Design Biz Survival Guide

Latest Episodes:

129: Gideon Mendelson I 20 Years in the Business of Design Jul 31, 2023

Show notes

Join us as we journey with Gideon Mendelson, founder, and creative director of the Mendelson Group, as he reflects on his two-decade-long journey in the interior design industry. With experiences ranging from team development and client experience to marketing and striking a work-life balance, Gideon shares his insights into how the industry has evolved and the factors behind the success of his full-service interior design firm.

The importance of success in design and relationships is also highlighted as Gideon reflects on the lessons he has learned. Hear about his journey from having a mother who was an interior designer to founding the Mendelson Group. Understand the significance of being comfortable saying no, the shift of his definition of success from a focus on beautiful design to the experience of family in a home and the satisfaction of his clients.

Lastly, Gideon shares the impact of having a team of career-minded associates and how this has refined his process to achieve a balance between work and life. Don't miss this opportunity to get invaluable insights from a veteran in the industry.

Show Highlights:

Gideon's journey in the design industry and how he has shaped it through innovation and client experience.
The importance of team development and work-life balance in the design industry.
the evolution of the design business and the shift from traditional marketing to digital marketing.
Gideon's innovative approach to business, including the creation of a Director of Client Services role.
What success means in the design world, with Gideon emphasizing the experience of family living in a home and client satisfaction.
How being comfortable with saying 'no' has been crucial for his business.
How having a team of career-minded associates has helped balance work and life and refined his business processes.

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:

Website - https://www.mendelsongroupinc.com/
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/gideonmendelson/

Sponsor Links:

***

Episode Credits

If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com.

128: Amber Peterson | Navigating your Design Journey Jul 17, 2023

Show notes

Today we welcome Amber Peterson - Director of Store Design and Planning at PIRCH. In this episode, we explore Amber's design journey and how she filled in the gaps in her design education to pursue a retail design career. We also discuss her design team's approach to setting expectations, collaborating with brands, and the delicate balance of designing with consumers and designers in mind. If you've ever walked through a PIRCH showroom and wondered…"Who designed this?", you're about to find out.

As we steer through Amber's early career, from the sunny coasts of Southern California to becoming an indispensable asset at PIRCH, she doesn't hold back in sharing her wisdom with those eager to venture into the dynamic design realm. Her mantra is simple - pinpoint your passion, do your research, and seize every opportunity that comes your way. She also reflects on her experiences with feedback, the essence of collaboration in the design process, and her definition of success.

Tune in and discover the myriad possibilities in the design industry.

Show Highlights:

Amber shares her journey from aspiring fashion designer to leading store design at a major retailer, highlighting the various paths a career in design can take.
The unique challenges and opportunities presented by retail design, including creating displays that boost sales and designing showrooms from scratch during a pandemic.
Amber's approach to design, emphasizes the importance of understanding demographics, connecting with the community, and constantly refreshing showroom designs.
The importance of continuing education in design, with Amber discussing her ongoing learning experiences in the field and the opportunities available for designers at PIRCH.
Amber's advice for those exploring different paths in the design industry.
Amber's definition of success, emphasizes the value of a work-life balance and not taking feedback personally.

Follow and Review:

Supporting Resources:

Website - https://www.pirch.com
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/pirch/

Sponsor Links:

***

Episode Credits

127: Rachel Usher I Community Over Competition, UK Edition Jul 03, 2023

Show notes

Today we welcome UK Interior Designer Rachel Usher to the podcast. Rachel is our first international featured designer on the podcast, and in this episode, she shares her journey of transitioning from a career filled with structure and authority into a new creative career path and some of the challenges she faced and overcame along the way. We also discuss international and cultural nuances when it comes to the business of design and the benefits of expanding your professional network beyond borders.

Join us for this engaging and insightful conversation with Rachel Usher and discover how her distinctive experiences have shaped her design journey.

Show Highlights:

Rachel Usher's transition from law enforcement to interior design and the challenges she faced.
The importance of expanding one's professional network and understanding cultural nuances in the design industry.
Overcoming imposter syndrome and managing client expectations through direct communication and honesty.
The lack of resources and closed-off nature of the UK design community compared to the US.
The impact of Rachel's background in law enforcement on her approach to business management.
The importance of community and collaboration in achieving success in the design world.

Follow and Review:

Supporting Resources:

Website - https://rachelusherinteriordesign.com/
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/rachelusherinteriordesign/

Sponsor Links:

***

Episode Credits

126: Jude Charles | Demonstrating Leadership through Storytelling Jun 19, 2023

Show notes

Today we welcome back producer, author, and storyteller Jude Charles to the podcast. In this episode, Jude walks us through the process of producing his newly released docu-series about the life and journey of our favorite design community guru LuAnn Nigara. We revisit the five pillars of dramatic demonstration, and then we dive deep into the value of leadership and how communicating examples of your process and intention through storytelling establishes trust with your clients. We also revisit our conversation from episode 101 and what I learned from the process of developing one of my own stories into a lesson in leadership.

Join us in this insightful conversation as we discover how storytelling can change our perspective, create opportunities, and inspire us to lead others to greater heights in the design industry.

Show Highlights:

Live illustration, social proof, unique characteristics, and transformation are explored to take business to the next level.
Building confidence, storytelling, documenting lessons, and focusing on the lesson of the story.
How to have honest communication with clients, even in difficult situations
Nature's influence on language, perception, and interaction.
Leading clients through design process, emphasizing storytelling, core values, and successes.
The importance of being relentless, having a voice and evidence of success, and confidently saying no.
Leading effectively and intentionally by recognizing gifts, pausing for feedback, constructing stories, and utilizing trust-building techniques.

Five dramatic demonstrations to tell the story about a moment in time for designers:

Behind the Scenes (Pulling fabrics, selecting stone, antique shopping - the hunt.
Live Illustration (Highlight the design, show it off)
Social Proof (The big reveal and the emotion attached to it)
Unique Mechanism (Characteristics that no one else can duplicate - how YOU do it)
Transformation (Life after… testimonial)

Five ways to lead your client:

Tell the truth even when it hurts.
Have a clearly defined opinion and voice, and define your core values.
Have the confidence to say NO.
Get clear about who is the right fit for you to work with.
What are your non-negotiables?

Follow and Review:

Supporting Resources:

Website - http://JudeCharles.co
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/judecharles/
10 Storytelling Prompts - http://JudeCharles.co/lead
Dramatic Leverage Newsletter - http://JudeCharles.co/newsletter
Link to LuAnn's Docu-Series: https://LuAnnnigara.com/doc/

Sponsor Links:

Member Vault: https://designbizsurvivalguide.vipmembervault.com

***

Episode Credits

125: Ali Faulkner | Detailed Processes and Documentation for the WIN Jun 05, 2023

Show notes

Today we welcome Ali Faulkner of AEF Interiors, a full-service design studio based in Costa Mesa, California. In this episode, Ali shares how her hospitality background instilled a high level of service when developing her design business model and her perspective on the client experience. We also discuss Ali's emphasis on detailed documentation to translate the design journey to clients, contractors, and artisans and its impact on building trust and referrals.

Ali's systems and documentation are top-notch from the first interaction with the client to the very end. Everyone involved is always aware of the next step of the process and is prepared to move forward, eliminating room for confusion, miscommunication, or errors.

I hope this conversation helps spark a new level of organization and an improved client journey for your design business!

Show Highlights:

The AEF Interiors business model
The relatability of hospitality and design
Creating a client journey and being steps ahead of the client
Having a clear and beneficial documentation process
The AEF Interiors spec guides and why they are a differentiator for their business
What installation day looks like
Why you have to educate clients from the beginning

Follow and Review:

Supporting Resources:

Ali's Website: https://aef-interiors.com
Ali's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aefinteriors/

Sponsor Links:

Member Vault: https://designbizsurvivalguide.vipmembervault.com

***

Episode Credits

124: Wanda Allen I Follow Up Sales Strategies & Relationships Management May 22, 2023

Show notes

Today we welcome international speaker, coach, and author Wanda Allen to the podcast. Wanda is an expert in helping entrepreneurs, business owners, and sales professionals increase pipelines, improve sales performance and strengthen relationships by developing strong follow-up skills.

In this episode, we discuss how our mindset impacts lead generation and follow-up, the role that perseverance plays in the process, and why the second best answer you can get is a "no."

Be prepared to be inspired to go out there, get some nos, and land some sales!

Show Highlights:

What led Wanda to become an author and coach
How systems and processes serve as guardrails
The reasons people don't follow up
Why the second best answer you can get is "no"
How people can develop a schedule for follow up
Developing a schedule for following up

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:

Sponsor Links:

https://designbizsurvivalguide.com/design-biz-retreat/

Member Vault:

https://designbizsurvivalguide.vipmembervault.com

***

Episode Credits

123: Gina Hacken I From Designer to Design Business Owner May 08, 2023

Show notes

Today we welcome Gina Hacken – principal designer and owner of Gina Lauren Interiors. In this episode, we talk about work-life balance, and Gina shares how she leveraged years of experience in the industry to ultimately launch her own design business in order to be there for her family and fulfill her passion for design on her own terms. We also discuss her realization that designing and running a design business are two very different things and the network she leaned on to get advice, support, and referrals.

The important thing is that Gina is successful and achieved the life she now lives by being scrappy and creating a plan. Listen in to learn how she did it and gain some inspiration!

Show Highlights:

What Gina's current business model looks like
Gina's journey from design school to now
How Gina structured her new business day to accommodate her life
Making the transition from designer to business owner
Being resourceful and absorbing information

Follow and Review:

Supporting Resources:

Sponsor Links:

Member Vault: designbizsurvivalguide.vipmembervault.com

Join the Design Biz Retreat Priority Registration List: designbizsurvivalguide.com/design-biz-retreat

***

Episode Credits

122: Mimi & Hill | Building a Diversity-Based Business Apr 24, 2023

Show notes

Today we welcome Hillary Kaplan and Miriam Silver Verga – principal designers of Mimi & Hill, a full-service interior design firm based in Westfield, New Jersey. In this episode, Hillary and Miriam share how they met, their shared passions, their distinct differences, and how their relationship culminated into a design business. We also discuss their team structure and how they rely on an untapped pool of talent to create a more diverse scope of design services.

We hope you enjoy this conversation!

Our fourth annual Design Biz Retreat is returning to Palm Springs, CA, on October 5-6, featuring presentations from industry experts on scaling your design, business, hiring strategies, leadership techniques, a public relations workshop, and more. Join the priority registration list today!

Show Highlights:

How Hillary and Miriam got started working together and are each other's "Yin" and "Yang"
Embracing the concept of growing a team and being an employer
The benefits of hiring stay-at-home moms who want flexible hours
How the diversity of the team has impacted the client experience
Helping employees focus on their strengths

Follow and Review:

Supporting Resources:

Sponsor Links:

Member Vault: designbizsurvivalguide.vipmembervault.com

Join the Design Biz Retreat Priority Registration List: designbizsurvivalguide.com/design-biz-retreat

***

Episode Credits

121: Jamie Van Cuyk | Master the Art of Hiring Apr 10, 2023

Show notes

Today we welcome Jamie Van Cuyk, Owner and Lead Strategist of "Growing Your Team," a consulting firm specializing in mastering the art of hiring. In this episode, Jamie shares her process of identifying candidates, developing an effective interview, and evaluating personality and fit. We also discuss the state of the employment market, what the new hybrid workplace looks like, and the factors contributing to the disparity in salary requirements across the industry.

Jamie started hiring while working in operations leadership at an international marketing company. She found herself hiring for multiple teams and eventually helping HR with their hiring efforts. After moving into consulting, she realized she wanted to help small businesses with their hiring efforts and created "Growing Your Team."

Show Highlights:

Writing job descriptions in a way that will connect with someone outside of your organization
Growing Your Team's packages to help with hiring
The Great Resignation and how it's still an employee market
Jamie's take on remote and hybrid work
Paying employees what you can afford

Follow and Review:

Supporting Resources:

Sponsor Links:

Member Vault: designbizsurvivalguide.vipmembervault.com

Join the Design Biz Retreat Priority Registration List:

designbizsurvivalguide.com/design-biz-retreat

***

Episode Credits

120: Garrison Hullinger | Balancing Residential, Commercial and Hospitality Design Mar 27, 2023

Show notes

Today we welcome Garrison Hullinger, founder and principal designer of Garrison Hullinger Interior Design. The Portland-based firm has been recognized as one of the 100 fastest-growing businesses in Oregon and SW Washington, but the design journey for Garrison has been one of patience, self-discovery, and reinvention.

In this episode, we discuss the development and growth of his design career and then dive deep into the process of developing a truly multi-disciplinary design firm. We also discuss the structure and dynamic of his 22-member design team and Garrison's leadership approach of measuring outcome, not output.

Show Highlights:

How Garrison's previous career as a processes and software developer transferred into his design career and being a business owner
The balance between residential, commercial, and hospitality design projects
Balancing teams and individual skill sets in each disciple
How employees learn to work as dynamic problem solvers

Subscribe and Review

We'd appreciate you subscribing to this podcast and leaving an Apple Podcasts review. Reviews help others discover and learn what Design Biz Survival Guide is all about. It only takes a second and helps us out a lot!

Supporting Resources:

Sponsor Links:

Member Vault Link: https://designbizsurvivalguide.vipmembervault.com

***

Episode Credits

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected