In this episode of the Designers and Builders Podcast, host Steve Larosiliere sits down with Maurice Pennington of Pennington Perspective to talk about his unconventional journey from business consulting to interior design. Maurice shares how curiosity and “messy action” opened the door to a fulfilling design career. He discusses how he handled the challenges of building homes during COVID, the critical role of budgeting in design, and his approach to infusing personality and value into every project. The conversation explores the intersection of design and business, the importance of building community through content, and the long-term mindset needed for sustainable creative growth.

Top 5 Takeaways

1. Curiosity and imperfect action can lead to fulfilling, unexpected career shifts.
2. Interior design is a long-term learning process that thrives on detail and experimentation.
3. Budget-conscious design can still be beautiful—value doesn’t mean compromising on quality.
4. Tools like ClickUp and Canva streamline creativity and business operations.
5. Building community and sharing authentic content are key to expanding influence and impact.

Chapters

00:00 – Introduction to Pennington Perspective

03:06 – From Business Consulting to Interior Design

05:49 – Early Career and Entrepreneurial Drive

09:02 – Building Homes and Discovering a Passion for Design

11:54 – Navigating Custom Home Builds During COVID

14:54 – The Importance of Details in Home Design

17:58 – Organizing the Design Process with Digital Tools

20:57 – Budgeting and Finding Value in Interior Design

24:14 – Balancing Life and Future Aspirations

26:52 – Community Impact and Personal Fulfillment

28:01 – Viewing Design as a Long-Term Learning Lab

29:57 – Building Relationships to Grow a Business

33:04 – Leveraging Influence Without Losing Integrity

34:27 – Planning for Long-Term Business Success

35:55 – Creating Authentic Content That Connects

39:01 – Engaging with the Community Through Storytelling

40:57 – Why Details Matter in Both Design and Business

The Designers and Builders Podcast shares stories from industry leaders transforming the world of design and construction — covering behind-the-scenes insights, real-world strategies, and the trends shaping the future of the industry.

Empowering design/build professionals to grow and scale — buildergrowth.io shares the tools, strategies, and insights you need to take your business to the next level.

Connect with us at:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/designersandbuilders/

Join our newsletter: https://designersandbuilders.co/

Connect with Maurice at:

https://www.instagram.com/themauricep

https://www.linkedin.com/in/mauricepennington/

Episode Summary

In this episode of the Designers and Builders Podcast, host Steve Larosiliere sits down with Jonathan Webster of JD Stairs to explore the evolution of his family-founded business. Jonathan shares how the company transitioned from its construction roots to become a standout in the custom home market. The conversation dives into the challenges of early growth, including meeting payroll and motivating a team, and how innovation—like 3D scanning and lean manufacturing—transformed their operations.

Jonathan also discusses the impact of market shifts, the importance of strong leadership, and JD Stairs’ expansion beyond Las Vegas. From organizational structure and project management to business development strategies and storytelling, this episode offers valuable insights into adapting, evolving, and growing a business in a changing economic landscape.

Takeaways

1. JD Stairs began as a family-run construction business, and Jonathan Webster entered the stair industry at a young age, learning the trade from the ground up.
2. The early years were marked by real challenges, including tight cash flow and the difficulty of transitioning from a family-run operation to a scalable business.
3. Adopting technology like 3D scanning and lean manufacturing has revolutionized their workflow, driving efficiency and continuous improvement.
4. Hiring a president and restructuring the organization helped JD Stairs grow, enabling Jonathan to focus on innovation and long-term strategy.
5. Storytelling, adaptability, and a strong company culture are central to JD Stairs’ success—and key to navigating market changes and expanding into new regions.

Chapters

00:00 – The Origin Story of JD Stairs

10:01 – Navigating Early Business Challenges

19:47 – Finding a Niche in the Market

27:31 – Navigating Market Changes

29:00 – Expanding Beyond Vegas

30:06 – Embracing Technology and Innovation

31:37 – Day-to-Day Operations and Leadership

32:53 – Business Development Strategies

39:58 – The Importance of Lean Manufacturing

41:11 – Innovations and Future Directions

The Designers and Builders Podcast shares stories from industry leaders transforming the world of design and construction — covering behind-the-scenes insights, real-world strategies, and the trends shaping the future of the industry.

Empowering design/build professionals to grow and scale — buildergrowth.io shares the tools, strategies, and insights you need to take your business to the next level.

Connect with us at:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/designersandbuilders/

Join our newsletter: https://designersandbuilders.co/

Connect with Jonathan at:

https://jdstairs.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/jd-stairs-inc/

https://www.facebook.com/JDStairs/

https://www.instagram.com/jdstairslv/

Episode Summary

In this episode of the Designers and Builders Podcast, host Steve Larosiliere and co-host Alyssa Olson dive into Alyssa’s journey in architecture and woodworking, highlighting how her diverse background fuels her passion for accessible, community-centered design. They discuss her current projects, including affordable housing initiatives, and share their vision for fostering collaboration and inclusivity in the design world.

Top 5 Takeaways

1. Alyssa Olson brings a unique perspective to the field with dual master’s degrees in Architecture and Landscape Architecture, bridging the gap between built environments and natural spaces.
2. 
   
3. With over a decade of woodworking experience, Alyssa integrates hands-on craftsmanship with thoughtful design, bringing authenticity to her architectural approach.
4. 
   
5. Her focus on accessible design reflects a powerful mission—to ensure that everyone, regardless of ability or background, has access to beautiful, functional spaces.
6. 
   
7. Through her work on affordable housing projects using reclaimed wood, Alyssa is making sustainability and equity a priority in her designs.
8. 
   
9. The Designers and Builders Podcast is more than a conversation—it’s a platform for building a collaborative community of designers, architects, and makers committed to learning from each other and creating meaningful impact.
10. 
    

Chapters

00:00 – Introduction to Designers and Builders Podcast

01:55 – Alyssa’s Journey in Architecture and Woodworking

04:00 – The Importance of Accessible Design

06:00 – Future Aspirations and Community Impact

08:02 – Current Projects and Learning Opportunities

10:01 – Closing Thoughts and Community Engagement

The Designers and Builders Podcast shares stories from industry leaders transforming the world of design and construction — covering behind-the-scenes insights, real-world strategies, and the trends shaping the future of the industry.

Empowering design/build professionals to grow and scale — buildergrowth.io shares the tools, strategies, and insights you need to take your business to the next level.

Connect with us at:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/designersandbuilders/

Join our newsletter: https://designersandbuilders.co/

Connect with Alyssa:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/alyssao/

Connect with Steve:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevelarosiliere/

https://www.instagram.com/thelarosiliere

In this episode, Steve Larosiliere interviews Allison Handler, an interior designer who transitioned from a successful career in the fashion industry to establish her own design firm. Allison shares her journey, the skills she brought from fashion to design, and how she developed her unique style. She discusses the importance of social media in growing her business, the challenges of managing client relationships, and the excitement of working on unique design projects. The conversation also touches on the significance of continuous learning and building a strong team to support business growth.

Takeaways

• Allison Handler transitioned from a 20-year fashion career to interior design, leveraging her business degree to run her design firm.
• She describes her design style as modern organic, focusing on warmth and coziness while transforming clients' visions into reality.
• Social media, especially Instagram, has been crucial for her business growth alongside building strong personal relationships with clients.
• Continuous learning, exposure to new trends, and building a strong team of designers are vital for her professional development and success.
• Managing business growth and implementing efficient systems remain constant challenges, highlighting the importance of having a personal assistant.

Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Allison Handler and Her Journey

03:11 Transition from Fashion to Interior Design

05:58 Defining Personal Style in Design

09:03 The Role of Social Media in Business Growth

11:59 Project Management and Client Relationships

15:02 Exploring Unique Design Projects

17:53 Continuous Learning and Professional Development

20:51 Building a Strong Team and Managing Growth

24:05 Showcasing a Notable Project

27:05 Challenges in Managing a Growing Business

30:02 Final Thoughts and Future Aspirations

In this episode of the Designers & Builders Podcast, Steve Larosiliere interviews Micah Stanley, partner at Lawton Stanley Architects. They cover the early journey of launching the firm, the impact of architecture education, and how strong client relationships shape successful projects. Micah reflects on their first major project, Grace Restaurant, and how it influenced their approach to design. The conversation explores the dynamics of business partnerships, the challenges of restaurant and large-scale projects, and the growing focus on sustainable design—highlighting trends like rain screen systems, higher insulative values, and mass timber construction. Micah also shares his outlook on the architecture industry, emphasizing the value of creative, engaged clients, and his passion for public architecture. He highlights the success of the Evera project and wraps up the discussion with marketing strategies to grow visibility and keep clients connected, particularly through email campaigns.

Top 5 Takeaways:

1. Starting a firm takes resilience, energy, and adaptability.
2. Strong client communication and trust are crucial for effective design.
3. Sustainability is driving design trends, with timber and energy-efficient systems on the rise.
4. Large-scale and public architecture projects offer rich learning and creative opportunities.
5. Strategic marketing, especially through email, helps build visibility and client engagement.

Chapters

00:00 — Introduction to Lawton Stanley Architects

03:06 — The Early Days of Starting a Business

05:53 — Educational Background and Its Impact

09:09 — First Major Project: Grace Restaurant

12:04 — Building Client Relationships

15:02 — Collaborative Dynamics in Partnership

18:06 — Navigating Challenges in Restaurant Design

20:58 — Large-Scale Projects and Learning Experiences

23:05 — Trends in Sustainable Design

26:21 — Business Outlook and Market Trends

28:13 — Ideal Clients and Project Aspirations

29:36 — Highlighting the Evera Project

33:08 — Marketing Strategies for Growth

You can connect with Micah at:

https://www.ls-arch.com/about

Miriam Silver Verga of Mimi & Hill traces her firm’s evolution from kitchen-table designers to a 20-person luxury design-build studio. She reveals how addressing industry pain points fueled growth, emphasizing client education, storytelling in design, and systems-driven project management. Miriam discusses the challenges of construction budgeting, the value of her partnership with Hillary, and her vision for building a legacy—whether through employee transition or family succession.

Key Takeaways

Humble Beginnings: Grew from kitchen-table startup to full-service design-build firm over 15 years.

Client-Centric Approach: Prioritizes education on budgets, allowances, and design-value pricing.

Storytelling as Strategy: Crafts spaces that reflect clients’ narratives.

Partnership Power: Collaboration with Hillary drives both success and fulfillment.

Legacy Building: Plans for business continuity through team or family stewardship.

Chapters

00:00 From Kitchen Table to Design-Build Firm

06:10 Scaling a Luxury Business Model

11:56 Educating Clients on Realistic Budgets

18:05 Vision for Long-Term Legacy

24:01 Narrative-Driven Design Philosophy

29:53 Navigating Industry Challenges

Carlissa Montoya shares her transition from retail to becoming a leading closet design professional on this episode. She highlights the critical role of client relationships, how closet design has evolved from luxury to necessity, and the realities of entrepreneurship. Carlissa discusses her signature approach that blends retail merchandising with organizational expertise, the strategic value of networking, and the growing demand for premium storage solutions. She also reflects on how personal values and life experiences shape her business vision in the storage design industry.

Key Takeaways

• Successfully pivoted to closet design after retail store closure
• Built a client-centric business focused on customized solutions
• Developed a unique retail-merchandising approach to the organization
• Prioritizes meaningful industry connections over quantity
• Recognizes strong market growth as storage becomes essential

Chapters

00:00 Carlissa's Career Transformation

02:48 Client Relationship Philosophy

05:57 The Audit-to-Design Process

09:02 Industry Evolution Insights

11:51 Entrepreneurial Challenges & Rewards

14:57 Strategic Networking Approach

17:52 Market Expansion Trends

21:11 Balancing Business & Life

23:51 Future of Storage Design

27:03 Personal & Professional Growth

29:49 Industry Economic Outlook

Connect with Carlissa at:

https://www.instagram.com/cm.closetdesign/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/carlissamontoya

n this introductory episode of the Designers and Builders podcast, host Steve Larosiliere shares his journey from hosting the Woodpreneur Podcast to launching a new platform focused on conversations in design and construction. He introduces co-host Alyssa Olson, outlining the podcast’s vision to connect architects, designers, and builders while fostering a community focused on sustainable and equitable design practices. The show will explore industry insights, business growth strategies, and technology trends, with weekly episodes released on Wednesdays alongside a YouTube channel and newsletter.

Key Takeaways:

• Steve Larosiliere transitions from Woodpreneur Podcast to Designers and Builders for deeper industry conversations.
• The podcast connects architects, designers, and builders to advance sustainable and equitable design.
• Co-host Alyssa Olson brings expertise in business and creative practices.
• Weekly episodes will cover trends, technology, and community-building for professionals.
• Multimedia expansion includes YouTube and a newsletter for audience engagement.