Hot Young Designers Club | Interior Design Business Podcast

Fresh off Fall 2026 High Point Market, Shaun and Rebecca are back with their favorite showroom discoveries, emerging interior design trends, and the hidden gems you may have missed! From innovative performance rugs and stunning decorative hardware to lighting details that deserve more attention, they're sharing the products, vendors, and creative inspiration that caught their eyes at the world's largest home furnishings trade show. Plus, they're calling out the trends that are starting to feel a little too overdone.

Whether you're planning your first trip to High Point Market or looking for fresh sourcing resources for your interior design business, this episode is packed with insider tips. Shaun and Rebecca discuss the benefits of staying close to market, building relationships with vendors, attending industry panels, and finding unique pieces that set your designs apart. Along the way, they share their favorite moments with fellow designers, lessons from their speaking engagements, and plenty of hilarious behind-the-scenes adventures.

In this episode they discuss:

• Their biggest takeaways from Fall 2026 High Point Market, including how staying nearby and using local shuttles completely changed their market experience.
• Exciting rug discoveries at Jaipur Living, including innovative performance fibers, geometric patterns, and thoughtful design details from Vern Yip's collection.
• Underrated lighting and hardware vendors, including Art and Forge, Ellis Works, and Hudson Valley Lighting, that deserve a spot on your sourcing list.
• Why bright white lampshades, repetitive block prints, and beige-on-beige showrooms are starting to feel tired, and what they'd rather see from manufacturers.
• Discovering one-of-a-kind antiques, textiles, furniture, and accessories at 313 Space and the curated Ticking Tent event.
• The growing popularity of rustic wood finishes, natural materials, and handcrafted details in furniture and interior design.
• Their experiences speaking on panels at Norwalk Furniture and Hooker Furnishings, including conversations about originality, creative inspiration, and designing beyond social media trends.
• How to make the most of High Point Market through strategic sourcing, industry networking, educational events, and meaningful connections with other interior designers.

Our links:

• Subscribe and leave a review -https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hot-young-designers-club-interior-design-business-podcast/id1505427626Apple Podcasts
• Like, Comment, & Follow -https://www.instagram.com/hotyoungdesignersclub/reels/?hl=enHot Young Designers Club Instagram
• Rebecca’s Instagram
• Shaun’s Instagram
• For more information -https://hotyoungdesignersclub.com/Check out the website
• Become a “Loyal Hottie” -https://www.patreon.com/hydcSupport us on Patreon
• Design Resources -https://shop.hotyoungdesignersclub.com/Check out our shop

Sponsors:

Hot Young Designers Club is brought to you by Programa. Learn more at https://programahq.link/hydc. Use code HYDC25 to save 25% on an annual plan.

What does your tile installer really wish you knew before starting your next interior design project? This week, Shaun Crha and Rebecca Plum welcome Adam Wilson, founder of Icon Tile, to get an insider’s perspective on custom tile installation, bathroom renovations, and the relationship between interior designers and skilled tradespeople. From the great Schluter debate to intricate tile layouts, waterproofing systems, and the true cost of craftsmanship, Adam shares what goes into bringing ambitious design ideas to life—and why some tile installers say “no” when designers want to push the boundaries.

With more than two decades of experience in the tile industry, Adam also shares how he has grown Icon Tile into a thriving business, why training the next generation of skilled tradespeople matters, and what designers should understand about natural materials like lime plaster, microcement, and tadelakt. The conversation takes a timely turn into material safety, lead in zellige tile, silica exposure, and the responsibility designers and manufacturers share in creating healthier homes. Whether you're specifying tile for a bathroom remodel or managing a complex custom installation, this episode will help you communicate better with contractors, avoid costly surprises, and create beautiful work together.

In this episode they discuss:

• What tile installers wish interior designers understood about custom tile installation, detailed layouts, and the craftsmanship behind a beautiful finished project
• The debate over Schluter trim, mitered tile edges, and waterproofing systems—and how budget and design intent influence installation decisions
• How Adam grew Icon Tile from a small operation into a larger team and why apprenticeships and skilled-trade education are essential to the future of construction
• The differences between lime plaster, microcement, and traditional Moroccan tadelakt, including the extensive prep work behind seamless bathroom finishes
• Growing concerns about silica dust, lead in zellige tile, and how designers, installers, and manufacturers can approach material safety and healthier interior design
• Why detailed design plans, accurate tile specifications, realistic budgets, and early communication help contractors say “yes” to creative installations
• The hidden costs of tile installation, from substrate preparation and complex patterns to change orders and the importance of hiring tradespeople with the right expertise
• What designers should know about shower waterproofing, hot-mop shower pans, drainage systems, and preventing moisture-related problems

Mentioned:

• Icon Tile - Website
• Icon Tile on Instagram

Our links:

• Subscribe and leave a review -https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hot-young-designers-club-interior-design-business-podcast/id1505427626Apple Podcasts
• Like, Comment, & Follow -https://www.instagram.com/hotyoungdesignersclub/reels/?hl=enHot Young Designers Club Instagram
• Rebecca’s Instagram
• Shaun’s Instagram
• For more information -https://hotyoungdesignersclub.com/Check out the website
• Become a “Loyal Hottie” -https://www.patreon.com/hydcSupport us on Patreon
• Design Resources -https://shop.hotyoungdesignersclub.com/Check out our shop

Sponsors:

Hot Young Designers Club is brought to you by Programa. Learn more at https://programahq.link/hydc. Use code HYDC25 to save 25% on an annual plan.

Are you taking on more liability in your interior design business than you realize? This week, Rebecca and Shaun are diving into the sometimes confusing world of project management, construction coordination, and business compliance. After hearing about an interior designer facing a workers' compensation audit for potentially operating like a general contractor, they're asking some important questions about where an interior designer's responsibilities should end and how to protect your business from costly mistakes.

But it's not all insurance audits and legal headaches! They're also talking about hiring employees versus independent contractors, outsourcing the parts of your business you don't love, and building a design team that actually understands your creative vision. Plus, they're sharing practical insights on business lines of credit, cash flow management, and why growing your interior design firm doesn't have to mean giving up the creative work that brings you joy. Whether you're a solo designer or growing your studio, this episode is a reminder that running a profitable interior design business means making intentional decisions about your time, your team, and your risks.

In this episode they discuss:

• The difference between interior design project management, design intent management, and construction management—and why defining your scope of work matters.
• How acting like a general contractor could expose interior designers to workers' compensation audits, insurance requirements, and unexpected financial penalties.
• The risks of misclassifying independent contractors as employees, plus why hiring an HR consultant can help keep your design business compliant.
• How Programa simplifies construction documentation, FF&E schedules, and communication with contractors to keep interior design projects organized.
• Deciding which responsibilities to outsource and which creative tasks to keep as your interior design business grows.
• Building an interior design team that understands your studio's values, design philosophy, and approach to client experience.
• Navigating the hiring process, delegating responsibilities, and learning to trust other designers to make decisions without giving up creative control.
• How business lines of credit, credit cards, and strategic cash flow management can support growth and hiring in your interior design firm.

Mentioned:

• High Point Market – The furniture and design industry market where Rebecca and Shaun are speaking on panels.
• Norwalk Furniture – Rebecca's High Point Market panel location.
• Hooker Furnishings – Shaun's High Point Market panel location.
• Hotties on Holiday: Mexico City – Learn more about the March 2027 group trip for interior designers.
• Hot Young Designers Club Blog – Submit your interior design projects for a designer feature and potential SEO-building press exposure.
• Yond Interiors – Julia Miller's interior design studio, mentioned in the conversation about creative roles and business management.
• Gusto – Payroll and HR software discussed for managing employees and payroll taxes.

Our links:

• Subscribe and leave a review -https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hot-young-designers-club-interior-design-business-podcast/id1505427626Apple Podcasts
• Like, Comment, & Follow -https://www.instagram.com/hotyoungdesignersclub/reels/?hl=enHot Young Designers Club Instagram
• Rebecca’s Instagram
• Shaun’s Instagram
• For more information -https://hotyoungdesignersclub.com/Check out the website
• Become a “Loyal Hottie” -https://www.patreon.com/hydcSupport us on Patreon
• Design Resources -https://shop.hotyoungdesignersclub.com/Check out our shop

Sponsors:

Hot Young Designers Club is brought to you by Programa. Learn more at https://programahq.link/hydc. Use code HYDC25 to save 25% on an annual plan.

Vintage furniture brings character, personality, and soul to a space, but incorporating it into your interior design business comes with its own set of challenges. From sourcing one-of-a-kind pieces to navigating shipping disasters, pricing antiques, and managing client expectations, there's a lot more to selling vintage than finding a beautiful treasure. In this episode, Shaun and Rebecca welcome Heather Peterson, founder and principal designer of Minneapolis-based Heather Peterson Design, to discuss her approach to vintage sourcing, transparent pricing, and creating a client experience built on trust.

Heather shares how her background in advertising and art curation influences her eclectic, color-filled interiors and how years of hard-earned lessons have shaped her interior design business processes. From creating client education guides and navigating furniture receiving to styling photo shoots, investing in PR, and building a strong design team, this conversation is packed with practical advice for interior designers looking to streamline their operations and grow a more profitable, sustainable business. Plus, Heather shares why developing a recognizable design point of view can attract better-aligned clients and why building a successful design business doesn't always mean building a bigger one.

In this episode they discuss:

• How to source, price, and sell vintage furniture and antiques while educating clients on the true value of secondhand pieces beyond potential cost savings
• Heather's transparent pricing strategy, including her 35% markup on furnishings and materials and 20% markup on labor, reupholstery, and workroom services
• Creating "What to Expect" client guides for vintage purchases, receiving and shipping, installations, and photo shoots to prevent surprises and build client trust
• Managing vintage furniture restoration, freight complications, unexpected damages, and the realities of furniture receiving and procurement
• How professional interior design photography, intentional styling, and developing a recognizable aesthetic can help attract ideal clients and increase opportunities for publication
• Heather's strategy for sourcing and selling styling accessories during installations without pressuring clients to purchase everything
• Building better interior design business systems, delegating responsibilities, working with a business coach, and investing in public relations to grow your studio
• Why designers should define success on their own terms, embrace different seasons of business ownership, and prioritize sustainable growth over simply getting bigger

Mentioned:

• Heather Peterson Design -https://www.heatherpetersondesign.com/Website
• Heather Peterson Design -https://www.instagram.com/hpetersondesign/Instagram
• Heather Peterson Design -https://www.heatherpetersondesign.com/pressPress and Publications

Our links:

• Subscribe and leave a review - Apple Podcasts
• Like, Comment, & Follow - Hot Young Designers Club Instagram
• Rebecca’s Instagram
• Shaun’s Instagram
• For more information - Check out the website
• Become a “Loyal Hottie” - Support us on Patreon
• Design Resources - Check out our shop

Sponsors:

Hot Young Designers Club is brought to you by Programa. Learn more at https://programahq.link/hydc. Use code HYDC25 to save 25% on an annual plan.

What does it look like to build an interior design business where creativity—not just revenue—is the driving force? Shaun and Rebecca sit down with Julia Miller, founder and creative director of Yond Interiors, to talk about protecting the creative vision of a project from the first client inquiry all the way through installation, styling, and photography.

Julia shares how Yond has built a process that allows the team to execute large-scale interior design projects across the country while delivering a high-touch client experience. They get into choosing aligned clients, setting expectations with contractors, preserving design intent, taking on private and NDA projects, and why Julia would rather turn down a lucrative project than sacrifice creative freedom. Plus, Julia explains how she has shaped her role as creative director, why she took styling back in-house, and how The Studio Table is helping other interior designers learn the systems behind Yond’s work.

In this episode they discuss:

• How Julia built Yond Interiors around creativity, strong processes, and doing their best work on every project
• Why Julia sees Yond as the “guardian of the design” and how the team protects design intent through construction and installation
• Creating a high-touch luxury interior design experience by solving problems behind the scenes instead of handing them back to the client
• How Yond evaluates potential clients, projects, contractors, timelines, and creative opportunities before saying yes
• The complicated business and marketing decisions behind NDA projects, private clients, and projects that can’t be photographed or published
• Why creative freedom is a bigger motivator for Julia than money—and why not every well-paying project is the right project
• How Julia defines her role as creative director, collaborates with her design team, and stays involved without needing to control every decision
• Why Julia brought interior styling in-house and how styling and photography have become an essential part of Yond’s creative process and brand

Mentioned:

• Yond Interiors -https://www.yondinteriors.com/https://www.yondinteriors.com/
• The Studio Table -https://www.thestudiotable.co/https://www.thestudiotable.co/
• Brunel -https://shopbrunel.com/https://shopbrunel.com/
• Yond Cottage -https://www.yondinteriors.com/projects/yondcottagehttps://www.yondinteriors.com/projects/yondcottage
• Brunel Instagram -https://www.instagram.com/shopbrunel/https://www.instagram.com/shopbrunel/

Our links:

• Subscribe and leave a review - Apple Podcasts
• Like, Comment, & Follow - Hot Young Designers Club Instagram
• Rebecca’s Instagram
• Shaun’s Instagram
• For more information - Check out the website
• Become a “Loyal Hottie” - Support us on Patreon
• Design Resources - Check out our shop

Sponsors:

Hot Young Designers Club is brought to you by Programa. Learn more at https://programahq.link/hydc. Use code HYDC25 to save 25% on an annual plan.

What if your interior design project tracker could tell you when you actually have capacity for your next client—and forecast the revenue coming with it? This week, Shaun and Rebecca are talking about owning your accomplishments, getting more intentional about the projects you want to attract, and using technology to make running an interior design business a whole lot easier.

Then Shaun shares an interactive project management and capacity dashboard he built with ChatGPT, starting with the idea of a simple spreadsheet and turning it into a custom tool for tracking project phases, scheduling, payments, cash flow, and future studio capacity. They walk through what it can already do, what they’d add next, and why tools like this could completely change how interior designers plan proposals, manage their pipeline, and make business decisions.

In this episode they discuss:

• Why interior designers need to stop downplaying their accomplishments when talking about their businesses
• How confidently explaining the type of design work you want can help attract better-fit interior design clients
• Reframing lead qualification around the projects your studio actually has capacity for instead of simply telling prospects they don’t meet your minimums
• Creating a referral network of other interior designers for leads that aren’t the right fit for your firm
• Why understanding your project pipeline and studio capacity makes it easier to know when you can take on new interior design projects
• How Shaun used ChatGPT to turn a basic spreadsheet concept into an interactive project management and capacity dashboard
• Tracking project phases, payment milestones, design fees, procurement revenue, project coordination, installation fees, and cash flow projections in one place
• How AI-powered tools could help interior designers build custom business systems without knowing how to code

Our links:

• Subscribe and leave a review - Apple Podcasts
• Like, Comment, & Follow - Hot Young Designers Club Instagram
• Rebecca’s Instagram
• Shaun’s Instagram
• For more information - Check out the website
• Become a “Loyal Hottie” - Support us on Patreon
• Design Resources - Check out our shop

Sponsors:

Hot Young Designers Club is brought to you by Programa. Learn more at https://programahq.link/hydc. Use code HYDC25 to save 25% on an annual plan.

Shaun and Rebecca are getting real about the messy overlap between interior design, construction project management, and everything clients assume is included in “project management.” After catching up on home renovations, home office frustrations, and the never-ending search for furniture that actually functions, they dig into how Rebecca is refining her discovery calls to better qualify potential interior design clients and uncover what they really want from their homes.

Then, they tackle a bigger question for interior designers working on construction projects: Are we actually managing the construction, or are we managing the design intent? They talk through contractor responsibilities, client expectations, liability, job site walkthroughs, and why designers need much clearer language around what project management does—and does not—include. They also explore whether construction milestone meetings could become a defined, systematized, and profitable part of an interior designer’s scope of work.

In this episode they discuss:

• Why today’s home office furniture still isn’t meeting the way people actually work from home
• How thoughtful discovery call questions can uncover a client’s priorities, design style, budget expectations, and readiness to hire an interior designer
• Why asking potential clients what they want their new home to give them can reveal the real problem they’re trying to solve
• The difference between construction project management and managing the designer’s design intent
• Why interior designers need to clearly define what “project management” means in their proposals and contracts
• How contractor communication, scheduling, and client expectations can create gaps that designers often end up filling
• Why defining milestone walkthroughs for framing, plumbing, electrical, tile, and other construction phases could protect the design and clarify the designer’s role
• How systematizing and pricing construction site visits could turn an often-unpaid responsibility into a more intentional revenue stream

Mentioned:

• EP160: Renée Biery, “The Only Girl on the Job Site”https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hot-young-designers-club-interior-design-business-podcast/id1505427626?i=1000739837092
• EP90: A Conversation with Rachel Moriarty

Sponsors:

• Hot Young Designers Club is brought to you by Programa. Learn more at https://programahq.link/hydc

Our links:

• Subscribe and leave a review - Apple Podcasts
• Like, Comment, & Follow - Hot Young Designers Club Instagram
• Rebecca’s Instagram
• Shaun’s Instagram
• For more information - Check out the website
• Become a “Loyal Hottie” - Support us on Patreon
• Design Resources - Check out our shop

Sponsors:

Hot Young Designers Club is brought to you by Programa. Learn more at https://programahq.link/hydc. Use code HYDC25 to save 25% on an annual plan.

What can Costco hot dogs and Hermès handbags teach interior designers about running a high-end design business? Quite a lot, apparently. Rebecca and Shaun dig into the wildly different business models behind Costco and Hermès and uncover surprising lessons about luxury, value, trust, vendor relationships, pricing, craftsmanship, and creating a brand clients believe in.

They also catch up on some big personal and business changes, including Shaun’s decision to leave his studio and reduce overhead, Rebecca’s adventures in home renovation and color drenching, and the importance of making strategic business decisions with trusted advisors. From cost-plus pricing and designer discounts to vintage sourcing and what actually defines a luxury client, this episode explores how interior designers can create more profitable businesses while delivering an experience that feels truly high-end.

In this episode they discuss:

• Why Shaun decided to give up his office space, reduce overhead, and make aggressive financial moves for the next chapter of his interior design business
• How working with a CPA and financial advisor can help designers make smarter decisions about expenses, profitability, retirement, and long-term business goals
• Rebecca’s spontaneous color-drenched hallway and the design concept of “compression and release” inspired by Frank Lloyd Wright
• What the Acquired podcast’s deep dive into Costco reveals about limited product selection, strong supplier relationships, customer trust, and delivering exceptional value
• How designers can build deeper vendor relationships and use purchasing power to create better pricing without making a luxury design service feel “cheap”
• Whether a cost-plus pricing model can work for high-end interior design, especially when sourcing custom furniture, vintage pieces, and products from preferred vendors
• What Hermès teaches us about craftsmanship, consistency, exclusivity, brand identity, and creating luxury products that clients desire beyond pure functionality
• The difference between offering a luxury design service and working with a truly luxury client who values trust, access, one-of-a-kind pieces, expertise, and the finished result over price shopping

Our links:

• Subscribe and leave a review - Apple Podcasts
• Like, Comment, & Follow - Hot Young Designers Club Instagram
• Rebecca’s Instagram
• Shaun’s Instagram
• For more information - Check out the website
• Become a “Loyal Hottie” - Support us on Patreon
• Design Resources - Check out our shop

What stories are your clients telling about working with you? Shaun and Rebecca welcome back Rick Campos, founder of Design Biz Survival Guide and a certified Unreasonable Hospitality coach, to explore how interior designers can create a client experience that goes far beyond great service. Drawing from Will Guidara’s Unreasonable Hospitality, Rick explains why making clients feel seen, heard, and understood can become one of the strongest differentiators for an interior design business.

They talk about identifying client-facing touchpoints, creating meaningful moments without relying on expensive gifts, and tailoring hospitality to what each individual client actually values. Rick also shares how designers can bring hospitality into difficult moments, from delivering bad news to handling installation problems, why picking up the phone still matters, and how thoughtful client experiences can generate repeat business, referrals, and the kind of word-of-mouth marketing money can’t buy.

In this episode they discuss:

• The difference between client service and true hospitality—and why hospitality is about how you make people feel
• How to identify client-facing touchpoints and turn ordinary parts of your interior design process into memorable experiences
• Why generic gifts and branded swag often fall flat compared to thoughtful gestures based on what you’ve actually learned about your client
• How listening, observing, and understanding what an individual client values can help you personalize their interior design experience
• Why human connection and emotional intelligence are increasingly important differentiators for interior designers in an AI-driven world
• How to use hospitality when something goes wrong, including why Rick believes in telling the truth, telling it fast, and personally delivering bad news
• How respecting a client’s time, communication style, family schedule, and desired level of involvement can be a form of luxury hospitality
• Why creating stories clients want to retell can lead to stronger referrals, repeat clients, and long-term growth for your interior design business

Mentioned:

• Design Biz Survival Guide -https://designbizsurvivalguide.com/https://designbizsurvivalguide.com/
• Unreasonable Hospitality by Will Guidara -https://www.unreasonablehospitality.com/https://www.unreasonablehospitality.com/

Our links:

• Subscribe and leave a review - Apple Podcasts
• Like, Comment, & Follow - Hot Young Designers Club Instagram
• Rebecca’s Instagram
• Shaun’s Instagram
• For more information - Check out the website
• Become a “Loyal Hottie” - Support us on Patreon
• Design Resources - Check out our shop

What happens when you build an interior design business around creativity, connection, and trusting your instincts? Shaun and Rebecca sit down with Whitney Romanoff, founder and principal designer of Meet West Studio in Fayetteville, Arkansas, to talk about her unconventional path from international relations and management consulting to running a growing interior design firm.

Whitney shares how her corporate background shaped her approach to client communication, team leadership, and difficult conversations about money, as well as why creating a genuine connection with clients leads to stronger creative work. They also get into building a design team that gives you more freedom, creating a recognizable interior design brand, finding inspiration through music and travel, making the leap into boutique hospitality design, and learning when outsourcing is smarter than doing everything yourself.

In this episode they discuss:

• How Whitney left a career in management consulting and took a chance on herself to launch Meet West Studio without a traditional interior design degree
• Building a six-person interior design team and transitioning longtime designers into leadership roles so Whitney can spend more time on creative direction
• Why a distinctive brand, strong point of view, and unexpected references can help an interior design firm attract more aligned clients
• How music, travel, storytelling, and mood boards influence Whitney’s creative process and the cinematic spaces Meet West Studio creates
• Why trust, shared values, and a genuine connection with interior design clients can make both the design process and the finished work better
• Giving yourself permission to see beauty and interior design as a meaningful service that can improve the way clients experience their everyday lives
• What Whitney learned taking on an 88-room boutique hotel, including commercial sourcing, value engineering, and outsourcing large-scale procurement
• Why investing in the right team members and an interior-design-specific financial expert can give firm owners more freedom, confidence, and capacity to pursue bigger opportunities

Mentioned:

• Meet West Studio
• Meet West Studio Instagram
• McGhee Financials
• Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art

Our links:

• Subscribe and leave a review - Apple Podcasts
• Like, Comment, & Follow - Hot Young Designers Club Instagram
• Rebecca’s Instagram
• Shaun’s Instagram
• For more information - Check out the website
• Become a “Loyal Hottie” - Support us on Patreon
• Design Resources - Check out our shop

What if the reason you can’t focus, make decisions, or tap into your creativity isn’t a lack of discipline—but a lack of capacity? Shaun and Rebecca sit down with executive advisor, business coach, keynote speaker, and author Angie Wisdom to talk about protecting the finite mental and emotional resources we rely on to run our businesses and our lives.

Angie breaks down why interior designers are especially vulnerable to capacity overload, how constant decisions and “search friction” drain our brains, and why pushing through burnout usually makes things worse. They also explore nervous system regulation, morning routines, habit building, self-trust, people pleasing, navigating genuinely hard seasons of life, and learning to modify your expectations instead of abandoning what matters to you. If you’ve ever wondered why you can’t seem to discipline your way into doing more, this conversation offers a completely different framework for creating sustainable success.

In this episode they discuss:

• Why your brain has a finite amount of daily capacity and how to think of it like the battery on your phone
• The mental, emotional, physical, and nervous system “leaks” that can drain your capacity before the workday is even over
• Angie’s CAP framework—Catch, Ask, Prompt—for recognizing when you’re overloaded and choosing what you need next
• Why interior designers can’t simply hustle or push through creative burnout when there’s no capacity left to access
• How discipline uses valuable mental capacity and why turning behaviors into habits and identity makes them easier to sustain
• How morning routines, proactive decision-making, and reducing “search friction” can protect your energy for the work that matters
• Creating realistic modifications during hard seasons of life instead of waiting to “survive” them before prioritizing yourself
• How self-trust, values, and intentional capacity management can make you a stronger business owner, creative, leader, and service provider

Mentioned:

• Angie Wisdom -https://angiewisdom.com/https://angiewisdom.com/
• Angie Wisdom on Instagram -https://www.instagram.com/angiewisdom_/https://www.instagram.com/angiewisdom_/
• The Non-Negotiable You: Mindset Mastery for Daily Success -https://angiewisdom.com/product/the-non-negotiable-you-mindset-mastery-for-daily-success/https://angiewisdom.com/product/the-non-negotiable-you-mindset-mastery-for-daily-success/

Our links:

• Subscribe and leave a review - Apple Podcasts
• Like, Comment, & Follow - Hot Young Designers Club Instagram
• Rebecca’s Instagram
• Shaun’s Instagram
• For more information - Check out the website
• Become a “Loyal Hottie” - Support us on Patreon
• Design Resources - Check out our shop

Summer is summering, and Shaun and Rebecca are feeling every bit of the chaos. They catch up on Rebecca’s daughter starting middle school, the impending disruption of a home flooring project, sensory overload, and what it looks like to raise kids who can advocate for themselves instead of having every problem solved for them. They also share an exciting update on the upcoming Hot Young Designers Club Mexico City trip, designed to give interior designers a chance to connect, explore, and actually let someone else handle the planning for once.

Then it’s time to bring back a Hot Young Designers Club classic: Just Stop. Shaun, Rebecca, and the Hotties weigh in on the interior design trends and industry habits they’re ready to see less of—from an endless supply of tiny cordless lamps and default Shaker cabinets to questionable 3D-rendering marketing, publicly dragging your competitors, and asking other interior designers to hand over their expertise for free.

In this episode they discuss:

• Navigating life, work, parenting, and a home renovation when everything seems to be happening at the same time
• Helping kids build independence, organization, self-advocacy, and habits that actually work for their brains
• The upcoming Hot Young Designers Club Mexico City trip and creating an intimate, low-stress travel experience for interior designers
• Why the design industry might officially have enough tiny rechargeable cordless lamps
• Whether 3D renderings belong on an interior designer’s website or Instagram—and how to use them effectively as marketing content
• Why designers can communicate their value without publicly tearing down competitors or other creatives
• The case against defaulting to Shaker cabinets and how designers can help clients make more adventurous cabinetry choices
• Why asking another interior designer to “pick their brain” should come with an offer to pay for their expertise and time

Our links:

• Subscribe and leave a review - Apple Podcasts
• Like, Comment, & Follow - Hot Young Designers Club Instagram
• Rebecca’s Instagram
• Shaun’s Instagram
• For more information - Check out the website
• Become a “Loyal Hottie” - Support us on Patreon
• Design Resources - Check out our shop

How well is your interior design inquiry form actually qualifying potential clients? In this episode, Shaun and Rebecca explore how budget dropdowns, minimum project investments, investment guides, and consultations can shape the quality of your leads. They discuss the tension between filtering out unqualified inquiries and educating promising clients who have the money to invest but do not yet understand what furnishing and renovation projects cost.

They also unpack a viral designer post announcing a public “breakup” with furniture vendor Four Hands. The conversation expands into vendor relationships, furniture damage claims, buying power, client-facing marketing, rage bait, and whether interior designers should use their business accounts to educate other designers. Plus, they share a tariff-refund surprise, debate realistic measurement tolerances, and offer a quick update from Las Vegas Market.

In this episode they discuss:

• How budget ranges on an interior design inquiry form can attract, qualify, or accidentally discourage potential clients
• Why some high-value clients need pricing education before they are ready to commit to a six-figure design investment
• Using consultations, investment guides, and automated responses to create different paths for different types of leads
• When a high closing rate may signal that it is time to raise your design fees, expand your team, or increase your project minimums
• Why designers should regularly audit their inquiry process, website links, lead data, and client experience
• The risks of publicly criticizing a furniture vendor on a client-facing interior design account
• How designer education and coaching content can confuse potential clients when it is mixed into a residential design firm’s marketing
• Vendor buying power, damaged furniture, tariff refunds, realistic site-measurement tolerances, and the changing Las Vegas Market experience

Our links:

• Subscribe and leave a review - Apple Podcasts
• Like, Comment, & Follow - Hot Young Designers Club Instagram
• Rebecca’s Instagram
• Shaun’s Instagram
• For more information - Check out the website
• Become a “Loyal Hottie” - Support us on Patreon
• Design Resources - Check out our shop

What do reality television production and running an interior design firm have in common? More than you might think. In this episode, Shaun and Rebecca sit down with Patrick Maziarski, founder and principal designer of Beau Geste Interior Design, to trace his creative journey from growing up in Canada and working in reality TV to studying design in Los Angeles and building his own interior design business.

Patrick shares how production taught him to manage budgets, schedules, crews, and countless moving parts—skills that now help him lead complex residential design projects. They also discuss finding your voice online, building a portfolio that attracts aligned clients, conducting meaningful client programming, navigating business pivots, and Patrick’s plans for a Beau Geste rebrand, a community-facing studio, and his newest entrepreneurial idea: Trapper Coffee.

In this episode they discuss:

• How Patrick’s Canadian upbringing, creative family, and early interest in filmmaking shaped his path to interior design
• The transferable project management, budgeting, scheduling, and relationship-building skills he gained while working in reality television
• Moving to Los Angeles, attending UCLA Extension, finding mentors, and learning the real-world side of the interior design industry
• The career experiences that gave Patrick the confidence to launch Beau Geste Interior Design
• Recommitting to Beau Geste after a design-build partnership changed direction and refining the firm’s identity
• Why showing your personality online can attract the right interior design clients while repelling the wrong ones
• Patrick’s deeply personal approach to client programming and incorporating family history, culture, lifestyle, and meaningful details into a home
• Upcoming project photography, the Beau Geste rebrand, plans for a street-level studio, and the launch of Trapper Coffee in Los Angeles

Mentioned:

• Beau Geste Interior Design website - https://www.beaugeste.design/
• Beau Geste Interior Design Instagram -https://www.instagram.com/beaugeste.design/
• Patrick Maziarski’s Instagram -https://www.instagram.com/patrickm.design/https://www.instagram.com/patrickm.design/

Our links:

• Subscribe and leave a review - Apple Podcasts
• Like, Comment, & Follow - Hot Young Designers Club Instagram
• Rebecca’s Instagram
• Shaun’s Instagram
• For more information - Check out the website
• Become a “Loyal Hottie” - Support us on Patreon
• Design Resources - Check out our shop

Interior designer Linette Dai joins Shaun and Rebecca to share how she built Linette Dai Design by following opportunities, embracing discomfort, and working backward from the kind of business and life she wanted to create. Linette reflects on her unconventional path into interior design, from operating a boba shop and teaching English in Taiwan to helping renovate investment properties and eventually studying interior architecture at UCLA Extension.

The conversation explores what it takes to move into the luxury design market, invest in professional photography and public relations, build a collaborative team, and become more visible even when self-promotion feels uncomfortable. Linette also shares how ADHD, curiosity, meticulousness, and a willingness to ask questions have become creative superpowers that help her develop thoughtful, highly customized interiors.

In this episode they discuss:

• How Linette transitioned through several careers before discovering interior design
• Building an interior design business organically through referrals, freelancing, and hands-on experience
• Why business partnerships require clearly defined roles, expectations, and complementary skill sets
• Working backward from long-term goals to identify the uncomfortable steps required to achieve them
• Why affordable luxury can be difficult to sustain and how Linette shifted toward luxury interior design
• Investing time in networking, industry events, professional photography, PR, and relationship building
• Turning ADHD traits, curiosity, overthinking, and meticulous attention to detail into design superpowers
• Hiring freelance and hourly support, delegating tasks, and building a lean interior design team

Mentioned:

• Linette Dai Design
• Linette Dai Design on Instagram

Our links:

• Subscribe and leave a review - Apple Podcasts
• Like, Comment, & Follow - Hot Young Designers Club Instagram
• Rebecca’s Instagram
• Shaun’s Instagram
• For more information - Check out the website
• Become a “Loyal Hottie” - Support us on Patreon
• Design Resources - Check out our shop

Rebecca and Shaun catch up on the invisible work behind creative businesses and everyday life—from recovering after an intense project push to building routines that support mental health without falling into hustle culture. They explore the difference between discipline and consistency, the value of rest, emotional check-ins, and why sustainable habits often work better when they are quiet rather than performative.

The conversation moves into the realities of managing interior design construction projects, communicating renovation timelines, selecting durable terrazzo materials, and deciding what historic details can realistically be preserved. They also dream up a better inspiration platform for interior designers before spiraling into Pinterest, artificial intelligence, virtual influencers, and AI-generated music—and ultimately deciding it may be a wrap on society.

In this episode they discuss:

• Recovering from burnout, “bonking,” and the guilt that can come with taking time to rest
• Why consistency may be a healthier and more sustainable goal than discipline
• Creating flexible morning routines that support creativity, movement, and mental health
• Using emotional check-ins to communicate more clearly with clients and contractors
• Managing client expectations during demolition, flooring installation, and disruptive home renovations
• Choosing resin terrazzo and other durable interior design materials without sacrificing visual interest
• Preserving vintage homes and architectural details while recognizing when something can no longer be saved
• Imagining a curated inspiration platform for interior designers—and questioning the future of Pinterest, AI influencers, and AI-generated music

Our links:

• Subscribe and leave a review - Apple Podcasts
• Like, Comment, & Follow - Hot Young Designers Club Instagram
• Rebecca’s Instagram
• Shaun’s Instagram
• For more information - Check out the website
• Become a “Loyal Hottie” - Support us on Patreon
• Design Resources - Check out our shop

When does a productive habit stop serving you and start feeling like another obligation? Shaun and Rebecca unpack that question after Rebecca reveals she may abandon her 741-day Duolingo streak. Their conversation explores sunk-cost thinking, the pressure of maintaining streaks, and why letting go can create space for habits that genuinely improve your life and business.

Before granting Rebecca permission to break the streak, they catch up on the realities of running an interior design business—from catching a costly furniture measurement issue before production to building financial buffers for inevitable mistakes. They also discuss Programa workflows, Schoolhouse joining Hudson Valley Lighting Group, natural bark wall panels, traditional vetiver cooling screens, and how CliftonStrengths can help designers spend more time in their zone of genius.

In this episode they discuss:

• Planning the Hot Young Designers Club Mexico City trip and creating meaningful community for interior designers
• Catching furniture and cabinetry measurement conflicts before they become expensive installation problems
• Building “oops” money into your interior design pricing, margins, and business accounts
• Using Programa to organize specifications, construction documents, attachments, and purchasing responsibilities
• What the Schoolhouse and Hudson Valley Lighting Group partnership could mean for product development and designer pricing
• Rebecca’s 741-day Duolingo streak and recognizing when consistency has become an obligation
• Escaping sunk-cost thinking and giving yourself permission to release habits, relationships, or systems that no longer serve you
• Using CliftonStrengths to understand your natural talents, fill gaps on your team, and work within your zone of genius

Our links:

• Subscribe and leave a review - Apple Podcasts
• Like, Comment, & Follow -Hot Young Designers Club Instagram
• Rebecca’s Instagram
• Shaun’s Instagram
• For more information -Check out the website
• Become a “Loyal Hottie” -Support us on Patreon
• Design Resources -Check out our shop

In this episode, Shaun and Rebecca dig into the art of having, styling, photographing, and protecting beautiful interiors. They start with the emotional intelligence of delivering client news, then move into the creative direction behind Shaun’s upcoming project photo shoot and how designers can create portfolio images that feel lived-in, layered, and aligned with their brand.

They also talk about why styling budgets matter, how to help clients understand the cost of “finished,” and what happens when people want nice homes but don’t always want to invest in or care for the final details. From bookcase styling and branded client gifts to viral stories about people stealing restaurant butter dishes and basketball trash cans, this episode is a funny and practical conversation about why interior designers really can’t have nice things.

In this episode they discuss:

• Why tone and emotional intelligence matter when delivering client updates
• How Shaun is planning the creative direction for an upcoming interior design photo shoot
• Styling interiors to feel layered, lived-in, editorial, and story-driven
• Why designers may need to bring in furniture, accessories, art, and props to get the right portfolio photos
• How to explain styling budgets and the true cost of a finished home to clients
• Using brand strategy and ideal client profiles as a compass for photo shoots and business decisions
• Creating signature client gifts, like branded floral arrangements or local treats
• Why caring for beautiful things is part of the lifestyle designers are helping clients create

Our links:

• Subscribe and leave a review - Apple Podcasts
• Like, Comment, & Follow -Hot Young Designers Club Instagram
• Rebecca’s Instagram
• Shaun’s Instagram
• For more information -Check out the website
• Become a “Loyal Hottie” -Support us on Patreon
• Design Resources -Check out our shop

Shaun and Rebecca are back for a classic Hot Young Designers Club catch-up, diving into the increasingly bland world of modern branding, the tension between creative identity and trend-chasing, and how interior designers can avoid losing personality in their own brands. They talk about “blanding,” luxury fashion logos, Canva-looking design identities, and why your branding needs to support—not flatten—your creative work.

They also get deep into the operational side of running an interior design business: construction documents, redlines, return clients, spec sheets, software fatigue, and the never-ending quest for the perfect interior design tech stack. From Studio Designer and Programa to Harvest, Gusto, Dubsado, Basecamp, and client-facing systems, this episode is full of real talk about what it takes to keep projects organized as your studio grows.

In this episode they discuss:

• Why so many major brands are moving toward minimal, sans-serif “blanding”
• How interior designers can keep their branding from feeling generic or disconnected from their work
• The value of happy accidents during drafting, renderings, and creative collaboration
• Why construction documents, redlines, and spec sheets can feel so mentally demanding
• The benefits of working with return clients who already trust your process
• How Shaun and Rebecca are evaluating software, systems, and tech stacks for interior design businesses
• The challenge of creating a client-facing hub that keeps invoices, proposals, action items, and project documents organized
• Early plans for a potential Hot Young Designers Club group travel experience

Our links:

• Subscribe and leave a review - Apple Podcasts
• Like, Comment, & Follow -Hot Young Designers Club Instagram
• Rebecca’s Instagram
• Shaun’s Instagram
• For more information -Check out the website
• Become a “Loyal Hottie” -Support us on Patreon
• Design Resources -Check out our shop

In this episode, Shaun and Rebecca catch up on summer schedules, parenting, old photos, and the strange feeling of realizing how much of our lives has been documented somewhere. That leads them into a bigger conversation about memory, storytelling, and how interior designers can capture the deeper meaning behind the homes they create.

They also dig into industry changes, including Pooky Lighting being acquired by Visual Comfort, the challenges of buying from vendors as interior designers, and why designers need to keep educating clients on craft, quality, and the human story behind furnishings. Then, in true Hot Young Designers Club fashion, they build an entire new client experience idea in real time: a project “yearbook” or home storybook that documents the process, the people, the sourcing stories, the funny renovation moments, and the emotional history of a finished project.

In this episode they discuss:

• How summer schedules, parenting seasons, and changing family dynamics affect work and daily life
• Why documenting homes, childhood rooms, and personal spaces can become meaningful later
• The weird nostalgia of old party photos, VHS tapes, club photographers, and early internet documentation
• Pooky Lighting’s acquisition by Visual Comfort and what corporate ownership can mean for beloved design brands
• Why interior designers need vendors, trade programs, and manufacturers that actually support the design industry
• How storytelling helps clients understand the value of custom furniture, vintage pieces, traditional upholstery, and artisan-made goods
• The idea of creating a project yearbook, home storybook, or client keepsake after a design project wraps
• Why local design communities, regional magazines, and city planning should pay more attention to residential interiors and creative industries

Our links:

• Subscribe and leave a review - Apple Podcasts
• Like, Comment, & Follow -Hot Young Designers Club Instagram
• Rebecca’s Instagram
• Shaun’s Instagram
• For more information -Check out the website