Today’s guest, Ashley Ausland, shares her journey of growing her design business over the last few years while dealing with personal hardships—divorce, cancer, and becoming a single mother of four kids. She discusses the lessons she learned about business management, client relationships, and creating homes with soul and timeless appeal. In this ep…

Shaun and Rebecca discuss the issues around designers’ rights to their work. They talk about a recent situation where a company used photos of designer Natalie Myers’s work without her permission and modified the pictures a little with the help of AI. They discuss this issue, how having no rights over the pictures of their work is not fair to desig…

Will Brown of Will Brown Interiors believes that interior design should be more than just aesthetics — it should also support clients’ well-being and energy flow within a space. In this episode, Will shares how he uses ancient Feng Shui principles to help clients optimize the flow of energy in their homes. In this episode, Rebecca and Shaun speak w…

As a designer, do you prefer working on kitchens or bathrooms? Are kitchens and bathrooms worth the effort in terms of payoff? Doing kitchens and bathrooms requires a lot of work but doesn’t always result in big profits. Shaun and Rebecca are here to discuss tips and strategies for making smaller projects like kitchens and bathrooms more profitable…

Today’s guest, Garrison Hullinger, overcame adversity to build a thriving design business from the ground up. One of his secrets? Establishing the right process that allows for maximum productivity and profit. Garrison discusses his processes — from the structure of his design team to qualifying clients, delegating tasks, establishing design pillar…

Opening an online shop seems like an exciting way to expand your business, but it is a major undertaking that requires careful planning and execution. Shaun and Rebecca are launching their new e-commerce shop and share the good, the bad, and the ugly of what it really takes to launch a fully robust e-commerce shop. In this episode, Rebecca and Shau…

What tools and apps can help me with time tracking and invoicing? How do I organize my notes and stay organized? Is an iPad worth it for work? How can it be used effectively? Tune in as we share some of our tried-and-true methods for staying organized and productive. With some small adjustments to your processes, these small methods can make a big …

Do you want to take your interior design business to the next level? High Point Market can be the boost you need to take things to the next level. Today’s guest, Stacy Garcia, has built an impressive career over 25 years in the design industry. She shares how instrumental High Point Market has been in fueling the success of her businesses, Stacy Ga…

Today, we go back on the journey of where we started and discuss the mistakes we made and the lessons we learned. We share everything we wished we knew when we started — from basic bookkeeping and accounting to choosing the right software, tools, and infrastructure we wish we implemented sooner. In this episode, we discuss: Shaun and Rebecca are ho…

What is your approach to designing projects? Today’s guest, Dan Mazzarini of BHDM Design, shares his unique narrative-based approach to design. By asking the clients questions like “What is the story you want to tell with this house?” Dan helps them pull out their vision and desires beyond just aesthetics. He then works to design a space that bring…

As we enter 2024, there are some things that we do not wish to bring with us into this year, and we want to make some changes in our lives and businesses. Today, we share our no-more list for 2024 and discuss the 6 changes (3 from each of us) we want to make in our businesses. Some of these changes will resonate with you, Hotties, and your business…

It’s the last episode of 2023, so today, we did some year-end reflections and highlights. From doing over 100 episodes of the podcast to contributing our designs and opinions, we achieved so many things this year. While there were certain challenges along the way, today, we’re taking time to reflect on some of our wins and accomplishments of 2023 i…

We're back with another installment of our Just Stop series to call out some things that just need to stop, like relying too much on trade discounts and not building relationships directly with manufacturers, being fair-weather sales reps, using a personal email like Gmail or Yahoo for business, etc. In this episode, we discuss: Importance of Pinte…

Our guest today is Pinterest expert Leah Reinert. We dive deep into our Pinterest For Interior Designers Masterclass and show you how to properly optimize your Pinterest presence and use it as a lead generation tool for your businesses. Leah also shares some cool ways to use Pinterest. In this episode, we discuss: About Pinterest For Interior Desig…

What is the most challenging part of your business? What percentage of your projects involve working with a designer? How do you vet clients before getting into pre-construction? Rebecca and Shaun sit down with Steve and Heather Tankersley, owners of Tankersley Construction, to discuss their business. In this episode, Rebecca and Shaun speak with S…

How do you manage your design business? What are your criteria for accepting a prospect as a client, and do you often turn clients away? How do you share the progress of the project with clients? How do you structure your fees and payments from clients? In this episode, Rebecca and Shaun speak with Max Humphrey to discuss: The challenges of finding…

Pinterest is not just for inspiration anymore. It can actually be used strategically to gain new clients! Learn more about our Pinterest for Interior Designers Masterclass at: shop.hotyoungdesignersclub.com저자 Hot Young Designers Club

This episode is a recap of our experience at Fall 2023 High Point Market. Join us as we walk through the showroom floors, share our observations on new trends, and break down some of the top looks that caught our eye. We'll also share exclusive updates from favorite vendors like Four Hands, their new products, and some exciting technology improveme…

In this enlightening episode of the Hot Young Designers Club Podcast, hosts Rebecca Plumb and Shaun Crha unravel the challenges and joys of design and project management. Advocating for adaptability and success, they delve into the realities and diversity of the field, offering a blend of humor and insight. Discussing the multifaceted aspects of de…

Welcome to the Hot Young Designers Club podcast! Hosted by Rebecca Plumb and Shaun Crha, they explore the world of interior design with humor. In this episode, they celebrate reaching episode 101 and reflect on their journey. Rebecca and Sean discuss how hitting 100 episodes felt like a milestone and their commitment to the podcast. They express gr…

Today we are celebrating 100 episodes of the Hot Young Designers Club Podcast! As we look back at the last three years, we think about the best pieces of advice we have received, what’s changed over the past three years, and some cringe-worthy moments of the show. We also share an amazing giveaway that we will be doing in honor of our 100th episode…

What makes your interior design business different and how can you showcase that effectively? When should you hire a social media assistant and how long should you expect to see results? How can you make sure you are effectively networking in order to build relationships and grow your business? In this episode, Rebecca and Shaun speak with Ali Faul…

Measuring is a pain. It requires a lot of time and physical energy. No one likes it. Thankfully, we have discovered a much better way to measure, that saves us time and saves our clients money. This episode is sponsored by Canvas. In this episode, we discuss: Scaling - it’s weird and complex The headaches we had in the past when getting measurement…

Today we cover our upcoming plans for High Point Market this fall, an exciting giveaway for our listeners, recent struggles and lessons learned in our businesses, as well as some new trends we noticed at Vegas Market this summer. In this episode, we discuss: Giving a hotspot tour at High Point Market later this year How you can win free products fr…

How do you get your work featured in your favorite design magazines? When is the right time to hire a publicist? What should you do if you can’t afford to hire a PR professional? In this episode, Rebecca and Shaun speak with Rich Pedine of Rich Pedine Public Relations, to discuss: Channeling a passion for interior design into his PR career What mag…

As a designer, you need to keep a list of tradespeople in your back pocket. Today, we go over what that list should look like. In this episode, Rebecca and Shaun discuss: The joy of being part of the live Hottie Hangouts Receiving a rotten sausage in the mail Going to 2023 Highpoint from Oct 14 to Oct 16 Asking your vendors who their preferred clie…

We believe it is important to stay informed on news and trends within the design space. That’s why we invited Fred Nicolaus, executive editor of Business of Home, to the podcast. Business of Home is the home industry’s leading business media brand, delivering essential news, analysis and insights to interior designers and industry professionals. In…

It can be so frustrating when clients start shopping for products on their own, when it’s your role as the designer to do the buying. While this is common and very annoying, there are some things you can do to prevent it. And if you can’t totally prevent it, you can still resolve the issue when it does happen. In this episode, Rebecca and Shaun dis…

How should you respond to clients when you really don’t want to do the project? How do you set boundaries in your business and train others how to respect them? Should you stop charging a flat rate and start charging by the hour? In this episode, Rebecca and Shaun speak with Kate Lester of Kate Lester Interiors, to discuss: Why Kate quit her six fi…

When business gets slow, do you feel like the scarcity mindset kicks in, and you start freaking out about how you are going to generate more money? Feeling anxious and helpless about finances won’t solve your problems. It’s time to stop sulking in bed, take back the power, and make some changes to generate new forms of revenue. In this episode, Reb…

How do you overcome FOMO when you have to say “no” to new opportunities that come your way? How do you develop your self-concept, when you were accustomed to working in a strict, corporate environment before becoming a designer? What should you expect when going to trade show events, like High Point Market? In this episode, Rebecca and Shaun speak …

AI is here and it’s here to stay. If you’ve been ignoring everything artificial intelligence can do, we think you really need to start paying attention. Today, we chat about ways AI is changing the design industry and how your work may be affected. In this episode, Rebecca and Shaun discuss: A recent article from Business of Home Why E-designers an…

Are you confusing clients by offering too many options and services? What do you do when the design is twice the original budget? How many projects can you realistically manage without employees? Today, we will be answering these questions along with some others. In this episode, we talk about: Shifting your mindset when it comes to positioning you…

How do you stand out in a sea of other designers that do similar work? How do you get more comfortable having money conversations with clients? How do you get better at selling and pricing your projects? We chat about this and more, with professional trainer and coach, Shannyn Lee. In this episode, we talk about: The things holding many designers b…

Today we offer our thoughts on the emotional rollercoaster clients go through during renovations. As designers, we can’t control the rollercoaster, but we can definitely help keep the ride from going completely off track. In this episode, we talk about: How podcasting is like having a whole other business Advising clients on the approximate timelin…

Have you taken into consideration the commitment you are making when signing a lease for a shop? How would you react to losing a vital member of your design team? Have you thought about offering different types of services and products in order to attract a variety of clients? We chat about this and more, with Katie Monkhouse of Katie Monkhouse Int…

How do you manage hustling for design opportunities while also maintaining work-life balance? How do you overcome discriminatory work experiences at design firms who don’t value you? When do you know when it’s the right time to stop working as an employee and create your own business? We chat about this and more, with Abigail Marcelo Horace of Casa…

In today’s episode, we share our experience at the recent 2023 Kitchen & Bath Industry Show in Las Vegas. We talk about it all, the good, the bad, and the hangry! In this episode, we talk about: The crazy amount of people at the convention center Our ideas on how KBIS can improve their customer experience Day 1 versus Day 2 of the show The things w…

In this episode, we discuss how having a Client Welcome Guide will not only offer clarity to your new clients, but it will also elevate your professionalism. Our Client Welcome Guide will help you onboard new clients in a productive and positive way! In this episode, we talk about: Avoiding messy communication with your new clients How having redun…

You’ve been told you can grow your business with Instagram and other social media platforms, but it feels like a drag. You spend time and energy on your posts, yet you don’t see results. We feel your pain! Today, we share other strategies you can use to get more eyes on your business! In this episode, we talk about: Feeling frustrated by the lack o…

How do you handle problematic contractors? How long are you spending at the client's home during the initial meeting? How comfortable are you being firm and stern with contractors and clients? We chat about this and more, with Linda Hayslett of LH.Designs. In this episode, we talk about: Her past careers in marketing and sales Previous misconceptio…

Today we talk about the elephant in the room that becomes huge and awkward, when no one acknowledges it. That elephant’s name is “money.” In this episode,we are sharing ways you can have honest and comfortable conversations with your clients when it’s time to talk about their budget. In this episode, we talk about: Our personal money stories from t…

In this episode we discuss why having a recruiting process in place will help you get past hiring hurdles. The Hiring & Recruiting Guide will guide you through the whole recruiting process so you can better grow your team and grow your business. In this episode, Rebecca and Shaun talk about: The two main positions that business owners hire for in t…

Today’s episode is all about reflecting, reviewing, and accessing the year 2022. We chat about the things we need to stop doing, some of our fondest memories, business and personal wins, and what is to come in 2023. Have a Happy New Year, Hotties! In this episode, we talk about: Planning too much versus not planning enough Needing a monthly newslet…

Are you struggling with delegating responsibilities to your assistants, how to accept certain clients, and handling the finances of owning a design firm? We talk about all this with Joy Williams of Joyful Designs Studio. In this episode, we talk about: Wearing many hats but still delegating to others Hiring a Design Assistant versus a General Assis…

Do you struggle when it comes to developing the presentations you show your clients? Lucky for you, you can stop struggling, because we have already done the work for you! With our Client Presentation Template, you will have an easy to follow, process that you and your clients will understand. In this episode, Rebecca and Shaun talk about: Guiding …

We all have experienced exhaustion as designers in the last few years. With that said, we are grateful for some things that have come out of the challenging time we all have faced. There is nothing like adversity to bring people together. In this episode, we talk about: The improvements vendors have made in the last few years Making choices based o…

You need to stop comparing yourself to other designers out there. You don’t have to be published with all the accolades, in order to be considered a good designer. In this episode, we talk about: The Full Service Approach - You need to experience it to understand it Comparing yourself to other designers Taking on a client is like a dating game Know…

In this episode we discuss why having a specific time to review your year is vital to you and your business. Your Year In Review Workbook will guide you in creating a business retreat. The workbook also offers an easy-to-use, revenue planning calculator to help you figure out realistic numbers for your business. In this episode, Rebecca and Shaun t…

Wouldn’t it be great to live down the street from your showroom, have a collaborative team environment with multiple designers working for you, and take summers off to focus on family time? Sounds like a fantasy for us designers, but it is reality for Susan Wintersteen of Savvy Interiors. In this episode, we talk about: Which financial numbers are …