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  • 152 | Build a Thriving Interior Design Business Without a Design Degree: Insights From Michelle Lynne

    152 | Build a Thriving Interior Design Business Without a Design Degree: Insights From Michelle Lynne
    2025/08/18
    Have you always loved furniture, picking out paint colors, making spaces feel beautiful, or helping friends with their homes, but never thought you could actually get paid for it? That’s exactly how Michelle Lynne felt.In this episode, she shares how she followed a corporate path, managing restaurants and a recruiting firm, until a turning point pushed her to pursue what she truly loved: interior design. Then she built a 7-figure design business without a degree.Her story proves that your creative passion isn’t just a hobby. It can become a thriving business with the right mindset and support.If you’re starting out without formal training, Michelle explains why investing in a coach or mentor is the smartest move you can make. It saves you from years of trial-and-error and gives you the clarity and confidence to run your business like a pro.Michelle also talks about her signature program which offers step-by-step systems designed to help you grow a design business with confidence and profit. Plus, she introduces Sidemark, a powerful tool that saves you time and money by replacing multiple apps with one easy-to-use platform made just for designers.Ready to stop guessing and start growing? Tune in now and take your next step today.Featured Guest:⁠Michelle Lynne⁠ is the owner of ML Interiors Group, a successful interior design firm based in Dallas–Fort Worth, Texas. She is also the founder of ⁠The Design Bakehouse⁠, formerly known as Designed for the Creative Mind, where she teaches interior designers and decorators how to run a profitable and systemized design business.Her signature program, The Interior Design Business Bakery, has helped hundreds of designers scale to multiple six figures with confidence and clarity.She also hosts the ⁠Designed For The Creative Mind⁠ podcast and organizes the annual Interior Design Business Success Summit. Through all her ventures, Michelle is passionate about helping other designers skip the trial-and-error and grow businesses they love—while staying true to themselves.Why you’ve got to check out today’s episode:📌 Discover the benefits of investing in a coach or mentor to fast-track your growth and avoid common mistakes in the interior design industry📌 Find out how using the right tools, like Sidemark, can simplify your business, save you time, and help you stay organized as you grow📌 Overcome your self-doubt and gain confidence and clarityCheck out the show notes >>> Build a Thriving Interior Design Business Without a Design DegreeRelated Episode:✨ Episode 132: Stress-Free Framework to Attract Clients to Your Design Business With Ben RutledgeNEXT STEPS:🎯 Join the My Design Mentor to kickstart a successful career in interior design!Grab your freebies:📌 Your Roadmap to a Career in Interior Design🎨 3 Things I Wish I had known when I Started my CareerConnect With Me:📧 Email: podcast@rwarddesign.com🔆 Instagram: @rwarddesign 🌎 Website at rwarddesign.comThanks for listening! I hope this helps you discover if interior design is the career for you. See you next week...Timestamps:0:00 Introduction & Michelle Lynne's Bio01:44 Michelle’s Unconventional Journey into Design05:07 Transition From Home Staging to Interior Design07:05 The Struggles of Building a Design Business08:56 Introduction to the Design Business Bakery14:17 The Story Behind the “Bakery” Branding16:19 Authentic Branding and Lessons Learned20:16 Inside ML Interiors Group & Studio Works Co-Op26:22 Sidemark: Software for Designers29:29 Advice for Aspiring Designers
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    33 分
  • 151 | Mindset Shift Series #3: Step Into Your Power as a Creative Business Owner

    151 | Mindset Shift Series #3: Step Into Your Power as a Creative Business Owner
    2025/08/11

    “I’m not a numbers person!”

    “I just want to design, not run a business!”


    Does this sound like you?


    Many interior designers have a passion for dreaming up beautiful spaces, but stepping into the role of a CEO can feel uncomfortable, like wearing a hat that doesn’t quite fit. I understand—I've felt the same way before.


    In this episode, I share how I changed my mindset and embraced the CEO role, and how you can do the same. My goal is to help you avoid burnout, ensure you’re charging what you’re worth, and prevent chaos behind the scenes.


    I break down the mental barriers that hold designers back from realizing their leadership potential and explain how understanding business fundamentals can supercharge your creative success.


    I also guide you through the four CEO mindsets that helped me build a business I love: visionary thinking, confident decision-making, strong leadership, and financial ownership.


    Being a CEO doesn’t mean losing your creativity; it’s about building a strong foundation that supports and enhances your design talents.


    Whether you’re just starting out or looking to elevate your existing practice, this episode will help you transform from a hesitant creative into a powerful business leader.


    Tune in now and take the first step towards becoming the CEO of your business!


    Why you’ve got to check out today’s episode:

    📌 Overcome your mindset blocks so you can stop avoiding the business side and start leading with confidence

    📌 Get practical tips to reduce chaos, avoid burnout, and run a well-oiled design business

    📌 Be empowered to take back control and create a business that supports the life you love


    Check out the show notes >>> Mindset Shift Series #3: Step Into Your Power as a Creative Business Owner


    Related Episodes:

    ✨ Episode 146: How to Build Your Dream Design Team Without the Headache With Ronniesha Rivera


    NEXT STEPS:

    🎯 Join the My Design Mentor to kickstart a successful career in interior design!


    Grab your freebies:

    📌 Your Roadmap to a Career in Interior Design

    🎨 3 Things I Wish I had known when I Started my Career


    Connect With Me:

    📧 Email: podcast@rwarddesign.com

    🔆 Instagram: @rwarddesign

    🌎 Website at rwarddesign.com


    Thanks for listening! I hope this helps you discover if interior design is the career for you. See you next week...


    Timestamps:

    0:00 Introduction: Mindset Shift from Creative to CEO

    03:05 Why Creatives Resist the CEO Role

    05:48 4 Core CEO Mindsets to Adopt

    12:31 Practical Shifts for Stepping Into the CEO Role

    15:11 Final Reminders

    16:33 Challenge for the Week
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    19 分
  • 150 | Building a Design Business From the Ground Up With Caron Woolsey

    150 | Building a Design Business From the Ground Up With Caron Woolsey
    2025/08/04

    Do you ever wonder if it’s really possible to switch careers and succeed in interior design—even without a design degree?


    In this 150th episode, I chat with Caron Woolsey, a self-taught designer who left her job in oil and gas to follow her love for design. What started as decorating her own home turned into a growing business, CW Interiors, with a strong and creative team behind it.


    Caron shares how she faced fear, built confidence, and turned a passion project into a full-time career. She gives helpful tips on knowing when it’s time to hire, how to build a strong team, and what to look for in new designers.


    If you're not sure whether you can make interior design your real job, Caron’s story will inspire you to take that first brave step even if you're scared.


    🎧 You don’t need a degree to get started—just courage, creativity, and a willingness to learn. Listen now to get the boost you need to start your own design journey.


    Featured Guest:

    ⁠Caron Woolsey⁠ is the founder of ⁠CW Interiors⁠, a design studio based in The Woodlands, Texas. After a 16-year career in the oil and gas industry, she discovered her true passion for interior design while building her own home. What began as a creative hobby soon grew into a thriving business. Today, Caron leads a talented team and partners with homeowners, builders, and developers to create timeless, storytelling homes across The Woodlands, Houston, and Conroe areas.


    Why you’ve got to check out today’s episode:

    📌 Get real talk on starting without a design degree

    📌 Learn powerful lessons on growing a team the right way

    📌 Be empowered, especially the non-traditional design professionals, to take the first step


    Check out the show notes >>> Building a Design Business From the Ground Up

    NEXT STEPS:

    🎯 Join the My Design Mentor to kickstart a successful career in interior design!


    Grab your freebies:

    📌 Your Roadmap to a Career in Interior Design

    🎨 3 Things I Wish I had known when I Started my Career


    Connect With Me:

    📧 Email: podcast@rwarddesign.com

    🔆 Instagram: @rwarddesign

    🌎 Website at rwarddesign.com


    Thanks for listening! I hope this helps you discover if interior design is the career for you. See you next week...


    Timestamps:

    0:00 Introduction

    02:59 Caron’s Career Path to Design

    04:38 Taking the Leap Into Business

    05:24 Early Business Struggles

    07:10 Learning Without a Mentor

    08:28 Team Growth and Dynamic

    10:04 When and How to Start Hiring

    13:11 What She Looks for in a Hire

    14:47 Balancing Business and Creativity

    16:34 Establishing Mission and Values

    19:34 Team Communication

    21:42 With Degree vs Without Degree When Hiring

    22:29 Advice for Aspiring Designers
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    25 分
  • 149 | Mindset Shift Series #2: Show Up as the Expert During Client Consultation

    149 | Mindset Shift Series #2: Show Up as the Expert During Client Consultation
    2025/07/28

    Do you feel nervous, unsure, or even a little awkward before meeting your first design client? You're not alone!


    Many new interior designers feel pressure to prove themselves; they fear they won’t be taken seriously or worry about saying the wrong thing. Some try to be extra helpful—giving away too many ideas or avoiding money talk—just to impress the client.


    While these feelings are completely normal, especially for beginners, new designers can present themselves as confident, trusted guides and position themselves as experts, even if they are just starting out.


    In this episode, I share how to shift your mindset from trying to impress your client to confidently leading the consultation. I provide practical strategies for setting the right tone from the beginning, including guiding clients through the consultation, asking powerful questions, and demonstrating your value without giving away free work. I also walk you through creating structure, building trust, and positioning yourself as the solution to your client's design challenges.


    Ready to level up your client consultation skills and stop feeling like an amateur? Tune in and learn how to turn that first meeting into your moment of authority. Then, share this episode with a fellow designer and tag me with your favorite takeaway!


    Why you’ve got to check out today’s episode:

    📌 Discover how to take control of the meeting and show up as the expert your client needs

    📌 Avoid common mistakes new designers make during consultations

    📌 Get a simple, step-by-step flow to guide your meetings, build trust, and turn consultations into actual paid projects


    Check out the show notes >>> Show Up as the Expert During Client Consultation

    Related Episodes:

    • 👉 Episode 144: How to Rewire Your Money Beliefs to Increase Profits in Your Design Business With Audrey Faust


    • NEXT STEPS:

      🎯 Join the My Design Mentor to kickstart a successful career in interior design!


      Grab your freebies:

      📌 Your Roadmap to a Career in Interior Design

      🎨 3 Things I Wish I had known when I Started my Career


      Connect With Me:

      📧 Email: podcast@rwarddesign.com

      🔆 Instagram: @rwarddesign

      🌎 Website at rwarddesign.com


      Thanks for listening! I hope this helps you discover if interior design is the career for you. See you next week...


      Timestamps:

      0:00 Introduction

      02:39 Mindset Shift #1: Don’t Work for Free (The Importance of Paid Consultations)

      04:48 Mindset Shift #2: Take the Lead With Confidence

      06:55 Consultation Process: Confidence Through Clarity & Consistency

      08:00 Confidence Through Asking Strong Questions

      08:33 Confidence Through Setting Expectations Around Budget and Process

      10: 03 Common Pitfalls to Avoid During Consultations

      13:12 Language Framing: How To Sound Like the Expert

      15:26 Recap + Mindset Check
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    19 分
  • 148 | How a Lawyer Became a Designer and Found His Dream Career With Steve Saide

    148 | How a Lawyer Became a Designer and Found His Dream Career With Steve Saide
    2025/07/21
    Do you feel stuck in your current job, wondering if it is too late to follow your dream of becoming an interior designer?In this episode, you will hear how Steve Saide made a bold career switch after 30 years as a lawyer and found his passion in hospitality design. Now leading the design team at Furnished Quarters, Steve shares how he designs beautiful, livable spaces for corporate travelers who stay for weeks—or even years—at a time.Steve's story proves it is never too late to start fresh, and that design does not have to follow a traditional path. So, if you are unsure about how to make the leap or where your design career could lead, this episode gives you real answers and encouragement.💡 If Steve can do it, so can you! Tune in now to learn how to start your path into interior design—no matter your background.✨ Want help starting your design career? Check out My Design Mentor!Featured Guest:Steve Saide is the Executive Vice President of Interior Design at Furnished Quarters, a company that provides stylish, fully furnished apartments for corporate travelers. After a 30-year career as a lawyer, Steve made a bold career shift into interior design. His eye for creativity and passion for functional, home-like spaces now help shape the unique design style of the company’s long-term stay residences.Why you’ve got to check out today’s episode:📌 Be inspired on how to pivot into interior design even after a long career in another field📌 Get insights on where real design inspiration comes from (hint: not always magazines!)📌 Discover what makes hospitality design different from regular home designCheck out the show notes >>> How a Lawyer Became a Designer and Found His Dream Career NEXT STEPS:🎯 Join the My Design Mentor to kickstart a successful career in interior design!Grab your freebies:📌 Your Roadmap to a Career in Interior Design🎨 3 Things I Wish I had known when I Started my CareerConnect With Me:📧 Email: podcast@rwarddesign.com🔆 Instagram: @rwarddesign 🌎 Website at rwarddesign.comThanks for listening! I hope this helps you discover if interior design is the career for you. See you next week...Timestamps:0:00 Introduction & Redefining Hospitality Design03:13 Steve Said's Career Transition from Law to Interior Design09:00 About Furnished Quarters10:30 Approach to Design for Corporate Apartments12:10 Quantity and Design Execution14:30 Design Limitations & Smart Solutions17:30 Keeping Up with Trends18:30 Impact of COVID and Economic Uncertainty24:55 Creative Inspiration Sources27:25 Advice for Aspiring Hospitality Designers
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    30 分
  • 147 | Mindset Shift Series: Design a Career That Supports Your Life

    147 | Mindset Shift Series: Design a Career That Supports Your Life
    2025/07/14

    Imagine starting your mornings without stress—just coffee, a quick workout, maybe a quiet moment with your kids—before diving into focused work hours you set. Your calendar feels manageable because you’ve planned ahead: 🗓️ client meetings on Tuesdays and Thursdays 🎨 creative work (like mood boards or sourcing) on Wednesdays ✍️ admin or content creation from home on Mondays 🚙 Fridays off or just light work so you can hit a yoga class, run errands, or unwind.


    You love what you do.

    You’ve got time for family.

    And you still get to pour into your creative passion.


    Feels pretty amazing, right?


    Well, it’s possible. You can create a career that supports the life you actually want, not the one the industry tells you to chase.


    In this episode, I’ll show you how to build a business that aligns with your values, goals, and lifestyle.


    🎧 If you’re ready to ditch the hustle and define success on your own terms, hit play now. Let’s start designing a life you love.


    Why you’ve got to check out today’s episode:

    📌 Learn how to design your design career or business like a project, with purpose and clarity

    📌 Identify your non-negotiables so you can set a schedule that works for you

    📌 Break free from hustle culture and redefine success on your own terms


    Check out the show notes >>> Mindset Shift Series: Design a Career That Supports Your Life


    NEXT STEPS:

    🎯 Join the My Design Mentor to kickstart a successful career in interior design!


    Grab your freebies:

    📌 Your Roadmap to a Career in Interior Design

    🎨 3 Things I Wish I had known when I Started my Career


    Connect With Me:

    📧 Email: podcast@rwarddesign.com

    🔆 Instagram: @rwarddesign

    🌎 Website at rwarddesign.com


    Thanks for listening! I hope this helps you discover if interior design is the career for you. See you next week...


    Timestamps:

    0:00 Introduction

    01:52 Default vs. Designed Career Paths

    02:30 Intentionality in Career Planning (Plan with the End in Mind)

    05:07 Rebecca’s Personal Work Schedule

    07:45 Ideal Week and Lifestyle Alignment

    09:30 Reverse Engineering Your Business Model

    11:04 Common Mindset Blocks

    12:26 Action Steps To Design a Career with Purpose
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    16 分
  • 146 | How to Build Your Dream Design Team Without the Headache With Ronniesha Rivera

    146 | How to Build Your Dream Design Team Without the Headache With Ronniesha Rivera
    2025/07/07
    Have you ever wasted hours searching for the right help for your interior design business, only to feel frustrated and stuck? What if there was an easier way to find the right people who truly understand interior design?In this episode, I chat with Ronniesha Rivera, an interior designer and founder of Vetted By Design—a free centralized platform for interior designers to connect with highly vetted professionals without stress.Ronniesha shares her painful story of hiring the wrong bookkeeper early in her business, which cost her thousands of dollars. From that mistake came a brilliant idea: a one-stop, trusted place where interior designers can find reliable pros who understand the industry, like 3D renderers, bookkeepers, lawyers, virtual design assistants, social media managers, and more.If you are starting your design business or growing your team, this episode will give you a smart solution to save time, avoid costly mistakes, and build a team you can trust.🎧 Tune in now to learn how Vetted by Design can help you grow your business with less stress and more support.Featured Guest:⁠Ronniesha Rivera⁠ is the founder and CEO of ⁠Vetted By Design⁠ (VBD). He passion for VBD stems from her challenges as an interior designer. After years in the industry, she grew frustrated with endlessly searching through Facebook groups and Google just to find the right professionals to hire. She knew there had to be a better way—a centralized platform where designers could easily connect with vetted businesses that cater to our industry. And that’s exactly why Vetted By Design was created.Ronniesha believes ⁠Vetted By Design⁠ can help any designer at any stage of their business.Why you’ve got to check out today’s episode:📌 Learn how to avoid costly hiring mistakes and build a reliable team📌 Discover a free tool to find highly vetted professionals across various specialties faster, easier, and stress-free📌 Grow and scale your interior design business more effectivelyCheck out the show notes >>> How to Build Your Dream Design Team Without the Headache NEXT STEPS:🎯 Join the My Design Mentor to kickstart a successful career in interior design!Grab your freebies:📌 Your Roadmap to a Career in Interior Design🎨 3 Things I Wish I had known when I Started my CareerConnect With Me:📧 Email: podcast@rwarddesign.com🔆 Instagram: @rwarddesign 🌎 Website at rwarddesign.comThanks for listening! I hope this helps you discover if interior design is the career for you. See you next week...Timestamps:0:00 Introduction and Overview of Vetted by Design (VBD)02:15 Ronniesha’s Journey into Interior Design04:23 Hiring Mistakes and Painful Lessons06:42 The Birth, Concept, and Mission of Vetted by Design11:05 Categories and Coverage12:41 The Vetting Process16:20 How Designers Use the Platform and Pro Qualifications22:13 Future Plans and Expansion
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    27 分
  • 145 | The State of Interior Design in 2025

    145 | The State of Interior Design in 2025
    2025/06/30

    Is the interior design industry evolving too quickly, and are you prepared for it?


    Or maybe you are questioning whether pursuing a career as an interior designer is still a wise decision in today's landscape.


    In this episode, I take you through how the interior design industry has changed over the past 15 to 20 years, and what that means for you today.


    From pandemic ups and downs, to social media trends, to working with AI, you'll learn how the industry has grown and where it’s going next.


    If you’re wondering what skills and services clients need now, this episode gives you clear answers. I share what services clients are looking for, which skills matter most, and how you can stand out. The career is always changing, but that means more opportunities if you're ready to adapt.


    Tune in now to stay confident and creative in a changing world.


    👉 Need help launching your interior design business step-by-step? Join the Launch Your Business Bootcamp —doors are still open!


    Why you’ve got to check out today’s episode:

    🎨 Find out which tools, tech, and mindset shifts are helping designers succeed today, even without a degree or traditional experience

    💡 Get insights into growing trends like e-design, content creation, niche services, and how you can use them to stand out and reach more clients

    🏷️ Review your existing business model and pricing structures to determine the best approach for your interior design practice


    Check out the show notes >>> The State of Interior Design in 2025

    NEXT STEPS:

    🎯 Join the Launch Your Business Bootcamp and launch your design business this summer


    Grab your freebies:

    📌 Your Roadmap to a Career in Interior Design

    🎨 3 Things I Wish I had known when I Started my Career


    Connect With Me:

    📧 Email: podcast@rwarddesign.com

    🔆 Instagram: @rwarddesign

    🌎 Website at rwarddesign.com


    Thanks for listening! I hope this helps you discover if interior design is the career for you. See you next week...


    Timestamps:

    0:00 Introduction

    01:37 Pandemic’s Impact on the Industry

    03:37 Rise of Work-From-Home and Home Office Design

    03:58 Sustainable Design Trends

    04:59 Social Media’s Influence

    06:15 Tariffs & Economic Uncertainty

    07:42 Career Trends in Interior Design

    10:19 Virtual & E-Design Opportunities

    10:50 Rise of Design Content Creation

    12:21 Niche Specializations and Digital Tools

    14:07 Job Opportunities in 2025

    14:37 Education and Licensing Trends

    15:41 Impact of AI and Business Model Shifts

    17:20 The Future of Interior Design
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    20 分