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In this episode of The Business of Beautiful Spaces, I’m joined by hiring strategist Jamie Van Cuyk, founder of Growing Your Team. Jamie shares her expertise on how interior designers can confidently hire their first (or next) team member, avoid costly mistakes, and build a supportive, productive team that fuels business growth. From crafting the right job posting to onboarding effectively, she offers practical tips for hiring with intention and creating a team culture that reflects your values.

Whether you’re overwhelmed and need help, or you're ready to expand your business, Jamie’s advice will help you make smarter hiring decisions and delegate without fear. If you've been holding off on growing your team, this conversation is the encouragement and roadmap you’ve been waiting for.

Be sure to follow along on Instagram @thebusinessofbeautifulspaces + @thorntondesign to stay up to date on what we're talking about next week. If you love our podcast, please, please, please leave us a review. If you have any questions or topic ideas OR you wish to be a guest email us [email protected] or find us on instagram @thebusinessofbeautifulspaces

Laura Thornton is the principle designer of Thornton Design Inc, located in Kleinburg, ON. Since founding the company in 1999, Laura has been committed to creating a new kind of interior design experience for her clients. Thornton Design is an experienced team of creative talents, focused on curating beautiful residential and commercial spaces in the Toronto, Ontario area and beyond. Now sharing all the years of experience with other interior designers to create a world of collaboration and less competition.

The Business of Beautiful Spaces I @thebusinessofbeautifulspaces
Thornton Design I @thorntondesign

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In this episode of The Business of Beautiful Spaces, we’re uncovering the often-overlooked details that can make or break your bottom line as an interior designer. From light bulb installation to crown moldings, cleaning services to designer switches — these seemingly “small” extras can add up to significant lost revenue if you’re not pricing them properly.

Laura walks you through a checklist of commonly forgotten line items that not only increase your profits but also enhance your client experience. By quoting smarter and more thoroughly, you’ll build a reputation for excellence while running a more financially sustainable design business.

Whether you’re a seasoned designer or just starting out, this episode will help you see quoting through a more profitable lens.

Be sure to follow along on Instagram @thebusinessofbeautifulspaces + @thorntondesign to stay up to date on what we're talking about next week. If you love our podcast, please, please, please leave us a review. If you have any questions or topic ideas OR you wish to be a guest email us [email protected] or find us on instagram @thebusinessofbeautifulspaces

Laura Thornton is the principle designer of Thornton Design Inc, located in Kleinburg, ON. Since founding the company in 1999, Laura has been committed to creating a new kind of interior design experience for her clients. Thornton Design is an experienced team of creative talents, focused on curating beautiful residential and commercial spaces in the Toronto, Ontario area and beyond. Now sharing all the years of experience with other interior designers to create a world of collaboration and less competition.

The Business of Beautiful Spaces I @thebusinessofbeautifulspaces
Thornton Design I @thorntondesign

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In this episode of The Business of Beautiful Spaces, I’m joined by Nicole Fisher, principal of BNR Interiors, a New York-based luxury residential design firm known for its layered, editorial approach to interiors. Nicole shares her fascinating journey from working on fashion editorials and styling with Lady Gaga’s team to curating timeless, soulful interiors filled with vintage treasures and bespoke pieces. Her eye for detail, honed through years in the fashion world, now shapes every space she designs—creating homes that feel as artful as they are livable.

We dive into what it really means to scale a creative business without sacrificing style, vision, or authenticity. Nicole opens up about the processes and strategies that have helped her grow BNR Interiors while staying true to her brand ethos. From building the right team to leveraging social media and sourcing globally for one-of-a-kind pieces, this conversation is packed with insight for any designer looking to grow intentionally and profitably.

Website: https://www.bnrinteriors.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bnrinteriors/

Be sure to follow along on Instagram @thebusinessofbeautifulspaces + @thorntondesign to stay up to date on what we're talking about next week. If you love our podcast, please, please, please leave us a review. If you have any questions or topic ideas OR you wish to be a guest email us [email protected] or find us on instagram @thebusinessofbeautifulspaces

Laura Thornton is the principle designer of Thornton Design Inc, located in Kleinburg, ON. Since founding the company in 1999, Laura has been committed to creating a new kind of interior design experience for her clients. Thornton Design is an experienced team of creative talents, focused on curating beautiful residential and commercial spaces in the Toronto, Ontario area and beyond. Now sharing all the years of experience with other interior designers to create a world of collaboration and less competition.

The Business of Beautiful Spaces I @thebusinessofbeautifulspaces
Thornton Design I @thorntondesign

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REPLAY:

Starting off a presentation on the right foot is key.

An interior design presentation package should be a visually engaging and comprehensive set of documents and visual aids that communicate the designer's ideas and concepts clearly and effectively to clients.
By incorporating a range of visual and interactive elements into their presentation package, interior designers can elevate their presentations and help clients better understand and appreciate their designs. The key is to use the elements that best suit the project and the client's needs, and to communicate the design in a clear, compelling way.

Be sure to follow along on Instagram @thebusinessofbeautifulspaces + @thorntondesign to stay up to date on what we're talking about next week. If you love our podcast, please, please, please leave us a review. If you have any questions or topic ideas OR you wish to be a guest email us [email protected] or find us on instagram @thebusinessofbeautifulspaces

Laura Thornton is the principle designer of Thornton Design Inc, located in Kleinburg, ON. Since founding the company in 1999, Laura has been committed to creating a new kind of interior design experience for her clients. Thornton Design is an experienced team of creative talents, focused on curating beautiful residential and commercial spaces in the Toronto, Ontario area and beyond. Now sharing all the years of experience with other interior designers to create a world of collaboration and less competition.

The Business of Beautiful Spaces I @thebusinessofbeautifulspaces
Thornton Design I @thorntondesign

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n this inspiring episode of The Business of Beautiful Spaces, Laura chats with Laurie Laizure, founder of the Interior Design Community and host of the To-The-Trade Podcast. Laurie is a connector, a cheerleader for designers everywhere, and a true thought leader in the interior design industry. With over 94,000 members worldwide, IDC has become a trusted space for designers to share, learn, laugh, and grow—especially during times of industry change.

Together, Laurie and Laura dive into the power of community, how designers can lean into connection and collaboration, and why Laurie believes that no matter where you’re from—Boston or Bangladesh—we’re all navigating similar challenges. From tech tools and social media to global trends and daily struggles, this episode is packed with encouragement and insights to help you feel supported, inspired, and ready to keep building your beautiful design business.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• Why community is essential for the future of interior design
• How IDC has evolved and adapted with the industry
• The biggest challenges facing designers today—and how to overcome them
• The value of authentic connection in a digital world
• Tips for staying informed, inspired, and supported as a designer

Connect with Laurie Laizure:

• Instagram: @interiordesigncommunity
• Website: www.interiordesigncommunity.com
• Podcast: To-The-Trade Podcast

Mentorship One on One :

https://theprofitacademyforinteriordesigners.mykajabi.com/mentorship

The Business of Beautiful Spaces Presets:

https://theprofitacademyforinteriordesigners.mykajabi.com/preset-collection

The Profit Academy for Interior Designers Online Course:

https://theprofitacademyforinteriordesigners.mykajabi.com/

Be sure to follow along on Instagram @thebusinessofbeautifulspaces + @thorntondesign to stay up to date on what we're talking about next week. If you love our podcast, please, please, please leave us a review. If you have any questions or topic ideas OR you wish to be a guest email us [email protected] or find us on instagram @thebusinessofbeautifulspaces

Laura Thornton is the principle designer of Thornton Design Inc, located in Kleinburg, ON. Since founding the company in 1999, Laura has been committed to creating a new kind of interior design experience for her clients. Thornton Design is an experienced team of creative talents, focused on curating beautiful residential and commercial spaces in the Toronto, Ontario area and beyond. Now sharing all the years of experience with other interior designers to create a world of collaboration and less competition.

The Business of Beautiful Spaces I @thebusinessofbeautifulspaces
Thornton Design I @thorntondesign

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This episode couldn’t be more timely. As many of us are navigating a major shift in our businesses—grappling with pricing pressures, uncertain clients, and the ever-growing noise around tariff talks—it can be hard to stay positive, charge what we’re truly worth, and hold firm on the value we bring. That’s why I’m so excited to welcome today’s guest, Andrea Liebross.

Andrea is a business and mindset coach who works with unapologetically ambitious women entrepreneurs across a variety of industries—women just like you and me, who are juggling the complexities of life, business, and big dreams. She's also the host of the Time to Level Up podcast and author of the upcoming book She Thinks Big: The Entrepreneurial Woman’s Guide to Moving Past the Messy Middle and into the Extraordinary, coming out this fall.

Andrea has helped nearly 10,000 women shift from stuck to unstoppable by blending big-picture thinking with the kind of systems and strategies that create time, money, and energy freedom. Today, she’s here to help us break through the messy middle, stay grounded in our value, and continue building businesses that don’t just survive—but truly thrive. Let’s dive in.

Website: https://andrealiebross.com/

Be sure to follow along on Instagram @thebusinessofbeautifulspaces + @thorntondesign to stay up to date on what we're talking about next week. If you love our podcast, please, please, please leave us a review. If you have any questions or topic ideas OR you wish to be a guest email us [email protected] or find us on instagram @thebusinessofbeautifulspaces

Laura Thornton is the principle designer of Thornton Design Inc, located in Kleinburg, ON. Since founding the company in 1999, Laura has been committed to creating a new kind of interior design experience for her clients. Thornton Design is an experienced team of creative talents, focused on curating beautiful residential and commercial spaces in the Toronto, Ontario area and beyond. Now sharing all the years of experience with other interior designers to create a world of collaboration and less competition.

The Business of Beautiful Spaces I @thebusinessofbeautifulspaces
Thornton Design I @thorntondesign

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Elle is an avid reader, ocean lover and Brit-girl born to travel. 

She's also obsessed with helping interior designers stand out and get paid. Elle spent 10 years writing for luxury magazines, and today she blends rich storytelling and editorial design into results-driven websites for interior designers. She lives in Hong Kong and has two kids and a very naughty chihuahua. Follow Elle on Instagram at @imellekwan or contact her through her website at https://ellekwan.com/services

Get Elle's 3-step project-booking process and email templates here:  https://ellekwan.myflodesk.com/powerhouseportfolio

Be sure to follow along on Instagram @thebusinessofbeautifulspaces + @thorntondesign to stay up to date on what we're talking about next week. If you love our podcast, please, please, please leave us a review. If you have any questions or topic ideas OR you wish to be a guest email us [email protected] or find us on instagram @thebusinessofbeautifulspaces

Laura Thornton is the principle designer of Thornton Design Inc, located in Kleinburg, ON. Since founding the company in 1999, Laura has been committed to creating a new kind of interior design experience for her clients. Thornton Design is an experienced team of creative talents, focused on curating beautiful residential and commercial spaces in the Toronto, Ontario area and beyond. Now sharing all the years of experience with other interior designers to create a world of collaboration and less competition.

The Business of Beautiful Spaces I @thebusinessofbeautifulspaces
Thornton Design I @thorntondesign

Send us a text

In today’s episode, we’re diving into a topic that so many interior designers and decorators wrestle with—how to get help without the pressure of hiring full-time staff. I’m joined by the incredible Ronniesha Rivera, founder of Vetted by Design, who specializes in helping creatives streamline their businesses with the support of skilled virtual assistants.

We’ll explore how VAs can become a powerful extension of your team—allowing you to delegate with confidence, reclaim your time, and finally loosen the grip on those tasks you just don’t need to do yourself. Whether you’re overwhelmed by admin, struggling with social media, or simply looking to grow without burnout, Ronniesha shares practical tips and real talk on how to make virtual support work for your business. You don’t want to miss this one!

Be sure to follow along on Instagram @thebusinessofbeautifulspaces + @thorntondesign to stay up to date on what we're talking about next week. If you love our podcast, please, please, please leave us a review. If you have any questions or topic ideas OR you wish to be a guest email us [email protected] or find us on instagram @thebusinessofbeautifulspaces

Laura Thornton is the principle designer of Thornton Design Inc, located in Kleinburg, ON. Since founding the company in 1999, Laura has been committed to creating a new kind of interior design experience for her clients. Thornton Design is an experienced team of creative talents, focused on curating beautiful residential and commercial spaces in the Toronto, Ontario area and beyond. Now sharing all the years of experience with other interior designers to create a world of collaboration and less competition.

The Business of Beautiful Spaces I @thebusinessofbeautifulspaces
Thornton Design I @thorntondesign

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In this heartfelt and unfiltered episode, Laura sits down with Carly Nemtean — Principal Designer of Carriage Lane Design Build and Co-Founder of The Collective Workspace — for a real conversation about what many designers are feeling behind the scenes. From navigating the post-COVID slowdown to dealing with tariff challenges and shifting client expectations, Carly and Laura talk candidly about the emotional and financial realities of running a design business right now. This episode is a reminder that if you’re feeling uncertain or overwhelmed, you’re not alone — and there’s power in sharing the journey.

website: https://www.thecollectiveto.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecollectiveworkspace/

🎉 You’re Invited: Designer Day at Decor-Rest!
📅 Tuesday, May 13th, 2025 | 9:30 AM – 12:00 PM
📍 511 Chrislea Road, Woodbridge, Ontario, L4L 8N6

Join us for a fabulous morning at the Decor-Rest showroom and factory in Woodbridge! This exclusive in-person event kicks off with a delicious continental breakfast and the chance to connect with fellow designers. I’ll be there as a special guest speaker, sharing real-world strategies for building a profitable interior design business—no fluff, just what works.

You’ll also get a sneak peek at the latest trends from the Milan and High Point Furniture Markets, an exclusive plant and showroom tour, and we’ll wrap up with prizes, photos, and fun! This is your opportunity to learn, laugh, and network with some of the best in the biz.

💥 Space is limited and the Marzilli family at Decor-Rest goes all out—so if you sign up, please show up! Can’t wait to see you there

RSVP: [email protected]

Be sure to follow along on Instagram @thebusinessofbeautifulspaces + @thorntondesign to stay up to date on what we're talking about next week. If you love our podcast, please, please, please leave us a review. If you have any questions or topic ideas OR you wish to be a guest email us [email protected] or find us on instagram @thebusinessofbeautifulspaces

Laura Thornton is the principle designer of Thornton Design Inc, located in Kleinburg, ON. Since founding the company in 1999, Laura has been committed to creating a new kind of interior design experience for her clients. Thornton Design is an experienced team of creative talents, focused on curating beautiful residential and commercial spaces in the Toronto, Ontario area and beyond. Now sharing all the years of experience with other interior designers to create a world of collaboration and less competition.

The Business of Beautiful Spaces I @thebusinessofbeautifulspaces
Thornton Design I @thorntondesign

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Welcome to today’s episode, where we’re diving into the powerful partnership between interior designers and trusted vendors—and how that collaboration can elevate not just your design vision, but your bottom line. Joining us is Idilia Lucente, Sales Manager at Decor-Rest, a family-run Canadian furniture company known for their commitment to quality, customization, and the kind of customer care that makes doing business feel more like working with family.

With over four decades of experience and deep Italian roots, Decor-Rest has earned a reputation for award-winning, bench-made upholstered furniture that blends timeless craftsmanship with the latest trends. From sourcing exclusive fabrics across the globe to tailoring each piece with precision, Decor-Rest offers designers a one-stop solution for custom luxury that’s both stylish and smart. Idilia brings her passion for building relationships and supporting designers in creating beautiful, profitable spaces—with the added bonus of saving time, avoiding competitive shopping, and delivering peace of mind with Canadian-made quality and warranties that practically sell themselves.

Whether you're an established designer or just starting out, this conversation will give you valuable insights into how partnering with a vendor like Decor-Rest can help you streamline your process, impress your clients, and build a more profitable business. Let’s dive in!

Website: https://www.decor-rest.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/decorrest/

🎉 You’re Invited: Designer Day at Decor-Rest!
📅 Tuesday, May 13th, 2025 | 9:30 AM – 12:00 PM
📍 511 Chrislea Road, Woodbridge, Ontario, L4L 8N6

Join us for a fabulous morning at the Decor-Rest showroom and factory in Woodbridge! This exclusive in-person event kicks off with a delicious continental breakfast and the chance to connect with fellow designers. I’ll be there as a special guest speaker, sharing real-world strategies for building a profitable interior design business—no fluff, just what works.

You’ll also get a sneak peek at the latest trends from the Milan and High Point Furniture Markets, an exclusive plant and showroom tour, and we’ll wrap up with prizes, photos, and fun! This is your opportunity to learn, laugh, and network with some of the best in the biz.

💥 Space is limited and the Marzilli family at Decor-Rest goes all out—so if you sign up, please show up! Can’t wait to see you there.

RSVP for Designer Day Event: [email protected]

Be sure to follow along on Instagram @thebusinessofbeautifulspaces + @thorntondesign to stay up to date on what we're talking about next week. If you love our podcast, please, please, please leave us a review. If you have any questions or topic ideas OR you wish to be a guest email us [email protected] or find us on instagram @thebusinessofbeautifulspaces

Laura Thornton is the principle designer of Thornton Design Inc, located in Kleinburg, ON. Since founding the company in 1999, Laura has been committed to creating a new kind of interior design experience for her clients. Thornton Design is an experienced team of creative talents, focused on curating beautiful residential and commercial spaces in the Toronto, Ontario area and beyond. Now sharing all the years of experience with other interior designers to create a world of collaboration and less competition.

The Business of Beautiful Spaces I @thebusinessofbeautifulspaces
Thornton Design I @thorntondesign