174: Hannah Oravec | Building a Passion-Based Business Model
Release Date: 01/27/2025
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_outline
184: Nicole Arnold | Expectation of Excellence
Design Biz Survival Guide
Today we welcome Nicole Arnold of Nicole Arnold Interiors—a turnkey residential and commercial interior design firm based in Dallas, Texas. In this episode, Nicole shares how her 15+ year career in sales and marketing with Levi Strauss & Co. laid the foundation for her pivot to interior design in 2008. We explore how her corporate experience shaped the structure, culture, and client commitment in her design business. Nicole also opens up about the things she didn't know when launching her firm and how the design community became a vital source of knowledge and support. Her story is one...
info_outline
183: Erik Perez - HELLO PR, Special Industry Spotlight Episode
Design Biz Survival Guide
This special Industry Spotlight episode of Design Biz Survival Guide shines a light on brands and partners that support designers creatively and professionally. These episodes are our way of sharing valuable resources and insights with our loyal listeners. Today we speak with Erik Perez, Principal of Hello PR Group, a full-service communications and strategic brand development firm specializing in design, lifestyle, and luxury brands. Erik shares the evolution of Hello PR, his insights on the shifting landscape of public relations, and how his team collaborates with designers to elevate their...
info_outline
182: Ivan Pineiro | The CONFIDENCE Episode
Design Biz Survival Guide
Today we welcome Ivan Pineiro, owner and Principal Designer of Pimell Interiors based in Las Vegas, Nevada. In this episode, Ivan shares the winding, 15-year journey that led him from retail to interior design and how a pivotal move to Las Vegas—and a push from his design community—helped him finally embrace his calling. Ivan gets candid about his struggle with imposter syndrome, the pressure to have it all figured out, and how cancer helped him reframe his priorities. This is a conversation about courage, resourcefulness, and the power of community in building a thriving design business....
info_outline
181: Jenny Slingerland | Surround Yourself with Greatness
Design Biz Survival Guide
Today we welcome Jenny Slingerland, Founder & Principal Designer of Black Ink Interiors based in Scottsdale, Arizona. In this episode, Jenny shares her unique journey into design, from working as a labor and delivery nurse to launching her own thriving interior design firm. We dive into her transition from healthcare to homebuilding, the pivotal moments that shaped her business, and how her greatest weakness—understanding the financials—evolved into her biggest strength. Jenny's story is a testament to the power of surrounding yourself with experts, staying curious, and building a...
info_outline
180: Emily Campbell | A Student’s Perspective
Design Biz Survival Guide
Today we welcome Emily Campbell, principal designer of Emily Jean Interior Design based in Portland, Oregon. In this episode, Emily shares her fresh perspective on the business of design as a student and entrepreneur. We discuss the pivotal moment that prompted her transition from fashion to interiors, her experience of balancing design school with launching a business, and how she’s building a foundation for long-term success by combining technical skills with real-world networking. Emily also shares how her entrepreneurial spirit, fearlessness, and commitment to community are shaping her...
info_outline
179: Page Sigband | The Nuances of a Niche Brand
Design Biz Survival Guide
Page Sigband, founder of Design by Page and Joyride Garage Design, joins the podcast to share how she carved out her place in the design world by specializing in one of the most overlooked spaces—the garage. In this episode, Page walks us through her background in graphic and furniture design, her transition into museum design, and how these experiences uniquely shaped her niche business model. From TV appearances and magazine features to pop-up tents and mechanic shop visits, Page reveals the real marketing strategies that move the needle. We also explore how thoughtful branding, hands-on...
info_outlineWelcome to another episode of Design Biz Survival Guide! Today we welcome Hannah Oravec, founder of Lawless Design—a New England-based residential and boutique commercial interior design studio focused on wellness and sustainability. In this episode, Hannah shares her design journey and the process of launching her own design business. We discuss her perspective on commercial and residential design and her strategy for qualifying projects that best align with her business model and personal design approach. We also dive into the value of expanding your professional circle, and Hannah shares her top networking tips for creative introverts.
Show Highlights:
-
Business Beginnings: Hannah’s journey from commercial design to launching her own studio.
-
Finding Your Niche: How wellness and sustainability became central to Lawless Design’s mission.
-
Networking for Introverts: Hannah’s tips for creative professionals to make meaningful connections.
-
Team Growth: The lessons learned from hiring and building a supportive design team.
-
Infusing Joy: How to incorporate passion projects into your business model.
Notable Quotes:
-
“Design should be personal. We’re not just giving you a cookie-cutter design; it’s about how our clients live in their homes and what makes them feel good.”
-
“I’m very upfront when interviewing clients—I’m not the designer for everyone, and that’s okay. There’s a designer out there for everyone.”
-
“Make sure there is an aspect or component of your business that truly brings you joy. You’re the business owner; you have the ability to make joy part of your business.”
Supporting Resources:
-
Learn More About Lawless Design: Visit the Website
-
Follow Lawless Design on Instagram: @lawless_design
-
Book Recommendation: How to Win Friends and Influence People
-
Register for The UK Business of Interiors Community Summit: Event Information
Sponsor Links:
A big thank you to our sponsors:
-
Design Manager – A comprehensive project management and accounting platform tailored for interior design professionals.
-
Daniel House Club – Simplifying the business of design with exclusive trade pricing, concierge service, and commission opportunities.
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.