Hot Young Designers Club | Interior Design Business Podcast Hot Young Designers Club

Shaun and Rebecca are back with another Ask Us Anything. They answer your questions about marketing, photography, vendors, building and organizing a sample library, managing projects, using tools to help keep your work organized, growing your business, and much more!
In this episode, they discuss:
Shaun and Rebecca’s plans for the upcoming High Point MarketThe best marketing strategies for interior designers starting out — social media, SEO, networking, consistency, etcHow did Shaun and Rebecca start and grow their interior design businesses without a coach or mentorTips for transitioning from buying retail for projects to developing vendor relationships and shopping wholesaleFavorite vendors with a variety of products at different price points for interior designersHow much to invest in your first photo shoot for your website and portfolio, especially when working with a limited client budgetIs working with someone on website strategy a good investment for services like configuring Google Analytics, conducting an audit, and providing reportsIs joining a Chamber of Commerce beneficial for business expansionTips and strategies for building a sample library and keeping it fresh and stockedUsing tools like Harvest and Studio Designer to track time and invoice clientsWhat to do or say when a client wants to be super involved or compromises the designTaking business loans to grow your business
Mentioned:
Ep 83 Acquiring Clients without Instagram
E121 Evan Larkin, SEO for Interior Designers
May Hottie Hangout
https://www.patreon.com/posts/may-hottie-104017706?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=postshare_creator&utm_content=join_link
RP Rue Feature
https://ruemag.com/home-tour-2/grandmas-house-gets-a-refresh-how-studio-plumb-updated-a-cherished-family-home-in-east-sacramento
E111 For The Newbies - Things we wish we knew when we started
E001 Meet the Hot Young Designers
Patreon Episode: You’re not making money unless you’re buying wholesale
https://www.patreon.com/posts/youre-not-making-97208553?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=postshare_creator&utm_content=join_link
Client Purchasing Guide
https://shop.hotyoungdesignersclub.com/products/client-purchasing-guide
Join design community groups like:
NKBA
https://nkba.org/
NARI
https://www.nari.org/
IDS
a...

Why do interior designers need SEO? Why is SEO the key to keeping your interior design business ranking on Google? SEO expert Evan Larkin explains why SEO is so important for your business’s online presence and gives a live SEO audit of Shaun’s website. Listen in to Evan’s observations on Shaun’s website, Wrensted Interiors, and learn what to fix on your own website.
In this episode, they discuss:
SEO audit of Shaun’s website: https://wrenstedinteriors.com/ Best platforms for website creation for designersThe importance of website accessibility and ADA compliance for SEOMistakes that hurt your SEOImportant on-site SEO elements like meta titles, descriptions, and headersImportance of image optimization for SEO and the best practices that should be followedWhat should be the word count and keyword usage in the website content How to utilize Pinterest to rank up your websiteDo designers need blogs and alternatives to blogsSEO techniques for small businesses — website optimization, link building, using search console, etcThe importance of optimizing your profiles and reviews on platforms like Google, Facebook, Yelp, etcWays to optimize a website and service pages for SEO and the user experienceUsing location-specific details in content to improve SEO and connect with local audiencesThe value of local traffic versus national traffic for small businessesHow much SEO work can designers do themselves versus needing help from an agencyThe process for doing an SEO audit with North County Digital

Mentioned:
HYDC Pinterest Masterclass
https://shop.hotyoungdesignersclub.com/products/pinterest-for-interior-designers-masterclass
Listen back to our Pinterest episode with Leah Reinert
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hot-young-designers-club-interior-design-business-podcast/id1505427626?i=1000637166871
Google Search Console
https://search.google.com/search-console/about
Google Business Profile
https://www.google.com/business/
North County Digital Website: https://www.northcountydigital.com/
Follow North County Digital on Ig: https://www.instagram.com/northcountydigitalmarketing/
Follow Evan on Ig: https://www.instagram.com/evanslarkin/
Our links:
Subscribe and leave a review - Apple Podcasts
Like, Comment, & Follow - Hot Young Designers Club Instagram
a href="https://www.instagram.com/studioplumb/?hl=en" rel="noopener...

The design industry can be exciting to explore, but it's not always easy to break into. If you're looking to shift careers and work in interior design, Shaun and Rebecca have some valuable advice for you. They talk about the skills from your previous job that will add value to your design career, the challenges career-shifters face when switching into the design industry, and share tips that will help you break into the new field.
In this episode, Rebecca and Shaun discuss:
The challenges of switching careers in interior designTips and strategies for someone transitioning from another career into interior design Transferable skills someone can bring from another career that offers value in interior designChallenges entrepreneurs face when switching industriesThe need for entrepreneurs to set aside their ego to have a successful learning experience when switching industriesChallenges designers face in taking on inexperienced interns or employeesHow can career changers demonstrate value beyond just design skills when pursuing opportunities in interior designThe challenges of transitioning from DIY home projects to working professionally in the design industryWhat designers look for when it comes to hiring and training new employeesWhat does it take to find the right fit when switching to a new industry like interior design
Our links:
Subscribe and leave a review - Apple Podcasts
Like, Comment, & Follow - Hot Young Designers Club Instagram
Rebecca’s Instagram 
Shaun’s Instagram
For more information - Check out the website
Become a “Loyal Hottie” - Support us on Patreon
Design Resources - Check out our shop
Mentioned in this episode:
Moe's Home Collection
Moe's just released their new Tailored & Timeless Collection.
Create an accout at https://moeshomecollection.com/hydc

Today’s guest, Ashley Ausland, shares her journey of growing her design business over the last few years while dealing with personal hardships—divorce, cancer, and becoming a single mother of four kids. She discusses the lessons she learned about business management, client relationships, and creating homes with soul and timeless appeal.
In this episode, Rebecca and Shaun speak with Ashley Ausland to discuss:
Ashley’s journey of starting her business from her garage with no employees to now having a team of 4Ashley’s struggles and healing process of going through divorce and cancer and learning the importance of boundaries, self-care, and forgivenessGrowing her design projects from small remodels to ground-up constructionsVetting clients carefully by looking for red flags like clients who want to change contractsHow Ashley balances her business with caring for her four kids as a single momAshley’s struggles with delegating design work and maintaining creative control over projectsIncorporating vintage elements and old designs into new homesPreserving historical details in home renovationsFocusing on durability and value over trendsAshley’s billing model and the challenges she faces while time trackingThe challenges designers face with sharing their work and receiving feedback
Mentioned:
Ausland Interiors Website: https://www.auslandinteriors.com/ 
Ashley Ausland on Ig: https://www.instagram.com/auslandinteriors/ 
Ausland Interiors on Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/auslandinteriors/  

Our links:
Subscribe and leave a review - Apple Podcasts
Like, Comment, & Follow - Hot Young Designers Club Instagram
Rebecca’s Instagram 
Shaun’s Instagram
For more information - Check out the website
Become a “Loyal Hottie” - Support us on Patreon
Design Resources - Check out our shop
Mentioned in this episode:
Moe's Home Collection
Moe's just released their new Tailored & Timeless Collection.
Create an accout at https://moeshomecollection.com/hydc

Shaun and Rebecca discuss the issues around designers’ rights to their work. They talk about a recent situation where a company used photos of designer Natalie Myers’s work without her permission and modified the pictures a little with the help of AI. They discuss this issue, how having no rights over the pictures of their work is not fair to designers, and finding a fair solution to this issue.
In this episode, Rebecca and Shaun discuss:
How designers are often overlooked for bringing food and maintaining morale on job sites while photographers profit off photos without the designer’s consentThe unauthorized brand use of photos of a designer’s workThe Natalie Meyer situation where a company used her photos without permissionPhotographer-designer relationships The complexity of photo licensing contracts and how the system favors photographers over designersThe lack of control designers have over photos of their own workHow designers can have more control over their workFinding a fair way for photographers and designers to share rights and paymentsPhotographers can share licensing rights and revenue with designers when companies use photos of their designs
Mentioned:
Episode 107: Just Stop Vi: Judgement Day
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hot-young-designers-club-interior-design-business-podcast/id1505427626?i=1000637922368
Natalie Meyer's IG Post
https://www.instagram.com/p/C32pAPzrOzF/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
Ethnik Living's Apology
https://www.instagram.com/p/C34kSOztN2I/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
The movie 'The Congress' with Robin Wright has some parallels to what we're talking about: The Congress - Prime Video

Our links:
Subscribe and leave a review - Apple Podcasts
Like, Comment, & Follow - Hot Young Designers Club Instagram
Rebecca’s Instagram 
Shaun’s Instagram
For more information - Check out the website
Become a “Loyal Hottie” - Support us on Patreon
Design Resources - Check out our shop
Mentioned in this episode:
Moe's Home Collection
Moe's just released their new Tailored & Timeless Collection.
Create an accout at https://moeshomecollection.com/hydc

Will Brown of Will Brown Interiors believes that interior design should be more than just aesthetics — it should also support clients’ well-being and energy flow within a space. In this episode, Will shares how he uses ancient Feng Shui principles to help clients optimize the flow of energy in their homes.
In this episode, Rebecca and Shaun speak with Will Brown to discuss:
Will’s career transition from corporate graphic design to interior designWill’s experience working at Hallmark and how it influenced his careerHow Will got introduced and certified in Feng Shui principles How Will’s clients receive the idea of Feng Shui Will’s process for integrating Feng Shui into his interior design process and consultationsSome examples of Feng Shui practices that Will suggests for clients Recommendation of Mindful Homes by Anjie Cho as a guide for enhancing the main areas of a homeHow Will tailors his Feng Shui solutions based on a client’s individual needs, interests, and comfort levelWill’s way of helping clients understand and optimize the flow of energy in their homes through Feng ShuiClearing misconceptions about Feng Shui Bringing in an ad hoc team based on project needs and how it helps him stay focused on his role as the creative directorAbout the Midwest Design & Furniture Fair — Date, venue, competitions that are going to happen there, and more!
Mentioned:
The Mindful Design Feng Shui School New York: Mindful Design Feng Shui School
Will’s website: Will Brown Interiors
Will’s Instagram: @willbrowninteriors on Instagram 
Using a Bagua Map for your home: How to Use a Bagua Map: Simple Steps for Powerful Change | LoveToKnow
Mindful Homes by Anjie Cho: https://amzn.to/3vMEeIN 
Midwest Design & Furniture Fair: Midwest Design and Furniture Fair
Our links:
Subscribe and leave a review - Apple Podcasts
Like, Comment, & Follow - Hot Young Designers Club Instagram
Rebecca’s Instagram 
Shaun’s Instagram
For more information - Check out the website
Become a “Loyal Hottie” - Support us on Patreon
Design Resources - Check out our shop
Mentioned in this episode:
Moe's Home Collection
Moe's just released