Really Renée

Samantha Renée
  • 5.0 (2)
  • Business

The unfiltered business of interior design. Host Samantha Struck built her firm, Studio Renée, from $120K to over a million in three years — and she's sharing all of it: what you're actually netting, how to price so you keep the money, and the systems nobody talks about. Expect real numbers, strong opinions, and candid guests. No highlight reel, no performative perfection — just the real thing. If you're a designer tired of being busy, booked, and broke, pull up a chair. New episodes weekly.

Episodes

  1. 1d ago

    Ep. 11 - Your Books Are Lying to You with Heartbeat Bookkeeping

    Most small business owners do not have a revenue problem - they have a visibility problem. Britny Metheny of Heartbeat Bookkeeping breaks down the money mistakes that quietly drain profit, from commingling personal and business funds to not knowing your net income, cash flow, or true overhead.If finance feels intimidating, this conversation makes it practical. Sam from Really Renee and Britny unpack what bookkeepers actually do, when you need a CPA or financial planner, and why the right money team can change everything from tax time to loan applications to day-to-day decision-making. Sam gets real about the emotional side of running a business - layoffs, slow seasons, and the hard decisions that come with growth - while Britny shares what she sees behind the books and why so many owners wait too long to get clarity.They also dig into a question every service-based business wrestles with: how much of your time, labor, and logistics should be built into your markup and margin? If you sell products, manage procurement, or juggle a high-volume design workflow, this conversation will hit home.Essential listening for interior designers, creative entrepreneurs, and small business owners who want cleaner books, better decisions, and a little more peace of mind around the numbers. Learn More About Heartbeat Bookkeeping https://www.heartbeatbookkeeping.com/  👉🏻Free Business Health Audit 👈🏻 Learn more: www.samantha-renee.co Follow the show and your host on social media: the.Samantha.Renee on Instagram Really Renee Podcast on Instagram

  2. 4d ago

    Ep. 10 - What I'd Tell Myself at $120K

    What actually helps a design business grow from $120K to $1.2M? Sam shares the lessons she wishes she’d learned sooner: charge more confidently, challenge industry norms, and hire before you reach your breaking point.  In this candid episode, Sam reflects on the messy middle of growing Studio Renee, from working solo to building a team, navigating the stress of leadership, and learning that a thriving business takes more than great design. It also takes clear boundaries, thoughtful hiring, and the willingness to ask for help.  You’ll hear about: Why pricing your work confidently can mean more than simply raising your hourly rateHow procurement can support stronger profit marginsWhen to hire—and why waiting until you’re overwhelmed makes onboarding harderWhy character and cultural fit matter just as much as skillsHow personal relationships and emotional wellbeing can affect the way you lead She  also shares the realities of adjusting to a market slowdown, rebuilding her team, and finding a healthier way to grow. Whether you’re a designer, creative founder, or service business owner, this episode offers an honest look at how to build a seven-figure business while making room for more peace along the way.  👉🏻 Free Mark Up Calculator 👈🏻 Learn more: www.samantha-renee.co Follow the show and your host on social media: the.Samantha.Renee on Instagram Really Renee Podcast on Instagram

  3. Oct 1

    Ep. 9 - AI, Honestly: Two Designers, Two Approaches with Nasozi Kakembo

    AI is not replacing great interior designers, but it is changing how the smartest studios work.  Sam and Nasozi Kakembo unpack where AI actually helps in interiors, where it falls apart, and why taste, judgment, and human service still matter more than ever.From photorealistic renderings to email triage, procurement, mood boards, and photo editing, this conversation gets specific fast. Sam shares how AI has reshaped the operations side of her Hood River-based design business, helping her team stay lean, profitable, and less stressed.  Nasozi explains how generative tools first changed her photography workflow, then became useful in her interiors practice for turning finished ideas into polished visuals without the cost of outsourcing every rendering. You’ll discover: Why AI is more useful for efficiency than for original design thinkingThe difference between using AI on the business side versus the client-facing design sideHow Sam uses agents to sort email, summarize client messages, and streamline procurementWhy Nasozi still sees photorealistic AI as an enhancement, not a substitute, for her creative processWhere transparency matters most when presenting AI-assisted concepts to clients The conversation also gets into a bigger question the industry is struggling with right now: what counts as acceptable use, what needs disclosure, and how do designers protect their expertise without sounding fearful or defensive? Nasozi makes the case for clear standards, especially when portfolios include AI-generated or AI-assisted visuals, while Sam raises the real-world concerns around trust, contracts, and client expectations.If you’ve been wondering whether AI is a threat, a shortcut, or simply a new tool in the designer’s toolkit, this episode offers a grounded, practical perspective from two working professionals who are already using it in very different ways. Essential listening for interior designers, creatives, and small business owners trying to separate the hype from the helpful. 👉🏻 Learn More About Nasozi 👈🏻 👉🏻 Free Designer’s AI Starter Kit 👈🏻 Learn more: www.samantha-renee.co Follow the show and your host on social media: the.Samantha.Renee on Instagram Really Renee Podcast on Instagram

  4. Sep 28

    Ep. 8 - The Systems That Saved My Business (And My Sanity)

    What if the key to growing your business isn’t more hustle, but better systems? Samshares how the systems and processes behind Studio Renée helped the interior design firm scale from $120,000 to $1.2 million with a small team and how AI is helping her reclaim time and streamline daily work. Sam walks through the tools her business uses for project management, communication, spec management, billing, procurement, bookkeeping, and client presentations. She explains why relying on one all-in-one platform didn’t work, how to choose software that fits the way you actually work, and why documenting internal expectations is just as important as creating a smooth client experience. Then she gets specific about AI: agents that help reconstruct time entries, track project work, flag shipping updates and delays, organize daily priorities, and draft email replies. This episode offers practical ideas for building systems that support your team, your clients, and your growth. 🏥 The FREE Business Health Audit 🏥  👉🏻 Free Mark Up Calculator 👈🏻 Learn more: www.samantha-renee.co Follow the show and your host on social media: the.Samantha.Renee on Instagram Really Renee Podcast on Instagram

  5. Sep 24

    Ep. 7 - The Other Side of the Trade Counter with Joel Chown

    Navigating the complex world of trade pricing can feel like walking a tightrope, but it doesn’t have to be overwhelming.  Join Sam Struck as he chats with Joel Chown from Chown Hardware, who reveals the secrets behind successful procurement strategies that protect both designers and homeowners alike. If you’re in the interior design industry or just curious about how pricing dynamics work, you won’t want to miss this conversation. In this episode, Sam and Joel unpack the unique relationship between interior designers and vendors, highlighting how their decade-long partnership has evolved. With a focus on transparency and quality, Joel shares insights about the challenges of maintaining competitive pricing without compromising service, especially in a retail environment that often blurs the lines between trade and consumer pricing. You’ll discover: How to effectively manage trade accounts while ensuring both designers and clients receive the best possible pricing.The importance of vendor relationships and the impact on project outcomes, backed by real-life examples from their collaboration.Strategies for navigating the competitive landscape of home improvement supplies while maintaining integrity in pricing. Joel emphasizes the significance of understanding brand dynamics and market trends, explaining how Chown Hardware has adapted its business model to serve both the architectural community and retail clients seamlessly. This episode is packed with actionable insights that highlight the broader implications of pricing strategies in the design industry. Don't miss out on this essential discussion that promises to elevate your understanding of trade relationships and procurement practices. Perfect for designers, architects, and anyone involved in the home improvement market, this episode will leave you with valuable takeaways to implement in your own projects. Click Here to Learn More About Chown Hardware Learn more About the Host: www.samantha-renee.co Follow the show and your host on social media: the.Samantha.Renee on Instagram Really Renee Podcast on Instagram

  6. Sep 21

    Ep. 6 - Procurement is a Profit Center, Not a Favor!

    Procurement can be the difference between a struggling design studio and a wildly profitable one - if you stop treating it like a favor and start pricing it like a real service. Sam reveals how her interiors business turned procurement into a profit center, doubled revenue, and built a system that actually protects margin instead of eroding it. She breaks down why the common 10% to 15% markup model is not worth the stress, how her studio structures procurement in the contract from day one, and why trade sourcing beats retail sourcing almost every time. You’ll hear the exact thinking behind her 25% minimum markup, 10% procurement fee, and why certain client selections are pushed back to the client instead of absorbing low-margin chaos. Samantha also gets specific about what makes procurement truly profitable: Why service, not discounting, is the real sellHow to use trade reps and vendor relationships to your advantageWhen to say no to sleazy vendors and protect your businessWhy flooring, cabinetry, plumbing fixtures, and hard surfaces can be high-margin opportunitiesHow a 4,000-square-foot warehouse and receiving operation became part of the business modelWhy tiered markup beats a universal markup across every item This is the episode for interior designers who are already dabbling in procurement, feeling overwhelmed by the logistics, or wondering if the entire process is actually supposed to be this stressful. If you want a clearer, more profitable way to handle procurement - and a reality check on what actually moves the needle in an interiors business - this one is essential listening. Learn more: www.samantha-renee.co 👉🏻 Free Markup Calculator 👈🏻 Follow the show and your host on social media: the.Samantha.Renee on Instagram Really Renee Podcast on Instagram

  7. Sep 17

    Ep. 5 - What Interior Designers Actually Deal With

    Interior design is about so much more than creating beautiful spaces. Sometimes, it's just about managing the unhinged shit that happens behind the scenes. In this episode of Really Renée, Sam sits down with Studio Renée Senior Designer Serap for a completely unscripted conversation about the realities of working in an interior design studio and the particularly chaotic couple of weeks they've just survived. From uncomfortable budget conversations and client decision fatigue to scope creep, contractor relationships, missing furniture before a major install, and projects where everyone seems to have a different idea of what they're actually trying to accomplish, they're talking about the side of interior design clients rarely see. Consider this your behind-the-scenes look at a couple of very real weeks inside Studio Renée and a reminder that even when you have your shit together, sometimes shit still happens. Learn more: www.samantha-renee.co Follow the show and your host on social media: the.Samantha.Renee on Instagram Really Renee Podcast on Instagram

  8. Sep 14

    Ep.4 - How I Hired My First Employee with Sabah Mansoor

    Hiring your first employee can feel like the answer to being overwhelmed. But what happens when managing a team starts creating more work instead of less? In this episode of Really Renée, Sam sits down with interior designer Sabah Mansoor of Sabah Mansoor Interior Design for an honest conversation about hiring, firing, leadership, and what it actually takes to build a team inside a growing interior design studio. Sam and Sabah share the lessons they've learned from hiring the right people and the wrong ones including the challenges of letting go of control, setting clear expectations, creating company policies, maintaining your studio's standards, and recognizing when an employee simply isn't the right fit. They also get into a question every growing studio owner should be asking: Do you actually need another employee? From freelancers and outside partners to identifying the specific roles your business needs, building a team doesn't have to mean following the traditional structure of a design firm. Because hiring isn't just about getting work off your plate. It's about deciding what you want to own, what you're ready to let go of, and becoming the leader your team actually needs. Whether you're considering your first hire, managing a growing team, or wondering if it's time to let someone go, this episode gets into the good, the bad, and the uncomfortable realities of building a team. Learn more: www.samantha-renee.co Follow the show and your host on social media: the.Samantha.Renee on Instagram Really Renee Podcast on Instagram

  9. Sep 14

    Ep.3 - The Number Nobody is Talking About

    Revenue is the number we all say at parties. Profit is what actually pays your mortgage. In this episode of Really Renée, Sam gets candid about one of the conversations the interior design industry doesn't have enough: money. What's the difference between building a high-revenue design studio and actually building a profitable one? And if your business is bringing in more money than ever, why can it still feel like there's nothing left at the end of the year? Sam breaks down the strategies that have helped Studio Renée become more profitable, from understanding overhead and charging for expertise to creating better systems, increasing efficiency, and moving away from the mindset that more clients automatically means more money. She also shares why procurement became one of the biggest financial unlocks for Studio Renée, how additional services can create new profit opportunities within projects you already have, and why the goal should be getting more out of the work you're already doing not constantly chasing the next client. Because a million-dollar design studio doesn't mean much if running it leaves you overworked, stressed, and wondering where all the money went. It's time to get comfortable talking about the numbers and start building your business around profit, not just revenue. Learn more: www.samantha-renee.co Follow the show and your host on social media: the.Samantha.Renee on Instagram Really Renee Podcast on Instagram

  10. Sep 14

    Ep.2 - You're a Designer, Not a Decorator — And It Matters

    What actually separates an interior designer from a decorator and what makes someone a professional in this industry? In this episode of Really Renée, Sam dives into the sometimes controversial distinction between decorators and interior designers, from education and credentials to technical knowledge and real-world experience. But having a degree or letters after your name doesn't automatically make you a professional. Sam shares her perspective on what professionalism actually looks like in the interior design industry: problem-solving without ego, taking accountability when things go wrong, understanding how projects come together in the field, and having the construction fluency to confidently collaborate with contractors, engineers, vendors, and clients. She also gets into the realities of how clients perceive professionalism, whether organizations and credentials like NCIDQ actually help grow your business, and why some of the most valuable lessons you'll learn as a designer happen outside of the classroom. Because at the end of the day, being able to create a beautiful design is only part of the job. Being able to figure out how that design actually gets built and navigate the problems that inevitably come with it, is what can set you apart. Learn more: www.samantha-renee.co Follow the show and your host on social media: the.Samantha.Renee on Instagram Really Renee Podcast on Instagram

  11. Sep 14

    Ep.1 - Who the Hell Is Renée?

    What does it really take to build a successful interior design business? In the first episode of Really Renée, Samantha Struck shares the story behind Studio Renée, including how she took a $120K-a-year design studio and scaled it to $1.7M in annual revenue. But growth is only part of the story. Samantha gets into the highs, lows, mistakes, pivots, and lessons that came with building the business and why she believes there’s a transparency gap in the interior design industry when it comes to talking about what happens behind the beautiful finished projects. Really Renée is a space for those conversations. From pricing and profitability to procurement, client relationships, boundaries, marketing, and the realities of running a design studio, Samantha is pulling back the curtain on what she’s learned along the way. This first episode is an introduction to Samantha, the evolution of Studio Renée, and what you can expect from Really Renée: honest conversations about the business of interior design and what it actually takes to build a studio that supports the life you want to live. Learn more at www.samantha-renee.co Follow the show and your Host Social Media! the.Samantha.Renee on Instagram Really Renee Podcast on Instagram

  • 11 Episodes

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

The unfiltered business of interior design. Host Samantha Struck built her firm, Studio Renée, from $120K to over a million in three years — and she's sharing all of it: what you're actually netting, how to price so you keep the money, and the systems nobody talks about. Expect real numbers, strong opinions, and candid guests. No highlight reel, no performative perfection — just the real thing. If you're a designer tired of being busy, booked, and broke, pull up a chair. New episodes weekly.

Information

  • Creator
    Samantha Renée
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    11
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Samantha Renée

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