What does it take to stay at the top of the luxury design world for more than five decades? In this episode of Uncorked: Wine, Business and Life, Bill Green sits down with Susan Lachance, founder and principal designer of Susan Lachance Interior Design in Boca Raton, Florida. Born in England and raised in Miami, Susan started as a $5-a-week architectural draftsman in tenth grade — the only female in her architecture classes — and by 1974 had launched her own firm, landing Chase Federal Savings as her very first client. No college degree. No shortcuts. Just an unmatched understanding of construction and the confidence to walk into any boardroom and prove she belonged.

Susan takes us through her early days managing massive commercial projects for Ryder Truck Rental and Pepsi Cola, her pivotal shift to high-end residential design in the early 1980s, and how she built a business where projects now carry interior budgets of $1 million to $2.5 million. She shares why a great designer is part therapist, how she builds a "timeless architectural envelope" that never goes out of style, and why she'll turn down a job if she doesn't trust the builder. She also gets candid about balancing motherhood with an ambitious career, mentoring employees who've stayed with her for 25 to 40 years, and her surprisingly enthusiastic take on AI in the design industry.

Along the way, Bill and Susan pour three Saddlehill wines — the Sauvignon Blanc, the brand-new Scribe, and the '24 Proprietors Blend — swap stories about Buck the wooden cowboy, and dig into old-fashioned advice that still works: knock on doors, sell yourself in person, and perfect your craft until nobody can compete with you. Whether you're building a business, designing a home, or just love a great success story, this conversation is a masterclass in going all in on your passion.