The DesignDash Podcast

Laura Umansky and Melissa Grove
  • 4.6 (10)
  • Business
  • Updated Weekly

The DesignDash podcast is a guide to designing a life you love. Co-hosts Laura Umansky and Melissa Grove dive into what it takes for women to feel fulfilled both personally and professionally, to live their lives to the fullest and without compromise. Special guests will share their own journeys, their successes and their challenges, as they pursue life with curiosity and intention.

  1. Sep 17

    Episode 108: How Carly Filbin Went From Partnership to Solo Firm Owner

    When Carly Filbin started Blue Jay Interiors in 2021, she never set out to build the biggest firm possible. After launching the business with a partner and eventually becoming a solo owner, she’s learned how to grow her firm one step at a time while staying focused on the kind of work — and life — she actually wants.

  2. Sep 10

    Episode 107: Should You Charge for the First Design Consultation?

    Should interior designers charge for that first consultation? Laura Umansky and Melissa Grove debate the pros and cons of charging for an initial meeting, from filtering out tire-kickers to removing barriers for the right-fit client.

  3. Sep 3

    Episode 106: When Is PR Worth It for Interior Designers?

    When is PR actually worth It for Interior Designers? Melissa and Laura dig into one of the most common questions in their Design Dash community: when does public relations actually make sense for a design business? They talk through what editors are really looking for beyond a pretty photo, why relationships and personal connections often matter as much as the work itself, and what it actually costs to work with an outside PR firm versus handling things in-house. They cover: What makes a project stand out to editors when everyone's work looks polished Why personal relationships with editors can matter as much as photography or styling The real cost of working with a PR firm, on retainer versus per project How long the process actually takes, and why you may have to sit on a project for a year or two before it's published What to realistically expect from PR (placement, not guaranteed clients) In-house PR options for solo designers and smaller firms who aren't ready for an agency Laura's firsthand experience working with a publicist, including a Legends window feature and a book inclusion that came out of it If you've ever wondered whether hiring a publicist is worth the time and money, this conversation lays out what actually goes into that decision. Check out our website too: https://designdash.com/ Follow us on socials: https://www.instagram.com/designdasher/ https://www.tiktok.com/@designdasher https://www.facebook.com/DesignDasher

  4. Aug 27

    Episode 105: How To Decide What's Worth Telling a Client vs. Fixing Quietly?

    When something goes wrong on a project, do you tell the client — or just fix it? Every designer and every ops lead hits this moment: a price jumps, a piece gets discontinued, a wall opens up and reveals a mess nobody saw coming. Do you loop the client in immediately, or handle it quietly and move on? In this episode, Melissa and Laura pull back the curtain on the calls they make behind the scenes every single day, from six-figure furniture reorders to a door ripped clean off its track during a photo shoot. They get into what actually decides whether a client hears about a problem: the dollar amount, who's at fault, whether it affects the move-in date, or just gut instinct built from years of getting it wrong first. They also share the COVID-era mistake that changed how Laura handles every substitution since, the "guided design experience" philosophy that shapes how their studio frames bad news, and why the best client conversations aren't about hiding problems, they're about never showing up without a solution already in hand. If you've ever sat with that pit-in-your-stomach feeling before a hard conversation with a client, this one's for you. Check out our website too: https://designdash.com/ Follow us on socials: https://www.instagram.com/designdasher/ https://www.tiktok.com/@designdasher https://www.facebook.com/DesignDasher

  5. Aug 20

    Episode 104: How Callie Blanks Created a Design Business Her Own Way

    Callie Blanks shares how renovating fixer-uppers, a background in business and marketing, and a strong point of view shaped her unconventional path into interior design. She also opens up about pricing with confidence, building a business through Instagram, investing in professional photography, and taking the leap to open her own design studio and showroom.

  6. Aug 13

    Episode 103: How to Actually Build an Ideal Client Profile For Your Design Firm

    In this episode, Laura and Melissa explore how defining your ideal client or avatar can transform your marketing and project selection. They share practical tips on identifying, refining, and communicating with your perfect audience to grow a more fulfilling and profitable business. If your inquiries never quite match the work you want to be doing, this is the episode that tells you why, and what to do about it. Check out our website too: https://designdash.com/ Follow us on socials: https://www.instagram.com/designdasher/ https://www.tiktok.com/@designdasher https://www.facebook.com/DesignDasher

  7. Jul 30

    Episode 102: Building Furniture Meant to Outlast the Trend Cycle with Adriana Hoyos

    In this episode, Adriana Hoyos shares her inspiring journey from a self-made interior designer in Ecuador to a globally recognized furniture and interior design brand. Discover her unique design philosophy, the importance of legacy, and how family and resilience drive her success. Check out our website too: https://designdash.com/ Follow us on socials: https://www.instagram.com/designdasher/ https://www.tiktok.com/@designdasher https://www.facebook.com/DesignDasher

  8. Jul 24

    Episode 101: How to Build Beautiful Spaces From Existing Pieces with Anne Golliher

    In this episode, Anne Golliher, founder of Storied Interiors, shares her unique approach to interior design, focusing on using clients' existing pieces and creating meaningful, personalized spaces. She discusses her journey, business philosophy, and how she connects emotionally with clients while building a profitable business. Check out our website too: https://designdash.com/ Follow us on socials: https://www.instagram.com/designdasher/ https://www.tiktok.com/@designdasher https://www.facebook.com/DesignDasher

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4.6
out of 5
10 Ratings

About

The DesignDash podcast is a guide to designing a life you love. Co-hosts Laura Umansky and Melissa Grove dive into what it takes for women to feel fulfilled both personally and professionally, to live their lives to the fullest and without compromise. Special guests will share their own journeys, their successes and their challenges, as they pursue life with curiosity and intention.

Information

  • Creator
    Laura Umansky and Melissa Grove
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    100
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2024 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    The DesignDash Podcast

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