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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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....
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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...
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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...
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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_outlineToday 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 journey.
Show Highlights:
- Emily shares her creative roots in fashion and how her design interests evolved toward interiors after building and renovating her own home
- She explains why she chose to return to school to learn the technical side of design, despite already having a strong foundation in textiles, color theory, and branding
- Emily discusses the importance of choosing a program that focuses not just on skills, but also on networking and building real-world relationships
- She talks about the entrepreneurial spirit that runs in her family and how it's influenced her desire to start her own business
- Emily opens up about the role of mentorship in her career development and how working alongside seasoned designers is helping her learn faster and more confidently
- She reflects on the transferable skills she gained from fashion trend forecasting, like overcoming shyness, building confidence, and approaching people fearlessly
- Emily emphasizes the importance of getting out of the classroom to network, visit showrooms, and engage with the design community early and often
- She shares advice for students in design programs: ask questions, stay curious, and embrace the learning process
- Emily offers her personal definition of success: focusing on the process of creating something meaningful rather than the outcome
Notable Quotes:
- “Hold on to a beginner’s mind and never let yourself feel like you know it all.”
- “It’s okay to fail. Redefine what failure means to you.”
- “Just because you can see the vision doesn’t mean the client can—you have to be able to show them.”
- “The classroom and showrooms are where you should be asking the questions.”
Supporting Resources:
Emily Jean Interior Design Website
Follow Emily on Instagram
Sponsor Links:
Design Manager — Project management, accounting, and purchasing built for interior designers
Hooker Furnishings — Versatile furniture, décor, and designer support
Daniel House Club — Sourcing from over 150 vendors in one place with trade pricing and concierge service