Design Biz Survival Guide Design Biz Survival Guide

Today we welcome Patrick Ediger — Founder and Principal Designer of the namesake residential design firm based in Los Angeles, California. In this episode, Patrick shares his journey of design from the Hollywood talent industry to launching his own design business eleven years ago. Patrick shares how exploring and discovering resources and artisans in and around Los Angeles helped him develop a unique sustainable approach to design. We also discuss the impact that custom and vintage sourcing has on profit and how Patrick’s rule of thirds creates a story behind the design that takes his client experience to a new level.
Show Highlights: Patrick’s journey in design and his design business model
Patrick’s experience working in Los Angeles and how it influenced his sustainable design approach
The benefits of utilizing local resources and custom work
Patrick’s rule of thirds for sourcing — one-third local, sustainable, vintage
Importance of storytelling and transparency about efforts to clients
Marketing authentically and building trust with clients over time for sustainable growth
 
Notable Quotes:
“Success is not a tangible thing. It is leaving the space better than you found it.” - Patrick Gallagher
“Don't be afraid to be vulnerable. Don't sell yourself short.” - Patrick Ediger
“We are the gatekeepers to literally everything that goes into our clients’ homes.” - Patrick Ediger
 
Follow and Review:
We’d love for you to follow us if you haven’t yet. Click that purple ‘+’ in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review,” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second, and it helps spread the word about the podcast.
 
Supporting Resources:
Feature Guest Website - https://www.patrickediger.com/ 
 
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/patrickediger/ 
 
Sponsor Links:
 
https://danielhouse.club/ 
 
https://designmanager.com 
 
Link to Business of Interiors Community Summit UK - https://www.thebusinessofinteriors.co.uk/design-summit 
 

Today, we welcome Molly Rose - a professional interior photographer and public relations partner for interior designers and architects. In this episode, Molly breaks down her 10-step strategy to help you create project campaigns that support your overarching brand and provide content throughout the design process. We discuss how a combination of micro storytelling, DIY photography, and a structured posting schedule can truly enhance your messaging and your PR strategy for each project. 
 
Heads up - have your iPhone ready for a camera settings tutorial that will change the game for you!
 
Show Highlights: Molly’s experience interviewing Rick in EP78 of Design Biz Survival Guide Podcast
Molly’s 10-step strategy for creating project campaigns 
Tips for using a phone camera effectively for interior photography
How to document and share content from the inquiry phase of a new project
Linking content together from different project phases
Organizing and utilizing content across various social media platforms
Documenting client reactions and the design reveal
The role of media in validating designers and their work
How to use AI to promote your design style
 
How to use your phone for interior photography:
 
Settings → Search camera → Enable Apple ProRAW → Ensure grid and lens correction are on → Open camera → Portrait mode → Click the upward arrow to adjust exposure → Drag exposure down to -1.0 to -1.3 → Adjust aperture (F) between 5.0 to 5.6 for wide shots, 2.0 to 2.8 for detail shots.
 
Notable Quotes:
“Approach your work with the best intentions. It will get in front of somebody who will love it, and their appreciation might surprise you. And who doesn’t like it also might surprise you. But don’t be too worried about conforming to a certain approach because one size doesn’t fit all. Everyone has a place at the table.” - Molly Rose
“Use AI to show stuff that you would do. Generate images to show stuff that you would do.” - Molly Rose



Follow and Review:
We’d love for you to follow us if you haven’t yet. Click that purple ‘+’ in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review,” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second, and it helps spread the word about the podcast.
 
Supporting Resources:
Feature Guest Website - http://mollyrosephoto.co/
Design Stories Workbook - http://mollyrosephoto.co/stories
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/mollyrose.photo/
 
Sponsor Links:
https://danielhouse.club/
https://designmanager.com
Link to Business of Interiors Community Summit UK - https://www.thebusinessofinteriors.co.uk/design-summit

This is a special Industry Spotlight episode of Design Biz Survival Guide. This special format is designed to share brands and partners that support designers both creatively and professionally. This supplemental podcast format is our way of sharing valuable information and resources for your business with you, our loyal listeners.
 
Today, we’re speaking with Rachel Morrison and Andrew Morrison of House of Morrison - a made-to-order furniture manufacturer that caters exclusively to the trade. The Morrison brand is widely regarded for their notable luxury design, with projects throughout Southern California and beyond. Known for their tailored and collected aesthetic, their work has been featured in countless shelter magazines. 
 
In this episode, we discuss the backstory of their furniture manufacturing brand, the role that it plays in their ability to deliver extraordinary design to their clients, and their commitment to being a trusted trade resource to the interior design community.
 
Show Highlights: Rachel and Andrew’s background and their role in House of Morrison 
The backstory of House of Morrison, how it started, and its evolution
HOM’s process of designing the furniture collection — sourcing inspiration, sketching, refining ideas, etc
The process of ordering furniture from the HOM
How HOM engages with and supports the design community
Rachel and Andrew’s decision to sell exclusively to the trade and the benefits it offers to designers
Type of clients HOM works with
Recommendations for key furniture pieces designers should invest in — sofas, dining tables, etc.
 
Notable Quotes:
“We wanted to give the designer the tools to be a designer. What we mean by that is that the fabrics, the wood finishes—clients have different needs. And we want to come up with a way where we could meet that objective.” - Andrew Morrison
“It doesn’t matter if it’s a whole home or just a bedroom, a House of Morrison piece should elevate the room. It’s that type of quality that we’re looking for that’s able to be passed down.” - Andrew Morrison
“Making the right selections on the key pieces can set the tone in the whole home.” - Rachel Morrison
 
Supporting Resources: HOM Website - https://houseofmorrison.com/
 
HOM on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/house_of_morrison/



Follow and Review:
We’d love for you to follow us if you haven’t yet. Click that purple ‘+’ in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review,” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second, and it helps spread the word about the podcast.
 

Today we welcome DuVal Reynolds - founder and principal designer of DuVal Design - a full service interior design firm based in Fairfax, Virginia. In this episode, DuVal shares his journey of design from med school to design school and how he learned the inter workings of the business of design before launching his own design business six years ago. We also discuss his personalized approach to marketing and DuVal reveals how he developed a billing strategy that promotes consistency, accountability and most importantly, keeps the revenue flowing.
 
Show Highlights: DuVal’s journey from medical school to becoming an interior designer and starting his own design business The challenges DuVal faced when launching his own business—not having a portfolio and figuring out business structures How DuVal grew his business over 6.5 years and now manages three businesses with a team of 8 people DuVal’s approach to marketing his design business in the early days without a portfolio DuVal’s pricing and billing strategy that promotes consistency, accountability and keeps the revenue flowing The problems DuVal identified in the kitchen cabinet industry and started his own cabinetry business to provide a better solution Advice on growing your design business efficiently while keeping overhead costs low  
Notable Quotes: “You should market when you’re the busiest, not when you’re slow. When business is booming, that’s when you really need to put the pedal to the metal and market.” - Rick “Design is based on your perspective. And that’s all you have to give.” - DuVal Reynolds “If growth means success to you, in whatever way it’s manifesting itself, you’re winning.” - Rick  
Follow and Review: We’d love for you to follow us if you haven’t yet. Click that purple ‘+’ in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review,” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second, and it helps spread the word about the podcast.
 
Supporting Resources: Design Firm Website - https://www.duvalreynolds.com/ 
House of DuVal E Commerce - https://www.houseofduval.com/
Fairfax Kitchen Cabinets - https://www.fairfaxkitchencabinets.com/
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/duvaldesignllc/
 
Sponsor Links: https://www.pirch.com
https://designmanager.com
 
Subscribe to our email list: https://designbizsurvivalguide.com/
Link to Business of Interiors Community Summit UK - https://www.thebusinessofinteriors.co.uk/design-summit

Today, we welcome Donna Johnson of Luxe Design, a luxury interior design firm with offices in Orange County and Las Vegas. In this episode, Donna shares her lifelong passion for interior design and how relationships – both organic and strategic – have fueled the growth and success of her design business. We also discuss the value of continued education, changes in the industry, and the pros and cons of serving the high-end luxury market.
 
Listen in as Donna shares her experiences working over four decades in the design industry and the rewards and restrictions of working in the high-end market!
 
Show Highlights:
Donna’s background and how she got into interior design 
Balancing her design career as a single mom of four and managing two offices
The importance of continuing education and learning new skills for designers
The pros and cons associated with serving the high-end luxury market
The importance of confidentiality in high-end luxury projects
Changes in the design industry over the years and the impact of social media on it
Advice for new designers to focus on business skills, relationships, and continued education
 
Notable Quotes:
“We always say design is a relationship-based business. It’s design, it’s technical, it’s sales. It’s all of those things. But it is also a relationship business. And when you make those connections and nurture them, the potential is just off the charts.” - Rick
“Sometimes you really do have to reinvest, go back to school to learn something entirely new, especially at a time when your business might be growing stale.” - Rick
“I’ve been through ups and downs in this business. And the passion that I have for design is what kept me going.” - Donna
“You better get great at your business because it’s not just design, and it’s not all fun and games. You do have to do the paperwork besides having fun with design.” - Donna


Follow and Review:
We’d love for you to follow us if you haven’t yet. Click that purple ‘+’ in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review,” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second, and it helps spread the word about the podcast.
 
Supporting Resources:
Luxury Designer Website - https://luxury-designer.com/
Donna’s Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/luxedesigner/
 
Sponsor Links:
 
https://www.pirch.com
https://designmanager.com
https://www.highpointmarket.org/registerDBSG
 
Subscribe to our email list: https://designbizsurvivalguide.com/
Link to Business of Interiors Community Summit UK - https://www.thebusinessofinteriors.co.uk/

Today, we welcome Josiah Lilly—owner of EPIC Ceramic + Stone, a high-end residential tile and stone installation company based in Orange County, CA. In this episode, we discuss Josiah’s entrepreneurial journey from age 17 and his steadfast commitment to service and leadership, which has helped him grow his multi-faceted business model. 
Josiah candidly shares the pressure of being the youngest build partner on the job site, earning the respect of his peers, and the privilege of impacting the lives of his clients and team members.
Tune in to learn how building a culture of trust and family has taken Josiah’s business to new heights while also forging lifelong relationships around the world.
 
Show Highlights:
Josiah’s journey starting his tile and stone installation business
Surrounding yourself with talented people and taking advantage of learning opportunities
Josiah’s approach to developing a strong company culture and caring for his employees like family
Defining your niche in the creative industry and knowing who you are as a business
Building trust with clients and delivering excellent craftsmanship through dedicated teamwork 
Finding motivation through relationships and love of the craft
 
Notable Quotes:
“Take advantage of any opportunity you get.” - Josiah Lilly “I think a lot of businesses that have their true identity and know who they are, are the ones that find the most success.” - Josiah Lilly “Success for me is creating lifelong relationships and improving people’s lives.” - Josiah Lilly  
Follow and Review:
We’d love for you to follow us if you haven’t yet. Click that purple ‘+’ in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review,” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second, and it helps spread the word about the podcast.
 
Supporting Resources:
Website - https://epicstone.net/
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/epicceramicandstone/
 
Sponsor Links:
https://www.pirch.com
https://designmanager.com
https://www.highpointmarket.org/registerDBSG
 
Subscribe to our email list: https://designbizsurvivalguide.com/