligned with current trends or her preferred design direction, she implemented strategic updates that transformed her client acquisition process. "I was getting a lot of people that wanted Tuscan... and I didn't really want that anymore," she explains, highlighting how targeted marketing attracts ideal clients.

Perhaps most valuable is Robbie's perspective on client selection, gained through years of experience: "Every client is not your client." She now approaches initial consultations as mutual interviews rather than sales opportunities, ensuring better project outcomes and more satisfying professional relationships. This mindset shift represents a crucial evolution for designers looking to elevate their business.

As the interior design industry continues to evolve, with traditional revenue streams disrupted by online retailers, Robbie shares her plans to adapt through specialized service packages focused on kitchen design and exploring alternative income sources like affiliate marketing. Her willingness to continuously reinvent her business approach offers inspiration for designers at any career stage.

Ready to transform your own design business through strategic marketing and PR? Sign up for our Designer Discussions Academy at designerdiscussions.com and get personalized guidance from our team of experts.

More on Robbie:

• https://www.robbieinteriors.com/
• https://www.instagram.com/robbieinter

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 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