What do you do when the dream job isn’t hiring yet—or doesn’t exist at all? You build your own path, one floor plan at a time.

In this episode, I’m joined by Heather Vitti Pruett of Vitti Interiors—a San Diego-based designer who turned her love of design into a multi-stream business that blends creativity, construction, and serious adaptability. From working in flooring and high-end residential to landing military contracts and launching a rendering side hustle, Heather shares how she grew her design career by staying flexible, saying yes to new skills, and following her intuition (even when the economy said otherwise).

If you’ve ever wondered how to keep your design passion alive while building something sustainable—especially as a parent, a multi-hyphenate creative, or someone just starting out—this episode will remind you that your path doesn’t have to be linear to be successful.

About Heather:

Stay Connected:

• Connect with Heather: [email protected]
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Welcome back to Interior Design San Diego! In this episode of our “Meet the Board” series, we sit down with Mallory Duran—our newly‑appointed Finance Director at ASID San Diego. If you’ve ever wondered how someone with a music major and a retail‑management background ends up influencing budgets and design‑industry partnerships, you’re in for a treat. Mallory shares her circuitous journey into design, how she re‑entered the workforce as a single parent of four, and how she’s now helping connect designers, builders, and industry partners in the San Diego region. Join us as we explore creativity, community, and the power of showing up.

3–5 Key Takeaways:

1. Your path doesn’t have to be linear. Mallory’s background shows that even unexpected careers (music major → retail management → design industry) can lead to meaningful roles in design leadership.
2. Community is everything. ASID San Diego made Mallory feel welcomed—even as someone who didn’t attend design school—and that sense of belonging is a powerful asset when you show up.
3. Design professionals benefit when industry & trade connect. Mallory’s role at The Home Depot Design Center places her at the intersection of builders, designers, and vendors—highlighting how collaboration across segments strengthens the ecosystem.
4. Leadership is about service, not spotlight. Even though “Finance Director” might sound behind the scenes, Mallory emphasizes how critical this role is for making everything else possible—reimbursements, compliance, strategic growth.
5. Show up, then lean in. Whether you’re new to San Diego, shifting careers, or stepping into board service, consistency, curiosity, and connection are key. Mallory invites us to stay tuned for big things happening this year with ASID San Diego.

About Mallory:

Mallory Duran serves as the 2025-2026 ASID Finance Director and is the West Coast Builder Sales Specialist with the Home Depot Design Center. With a diverse background ranging from stay-at-home mom to designing custom window coverings and owning a construction company, Mallory brings a wealth of experience to her current role. Her passion for fostering positive relationships is her greatest strength both professionally and personally. As a proud mother of four, she expertly balances her family and career. Mallory eagerly anticipates future opportunities with ASID and is dedicated to making a significant impact in the market.

Connect with Mallory: [email protected]

Stay Connected:

• Sign Up for Our Newsletter
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• Ask your question, share a topic of interest or be our guest here.
• Subscribe to the podcast so you don’t miss upcoming episodes
• Share this podcast with a fellow designer in your community
• Questions, sponsorship or feed back: [email protected]

This is the second episode in our ASID San Diego Board Member Spotlight Series — and today we’re shining a light on someone who’s all about connection, color, and community: Kendra from K2 Interiors, our current Membership Director.

In this candid convo, Kendra shares her journey from growing up in Baja to launching a vibrant, soulful design business in San Diego. With a style rooted in maximalism, global inspiration, and deeply personal design, she’s the creative match for clients ready to ditch the cookie-cutter.

Kendra also shares what drew her back into the ASID fold, why mentorship matters, and how she’s helping create experiences that speak to every stage of a designer’s career — like the upcoming Design Gems trip to Valle de Guadalupe (you’ll want to grab your seat fast!).

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• How Kendra rebuilt her design business from scratch — twice
• Why ASID is more than networking — it's a home base for creatives
• How mentorship is evolving for students and emerging professionals
• What makes her short-term rental projects so creatively satisfying
• What to expect on our first-ever Design Gems trip across the border 🍷

What’s New:

• Design Gems: Valle de Guadalupe | November 15
• A one-day architectural + culinary field trip across the border
• Membership questions? DM or email Kendra — she’s your go-to guide
• Mentorship pilot program in the works — stay tuned!

📬 Connect with Kendra:

• Instagram: @k2interiors
• Email: [email protected]
• Website: www.k2deco.com

Stay Connected:

• Sign Up for Our Newsletter
• ASID San Diego Website
• LinkedIn
• Follow us on Instagram
• Ask your question, share a topic of interest or be our guest here.
• Subscribe to the podcast so you don’t miss upcoming episodes
• Share this podcast with a fellow designer in your community
• Questions, sponsorship or feed back: [email protected]

Hey friend — let’s get real for a moment.

Have you ever walked into a room and felt like you didn’t belong there? Like you were somehow “faking it,” even though your experience, talent, and heart were 100% legit?

Same. 🙋🏻‍♀️

In this episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on a recent experience that had me deep in imposter syndrome — yes, even after 25 years in the design industry. It was humbling, it was hard, and it taught me a few big lessons I want to share with you today.

Whether you’re just getting started in your design career or you’ve been around the block a few times, I promise this one will feel like a warm hug and a heart-to-heart.

In this episode, I’m sharing:

• A real story of a time I questioned if I belonged — even with years of experience
• The sneaky ways imposter syndrome shows up (and how it cost me 10 months of unpaid work 😳)
• Why having a design community like ASID makes all the difference
• My go-to toolkit for getting back in alignment when doubt takes over

📝 Mentioned in this episode:

• The Gap and The Gain by Dan Sullivan + Dr. Benjamin Hardy

Stay Connected:

• Sign Up for Our Newsletter
• ASID San Diego Website
• LinkedIn
• Follow us on Instagram
• Ask your question, share a topic of interest or be our guest here.
• Subscribe to the podcast so you don’t miss upcoming episodes
• Share this podcast with a fellow designer in your community
• Questions, sponsorship or feed back: [email protected]

Imposter syndrome might pop up from time to time, but it doesn’t get the final say. You’re doing incredible work. You belong here. And this space? It needs what only you can create.

Until next time — keep designing, keep showing up, and remember: you’re enough, just as you are.

Love,

Rachel

In today’s episode, Rachel sits down with Jennifer Verruto, founder and CEO of Blythe Interiors, to talk about the evolution of her design business — from freelancing out of her home to leading a full-service firm—and everything that’s required in between: mindset shifts, team building, infrastructure, community, and more.

• Understand the pivotal moment when hiring your first assistant is no longer optional
• Learn how to let go of control without sacrificing quality
• Get a behind‑the‑scenes look at structuring a growing design firm
• Discover ways to connect with clients and the trade through events and showroom strategy
• Hear what’s next for Blythe Interiors and how Jennifer is exploring business coaching for designers

Hiring is your growth lever: When workload becomes unsustainable, the right hire (assistant, purchasing coordinator, etc.) can free you to focus on higher-value design work and growth.

Mindset over minutiae: Trusting your team, relinquishing control, and allowing “good enough” (when the client is happy) are essential for scaling.

Structure with intention: From operations to marketing to design leadership — building a clear org chart helps prevent chaos and burnout.

Flexible brand identity: Blythe doesn’t rigidly prescribe one look. The common thread is client-first, supported by designers who can span aesthetics.

Pause and grow organically: Rather than always chasing the next goal, sometimes growth is about leaning into who you already are, with curiosity and openness.

• Instagram: @blytheinteriors
• Website: blytheinteriors.com

Stay Connected:

• Sign Up for Our Newsletter
• ASID San Diego Website
• LinkedIn
• Follow us on Instagram
• Ask your question, share a topic of interest or be our guest here.
• Subscribe to the podcast so you don’t miss upcoming episodes
• Share this podcast with a fellow designer in your community
• Questions, sponsorship or feed back: [email protected]

In this inspiring kickoff to our chapter’s new year, host Rachel Larraine Crawford sits down with incoming ASID San Diego President Kirsten Recce.

As the first Industry Partner to step into the role of Chapter President, Kirsten brings a fresh, inclusive perspective on what it means to lead, support, and reimagine what our local ASID community can be.

From her journey as a lighting showroom owner to her vision for Design Gems (yes, we’re talking international design trips), this episode is packed with insight, heart, and tangible ways to get involved in the year ahead.

• How Kirsten went from math major to owning a showroom to leading ASID SD
• The services her business, Black Whale Home, offers to support busy designers
• What’s changing in the 2024–2025 ASID San Diego year—and why it matters
• A first look at Design Gems, our new travel + inspiration series (Valle de Guadalupe, Milan, Palm Springs + more!)
• Why collaboration between designers, students, and industry partners is essential—and how you can get involved
• New sponsorship opportunities and what’s coming for industry partners

Nov 2025: Design Gems: Valle de Guadalupe Day Trip

Feb 2026: Modernism Week + Private Tour of the Kellogg House

Apr 2026: Milan + Florence Design Tour

Spring 2026: Iconic Home Tour in LA

• 📧 [email protected] (ASID inquiries)
• 📧 [email protected] (Showroom/design trade questions)
• 📸 @blackwhalelights on Instagram

Stay Connected:

• Sign Up for Our Newsletter
• ASID San Diego Website
• LinkedIn
• Follow us on Instagram
• Ask your question, share a topic of interest or be our guest here.
• Subscribe to the podcast so you don’t miss upcoming episodes
• Share this podcast with a fellow designer in your community
• Questions, sponsorship or feed back: [email protected]

Have you ever walked into a design event and instantly felt like the odd one out?

Yeah… same here.

In this solo episode, Rachel Larraine Crawford shares her own winding journey with ASID San Diego—from feeling like a shy, 22-year-old outsider to becoming Communications Director and building lifelong friendships, powerful collaborations, and a true sense of belonging in the design world.

We’re talking about the real reason community matters—not just for your creativity or career growth, but for your mental health, confidence, and joy. If you’ve ever felt like you’re building your design career on an island, this episode is your reminder: you don’t have to do it alone.

• The early days: feeling like an outsider at chapter meetings
• Finding connection in unexpected places (like showrooms and markets)
• Why mentorship and peer community are essential—no matter your career stage
• The human need to belong—and why it’s a business strategy, not just a feel-good bonus
• How ASID San Diego helped spark confidence, creativity, and collaboration
• Specific ways students, emerging pros, and seasoned designers can get involved today

Student → Don't wait to build your network. Start now.

Emerging professional → You don’t have to figure it out alone.

Seasoned designer → Your wisdom is so needed. Your next chapter might start here.

Whether you’re just starting out or decades into your practice, this episode is a reminder that your people are out there—and they’re ready to welcome you in.

Stay Connected:

• Sign Up for Our Newsletter
• ASID San Diego Website
• LinkedIn
• Follow us on Instagram
• Ask your question, share a topic of interest or be our guest here.
• Subscribe to the podcast so you don’t miss upcoming episodes
• Share this podcast with a fellow designer in your community
• Questions, sponsorship or feed back: [email protected]

Episode 002: 5 Ways to get the most out of ASID

If you’ve ever wondered how to make the most of your ASID San Diego membership (or why it even matters), this episode is your guide. Host Rachel Larraine Crawford shares five powerful and practical ways to tap into the full value of ASID—whether you’re a student, emerging professional, or seasoned designer looking to deepen your roots in the design community.

Rachel walks through actionable tips and real-life stories that highlight how ASID can support your career, your confidence, and your connections. If you're feeling disconnected, unsure how to get involved, or just ready to level up in your design journey—this one’s for you.

Stay Connected:

• Sign Up for Our Newsletter
• ASID San Diego Website
• LinkedIn
• Follow us on Instagram
• Ask your question, share a topic of interest or be our guest here.
• Subscribe to the podcast so you don’t miss upcoming episodes
• Share this podcast with a fellow designer in your community
• Questions, sponsorship or feed back: [email protected]

Episode 001: Welcome to the Interior Design San Diego Podcast

Welcome to the very first episode of the Interior Design San Diego Podcast, hosted by Rachel Larraine Crawford and brought to you by the ASID San Diego Chapter.

This show was created with one goal in mind: to connect and uplift the San Diego design community. Whether you're a student just starting out, a seasoned designer looking for new inspiration, or an industry partner eager to build deeper relationships, this podcast is for you.

In this kickoff episode, we share:

• Who this podcast is for and how it will support you—no matter where you are in your career
• The types of episodes you can expect, including interviews, solo lessons, industry insights, and student-led conversations
• How this podcast is an extension of the ASID San Diego Chapter’s mission to foster connection, education, and advocacy
• How you can get involved, share your voice, and maybe even step behind the mic as a future guest
• This is a space for real stories, local voices, and honest conversations about what it means to build a design career—and a creative life—in San Diego.

Stay Connected:

• Sign Up for Our Newsletter
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• LinkedIn
• Follow us on Instagram
• Ask your question, share a topic of interest or be our guest here.
• Subscribe to the podcast so you don’t miss upcoming episodes
• Share this podcast with a fellow designer in your community
• Questions, sponsorship or feed back: [email protected]

Welcome to Interior Design San Diego, presented by the ASID San Diego Chapter! This new podcast is designed to educate, inspire, and connect our local design community.

In this short trailer episode, host Rachel Larraine Crawford shares what you can expect from the Interior Design San Diego Podcast. Whether you’re a student just beginning, an emerging designer building your career, a seasoned professional, or an industry partner supporting the community—this podcast is for you. Tune in each week for local designer interviews, industry partner spotlights, chapter happenings, and student-led episodes that bring fresh perspectives to the conversation.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• Who this podcast is created for and how it will support you
• The types of episodes you can expect—solo lessons, designer interviews, industry insights, and student-led discussions
• How this podcast connects to the ASID San Diego Chapter and community
• Ways to get involved, share your story, or even become a guest

Stay Connected:

• Sign Up for Our Newsletter
• ASID San Diego Website
• LinkedIn
• Follow us on Instagram
• Subscribe to the podcast so you don’t miss upcoming episodes
• Share this podcast with a fellow designer in your community