Design Biz Survival Guide

Design Biz Survival Guide
  • 4.8 (62)
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Updated Weekly

What if you could hang out with experienced design professionals and entrepreneurs who have drive and vision, ask them about their successes and failures, and more; then take an insight or two to guide your own business journey? That's what we do each episode on Design Biz Survival Guide. Hosted by Rick Campos – recovering interior designer turned business coach with over a decade of experience in the design industry –– every episode is an in-depth look at how to launch, navigate, and grow your design business. The intention of this podcast is to inspire and empower designers with the tools and information you need to survive in the business of design.

  1. Aug 10

    224: Sarah Richter & Brandon Medlin - The "Other" Designers on the Job Site

    Today we welcome Sarah Richter and Brandon Medlin—partners in life and business and leaders of Sarah Richter Design, an architectural lighting design studio based in Annapolis, Maryland. In this episode, Sarah shares the pivotal moment when she discovered architectural lighting design, and Brandon shares how his skills and background helped bring the business full circle. We also discuss their B2B business model and how they partner exclusively with designers, builders, and architects to elevate the design process and help create truly extraordinary spaces. SHOW HIGHLIGHTS How Sarah's background in architecture led her to discover the specialized world of architectural lighting design. Brandon's journey through business, sales, lighting distribution, controls, and project management—and how those skills complement Sarah's design expertise. Why Sarah Richter Design operates as a B2B architectural lighting studio serving interior designers, architects, builders, and other trade professionals. How an independent lighting designer can support an interior designer's vision without competing for decorative lighting sales or taking over the designer's scope. The value of bringing a lighting designer into a project early to help coordinate architectural lighting, decorative fixtures, controls, dimming, color temperature, and installation details. How Sarah and Brandon balance being spouses, parents, and business partners while bringing different perspectives to the creative and operational sides of the firm. A look inside a 22,000-square-foot residential project where collaboration, tunable white lighting, color-changing lighting, mock-ups, and layered lighting helped create atmosphere throughout the home. Why curiosity, community, trusting the process, and surrounding yourself with knowledgeable collaborators are essential to building a successful design business. NOTABLE QUOTES "We are a real-life encyclopedia." "It might be a grind, but it feels like you have a purpose." "I think it's remaining curious." "Our personal definition of success is time." SUPPORTING RESOURCES Sarah Richter Design Website: https://www.sarahrichterdesign.com/ Sarah Richter Design Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahrichterdesign/ SPONSOR LINKS Design Manager / Design Spec: https://designspec.com/survivalguide Interior Design Society: https://interiordesignsociety.org/

  2. Jul 27

    223: Donna Hartman | Success Is Never Achieved Alone

    Today we welcome Donna Hartman, owner and principal designer of Gray Fox Interior Design. In this episode, Donna shares her entrepreneurial journey from model homes to hospitality and how her years in the classroom as an educator laid the foundation for her high-touch approach to business and interior design. We also discuss how peers and partnerships support the continued development of her interior design business model, and Donna shares the rewarding benefits of committing to a volunteer leadership role as president of the Southern California Chapter of NKBA. SHOW HIGHLIGHTS How Donna's experience designing model homes introduced her to the importance of function, spatial awareness, and how people live in their homes The transferable skills she developed as an educator and how designing engaging classroom environments shaped her approach to interior design How managing luxury vacation rentals and operating a staging company strengthened Donna's attention to detail and hospitality mindset Why Donna ultimately chose to specialize in kitchen and bath design rather than trying to serve every area of the industry How peers, contractors, trade professionals, educational events, and industry connections helped Donna learn the business of design The value of checking your ego at the door and surrounding yourself with people who bring different strengths and expertise How an unexpected design partnership increased Donna's confidence, expanded her capabilities, and created opportunities for larger projects The personal and professional growth Donna has experienced while serving as president of the Southern California Chapter of NKBA NOTABLE QUOTES "I like to be in control. I like to create my own destiny." "Success is never achieved alone, never." "It's okay to think big, but it's also okay to start small." "I needed to start small and let it organically grow." SUPPORTING RESOURCES Gray Fox Interior Design Website: https://www.grayfoxinteriordesign.com/ Gray Fox Interior Design Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/grayfoxinteriordesign/ The Big Power of Tiny Connections by Jen Nash: https://www.amazon.com/Big-Power-Tiny-Connections-Interactions-ebook/dp/B09NWHYW13/ SPONSOR LINKS Design Manager and Design Spec: https://designspec.com/survivalguide Interior Design Society: https://interiordesignsociety.org/

  3. Jul 13

    222: Christina Cruz | Inspired Design

    Today we welcome Christina Cruz, owner and principal designer of her namesake design studio based in Austin, Texas. In this episode, Christina shares her transition from a seventeen-year career in media sales to a thriving interior design business. We also discuss how a lifetime of influence from her father provided a creative foundation for her meaningful approach to design, and Christina reveals her number-one resource for design knowledge and information. Spoiler alert: it's not a classroom. SHOW HIGHLIGHTS Christina shares how she transitioned from a long career in media sales with companies like Microsoft, Yahoo, and BuzzFeed into launching her Austin-based interior design firm. She reflects on how her father's lifelong passion for interiors, architecture, hospitality, and creating meaningful spaces shaped her creative foundation. Christina discusses the leap of faith involved in building her design business while still working a full-time corporate job. She explains how her background in psychology and sales helps her listen deeply, solve problems, and serve clients through emotional storytelling. Christina shares why job sites, contractors, artisans, and hands-on experience have been her most valuable design education. She emphasizes the importance of partnering with skilled tradespeople and understanding how design details are actually executed. Christina discusses how her Latina heritage and exposure to Mexican artists and artisans influence her design perspective and passion for meaningful, culturally rooted design. She shares how gratitude, family, and staying grounded in her own path help her navigate entrepreneurship and define success. NOTABLE QUOTES "It's never too late to reinvent yourself or start over. And you can do that at any moment in time." "When you feel lit up, you'll never work a day in your life because yes, it's hard work." "Part of design is also being really flexible and being nimble and being able to adapt." "My personal definition of success has to be more time with my family." SUPPORTING RESOURCES Christina Cruz Interiors Website: https://www.christinacruzinteriors.com/ Christina Cruz Interiors on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/christinacruzinteriors/ SPONSOR LINKS Design Manager: https://designspec.com/survivalguide Interior Design Society: https://interiordesignsociety.org/

  4. Jun 29

    221: James Fung | Path to Ownership

    Today we welcome James Fung, Principal Designer and owner of NB Design Group based in Seattle, Washington. In this episode, James shares his journey of design from architecture to interior design using an effective process of elimination. We also discuss the unexpected opportunity for ownership of a legacy studio brand and how James and his business partner, Whitney, navigated the path to ownership and what they learned about each other and the ownership side of the business. James is also an executive board member of the Asian American Pacific Islander Design Alliance, and he shares with us the intention of the organization and how they support the rise and visibility of design professionals. SHOW HIGHLIGHTS James shares how his early interest in creative expression, paired with a process of elimination, ultimately led him from architecture to interior design. He reflects on how his architecture education continues to shape his work, from understanding space and history to communicating ideas through hand drawings. James discusses his early career experience in New York City and how working in a small, high-end residential firm became a practical masterclass in the business of design. He shares the story of joining NB Design Group in 2013 and later navigating the opportunity to take ownership of the legacy firm with his business partner, Whitney Mayhara. James explains the importance of building a trusted support team when evaluating a business transition, including attorneys, administrative support, and experienced family members. He and Rick explore what makes a strong business partnership, including shared values, different personalities, constant collaboration, and a commitment to putting the business first. James introduces the Asian American Pacific Islander Design Alliance, also known as AAPIDA, and discusses its mission to elevate AAPI voices and designers of color within the design industry. He shares why partnership, community, mentorship, and emotional security are essential to long-term survival and success in the design business. NOTABLE QUOTES "I lean on that architecture experience and that schooling every single day at work." "The things that stress me out tends to not stress her out and vice versa." "When we say collaboration, it really is, in some ways, it's like almost too much collaboration." "I think any type of partnership that is rooted in respect and rooted in wanting to make the business better, so whether that's a mentor or even like a CFO or an advisor, those types of collaborative relationships is essential in what we do." SUPPORTING RESOURCES NB Design Group Website: https://www.nbdesigngroup.net/ NB Design Group Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nbdesigngroup/ James Fung Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jameskfung/ AAPIDA Website: https://aapida.com/ AAPIDA Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aapi_designalliance/ SPONSOR LINKS Design Manager / Design Spec: https://designspec.com/survivalguide Interior Design Society: https://interiordesignsociety.org/

  5. Jun 15

    220: Dalia Soles | Thrust into Greatness

    Today we welcome Dalia Soles, founder of Design Assisted, a project management agency and strategic partner for interior design businesses. In this episode, Dalia shares her journey from graphic design to interior design and ultimately her transition from designer to industry partner. We dive deep into the complexities of the business of design, and Dalia shares the moment she realized she could be of better service to design business owners, which prompted the development and launch of Design Assisted. Dalia is a champion of community over competition, and she is dedicated to supporting and empowering design business owners through personalized and meaningful partnership. SHOW HIGHLIGHTS Dalia shares how her creative background in graphic design became a gateway into the interior design industry. She reflects on her early experience working in a wallpaper library and how it introduced her to textiles, wallpaper, and the trade side of design. Dalia discusses her time working at Celerie Kemble's Palm Beach studio and how that experience deepened her respect for the design profession. She opens up about realizing that while she loved the design industry, the problems she wanted to solve were rooted in process, organization, and business support. Dalia explains how the pandemic unexpectedly pushed her to bet on herself and launch Design Assisted. She describes how Design Assisted helps overwhelmed designers with healthy pipelines scale their businesses without burnout. Rick and Dalia discuss the importance of outsourcing revenue-generating tasks, delegating strategically, and building a support system. Dalia shares why community has been essential to her survival in business and how trusted relationships have shaped her next chapter. NOTABLE QUOTES "I had no choice but to bet on myself." "The kind of clients that come on usually are people who are stressed out, inundated. They have a really healthy pipeline. They just need some relief." "Our mission now is to help interior designers scale their business without burnout at the end of the day." "The secret's out because it's community." SUPPORTING RESOURCES Design Assisted Website: https://www.designassistedco.com/ Design Assisted Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/designassisted/ SPONSOR LINKS Design Manager: https://designspec.com/survivalguide Interior Design Society: https://interiordesignsociety.org/

  6. Jun 1

    219: 8 Year Anniversary Podcast Takeover with Jen Davidson

    Today we're celebrating our 8-year anniversary of the podcast with our annual podcast takeover. This year, the conversation is hosted by my friend and design community champion Jen Davidson of Interiors by Jen Davidson. In this episode, Jen leads the conversation, and we dive deep into the results of my Enneagram test. My personality type is revealed, and we discuss the corresponding characteristics that both surprised me and made perfect sense of it all. This conversation is a rare glimpse into the strengths and weaknesses that guide and challenge my personal and business journey. SHOW HIGHLIGHTS Rick celebrates 8 years of Design Biz Survival Guide with the annual podcast takeover episode. Jen Davidson introduces the Enneagram as a personality tool that helps reveal the motivations, fears, and desires behind behavior. Rick shares that his Enneagram results revealed he is a One wing Nine: the reformer with a peacemaker wing. Rick and Jen discuss how perfectionism, integrity, fear of failure, and the inner critic show up in Rick's personal and business life. Jen explains how Enneagram numbers shift in stress and growth, and how understanding those patterns can create more self-awareness. Rick reflects on how self-awareness can help entrepreneurs better navigate business challenges, creative blocks, and personal growth. Jen shares how the Enneagram has helped her better understand herself, her clients, her team, and her business relationships. Rick opens up about vulnerability, control, organization, and how his Enneagram results gave him a new tool for understanding himself as a coach and entrepreneur. NOTABLE QUOTES "The better we understand ourselves, I think the better we'll understand our actions and how we arrive at this endgame that we're calling success, whatever that looks like, it's different for everyone." "I'm not a control freak. I'm a control enthusiast." "Being vulnerable is actually a gift to others." "Our business is so much of who we are. It's important to know these things and to understand yourself better, so that you can build a better business because we are not a product." SUPPORTING RESOURCES Link to Eclectic Energies Enneagram Test: https://www.eclecticenergies.com/enneagram/test Link to The Road Back to You by Ian Morgan Cron: https://www.amazon.com/Road-Back-You-Enneagram-Self-Discovery/dp/0830846190/ Interiors by Jen Davidson: https://interiorsbyjendavidson.com/ SPONSOR LINKS Design Spec: https://designspec.com/survivalguide Interior Design Society: https://interiordesignsociety.org/

  7. May 18

    218: Nikki Watson | How $10 Built a Staging Empire

    Today we welcome Nikki Watson, founder of The Design Quad—a staging, interior design, and renovation business based in Dallas, Texas. In this episode, Nikki shares how she discovered staging and how $10 and an Instagram post launched a career that would change her life. We also discuss the nuances of the staging business model, industry perception, and the logistics of it all. Most importantly, Nikki emphasizes how being of service is part of her personal and business ethos and the impact that "caring" has on her business and the community. SHOW HIGHLIGHTS Nikki shares how her background as a flooring rep led her to discover the world of home staging. She explains the key differences between interior design and staging, including the psychology of designing for the masses. Nikki tells the story of how $10 in gas money from her mom helped launch her first staging job. Rick and Nikki discuss the scale of The Design Quad, including staging multiple homes per day and managing hundreds of homes' worth of inventory. Nikki shares how hiring people with strengths opposite her own helped her build a strong, efficient team. She explains how her partnership with a moving company grew alongside her business and became an essential part of her operations. Nikki highlights why stagers are major furniture buyers and why brands should pay more attention to the staging industry. She shares how community service is at the core of her business and how giving back has shaped her definition of success. NOTABLE QUOTES "It started with that ten dollars." "You really have to take yourself out of it." "I hire according to strength." "This is what success is. This is what you're able to do for your family or loved ones or something that they can only dream of." SUPPORTING RESOURCES The Design Quad Website: https://thedesignquad.com/ The Design Quad Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thedesignquad/ Nikki Watson Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamnikkiwatson/ SPONSOR LINKS Design Manager: https://designspec.com/survivalguide Interior Design Society: https://interiordesignsociety.org/

  8. May 11

    217: Deb Mitchell | Marketing, Messaging, and Visibility Expert

    This is a special Industry Spotlight episode of Design Biz Survival Guide. This supplemental format is designed to highlight brands and partners that support designers both creatively and professionally. This is our way of sharing valuable information and resources for your business with you, our loyal listeners. Today we're speaking with Deb Mitchell, a marketing, messaging, and visibility expert based out of Charlotte, North Carolina. In this episode, Deb shares how she partners with interior design professionals to refine their messaging and boost their visibility to attract the clients they want. We also discuss Deb's behind-the-scenes exposure to the business of design, the most common marketing pain points that design business owners experience, and Deb breaks down what it looks like to work with her to develop a comprehensive and effective brand voice to grow your design business. SHOW HIGHLIGHTS Deb shares how her background in writing and communications informs her marketing work with interior designers. Deb explains why effective marketing requires both visibility and messaging that clearly communicates a designer's value. Rick and Deb discuss why so many designers struggle to articulate their elevator pitch and what makes their business different. Deb shares how her behind-the-scenes experience inside a luxury design studio shaped her understanding of client communication and qualification. Deb explains how reviews, portfolio projects, website copy, and social media can unintentionally signal the wrong type of client or project. Deb breaks down why visibility does not always mean being on stage or constantly showing up on video. Deb shares client success stories that demonstrate how refined messaging and positioning can attract better-fit projects. Deb outlines her process for working with designers, including her Pipeline Punch List deep-dive and strategic recommendations. NOTABLE QUOTES "If it's not effective, let's not do it." "You need that third party to really translate between you and your clients." "Not every red flag is actually red. Sometimes it's pinky." "There's a lot of confidence that comes from clarity." SUPPORTING RESOURCES Deb Mitchell Co. Website: https://www.debmitchellco.com/ Deb Mitchell Co. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/debmitchellco/

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About

What if you could hang out with experienced design professionals and entrepreneurs who have drive and vision, ask them about their successes and failures, and more; then take an insight or two to guide your own business journey? That's what we do each episode on Design Biz Survival Guide. Hosted by Rick Campos – recovering interior designer turned business coach with over a decade of experience in the design industry –– every episode is an in-depth look at how to launch, navigate, and grow your design business. The intention of this podcast is to inspire and empower designers with the tools and information you need to survive in the business of design.

Information

  • Creator
    Design Biz Survival Guide
  • Years Active
    2018 - 2026
  • Episodes
    224
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2023 Design Biz Survival Guide
  • Show Website
    Design Biz Survival Guide