This week on Here With Laura, we’re joined by Katie Nadji, founder of Swann Closet Design, to talk about how she built a thriving business creating beautifully functional closet spaces. Katie shares her journey from the fast-paced world of advertising to design and construction, first in New York City and now back home in Austin.

She opens up about what it was like to pivot careers, the lessons she learned working with a wide range of clients in New York, and how she’s built a life that balances motherhood, entrepreneurship, and craftsmanship. From giving yourself grace to managing client expectations, this conversation is full of thoughtful insights for balancing both a growing business and family life.

Key Takeaways

• Done is better than perfect. Sometimes getting a project to the finish line is more important than obsessing over every detail.

• Set boundaries early. Katie makes family time a priority and does not respond to work messages before 9 a.m., showing that balance starts with communication and discipline.

• Closets are construction. Treating closet design as a true build ensures proper planning, budgeting, and expectations for clients.

• Start the budget conversation early. Katie emphasizes that most clients don’t know what a closet costs, so transparency upfront saves time and helps align expectations.

• Space planning is everything. Before worrying about aesthetics, focus on how clients use their space. Every drawer, shelf, and hanging rod should have a clear purpose.

  
  

Resources and Links

Website: swannclosetdesign.com

Instagram: @swannclosetdesign

Recommended Organizers:

The Considered Home: https://www.instagram.com/considered.atx/

Hannah Goetz Organizing: https://www.hgorganizing.com/

Shop Living Oak: https://livingoakhome.comLearn More About Living Oak Interior Design: https://www.livingoak.com/about

Laura sits down with Marcus Neal, speech-language pathologist and owner of the Children’s Therapy Spot, to talk about his journey from engineering student to passionate advocate for children’s therapy. Marcus shares how his brother with down syndrome inspired his career path, how a leap of faith led him to buy his first clinic, and the importance of love, patience, and perspective in both business and therapy. From growing during the pandemic to creating a collaborative, integrative approach across speech, occupational, and physical therapy, Marcus opens up about the challenges of healthcare, the burden of cost on families, and the heart that drives his work every day.

Marcus also discusses the impact of Design For A Cause, an annual fundraiser hosted by Living Oak that has provided nearly 1,200 therapy visits for children in need. With the support of sponsors like Four Hands, this event helps make life-changing therapy accessible to families who otherwise might not be able to afford it.

Topics Discussed

• Marcus’s unexpected path from engineering to speech therapy

• The role of his younger brother with down syndrome in shaping his purpose

• The integrative approach to speech, occupational, and physical therapy

• The financial realities of healthcare and why therapy is often inaccessible

• The impact of Design For A Cause in funding children’s therapy

• The influence of mentors, patience, and family on his career

  
  

Resources and Links

Children’s Therapy Spot: https://www.thechildrenstherapyspot.com/

MLee Therapy: https://www.mleeslp.com/

Register for Design For A Cause: https://luma.com/designforacause

7 Habits of Highly effective people: https://www.amazon.com/Habits-Highly-Effective-People-Powerful/dp/0743269519

Shop Living Oak: https://livingoakhome.com
Learn More About Living Oak Interior Design: https://www.livingoak.com/about

Dr. Lahana Vigliano, functional nutritionist and founder of Nuvitru Wellness joins Laura for a great discussion. Dr. Lahana shares her journey including her beginnings in med school to creating a successful holistic practice, her path to entrepreneurship, motherhood, and building resilience as a teen mom turned business owner. She opens up about lessons learned in leading with intuition, balancing family and career, and why nutrition, hormones, and gut health are essential to living well. Packed with practical insights, this episode dives into how testing, not guessing, can help women better understand their bodies and thrive through every season of life.

Topics Discussed

• Shifting from med school to functional nutrition and founding Nuvitru Wellness

• Why testing is critical for hormones, gut health, and perimenopause

• Fitness and nutrition: strength training, walking, and eating whole foods

• Thoughts on GLP1, stubborn weight, stress, and the risks of undereating

• Leading with intuition when building a team and growing a business

• Daily rituals: matcha, red light therapy, digital planning, and intentional movement

  
  

  Resources and Links

  Nuvitru Wellness: https://nuvitruwellness.com

  Functional Nutrition Radio: Listen on Spotify

  Power Women’s Health Podcast: https://nuvitruwellness.com/podcast

  Follow Dr. Lahana: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drlahana

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

  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@NuvitruWellness

  TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nuvitruwellness

  
  

  Shop Living Oak: https://livingoakhome.com

  Learn More About Living Oak Interior Design: https://www.livingoak.com/about

  
  

Laura sits down with Anastasia Casey, founder of IDCO, Kwin, and co-creator of Design Camp. From her beginnings in marketing to building a multimillion dollar creative agency for interior designers, Anastasia shares her journey of resilience, mentorship, entrepreneurship, and motherhood. She opens up about lessons learned along the way, how she’s grown her team, and what’s next as she continues shaping the interior design industry through education, branding, and community.

Topics Discussed

- How getting fired pushed Anastasia to start her own business and ultimately build IDCO

- The growth of IDCO, Kwin, and scaling Design Camp into a national event for interior designers

- Navigating post Covid shifts in the interior design industry and running a transparent, numbers driven team

- Balancing entrepreneurship and new motherhood, and learning to slow down

- Exciting projects ahead: boutique stays, writing a book, and speaking engagements

Resources and Links

Design Camp: https://design-camp.co

IDCO Studio: https://idco.studio

Kwin: https://www.kwinmade.com

Shop Living Oak: https://livingoakhome.com

Learn More About Living Oak Interior Design: https://www.livingoak.com/about

Samm Hammel, founder of Post Script Styling and part of the Etch Design Group team, sits down with Laura to talk about her journey from visual merchandising to high end event planning and, ultimately, styling homes. Samm shares the risks she took along the way, including a move to London, building her business during the pandemic, and the support she found from Austin’s creative community.

She opens up about motherhood, balance, and the girlfriends who keep her grounded, while also swapping funny behind the scenes styling stories from packing suitcases full of vases to resetting coffee tables five times for the perfect shot. Samm reveals what it takes to thrive in design, family, and life.Topics Discussed- How Samm transitioned from a career in merchandising to events and now styling spaces.- Building community and supporting female run businesses has been key to her growth.- Motherhood taught her to lean on routines, friends, and flexibility to find balance.- Home styling is not always glamorous but creativity and resourcefulness are key.- Small joys like morning routines, coworkers, and a cold brew fuel her daily optimism.Resources and LinksPost Script Styling: postscriptstyling.comInstagram: @postscript_stylingEtch Design Group: etchdesigngroup.comInstagram: @etchdesigngroupMentioned in this episode:Emily Clarke Events: emilyclarkeevents.comLindsay Brown Photography: https://www.lindsay-brown.com/Studio Burgoon: studioburgoon.comAustin Flower Co: https://austinflowers.com/Shop Living Oak: https://livingoakhome.comLearn More About Living Oak Interior Design: https://www.livingoak.com/about

Laura sits down with journalist, editor, and PR powerhouse Jennifer Birn to trace her fascinating journey from cocktail waitress to national editor and author. Jennifer shares how a chance encounter with the Gin Blossoms launched her writing career, the bold leap that took her from Arizona to New York, and the winding path that eventually led her to Los Angeles and Austin.

With candor and humor, she talks about freelancing, publishing her long-awaited book, finding optimism through challenges, and why she believes experience always outweighs degrees.

Topics Discussed

• How a chance interview with the Gin Blossoms launched Jennifer’s journalism career
• Taking bold risks, from moving to New York on a whim to building her career in LA
• Experience versus education: why she values hands-on work over degrees
• The decade-long journey of publishing her book Chasing Sunsets on I-80 and embracing hybrid publishing
• Eternal optimism, gratitude, and finding balance in both career and life
• The evolving media landscape in Austin and Austin Lifestyle Magazine

Resources and Links

Jennifer Birn’s Book Chasing Sunsets Down I-80: https://a.co/d/fwPfgTv

Follow Jennifer on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/simplyjen22/

Shop Living Oak: https://livingoakhome.com

Learn More About Living Oak Interior Design: https://www.livingoak.com/about

Laura sits down with Madeline Harper, a photographer specializing in branding, interiors, and lifestyle storytelling. From starting with weddings to capturing influencers and then being known for her beautiful photos of interior spaces, Madeline shares how she blends creativity, faith, and relationships to create meaningful work. She also opens up about building a business that aligns with her values, navigating new motherhood, and finding joy in the little things both in and out of work.Topics Discussed- Madeline’s journey from wedding photography to branding and interiors- Building client relationships that grow alongside her work- Finding support and balance while running a creative business- The role of faith, joy, and curiosity in her approach to work and life- Navigating motherhood and defining success on her own termsResources and LinksMadeline Harper Photography: https://www.madelineharper.comInstagram: @madelineharperphotoShop Living Oak: https://livingoakhome.comLearn More About Living Oak Interior Design and working with Laura: https://www.livingoak.com/about

Laura talks with Jyoti Lohman, founder of the beauty way, a skincare line rooted in intention, mantras, and self-love. From getting her first facial at age 6 to developing heart-centered products and rituals, Jyoti shares the story behind the brand and the balance of motherhood, healing, and entrepreneurship.

Topics Discussed

• The inspiration behind the beauty way and the product development process

• Finding harmony over balance in motherhood and business

• Daily rituals for grounding and intentional living

• The power of mantra-infused skincare
• Learning to pivot, problem-solve, and grow a purpose-driven brand

Resources and Links

• Heal Your Body by Louise Hay: Buy on Amazon

• Spa Viata where you can get the beauty way treatment: https://www.hotelviata.com/spa-viata

• Jyoti’s Favorite Tea – Wild Tree Purple Black Tea from Yunnan from The Steeping Room: https://www.thesteepingroom.com

• The Beauty Way: https://www.thebeautyway.co

• Shop Living Oak: ​​https://livingoakhome.com/

• Learn More About Living Oak Interior Design: https://www.livingoak.com/about