194: Journey of Growth with Brad Leavitt
Design Biz Survival Guide
Today we welcome Brad Leavitt, President and owner of AFT Construction based in Scottsdale, Arizona. Brad is known for his collaborative design-build approach and his commitment to the designer + builder partnership. In this episode, we discuss Brad’s unintentional entrepreneurial journey, lessons in effective collaboration, and his perspective on scaling a business and cultivating a team of resourceful and empowered leaders. We also dive into Brad’s dedication to giving back through his podcast, public speaking, and his dynamic industry event, the Contractor Coalition Summit. SHOW...
info_outline
193: Re-Brand to Expand with Laura Williams
Design Biz Survival Guide
Today we welcome Laura Williams, Founder and Principal Designer of Living Oak, a boutique design firm based in Austin, TX. In this episode, Laura shares the story behind her recent rebrand from ATX Interior Design to Living Oak and how this strategic shift allowed her business to grow beyond the local market. We discuss the power of community and networking in building a thriving design business, and Laura pulls back the curtain on the realities of running a hybrid business model that includes design services, retail, and e-commerce. From her marketing roots to her multi-faceted business...
info_outline
192: Jude Charles – Special Industry Spotlight Episode
Design Biz Survival Guide
This special Industry Spotlight episode of Design Biz Survival Guide features filmmaker and brand storyteller Jude Charles. Jude returns to the podcast for a deep dive into the strategy behind his signature process called Dramatic Demonstration, a method of crafting impactful video docu-series that highlight the heart and humanity behind creative businesses. Jude shares how personal storytelling can build trust, attract ideal clients, and establish a lasting legacy in the design industry. Through examples from collaborations with Rick Campos, Jen Davidson, Brad Leavitt, and others, Jude...
info_outline
191: The Story of Home with Jen Davidson
Design Biz Survival Guide
Today we welcome Jen Davidson — Owner & Principal Designer of Interiors by Jen Davidson, a full-service interior design studio based in Chicago, Illinois. In this episode, we discuss the evolution of Jen’s creative career and how her former career as a flight attendant has uniquely shaped the way she leads her team, connects with her clients, and manages her design projects. Jen shares how she leverages structure, adaptability, and emotional intelligence to run a streamlined and meaningful business. We also dive into her storytelling-driven design process and how turning vulnerability...
info_outline
190: Luann Nigara | Unpacking the Spirit of Entrepreneurship
Design Biz Survival Guide
Today we welcome my dear friend and mentor Luann Nigara to the podcast. Luann is the host of A Well-Designed Business podcast, a celebrated author, speaker, and trusted business coach. She is one of the most influential voices in the interior design industry. In this episode, Luann opens up about her entrepreneurial journey—from growing a window treatment franchise with her husband, Vin, to creating a game-changing podcast and launching Luann University. We talk about the wins, the failures, and the lessons that shaped her as a leader, the importance of perseverance and innovation, and...
info_outline
189: The Design Besties | Creative Minds Connecting with Purpose
Design Biz Survival Guide
Today we welcome Whitney Atkinson, Rhobin DeLaCruz, Nikki Watson, and Lori Johnson – also known as The Design Besties. In this episode, we discuss the power of community over competition and the impact that collaboration has on their design businesses, personal lives, and the wider design community. The group shares how they met, their diverse creative backgrounds, and how their supportive circle has become an unexpected game-changer in both business and life. Plus, we explore their shared passion for giving back through a philanthropic project that is transforming teachers' lounges across...
info_outline
188: Michele Williams | Profit is a Choice
Design Biz Survival Guide
Today we welcome Michele Williams, CEO and founder of Scarlet Thread Consulting. Michele specializes in helping design professionals lead and scale their businesses with confidence and clarity. In this episode, Michele shares the pivotal moment that turned her hard-earned lessons and financial expertise into a consulting model that has empowered countless interior designers to build more profitable businesses. We also explore how the book Profit First influenced her approach to financial strategy, and how she helps creatives overcome money overwhelm by aligning operations with vision and...
info_outline
187: Melissa Sanabria | Creating Structure out of Ambiguity
Design Biz Survival Guide
Today we welcome Melissa Sanabria, principal and founder of Sanabria & Co based in Washington, DC. In this episode, Melissa shares her journey from a successful career in finance to launching her own interior design firm—and the real transferable skill that helped her thrive in a creative business. She walks us through the intentional strategies she implemented during the transition, including a three-year planning period, data-driven decision-making, and a commitment to investing in her business early on. Melissa also unpacks her top three foundational strategies and opens up about how...
info_outline
186: The Art & Impact of Styling with Dorothea Coelho
Design Biz Survival Guide
Today we welcome LA-based interior designer and stylist Dorothea Coelho to the podcast. Dorothea shares her remarkable journey from stand-up comedy to working with one of LA’s top designers and ultimately creating a unique design business model that includes professional styling services. We explore the often-overlooked art of styling, from the thoughtful editing of a space to the logistics of collaborating with photographers and designers. Dorothea offers invaluable insight into the stylist’s role in the design process and shares tips on sourcing, storytelling through objects, and the...
info_outline
185: 7 Year Anniversary Podcast Takeover with Nicole Roe
Design Biz Survival Guide
Today we welcome Nicole Roe of R Nickson Interiors as our PODCAST TAKEOVER guest host! The podcast takeover is an annual tradition to celebrate another year of inspiring conversations about life and the business of interior design. In this special 7-year anniversary episode, Nicole takes the reins and puts host Rick Campos in the hot seat. Rick reflects on the podcast’s journey, shares personal and professional insights, and opens up about the mission behind the mic. Plus, questions submitted by past guests Antonio DeLoatch, Jamie Gasparovic, John McClain, and Brittany Glass bring even more...
info_outlineToday we welcome Renee Biery, owner of Devignier Design based in Wilmington Delaware and host of the The Only Girl on the Job site Podcast. In this episode Renee shares her journey of design and how she developed a niche expertise in managing large scale construction from renovations to new builds. We dive deep into the benefits of embracing the construction side of design and the nuances of contributing to the construction process from a design perspective. Renee pays it forward to the design community by informing and empowering designers on how to be more confident on the job site and she shares her top tips right here with us.
Show Highlights:
-
Embracing Construction: Why designers should integrate construction management into their business models.
-
Confidence on the Jobsite: How to project value and demonstrate leadership during construction projects.
-
Collaboration Tips: Building rapport with trades, contractors, and clients for project success.
-
Podcast Beginnings: The surprising origin of Only Girl on the Jobsite and its evolution into a go-to resource for designers.
-
Resilience in Design: How Renee’s construction-first approach sustained her business during economic downturns.
Notable Quotes:
- “You are an equal with the contractor, the architect, and the landscaper. The client sees all of you as equals, and designers need to embrace that confidence.”
- “Be curious, show up early, and stay a little late on job sites. Building rapport with trades can transform your projects and strengthen relationships.”
- “The secret to survival in this business is construction. No two projects, teams, or clients are ever alike. That’s what keeps it exciting.”
Follow and Review:
We’d love for you to follow us if you haven’t yet. Click that purple ‘+’ in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review,” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second, and it helps spread the word about the podcast.
Supporting Resources:
Devignier Design: devignierdesign.com
Devignier Design on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/devignierdesign?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
Renee’s Podcast: https://devignierdesign.com/podcast/
Register for the Design Biz Power Course – https://designbizsurvivalguide.com/design-biz-power-course/
Sponsor Links:
James and James Trade Program: https://carpenterjames.com/pages/trade-program?ad=DBSG
Design Manager: https://www.designmanager.com/