Laura sits down with Anastasia Casey, founder of IDCO, Kwin, and co-creator of Design Camp. From her beginnings in marketing to building a multimillion dollar creative agency for interior designers, Anastasia shares her journey of resilience, mentorship, entrepreneurship, and motherhood. She opens up about lessons learned along the way, how she’s grown her team, and what’s next as she continues shaping the interior design industry through education, branding, and community.

Topics Discussed

- How getting fired pushed Anastasia to start her own business and ultimately build IDCO

- The growth of IDCO, Kwin, and scaling Design Camp into a national event for interior designers

- Navigating post Covid shifts in the interior design industry and running a transparent, numbers driven team

- Balancing entrepreneurship and new motherhood, and learning to slow down

- Exciting projects ahead: boutique stays, writing a book, and speaking engagements

Resources and Links

Design Camp: https://design-camp.co

IDCO Studio: https://idco.studio

Kwin: https://www.kwinmade.com

Shop Living Oak: https://livingoakhome.com

Learn More About Living Oak Interior Design: https://www.livingoak.com/about

Samm Hammel, founder of Post Script Styling and part of the Etch Design Group team, sits down with Laura to talk about her journey from visual merchandising to high end event planning and, ultimately, styling homes. Samm shares the risks she took along the way, including a move to London, building her business during the pandemic, and the support she found from Austin’s creative community.

She opens up about motherhood, balance, and the girlfriends who keep her grounded, while also swapping funny behind the scenes styling stories from packing suitcases full of vases to resetting coffee tables five times for the perfect shot. Samm reveals what it takes to thrive in design, family, and life.Topics Discussed- How Samm transitioned from a career in merchandising to events and now styling spaces.- Building community and supporting female run businesses has been key to her growth.- Motherhood taught her to lean on routines, friends, and flexibility to find balance.- Home styling is not always glamorous but creativity and resourcefulness are key.- Small joys like morning routines, coworkers, and a cold brew fuel her daily optimism.Resources and LinksPost Script Styling: postscriptstyling.comInstagram: @postscript_stylingEtch Design Group: etchdesigngroup.comInstagram: @etchdesigngroupMentioned in this episode:Emily Clarke Events: emilyclarkeevents.comLindsay Brown Photography: https://www.lindsay-brown.com/Studio Burgoon: studioburgoon.comAustin Flower Co: https://austinflowers.com/Shop Living Oak: https://livingoakhome.comLearn More About Living Oak Interior Design: https://www.livingoak.com/about

Laura sits down with journalist, editor, and PR powerhouse Jennifer Birn to trace her fascinating journey from cocktail waitress to national editor and author. Jennifer shares how a chance encounter with the Gin Blossoms launched her writing career, the bold leap that took her from Arizona to New York, and the winding path that eventually led her to Los Angeles and Austin.

With candor and humor, she talks about freelancing, publishing her long-awaited book, finding optimism through challenges, and why she believes experience always outweighs degrees.

Topics Discussed

• How a chance interview with the Gin Blossoms launched Jennifer’s journalism career
• Taking bold risks, from moving to New York on a whim to building her career in LA
• Experience versus education: why she values hands-on work over degrees
• The decade-long journey of publishing her book Chasing Sunsets on I-80 and embracing hybrid publishing
• Eternal optimism, gratitude, and finding balance in both career and life
• The evolving media landscape in Austin and Austin Lifestyle Magazine

Resources and Links

Jennifer Birn’s Book Chasing Sunsets Down I-80: https://a.co/d/fwPfgTv

Follow Jennifer on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/simplyjen22/

Shop Living Oak: https://livingoakhome.com

Learn More About Living Oak Interior Design: https://www.livingoak.com/about

Laura sits down with Madeline Harper, a photographer specializing in branding, interiors, and lifestyle storytelling. From starting with weddings to capturing influencers and then being known for her beautiful photos of interior spaces, Madeline shares how she blends creativity, faith, and relationships to create meaningful work. She also opens up about building a business that aligns with her values, navigating new motherhood, and finding joy in the little things both in and out of work.Topics Discussed- Madeline’s journey from wedding photography to branding and interiors- Building client relationships that grow alongside her work- Finding support and balance while running a creative business- The role of faith, joy, and curiosity in her approach to work and life- Navigating motherhood and defining success on her own termsResources and LinksMadeline Harper Photography: https://www.madelineharper.comInstagram: @madelineharperphotoShop Living Oak: https://livingoakhome.comLearn More About Living Oak Interior Design and working with Laura: https://www.livingoak.com/about

Laura talks with Jyoti Lohman, founder of the beauty way, a skincare line rooted in intention, mantras, and self-love. From getting her first facial at age 6 to developing heart-centered products and rituals, Jyoti shares the story behind the brand and the balance of motherhood, healing, and entrepreneurship.

Topics Discussed

• The inspiration behind the beauty way and the product development process

• Finding harmony over balance in motherhood and business

• Daily rituals for grounding and intentional living

• The power of mantra-infused skincare
• Learning to pivot, problem-solve, and grow a purpose-driven brand

Resources and Links

• Heal Your Body by Louise Hay: Buy on Amazon

• Spa Viata where you can get the beauty way treatment: https://www.hotelviata.com/spa-viata

• Jyoti’s Favorite Tea – Wild Tree Purple Black Tea from Yunnan from The Steeping Room: https://www.thesteepingroom.com

• The Beauty Way: https://www.thebeautyway.co

• Shop Living Oak: ​​https://livingoakhome.com/

• Learn More About Living Oak Interior Design: https://www.livingoak.com/about

Laura sits down with Caroline Pinkston, founder of Caroline Pinkston PR, a boutique public relations firm specializing in interior design. They talk about how we first met at Design Camp, her path to launching her own firm, and the power of PR in shaping a designer’s brand and visibility. Caroline opens up about motherhood, growing a business, and finding joy in the small things.

Topics Discussed

• How PR plays a vital role in the design world
• The value of niching down and building real relationships with editors
• Motherhood and the myth of doing it all
• Knowing when to grow and scale your business
• The impact of professional photography and styling in interior design PR

Laura sits down with Barb Welke, founder of Be Driven Accountability who helps individuals reconnect with themselves through movement, mindset, and small but powerful changes. They talk about the challenges of balancing motherhood and entrepreneurship, Barb’s approach to lasting transformation, and why it's okay for it to feel hard sometimes. Barb reminds us that self-care isn’t a luxury, it's a lifeline.