Join us as we dive deep with Heather Knight-Wilcock, a Southern California interior designer and owner of Heather KW Styles and Copper Interiors. Heather opens up about her creative journey, balancing a design and staging business, and the importance of adaptability and resilience in the ever-evolving world of interior design.

• Heather's unique approach to building her brand in interior design and real estate staging
• Transitioning to construction-focused projects and the challenges of balancing multiple businesses
• The art of staging and styling — How Heather and her partner create personalized, emotionally compelling spaces that help properties sell
• Creative storytelling through design — Building fictional “lifestyle stories” to stage each space for target buyers
• Managing client relationships and setting boundaries in a high-touch service industry
• Heather's approach to client onboarding with detailed surveys and in-depth consultations that streamline project alignment

• Check out Heather KW Styles Instagram and Website for a look at her recent projects and services.
• Explore Copper Interiors’ real estate staging portfolio here.

• Rebecca's Instagram: Studio Plumb
• Shaun's Instagram: Wrensted Interiors
• Stay connected: Hot Young Designers Club Instagram
• Explore more: Hot Young Designers Club Website
• Shop our design resources: Hot Young Designers Club Shop

Support the show by subscribing on Apple Podcasts, leaving a review, and sharing this episode with your design besties. For exclusive content, join us on Patreon.

As the year comes to a close, Shaun and Rebecca take a reflective journey through their professional wins, challenges, and the lessons they've learned. From defining client relationships to leveraging AI for productivity, this episode offers a candid report card on their goals and the shifts they’ve experienced in 2024.

Tune in for insights, strategies, and a little humor to guide you into the new year with clarity and purpose.

• Looking back on 2024 goals – Did we crush them or get crushed?
• Top highlights from past episodes – Revisiting conversations on AI, boundary-setting, and emotional growth in design.
• Leveraging AI tools – How AI transformed our workflows and client experiences this year.
• Refining client relationships – Why saying “no” can lead to bigger “yeses.”
• Breaking free of outdated norms – The evolving role of self-promotion and authenticity on social media.
• Managing professional and personal balance – Small changes that create lasting impact.

• EP118: Do Designers Have Rights?
• EP119: A Conversation with Ashley Ausland, How her personal hardship lead to growth
• EP125: Crystal Bright, How she streamlines virtual projects with Design Live
• EP128: Just Stop VII: The Squeakquel, Vendors, Renders & Offenders
• Rebecca's Instagram: Studio Plumb
• Shaun's Instagram: Wrensted Interiors
• Stay connected: Hot Young Designers Club Instagram
• Explore more: Hot Young Designers Club Website
• Shop our design resources: Hot Young Designers Club Shop

Support the show by subscribing on Apple Podcasts, leaving a review, and sharing this episode with your design besties. For exclusive content, join us on Patreon.

Don’t treat relationships as one-night stands. Build and maintain strong connections with clients and colleagues beyond just the project – it’s key to success. At the same time, set boundaries because giving too much can drain you. Respectful boundaries allow you to nurture relationships without losing yourself in the process. 

In this episode, Shaun and Rebecca talk with interior designer Nicole White about the importance of building strong relationships and how setting boundaries is key to staying balanced and successful.

In this episode, they discuss:

• Nicole’s journey from being a journalist to becoming an interior designer
• The challenges Nicole faced in her career as a self-taught designer without a formal design education
• Elitism and lack of support in the design industry when Nicole started
• Evolution of the design industry and the shift in cultural attitudes toward helping and supporting each other
• Nicole’s approach to mentoring and supporting younger designers
• The importance of building strong, long-lasting relationships in the industry
• Being approachable and offering guidance while maintaining boundaries
• The importance of self-care and separating personal and business life
• Pros and cons of social media for designers
• Nicole’s strategy for managing social media presence and the importance of authenticity and not feeling pressured to conform to trends
• Nicole’s collaboration with Leftbank

Mentioned:

Check out Nicole’s portfolio: https://nwdinteriors.com/

Follow Nicole White Designs on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nicolewhitedesignsinteriors/

Nicole draws inspiration from Mick De Giulio’s kitchen: https://www.instagram.com/degiuliodesign/

Nicole’s collection with Leftbank Art: https://leftbankart.com/ARTIST-Nicole%20White

Our links:

Subscribe and leave a review - Apple Podcasts

Like, Comment, & Follow - Hot Young Designers Club Instagram

Rebecca’s Instagram

Shaun’s Instagram

For more information - Check out the website

Become a “Loyal Hottie” - Support us on Patreon 

Design Resources - Check out our shop

Talking about money with clients can be super awkward. But here’s the thing, the real problem might not be the clients, it could be you! In this episode, Shaun and Rebecca discuss their experiences and approaches to navigating these tricky money conversations with clients. They also share their new Interior Design Client Questionnaire tool that makes those money talks a lot less awkward. 

In this episode, they discuss:

• How to have less awkward conversations with clients about money and budgets
• Starting budget conversations early to avoid surprises later
• Clients often have outdated information about costs, based on what their family members paid in the past
• Examples of clients being disappointed when the actual project costs are much higher than they expected
• Interior design client questionnaire with over 100 questions to guide client discussions
• Strategies to screen out clients with unrealistic budgets early on
• Tips for staying calm when clients react to unexpected prices and how to educate them on costs

Mentioned:

See what’s new on our Blog: https://hotyoungdesignersclub.com/blog/

Submit one of your projects to be featured on our Blog: https://hello.dubsado.com/public/form/view/65eb93c448cd67003a74507a

Have you checked out our new Interior Design Client Questionnaire: https://shop.hotyoungdesignersclub.com/products/interior-design-client-questionnaire

Furnishing Budget Calculator: https://shop.hotyoungdesignersclub.com/products/furnishing-budget-calculator

Client Purchasing Guide: https://shop.hotyoungdesignersclub.com/products/client-purchasing-guide

Our links:

Subscribe and leave a review - Apple Podcasts

Like, Comment, & Follow - Hot Young Designers Club Instagram

Rebecca’s Instagram

Shaun’s Instagram

For more information - Check out the website

Become a “Loyal Hottie” - Support us on Patreon 

Design Resources - Check out our shop

Shaun and Rebecca sit down with Jeanne Chung — an interior designer who used to work in fashion for 20 years before switching to interior design. Jeanne shares her story of how she made this big career change, the challenges she faced, and how she built her business from the ground up.

In this episode, they discuss:

• Jeanne’s background in fashion design and her transition from fashion design to interior design
• Going back to school for interior design, starting her design business, and opening a design showroom with her husband
• Using blogging and attending industry events to get recognition and credibility in the interior design industry
• The impact and value of attending industry events like the High Point Market in growing her business
• The benefits and challenges of working with her husband in the business
• Using technology and AI tools (like Fireflies.ai) to improve efficiency in her work
• The importance of customization and original design in her projects
• Tips for designers on balancing creative and administrative tasks

Mentioned:

Follow Jeanne on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cozystylishchic/?hl=en0

Cozy Stylish Chic on Pinterest: https://in.pinterest.com/cozystylishchic/ 

Cozy Stylish Chic on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cozystylishchic/ 

Check out Jeanne’s work on her website: https://www.cozystylishchic.com/

Jeanne is hosting the Insiders Tour at Fall High Point Market: https://www.highpointmarket.org/InsidersTour

JK Chung Interiors on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jkchunginteriors/

Our links:

Subscribe and leave a review - Apple Podcasts

Like, Comment, & Follow - Hot Young Designers Club Instagram

Rebecca’s Instagram

Shaun’s Instagram

For more information - Check out the website

Become a “Loyal Hottie” - Support us on Patreon 

Design Resources - Check out our shop

Can you send me your template for that project? What do you put in your client contracts? Can you send me the exact document you use for your project management? It’s tempting to ask for the tools, templates, and processes of successful designers, but you know what? There’s more to being successful than copying someone else’s process or templates.

In this episode, Shaun and Rebecca discuss the value of developing your own processes and finding your way in the design industry. They remind you that it’s not about copying someone else’s way of doing things—it’s about developing a process that works best for YOU.

In this episode, they discuss:

• The awkwardness of people asking for resources and the importance of setting boundaries
• The challenges of sharing design processes and the importance of not copying others’ work
• The vulnerability of sharing work with other designers
• Learning from resources like podcasts and building your knowledge
• The importance of avoiding comparing yourself to other designers and focusing on developing your unique process
• How the unique personality of each designer shapes their business
• The value of building a community of designers and developing genuine relationships instead of just asking for templates or tools
• Adapting and improving your process through self-awareness and continuous experimentation

Mentioned:

Have you checked out what’s new on the HYDC blog? https://hotyoungdesignersclub.com/blog/

My Chief Architect Upgrade Journey: https://hotyoungdesignersclub.com/my-chief-architect-upgrade-journey/

What disclosures do you put on an interior design drawings? https://hotyoungdesignersclub.com/what-disclosures-do-you-put-on-an-interior-design-drawing/

Have your project featured on the HYDC blog: https://hello.dubsado.com/public/form/view/65eb93c448cd67003a74507a

Our links:

Subscribe and leave a review - Apple Podcasts

Like, Comment, & Follow - Hot Young Designers Club Instagram

Rebecca’s Instagram

Shaun’s Instagram

For more information - Check out the website

Become a “Loyal Hottie” - Support us on Patreon 

Design Resources - Check out our shop

Grow small and incrementally. It’s not a race. It’s a marathon! Shaun and Rebecca sit down with Rona Graf, the founder of Grace Blu Interior Design. Rona shares her journey from being a teacher to starting her own design firm and discusses the importance of slow and steady growth in building a sustainable business. She explains why businesses should focus on sustainable, incremental growth instead of rapid expansion and how rushing into growth can lead to challenges.

In this episode, they discuss:

• Rona’s background and her transition from teaching to interior design
• Starting Grace Blu during the 2007 economic downturn and the challenges she faced
• The importance of having a business mindset, not just a creative mindset
• Growing your business incrementally instead of rushing into expanding too fast
• Hiring people with skills where you lack expertise and delegating tasks and responsibilities 
• The importance of collaboration and learning from others in the industry
• The importance of saying no and not taking on every project
• Balancing the creative and business aspects of running a design firm
• Rona’s approach to managing client expectations and the importance of not showing them the messy, unfinished parts of the work
• How hiring a CFO has helped her forecast revenue, manage overhead costs, and make informed business decisions

Mentioned:

Design Biz Survival Guide Retreat: https://designbizsurvivalguide.com/

Design Biz Survival Guide Podcast: https://designbizsurvivalguide.com/podcasts/

Follow Grace Blu on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/graceblu/

Check out Grace Blu’s website: https://www.graceblu.com/

The E-Myth: https://amzn.to/47CoO8S

Rana experienced the luxury of the Palmilla to help understand her clients better: https://www.oneandonlyresorts.com/palmilla

Email Rona for help, or templates, or mentoring: https://www.graceblu.com/contact

Our links:

Subscribe and leave a review - Apple Podcasts

Like, Comment, & Follow - Hot Young Designers Club Instagram

Rebecca’s Instagram

Shaun’s Instagram

For more information - Check out the website

Become a “Loyal Hottie” - Support us on Patreon 

Design Resources - Check out our shop

Shaun and Rebecca are back with another installment of the perennial favorite, the Just Stop series, where they call out things in the design world that seriously need to stop. They discussed Just Stops from the coaching industry (coaches who brag about their income without proving their value) to the frustrations with generic and ineffective outreach emails from vendors, the use of AI-generated renders without disclosing their authenticity, and much more!

In this episode, they discuss:

• Shaun and Rebecca’s Hot Spot tour at High Point Market on October 26
• Coaches focus on their earnings instead of the results they help clients achieve
• The importance of routine check-ups and preventive care
• Using AI-generated renders and photorealistic images on social media without clearly labeling them as such
• Stop doing everything yourself in your business, especially for photo shoots
• Generic, impersonal outreach emails from vendors and sales representatives
• Personalizing your emails and messages and providing real value upfront
• Vendors making websites that are overly exclusive and difficult to access
• Hotels and hospitality design that lacks creativity and design appeal

Mentioned:

High Point Furniture Market: https://www.highpointmarket.org/Fall/2024/RegistrationOpen 

Our links:

Subscribe and leave a review - Apple Podcasts

Like, Comment, & Follow - Hot Young Designers Club Instagram

Rebecca’s Instagram

Shaun’s Instagram

For more information - Check out the website

Become a “Loyal Hottie” - Support us on Patreon 

Design Resources - Check out our shop

Shaun and Rebecca sit down with Stephanie Nelson and Jessica Nelson from Etch Design Group, a full-service design studio. Stephanie and Jessica share their journey from colleagues to co-founders and how their unique skills and deep trust have allowed them to build a successful business. They also talk about harnessing the power of AI to streamline their design process and push the boundaries of their creativity.

In this episode, they discuss:

• How Stephanie & Jessica met and started Etch Design Group
• How they divide responsibilities in their business
• The importance of communication and mutual support in their partnership
• Building their team gradually, starting with interns and eventually hiring full-time employees as their business grew
• Managing a remote team, trusting their team, and giving them autonomy
• Their fears and misconceptions about AI and embracing and exploring its potential
• AI’s impact on creativity, ethics, and control
• How they use AI to improve their efficiency, creativity, and profitability
• Why they prefer hourly billing and the pros and cons of using a flat rate
• Using AI for design inspiration, visualization, and rendering
• The potential of AI to transform the design industry 
• Different AI tools designers can use to enhance their business operations
• Details of their live webinars to help people with various AI tools and techniques

Mentioned:

KBIS: https://kbis.com/

Follow Etch Design Group: https://www.instagram.com/etchdesigngroup/

Check out Etch Design Group online: https://etchinteriordesign.com/

Hear more from Jessica & Stephanie on their podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/100-lunches/id1727481441

It’s time to discover AI for Interiors online: https://aiforinteriors.com/

Follow them on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aiforinteriors/

Check out their podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ai-for-interiors/id1734103554

AI Tools Mentioned:

Gemini: https://gemini.google.com/

ChatGPT: https://chat.openai.com/

Midjourney: https://www.midjourney.com/home

Prome AI: https://www.promeai.pro/

Listen back to Crystal Bright in Episode 125 for how she uses AI in her business

Our links:

Subscribe and leave a review - Apple Podcasts

Like, Comment, & Follow - Hot Young Designers Club Instagram

Rebecca’s Instagram

Shaun’s Instagram

For more information - Check out the website

Become a “Loyal Hottie” - Support us on Patreon 

Design Resources - Check out our shop

What are your project management strategies? How do you set expectations with clients and manage your deadlines? Shaun and Rebecca discuss their project management strategies and methods for setting expectations with clients and managing deadlines in the world of interior design. They also dive deep into the challenges of managing project timelines, client expectations, predicting and planning capacity to avoid overbooking, and much more.

In this episode, they discuss:

• How Shaun and Rebecca handle multiple projects and manage client expectations
• Determining if you have the capacity to take on a new project and avoid overbooking
• Organizing and visualizing project workload and pipeline
• Handling challenges like clients being unresponsive or changing their minds during a project
• Setting realistic project timelines and communicating them effectively to clients and adding buffer time for client feedback and approvals
• Some project management tools – Gantt charts, Basecamp, Monday, etc
• Dealing with clients who constantly change requirements or are slow to respond and how that impacts workflow
• Taking time off as a business owner, and challenges and considerations around taking a long break
• Story of a problem Rebecca had with a third-party Dubsado template
• The importance of having backup systems and emergency contacts in place for your business

Mentioned:

PMO Work Management Software | monday.com: https://monday.com/work-management/pmo 

Gantt: https://www.gantt.com/ 

Basecamp: https://basecamp.com/ 

ClickUp: https://clickup.com/ 

Dubsado: https://www.dubsado.com/ 

Our links:

Subscribe and leave a review - Apple Podcasts

Like, Comment, & Follow - Hot Young Designers Club Instagram

Rebecca’s Instagram

Shaun’s Instagram

For more information - Check out the website

Become a “Loyal Hottie” - Support us on Patreon 

Design Resources - Check out our shop