Designer Discussions : Remodeling Business Marketing

Mirjam Lippuner, Jason Lockhart, Maria Design Appy

Welcome to Designer Discussions, where kitchen and bath business owners get the latest training, education, and industry news to elevate their brands and attract high-quality clients. We go beyond surface-level strategies, offering proven tactics to help you stand out and succeed. Our expert hosts—Jason Lockhart, Maria from DesignAppy.com, and Mirjam Lippuner—bring insider tips, interviews, and best practices to ensure your business thrives. Whether you’re looking for expert guidance on marketing, securing premium clients, or staying ahead of industry trends, we provide the knowledge you need to confidently implement changes that boost your success. Are you looking to take it a step further? Our monthly training and mentoring services offer hands-on, practical solutions—whether you prefer a do-it-yourself approach or a done-for-you service. Say goodbye to uncertainty and hello to a strategic plan that guarantees growth. Tune in, take control, and make the impactful changes you aim for.

  1. Stop Random Acts Of Marketing In 2026

    JAN 29

    Stop Random Acts Of Marketing In 2026

    Tired of starting the year with big marketing goals and slipping back into guesswork by spring? We’re laying out a simple, durable framework to end random acts of marketing and build steady momentum into 2026, designed specifically for design and remodeling professionals who need results without burnout. We break down the five pillars that keep your pipeline healthy: a rock-solid foundation with clear ideal client targeting and a trustworthy website, focused visibility where your clients actually are, real authority through case studies and PR, steady nurture that turns interest into action, and a clean sales process that converts projects without pressure. You’ll hear why short sprints on social, SEO, or ads rarely stick, and how a quarterly plan gives you time to execute well, measure honestly, and improve with each cycle. Together we map practical examples you can copy: polishing your home, services, and portfolio pages; keeping Google Business Profile fresh with reviews and updates; setting a weekly rhythm on one primary social channel; turning finished projects into pitchable case studies; and launching a simple monthly email that educates and builds trust. We also dig into intake scripts, proposals that set expectations, and the accountability systems that protect your marketing time when client work gets busy. If you’ve tried before and stalled, you’re not alone—and you’re not done. Steal the quarterly structure, apply the five pillars, and give each tactic enough runway to compound. Subscribe, share this with a colleague who needs a sane plan for 2026, and leave a quick review to tell us which pillar you’ll focus on first. If you would like to get the links and show notes for this episode, click on the link below:​ www.designerdiscussions.com/episodes/episode-159-How-to-Stop-Random-Acts-of-MarketingTransform your marketing with Designer Discussions Academy. In weekly face-to-face sessions, we equip busy business owners with cutting-edge PR strategies, marketing insights, and time-saving tools to not just work in your business, but on your business. Join us to outshine competitors and elevate your business. Join us for our Academy sessions and workshops: https://app.gohighlevel.com/v2/preview/ZSwvvC5WwqxlumxrUtzv Designer Discussions is an educational interior design podcast on marketing, PR and related business topics. Download our FREE Client Avatar Guide https://designerdiscussionsmarketing.studio/store. Designer Discussions is a partnership of three experts: Jason Lockhart, CEO of KABMS; Maria Martin, founder of DesignAppy; and Mirjam Lippuner, founder of Get Ink DIY

    13 min
  2. How A Houston Remodeler Built Trust, Teams, And A Thriving Pipeline

    JAN 15

    How A Houston Remodeler Built Trust, Teams, And A Thriving Pipeline

    What happens when a remodeling company is born from service instead of sales? We sit down with Houston’s Marlon Stepp to unpack how a volunteer effort after floods and hurricanes became a design-build firm trusted by homeowners, hospitals, gyms, restaurants, and neighborhood nonprofits. The throughline is simple and rare: show up first, do what you say, and put displaced families at the front of the schedule. That relentless focus on people fueled referrals, opened doors to commercial projects, and shaped a brand that leads with integrity. We talk about the early days of small repair jobs and how consistent delivery led to bigger tables and better conversations. Marlon breaks down how his team grew by tapping classmates and long-time friends with deep trade experience, building a bench of subcontractors who are as reliable as they are skilled. When disaster strikes, they flex timelines to get families back home, and that compassion turns into future work. On the business side, we map the shift from painful downtime to a steady pipeline through raw social video, a clear website, and reviews that travel further than any pitch deck. Community impact sits at the center. From outfitting outreach kitchens to installing mini libraries in underserved neighborhoods, Marlon’s crew treats service as part of the job—not a marketing afterthought. We dig into why those stories resonate with media and why PR is a natural next step. Then we look ahead: short-term rentals, flips, and a move toward ground-up development that creates housing, supports local needs, and positions the company as a go-to partner when crises hit. If you’re a remodeler battling slow seasons, a designer eyeing commercial work, or a property owner who values character as much as craftsmanship, this conversation offers a roadmap. You’ll hear how to document your process without overproducing, how to build trust at scale, and how to turn experience on job sites into smart investments and long-term resilience. Enjoy the story, take the tactics, and if it sparks ideas for your own practice, subscribe, share with a colleague, and leave a review to help others find the show. If you would like to get the links and show notes for this episode, click on the link below:​ www.designerdiscussions.com/episodes/episode-158-talking-with-Marlon-Stepp/Transform your marketing with Designer Discussions Academy. In weekly face-to-face sessions, we equip busy business owners with cutting-edge PR strategies, marketing insights, and time-saving tools to not just work in your business, but on your business. Join us to outshine competitors and elevate your business. Join us for our Academy sessions and workshops: https://app.gohighlevel.com/v2/preview/ZSwvvC5WwqxlumxrUtzv Designer Discussions is an educational interior design podcast on marketing, PR and related business topics. Download our FREE Client Avatar Guide https://designerdiscussionsmarketing.studio/store. Designer Discussions is a partnership of three experts: Jason Lockhart, CEO of KABMS; Maria Martin, founder of DesignAppy; and Mirjam Lippuner, founder of Get Ink DIY

    25 min
  3. What's Next for Designer Discussions Podcast in 2026

    JAN 1

    What's Next for Designer Discussions Podcast in 2026

    A new year calls for a smarter format. We’re kicking off 2026 by opening the studio doors to the people building design and remodeling businesses every day—so you hear what’s working, what isn’t, and how to fix it without guesswork or gimmicks. Think of it as a workshop you can return to, with clear steps, practical tools, and honest stories that help you create momentum in your marketing. We share a big update: Maria is shifting from weekly co-host to recurring expert, bringing focused segments on AI and fast-moving tech that actually help designers save time, refine strategy, and tell stronger stories. No hype—just what to use, what to skip, and how to apply it to PR, social, email, and search. Alongside that, we’re expanding guest features from design and remodeling pros who walk through their journeys, the channels they bet on, and the lessons they learned when campaigns missed the mark. You’ll also hear two new formats built for action. First, Business of the Month: candid conversations with firms about positioning, lead flow, and marketing choices, followed by targeted next steps you can adapt to your own studio. Second, Fix My Marketing: you send real challenges—flat engagement, messy websites, cold PR outreach—and we respond with specific fixes you can try this week. We’ll keep host-led episodes tighter and more tactical, focusing on the essentials: better pitches, clearer offers, content that converts, and simple analytics that guide smart decisions. If you want useful tactics, a community of peers, and guidance shaped by what’s happening on the ground, this is your year with us. Subscribe, share with a friend who needs a nudge, and join our newsletter to get resources tied to each topic. Got a success story or a stubborn roadblock? Apply to be featured and let’s solve it together. If you would like to get the links and show notes for this episode, click on the link below:​ www.designerdiscussions.com/episodes/episode-157-Whats-Next-for-Designer-Discussions-Podcast-in-2026Transform your marketing with Designer Discussions Academy. In weekly face-to-face sessions, we equip busy business owners with cutting-edge PR strategies, marketing insights, and time-saving tools to not just work in your business, but on your business. Join us to outshine competitors and elevate your business. Join us for our Academy sessions and workshops: https://app.gohighlevel.com/v2/preview/ZSwvvC5WwqxlumxrUtzv Designer Discussions is an educational interior design podcast on marketing, PR and related business topics. Download our FREE Client Avatar Guide https://designerdiscussionsmarketing.studio/store. Designer Discussions is a partnership of three experts: Jason Lockhart, CEO of KABMS; Maria Martin, founder of DesignAppy; and Mirjam Lippuner, founder of Get Ink DIY

    6 min
  4. What Worked this Year: Takeaways for Your Design and Remodeling Business

    12/18/2025

    What Worked this Year: Takeaways for Your Design and Remodeling Business

    A year of experiments revealed a simple truth: design businesses grow faster when they trade constant posting for consistent systems. We open our playbook and revisit the strategies that delivered real results—using social more strategically, running an email newsletter that actually brings referrals, and treating PR as a core engine rather than a nice-to-have. Along the way, we unpack what we learned from KBIS so you can talk trends with clients even if you skipped the show floor, and we share a step-by-step plan for staying visible when inquiries slow. One highlight you’ll love: a designer from our academy set a bold goal and landed Architectural Digest by following a clear PR routine—tight stories, strong images, and calm, timely follow-up. That story anchors a bigger shift we’re seeing across search. As AI-driven platforms source answers from trusted outlets, media placements now do double duty: they win client confidence and help search engines understand and elevate your expertise. We connect the dots between E-E-A-T signals, local visibility, and how a single placement can ripple through your website, newsletter, and proposals. If you’ve felt stretched thin by social, we lay out a low-burn approach: fewer channels, batched content, and posts aligned to real business goals. For slower markets, we map a 90-day “momentum sprint” that refreshes your site, activates past clients, and turns one helpful email per send into booked consultations. We also touch on our reintroduction—who we are, what we teach, and how we support designers and remodelers with marketing that respects your time and protects your energy. If this resonated, tap follow, share it with a colleague who needs a calmer plan, and leave a quick review to help more design pros find the show. Then tell us: which 2025 episode was your favorite and what should we dig into next? If you would like to get the links and show notes for this episode, click on the link below:​ www.designerdiscussions.com/episodes/episode-156-What-worked-this-year-in-2025Transform your marketing with Designer Discussions Academy. In weekly face-to-face sessions, we equip busy business owners with cutting-edge PR strategies, marketing insights, and time-saving tools to not just work in your business, but on your business. Join us to outshine competitors and elevate your business. Join us for our Academy sessions and workshops: https://app.gohighlevel.com/v2/preview/ZSwvvC5WwqxlumxrUtzv Designer Discussions is an educational interior design podcast on marketing, PR and related business topics. Download our FREE Client Avatar Guide https://designerdiscussionsmarketing.studio/store. Designer Discussions is a partnership of three experts: Jason Lockhart, CEO of KABMS; Maria Martin, founder of DesignAppy; and Mirjam Lippuner, founder of Get Ink DIY

    9 min
  5. How to stop doing random marketing in 2026

    12/04/2025

    How to stop doing random marketing in 2026

    If your marketing swings from frantic bursts to total silence, you’re not alone—and you’re not broken. We’ve seen the same pattern in studios and remodelers for years: a few social posts, a one-off newsletter, a trade show, then disappearing when jobs heat up. The result is a lead drought that shows up right when you’re busiest. We’re changing that with a straightforward, design-first framework that turns scattered tasks into a system you can run even on a packed calendar. We break down the five pillars every design or remodeling business needs: foundation, visibility, authority, nurture, and sales. Foundation starts with your website as the hub you control, supported by practical SEO and a complete Google Business Profile so you’re visible in local search. Visibility is about consistent presence where homeowners and builders already look. Authority builds trust through PR, media mentions, and awards that shorten sales cycles and raise perceived value. Nurture keeps relationships warm with value-first emails and thoughtful check-ins that turn single projects into repeat work and referrals. Sales ties it all together with a clear path from inquiry to signed agreement, backed by simple steps and follow-ups that convert. You’ll hear real stories that prove small changes move fast. A designer who lived on Facebook rebuilt their foundation after a six-week shutdown and stabilized lead flow. An academy member who felt intimidated by PR landed a Forbes mention within a month once they focused. A celebrated interior designer revived “dead” email by switching to an 80-20 value mix and watched opens and conversions climb. We finish with a quick-start plan for 2026: pick one pillar for Q1, set one action you can complete, and choose one person to keep you accountable. No 60-page plan. Just momentum you can feel. Ready to ditch random marketing and build a system that holds up under real-world workload? Listen now, then subscribe, share with a colleague, and leave a quick review to help more design pros find us. Want deeper support? Grab the link in the show notes to join our live masterclass and map your 12-month plan together. If you would like to get the links and show notes for this episode, click on the link below:​ Master Class LinkTransform your marketing with Designer Discussions Academy. In weekly face-to-face sessions, we equip busy business owners with cutting-edge PR strategies, marketing insights, and time-saving tools to not just work in your business, but on your business. Join us to outshine competitors and elevate your business. Join us for our Academy sessions and workshops: https://app.gohighlevel.com/v2/preview/ZSwvvC5WwqxlumxrUtzv Designer Discussions is an educational interior design podcast on marketing, PR and related business topics. Download our FREE Client Avatar Guide https://designerdiscussionsmarketing.studio/store. Designer Discussions is a partnership of three experts: Jason Lockhart, CEO of KABMS; Maria Martin, founder of DesignAppy; and Mirjam Lippuner, founder of Get Ink DIY

    17 min
  6. Marketing Makeover Masterclass

    11/20/2025

    Marketing Makeover Masterclass

    Want homeowners to find you on sites they already trust—and choose you faster? We pull back the curtain on a marketing system built for design and remodeling businesses, where credible PR, a sharp website, and practical SEO work together to lift authority and generate better leads. Miriam lays out a step‑by‑step approach to fast media wins using HARO, SOS, and Qwoted, then shows how to pitch editors for regional features that actually drive local projects. She explains when a press release is newsworthy, how to craft it, and why newswires now matter as AI search leans on brand credibility. From there, Jason builds the digital backbone: your website as the hub, brand consistency across pages, and portfolio updates that attract the right clients. We dive into Google Business Profile tactics that behave like social—weekly posts, Q&A, photos—and share the 90‑day path to measurable visibility. We install Google Analytics and Search Console, then translate the data into clear answers: which channels work, where visitors come from, and what content sparks inquiries. Along the way, we touch email strategy, social support from specialists, and paid ads that avoid common money traps. Across the conversation, the theme is focus over frenzy. Pick three to five moves, ship them well, and stack proof of authority in places your clients already read. With weekly coaching, guest experts, and a nimble curriculum, you’ll have guidance to personalize your plan and scale what works. Ready to turn mentions into momentum and clicks into consults? Subscribe, share this with a colleague who needs a marketing reset, and join our newsletter or masterclass at designerdiscussions.com. Your next best project might be one credible feature away. If you would like to get the links and show notes for this episode, click on the link below:​ https://www.designerdiscussions.com/episodes/episode-154-Marketing-Makeover-MasterclassTransform your marketing with Designer Discussions Academy. In weekly face-to-face sessions, we equip busy business owners with cutting-edge PR strategies, marketing insights, and time-saving tools to not just work in your business, but on your business. Join us to outshine competitors and elevate your business. Join us for our Academy sessions and workshops: https://app.gohighlevel.com/v2/preview/ZSwvvC5WwqxlumxrUtzv Designer Discussions is an educational interior design podcast on marketing, PR and related business topics. Download our FREE Client Avatar Guide https://designerdiscussionsmarketing.studio/store. Designer Discussions is a partnership of three experts: Jason Lockhart, CEO of KABMS; Maria Martin, founder of DesignAppy; and Mirjam Lippuner, founder of Get Ink DIY

    18 min
  7. How To Make Your 2026 Website Win More Of The Right Clients

    11/06/2025

    How To Make Your 2026 Website Win More Of The Right Clients

    Want a website that quietly does the heavy lifting—qualifying visitors, building trust, and turning the right people into clients? We dig into the 2026 web trends that matter for design professionals and remodelers: practical customer experience improvements, content that speaks directly to an ideal client, and AI tools that uncover what you’re missing behind the scenes. We start with the visitor journey and show how to spot friction by asking someone outside your business to navigate your site. You’ll get simple prompts to guide their feedback and translate it into clear fixes: sharper headlines, stronger proof near claims, and CTAs that meet visitors at the right moment. From there, we make personalization concrete with a tight client avatar that shapes your service pages, portfolio blurbs, and resource hubs. Instead of broad promises, you’ll learn to write specific, outcome-focused copy that mirrors the language your prospects actually use. Then we put AI to work as a practical auditor. By combining your URL and your client avatar, you can get focused suggestions that touch SEO, messaging, imagery, and internal linking. We explain how to turn those insights into a smoother path from homepage to contact, and when to offer low-friction steps like a quick fit check or a project readiness guide. Along the way, we share a simple method for competitor research so you can fill local gaps with real differentiation—clear process visuals, case summaries with constraints and outcomes, and transparent next steps. If you want a site that feels custom-fit to your best clients and easier to manage month to month, this conversation lays out a repeatable plan: test, refine, personalize, and measure. For deeper coaching, templates, and live feedback, join our Academy where we review member sites and map upgrades that move the needle. If this was helpful, follow the show, share it with a colleague, and leave a quick review so more designers can find it. If you would like to get the links and show notes for this episode, click on the link below:​ https://www.designerdiscussions.com/episodes/episode-153-Website-Trends-for-2026Transform your marketing with Designer Discussions Academy. In weekly face-to-face sessions, we equip busy business owners with cutting-edge PR strategies, marketing insights, and time-saving tools to not just work in your business, but on your business. Join us to outshine competitors and elevate your business. Join us for our Academy sessions and workshops: https://app.gohighlevel.com/v2/preview/ZSwvvC5WwqxlumxrUtzv Designer Discussions is an educational interior design podcast on marketing, PR and related business topics. Download our FREE Client Avatar Guide https://designerdiscussionsmarketing.studio/store. Designer Discussions is a partnership of three experts: Jason Lockhart, CEO of KABMS; Maria Martin, founder of DesignAppy; and Mirjam Lippuner, founder of Get Ink DIY

    8 min
  8. Get Quick Press: PR that Works for Design & Remodeling Professionals

    10/23/2025

    Get Quick Press: PR that Works for Design & Remodeling Professionals

    Prospects decide who to trust long before they ever call, and the media they read shapes those choices. We break down a fast, practical PR system for design and remodeling professionals who want to be discovered as experts—without spending five figures a month on an agency. You’ll hear why third‑party credibility changes buyer behavior, how quick expert quotes outperform long project pitches for busy editors, and the compounding benefits of press logos and backlinks on your website. We walk through the exact routine that fits real schedules: 20–30 minutes twice a week to scan Qwoted, HARO-style lists, and SOS threads for relevant queries, then craft crisp replies with specific, quotable advice. Along the way, we share real-world wins—early placements in Forbes and the Wall Street Journal—and set honest expectations about the numbers game behind PR. Ten thoughtful submissions might yield one or two features, but those features open doors to higher‑end clients, stronger SEO, and faster sales conversations. If you’ve wondered what to say, we spell it out: give one sharp takeaway, add a concrete example from your projects, include a short credential line, and link to a relevant page on your site. Keep it simple, be consistent, and run your outreach in one‑ to three‑month sprints so the habit sticks. By the end, you’ll have a clear plan to turn your everyday expertise into media coverage, social proof, and a steady flow of better-fit leads. If this helps, subscribe, share the show with a colleague, and leave a review to tell us your first target outlet. If you would like to get the links and show notes for this episode, click on the link below:​ https://www.designerdiscussions.com/episodes/episode-152-Get-Quick-Press-PR-That-WorksTransform your marketing with Designer Discussions Academy. In weekly face-to-face sessions, we equip busy business owners with cutting-edge PR strategies, marketing insights, and time-saving tools to not just work in your business, but on your business. Join us to outshine competitors and elevate your business. Join us for our Academy sessions and workshops: https://app.gohighlevel.com/v2/preview/ZSwvvC5WwqxlumxrUtzv Designer Discussions is an educational interior design podcast on marketing, PR and related business topics. Download our FREE Client Avatar Guide https://designerdiscussionsmarketing.studio/store. Designer Discussions is a partnership of three experts: Jason Lockhart, CEO of KABMS; Maria Martin, founder of DesignAppy; and Mirjam Lippuner, founder of Get Ink DIY

    16 min
5
out of 5
35 Ratings

About

Welcome to Designer Discussions, where kitchen and bath business owners get the latest training, education, and industry news to elevate their brands and attract high-quality clients. We go beyond surface-level strategies, offering proven tactics to help you stand out and succeed. Our expert hosts—Jason Lockhart, Maria from DesignAppy.com, and Mirjam Lippuner—bring insider tips, interviews, and best practices to ensure your business thrives. Whether you’re looking for expert guidance on marketing, securing premium clients, or staying ahead of industry trends, we provide the knowledge you need to confidently implement changes that boost your success. Are you looking to take it a step further? Our monthly training and mentoring services offer hands-on, practical solutions—whether you prefer a do-it-yourself approach or a done-for-you service. Say goodbye to uncertainty and hello to a strategic plan that guarantees growth. Tune in, take control, and make the impactful changes you aim for.

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