Épisodes

  • 175 | Design Skills Series: 6 Skills Interior Designers Need (That Aren’t Taught in Design School)

    175 | Design Skills Series: 6 Skills Interior Designers Need (That Aren’t Taught in Design School)
    Jan 26 2026

    If you’ve ever wondered why design school didn’t quite prepare you for the real world of interior design, you’re not imagining it. I hear this all the time—from designers who invested years (and money) into a degree, and from those who skipped school altogether and worry they’re already behind.


    The truth is, many of the skills required to run a successful interior design business are not taught in the classroom.


    In this episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on what actually matters once you leave school and step into real client work. These are the foundational skills that determine whether your business thrives or struggles. And no, they’re not about picking the perfect sofa or designing custom furniture—although those matter too.


    My promise is simple: I want to help you identify the other skills you need to develop—skills that design school often overlooks—so you can create a strong foundation, run a profitable interior design business, and enjoy a sustainable, fulfilling career doing what you love.


    What You’ll Learn in This Episode

    ✔️ Why business skills are non-negotiable for residential interior designers

    ✔️ How understanding pricing, margins, and markup protects your profitability

    ✔️ What it really means to create a luxury client experience

    ✔️ How technology, AI, and systems can support (not replace) your creativity

    ✔️ Why branding and storytelling matter more than graphic design alone

    ✔️ How leadership and decision-making shape client trust and confidence

    ✔️ The personal skills that help designers manage time, overwhelm, and growth


    Read the Blog >>> 6 Skills Interior Designers Need That Design School Doesn’t Teach

    NEXT STEPS:

    🎯 Join My Design Mentor and start developing the skills that truly set you apart. 👉https://rwarddesign.com/my-design-mentor⁠


    Check out our Designer's Playlist!

    *️ Start Your Interior Design Journey

    *️ From Newbie to Confident Designer

    *️ Switching Gears to 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

    2:54 – Skill #1: Business Skills for Interior Designers

    5:10 – Skill #2: Client Experience and Service

    6:45 – Skill #3: Technology, AI Literacy, and Systems

    9:24 – Skill #4: Marketing, Branding, and Visibility

    11:38 – Skill #5: Leadership and Decision Making

    13:20 – Skill #6: Personal Skills for Success
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    16 min
  • 174 | Core Elements Every High-Converting Interior Design Website Needs With Elle Kwan

    174 | Core Elements Every High-Converting Interior Design Website Needs With Elle Kwan
    Jan 19 2026

    “A good website really should be qualifying your inquiries and increasing them as well.”


    Does your website actually do that? Or does it simply exist as a gallery of pretty images while you continue to explain yourself over and over again in emails, DMs, and discovery calls?


    If you’ve ever hesitated before sending someone your website link, or felt a little cringe when a potential client says they want to “check out your site,” this episode is for you.


    Today, I’m sitting down with Elle Kwan to unpack what separates a beautiful website from a high-converting interior design website — one that supports your business, filters your inquiries, and reflects the true level of your work.


    She shares about what should actually be on your website, the most common mistakes designers make with their online presence, and how to know when it’s time for a website redesign.


    If you want your website to feel like a confident extension of your brand — and a tool you’re proud to share — you’ll want to listen closely.


    Featured Guest:

    Elle Kwan is a website designer and copywriter who works with interior designers whose work deserves the spotlight but whose websites aren’t fully reflecting their expertise. With a background in journalism and luxury publishing, Elle brings together strategy, storytelling, and design to create elevated online presences that attract dream clients, larger budgets, and meaningful opportunities.

    What You’ll Learn in This Episode

    ✳️ Why most interior design websites fail to convert visitors into inquiries

    ✳️ The essential criteria of a high-converting website for interior designers

    ✳️ How storytelling, case studies, and testimonials build trust and authority

    ✳️ The difference between Instagram marketing and website strategy

    ✳️ Common website mistakes that create confusion and low-quality leads

    ✳️ When it’s time for a website redesign and how to recognize the signs

    ✳️ What questions to ask before hiring a website designer


    Read the Blog >>> Core Elements Every High-Converting Interior Design Website Needs


    NEXT STEPS:

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


    Check out our Designer's Playlist!

    *️ Start Your Interior Design Journey

    *️ From Newbie to Confident Designer

    *️ Switching Gears to 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 and Guest Bio

    2:30 Elle Kwan’s Background

    8:01 What Should Be In an Interior Design Website

    10:51 How Can Your Website Help You Stand Out as a Designer

    16:12 Common Website Mistakes Designers Make

    18:39 Signs It’s Time for a Website Redesign

    20:33 What to Ask Before Hiring a Website Designer

    24:28 Elle’s 3S Framework for Website Consultations
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    29 min
  • 173 | Design Skills Series: The Soft Skills That Set Successful Interior Designers Apart

    173 | Design Skills Series: The Soft Skills That Set Successful Interior Designers Apart
    Jan 12 2026

    Many interior designers spend years honing hard skills like CAD drafting, space planning, and material selection—yet still feel stuck when it comes to client relationships, confidence, or stepping into leadership. I see this all the time, and it can be incredibly frustrating when you know you’re talented, but something still feels like it’s holding you back.


    The truth is, talent alone rarely sets designers apart anymore.


    What creates real career longevity and opportunity in interior design is how you show up as a professional—how you communicate, how you handle challenges, and how you lead both clients and projects. That’s where soft skills come in.


    In this episode, I dive into the soft skills that make the biggest difference in real-world design work, including emotional intelligence, communication techniques, boundary setting, leadership skills, and professionalism. These are often the invisible skills that separate designers who are just getting by from those who are trusted, respected, and thriving in their careers.


    If you’ve ever felt technically capable but still struggled with difficult clients, miscommunication, burnout, or feeling overlooked in the workplace, this conversation is for you.


    What You’ll Learn in This Episode

    ✔️ Why soft skills matter just as much as technical design skills in interior design careers

    ✔️ How emotional intelligence impacts client trust, presentations, and decision-making

    ✔️ Communication techniques that improve client relationships and prevent costly mistakes

    ✔️ How boundary setting protects your time, profitability, and mental well-being

    ✔️ The role of leadership skills in managing projects, trades, and client expectations

    ✔️ Why professionalism, enthusiasm, and teamwork set designers apart in the workplace

    ✔️ How holding space for client transformation leads to deeper trust and better outcomes


    Read the Blog >>> Design Skills Series: Soft Skills for Interior Designers

    NEXT STEPS:

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


    Check out our Designer's Playlist!

    *️ Start Your Interior Design Journey

    *️ From Newbie to Confident Designer

    *️ Switching Gears to 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 and New Series

    3:47 – What Soft Skills Are and Why They Matter in Interior Design

    8:18 – Emotional Intelligence as a Designer’s Superpower

    10:30 – Improving Self-Awareness, Empathy, and Self-Regulation

    11:32 – Communication Techniques That Build Trust

    15:24 – Boundary Setting, Professional Poise, and Saying No Gracefully

    19:03 – Leadership Skills in Interior Design Projects

    20:27 – Holding Space for Client Transformation

    25:50 – Why Soft Skill Development Makes You More Marketable
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    28 min
  • 172 | How Designers Build Profitable Design Businesses With Donna Hoffman

    172 | How Designers Build Profitable Design Businesses With Donna Hoffman
    Jan 5 2026
    If you’re an interior designer who feels deeply creative but secretly anxious about sales, pricing, or talking about your value, this episode is for you.Too many designers believe that great work should “sell itself,” only to find themselves undercharging, overdelivering, and wondering why their business still feels financially fragile. If you’ve ever felt uncomfortable talking about money, struggled to raise your design fees, or worried that niching down will limit your opportunities, you are not alone.In this episode, I sit down with interior design business coach Donna Hoffman for a powerful, honest conversation about what it really takes to monetize creativity. We talk about sales strategy for creative brains, why marketing clarity matters more than talent, and how designers can confidently communicate their value without feeling salesy or inauthentic. Donna shares real-world examples from her own seven-figure luxury design firm and explains why selling design is just as important as designing itself.If your goal is to run your design business like a confident CEO while still honoring your creative sensitivity, this conversation will help you take that next step.Featured Guest:Donna Hoffman is a seasoned interior design business coach and the founder of a seven-figure luxury interior design firm launched during the 2008 Great Recession. Known as the “master of words,” Donna specializes in branding, sales strategy, marketing strategy, and mindset support for creative entrepreneurs. Her work helps designers clarify their niche, confidently communicate value, and build profitable, resilient businesses that honor both creativity and well-being.What You’ll Learn in This Episode✳️ Why interior designers don’t design for a living✳️ How to niche your interior design business without closing yourself off to opportunities✳️ The difference between being a generalist and having a compelling point of difference✳️ How to use a pitch deck to educate clients and increase project scope naturally✳️ Why creative sensitivity affects pricing confidence and sales conversations✳️ How to raise your design fees strategically without sabotaging your mindset✳️ The importance of selling furnishings and products as part of a profitable design businessRead the Blog >>> How Designers Build Profitable Design BusinessesNEXT STEPS:🎯 Join the My Design Mentor to kickstart a successful career in interior design!Check out our Designer's Playlist!*️ Start Your Interior Design Journey *️ From Newbie to Confident Designer *️ Switching Gears to 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...Timestamps0:00 – Introduction and Guest Bio3:55 – Donna’s Story: Launching a Design Business During the 2008 Recession5:51 – How Sales and Marketing Experience Shaped Donna’s Early Success7:21 – Why Investing in Business Coaching Matters9:06 – The Truth About Sales, Niching, and Being a Design CEO14:24 – How to Sell Your Design Service15:56 – What a Pitch Deck Is and When to Use It21:05 – Selling Design Fees and Furnishings With Confidence26:54 – The Creative Brain, Sensitivity, and Mindset Support30:54 – Donna's Coaching Program
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    37 min
  • 171 | How I Reflect, Set Goals, and Choose My Word of the Year for 2026

    171 | How I Reflect, Set Goals, and Choose My Word of the Year for 2026
    Dec 29 2025

    Every December, I sit down with a cup of coffee, my Full Focus Planner, and a quiet moment to breathe. Because if there’s anything I’ve learned in my 20+ years in interior design, it’s that the goals we don’t set end up shaping our lives just as much as the ones we do. And when you’re building a design business—or simply trying to thrive as a creative human—intentionality matters more than anything. Without direction, it’s easy to slip into survival mode. But when you pause long enough to reflect, plan, and recalibrate, everything begins to feel lighter, clearer, and more aligned.


    In this episode, I’m walking you through my personal reflection of 2025: what worked, what shifted, the word that guided me through a year of centering and grounding, and how that shaped my business and personal life. I’m also sharing how I’m approaching 2026 with my new Word of the Year—radiant—and how you can choose your own word to anchor your purpose, energy, and growth.


    If you’ve been feeling scattered, overwhelmed, or unsure of what you want 2026 to look like, this episode will help you slow down, listen inward, and craft a vision that supports both your life and your interior design business. It’s your invitation to step into the year with clarity, confidence, and a sense of grounded intentionality—so you can finally thrive, not just hustle.


    What You’ll Learn in This Episode

    ✔️ How to conduct an honest reflection of your year—what worked, what didn’t, and what still needs nurturing.

    ✔️ Why choosing a Word of the Year is a powerful anchor for personal clarity and business direction.

    ✔️ How my 2025 word, centered, shaped everything from my finances to my creative energy.

    ✔️ The key elements of creating a meaningful vision board (and how mine helped me manifest my goals).

    ✔️ Practical steps for planning your 2026 goals in a way that feels grounded and achievable.

    ✔️ How personal retreat days can transform your focus, productivity, and creativity.

    ✔️ The mindset shift designers need to embrace to build resilience and financial security in uncertain times.

    Read the Blog >>> How to Reflect on 2025 and Create Your Vision for 2026

    NEXT STEPS:

    🎯 Join the Launch Your Business Bootcamp and start your 2026 with clarity, confidence, and direction.


    Check out our Designer's Playlist!

    *️ Start Your Interior Design Journey

    *️ From Newbie to Confident Designer

    *️ Switching Gears to 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 and Bootcamp Announcement

    1:56 — Why I Reflect and Create a Vision Every Year

    4:07 — Achievements and Personal Growth in 2025

    9:22 — AI Integration and Staying Relevant as a Designer

    11:56 — My 2026 Word of the Year: Radiant

    13:01 — How I Choose My Word of the Year

    13:46 — Encouragement for Your 2026 Goals
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    16 min
  • 170 | Secrets to Effective Selling, Pricing, and CEO Mindset With LuAnn Nigara

    170 | Secrets to Effective Selling, Pricing, and CEO Mindset With LuAnn Nigara
    Dec 22 2025
    Have you ever felt uncomfortable talking about money with a client—even when you know your work is worth every dollar? Maybe you’ve said yes when you wanted to say no. Maybe you’ve underpriced a project just to avoid conflict. Or maybe you’ve worked twice as hard for half the pay and wondered why running your interior design business still feels exhausting instead of empowering.In this episode, I’m joined by legendary business strategist and podcast host LuAnn Nigara. We’re having the honest conversation every creative entrepreneur needs to hear about sales, pricing, confidence, and standing fully in your value as a designer. We talk about why so many designers undervalue their work, how unclear processes lead to undercharging, and what it really means to sell your services with integrity and authority.If you’re ready to stop second-guessing your pricing, start documenting your processes, and finally step into your CEO role, this episode is for you. You'll learn how to sell your interior design services with confidence, without feeling pushy, awkward, or salesy.Featured Guest:LuAnn Nigara is a business strategist, speaker, and host of two podcasts: Window Treatments for Profit and A Well-Designed Business, the leading podcast for design professionals with nearly 9 million downloads. A seasoned entrepreneur with 40+ years in the industry and three successful businesses, LuAnn helps creative entrepreneurs lead with confidence, build systems that drive profitability, and finally get out of their own way.Through LuAnn University, she offers practical, high-impact courses taught by industry pros. And for business owners ready for deep transformation, her Chairman of the Board one-on-one coaching provides the clarity and accountability needed to lead at the highest level.What You’ll Learn in This Episode✳️ Why interior designers consistently undervalue their work—and how to shift that mindset✳️ How documented processes directly impact your pricing, confidence, and profitability✳️ The difference between employee work and CEO work in an interior design business✳️ How to respond when clients question your authority or your pricing✳️ Why selling is not a dirty word—and how to reframe it with confidence✳️ How to stand firm in your boundaries without damaging client relationships✳️ The connection between confidence, pricing strategies, and better clientsRead the Blog >>> Secrets to Effective Selling, Pricing, and CEO Mindset NEXT STEPS:🎯 Sign up for the Launch Your Business Bootcamp today and start building your business the right way.Check out our Designer's Playlist!*️ Start Your Interior Design Journey *️ From Newbie to Confident Designer *️ Switching Gears to 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...Timestamps0:00 – Introduction: Bootcamp + Guest Bio3:48 – LuAnn's Journey into the Interior Design Industry6:20 – LuAnn's Sales Background and Philosophy9:05 – Reframing Sales for Creatives14:59 – Why Luann Started Her Podcast18:32 – Coaching Designers Through Real-World Business Challenges23:10 – Challenges of Interior Designers 28:07 – Sales Strategy + When to Hold Firm33:44 – Why Documenting Your Process Changes Everything38:07 – Luann’s Programs + How Designers Can Work With Her42:05 – Employee Work vs. CEO Work
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    47 min
  • 169 | Top FAQs Answered: Launch Your Design Business Bootcamp

    169 | Top FAQs Answered: Launch Your Design Business Bootcamp
    Dec 15 2025
    Starting your own interior design business sounds exciting… until you sit down to actually do it and wonder, Where do I even begin?Maybe you’ve dreamed about launching your business for years, but the legal setup feels overwhelming.Maybe you’ve done a few side projects, but don’t feel “official” yet.Or maybe you’re terrified of getting your first paid client, pricing your services, or setting up systems that won’t fall apart the moment you take on real work.If that sounds like you, today’s episode will feel like the permission slip—and roadmap—you’ve been waiting for. I’m answering the most common FAQs about my Launch Your Business Bootcamp, an 8-week step-by-step program designed specifically for interior designers who want to build a profitable, structured, and legitimate business from the ground up.If you’ve been dreaming about making design your full-time career—without the guesswork, trial-and-error, or expensive mistakes—this episode will show you how to officially start your business, attract clients, and finally move from “I want to be a designer” to “I run a real design business.” This is your year. And I’m here to guide you every step of the way.What You’ll Learn in This Episode✔️ Who the Launch Your Business Bootcamp is best suited for✔️ Why this program helps you avoid the most common business-killing mistakes✔️ What you’ll accomplish week-by-week inside the 8-week business launch roadmap✔️ How the program is delivered and why the format helps you take real action✔️ What makes this different from other design business courses or mentorships✔️ How to know if now is the right time to finally launch your interior design businessRead the Blog >>> Frequently Asked Questions About Launch Your Business BootcampNEXT STEPS:🎯 Sign up for the Launch Your Business Bootcamp and start the new year with clarity, structure, and a proven step-by-step roadmapCheck out our Designer's Playlist!*️ Start Your Interior Design Journey *️ From Newbie to Confident Designer *️ Switching Gears to 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...Timestamps0:00 – Introduction and bootcamp announcement2:12 – Who Is the Bootcamp For4:16 – What Will You Learn and Accomplish5:48 – How the Course is Delivered8:15 – What If I’m Too Busy or Not Ready Yet9:10 – What Makes This Program Different10:21 – Cost, Value, and Investment Breakdown11:10 – How to Join and When It Starts
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    13 min
  • 168 | 5 Ways to Build a Strong Foundation for Your Design Career With Katie Malik

    168 | 5 Ways to Build a Strong Foundation for Your Design Career With Katie Malik
    Dec 8 2025
    “I just want to design, but why is this so hard?” I get it! You love creating beautiful spaces, choosing finishes, and watching your vision come to life — but when it comes to running your design business, you suddenly feel lost. Pricing, contracts, permits, marketing, and systems aren’t what you signed up for. You became a designer because you love design, not because you wanted to be an entrepreneur.So many interior designers share that same fear and frustration: I love what I do, but I don’t know how to run a business.In this episode, I sit down with award-winning designer and educator Katie Malik, founder of Interior Design Deconstructed, who shares her honest journey from passion-driven creative to confident business owner. Like so many of us, Katie started her design career thinking her talent alone would be enough—until the reality of entrepreneurship hit. Through mentorship, business coaching, and intentional training, she learned how to build a sustainable practice that honors her creativity and her bottom line.If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by the business side of design, this conversation will remind you that you don’t have to figure it out alone. With the right guidance, systems, and support, you can transform your passion into a profitable design business. That’s exactly what I help designers do through my Launch Your Business Bootcamp—a step-by-step program designed to walk you through every stage of building a profitable interior design business — one that lets you thrive doing what you love.Featured Guest:Katie Malik is an award-winning interior designer and founder of Interior Design Deconstructed. With a Master’s in Philosophy from Cambridge University and advanced training in house whispering — a psychotherapy of space rooted in feng shui and energy alignment — Katie helps clients create homes and businesses that feel as good as they look. A triple UK Property Awards winner featured in Architectural Digest, Grand Designs, and The Times, she also mentors emerging designers to build profitable, purpose-driven studios.What You’ll Learn in This Episode✳️ How to transition into interior design from another career with confidence✳️ Why creative passion isn’t enough — and what business skills truly matter✳️ How investing in mentorship and coaching can fast-track your growth✳️ The surprising power of networking and community for designers✳️ What house whispering is and how energy and psychology connect to design✳️ Why clarity about your business goals helps you grow with easeRead the Blog >>> 5 Ways to Build a Strong Design Career FoundationNEXT STEPS:🎯 Sign up today for Launch Your Business BootcampYou’ll gain a full year inside My Design Mentor, plus an eight-week program that gives you the roadmap, coaching, and systems to build a business you're proud of.Check out our Designer's Playlist!*️ Start Your Interior Design Journey *️ From Newbie to Confident Designer *️ Switching Gears to 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...Timestamps0:00 Introduction and Guest Bio2:13 Katie’s Journey From Academia to Interior Design5:00 Transitioning from Education to Entrepreneurship7:39 House Whispering and Advanced Feng Shui11:38 Building and Scaling a Design Business 13:42 The Value of Business Coaching15:13 How to Learn From Designers Across the Globe17:18 Lessons Learned From Running a Design Business21:29 The Power of Systems and Processes22:11 Katie’s Podcast: Interior Design Deconstructed
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    28 min