Hot Young Designers Club | Interior Design Business Podcast

In this episode, Shaun and Rebecca are joined by Brooke Stoll, an operations and profitability strategist who helps interior designers build stronger, more profitable firms through better systems, clearer processes, and more confident leadership. What starts as a cozy robe-clad conversation quickly turns into a deep and practical discussion about the real skills designers need as their businesses grow.Brooke shares why the scrappy mindset that helps you start a design business is not always the same mindset that helps you lead a team, manage profit, or scale sustainably. Together, they unpack everything from project management tools and onboarding workflows to gross profit benchmarks, ideal clients, confidence, leadership, and building a business that actually supports your life.In this episode they discuss:Why confidence is one of the biggest differentiators between designers who stay stuck and those who growWhat Brooke means by “people, processes, and profitability” and how those three areas shape a successful design firmWhy what got you here in business may not be enough to get you to the next levelHow designers can stop running their firms on vibes and start understanding key numbers like gross profit, net profit, and operating costsThe difference between managing a business and truly leading a growing teamWhy simplifying your systems and choosing tools that actually fit your brain can make a huge differenceHow getting clearer on your ideal client makes discovery calls, proposals, and decision-making so much easierWhy community, support, and honest conversations with industry peers can help designers build confidence fasterMentioned:Brooke StollThe Design Field RetreatOur links:Subscribe and leave a review - Apple PodcastsLike, Comment, & Follow - Hot Young Designers Club InstagramRebecca’s InstagramShaun’s InstagramFor more information - Check out the websiteBecome a “Loyal Hottie” - Support us on PatreonDesign Resources - Check out our shop

Shaun and Rebecca catch up on the real-life highs and lows of running an interior design business, from factory tours and studio refreshes to client communication stress and the emotional weight of construction-phase hiccups. They also get candid about creative experimentation, shifting business priorities, and the ways designers quietly improve their clients’ daily lives.This episode moves between funny, personal, and deeply relatable conversations about what it means to build a design business that actually supports your life. From limewash mishaps and freight increases to career transitions at home and the power of saying no to the wrong projects, this one is full of honest insight for interior designers navigating growth, boundaries, and ambition.In this episode they discuss:Shaun’s upcoming Norwalk Furniture factory tour in Ohio and what designers can learn from seeing large-scale upholstery production up closeRebecca’s idea to turn fabric remnants into studio-made pillows and possibly host an open house sale at her officeHow stressful client messages can feel during construction, especially when something like a specialty paint finish goes wrong onsiteThe difference between handling client feedback during the design phase versus when money has already been spent and installs are underwayA creative brainstorm around transforming a discontinued leather chair into an art piece with tattoo-inspired work from local artistsWhy global events, fuel costs, and freight increases continue to affect furniture pricing, lead times, and client expectationsRebecca’s reflections on her husband’s upcoming retirement and how that may shift the balance of home life and career prioritiesThe importance of protecting your business model, qualifying better-fit clients, and leaving room for the projects that are truly alignedMentioned:Norwalk FurnitureColor AtelierMarket and NestOur links:Subscribe and leave a review - Apple PodcastsLike, Comment, & Follow - Hot Young Designers Club InstagramRebecca’s InstagramShaun’s InstagramFor more information - Check out the websiteBecome a “Loyal Hottie” - Support us on PatreonDesign Resources - Check out our shop

Rebecca and Shaun are joined by Maegan Blau, owner of Blue Copper Design in the Phoenix area, for a conversation about accessibility, aging in place, and why thoughtful design should support people through every stage of life. Maegan shares how her lived experience as a wheelchair user shaped her design perspective and why accessibility has become such a central part of her business.They dig into the misconceptions that keep homeowners and designers from planning ahead, from the belief that accessibility is only needed “later” to the idea that it has to look clinical or cost dramatically more. Along the way, they also talk about designing for seniors, the future of accessible interiors, social media hot takes, and a few delightfully chaotic sidebars only this club could deliver.In this episode they discuss:Why Maegan believes seniors are often the best entry point for conversations about accessibility and aging in placeCommon misconceptions around accessible design, including the idea that it is ugly, overly expensive, or only necessary after a crisisHow designers can make homes more flexible with features like curbless showers, wider doorways, blocking for future grab bars, and hybrid cabinetryThe difference between accessible design, ADA guidelines, universal design, and aging-in-place planning in residential interiorsWhy waiting until an injury, illness, or mobility change happens is usually too late for smart and seamless home updatesHow Maegan is using social media to educate both designers and homeowners about accessibility in a more practical and relatable wayThe challenge of building a design business that serves an underserved population while still sustaining a luxury service modelA mix of industry chatter on portfolios, newsletters, design process tools, celebrity house features, and the realities of sharing opinions onlineMentioned:Blue Copper DesignBlue Copper Design on FacebookBlue Copper Design on InstagramOur links:Subscribe and leave a review - Apple PodcastsLike, Comment, & Follow - Hot Young Designers Club InstagramRebecca’s InstagramShaun’s InstagramFor more information - Check out the websiteBecome a “Loyal Hottie” - Support us on PatreonDesign Resources - Check out our shop

Rebecca and Shaun meander their way through beauty routines, personal style, creativity, books, and the importance of staying curious as creative people. What starts as a conversation about video backgrounds and ChatGPT turns into a thoughtful reflection on how curiosity shapes not just personal style, but design work, aging, and creative fulfillment.In this episode, they talk about using AI as a practical life tool, from building skincare routines to experimenting with fashion and body-type analysis. They also explore how inspiration often arrives when you have the space to receive it, leading into a fascinating discussion about spirit houses, cultural research, and why staying open to new ideas is essential for designers and humans alike.In this episode they discuss:Rebecca’s recent ChatGPT experiments, including using it to organize her skincare routine and help define her personal styleColor analysis, Kibbe body types, and the evolving relationship between fashion, self-expression, and “flattery”Preparing for new brand headshots and how styling, clothing, and environment all shape visual identityThe tension between buying statement pieces versus building a lived-in wardrobe with quality staplesCreative inspiration through books, music, and storytelling, including a moving conversation about the novel Theo of GoldenHow curiosity, rest, and mental bandwidth help creatives reconnect with ideas and inspirationShaun’s deep dive into Cambodian spirit houses and how one small design question can open an entirely new creative rabbit holeWhy staying curious as you age matters, both for your design work and for staying connected to culture and peopleOur links:Subscribe and leave a review - Apple PodcastsLike, Comment, & Follow - Hot Young Designers Club InstagramRebecca’s InstagramShaun’s InstagramFor more information - Check out the websiteBecome a “Loyal Hottie” - Support us on PatreonDesign Resources - Check out our shop

Rebecca and Shaun are back with a classic HYDC catch-up episode—covering everything from creative ruts and tile inspiration to mattress upgrades and the strange ways we all unwind after long design days. If you’ve ever found yourself doom-scrolling design materials, obsessing over the perfect bed, or wondering why your brain suddenly works differently after 40… this one’s for you.The hosts dive into tile sourcing adventures, experimenting with creative practices outside of work, and the surprising ways designers recharge. From Japanese-inspired tile showrooms to the economics of custom beds and the eternal quest for better sleep, this episode wanders delightfully through the real-life thoughts and distractions of running a design business while staying creatively inspired.In this episode they discuss:Shaun’s hunt for Japanese-inspired tile and the unique glazes, textures, and shapes showing up in specialty tile linesHow experimenting with low-pressure creative practices (like sketching or figure drawing) can help reignite inspirationThe challenges of specifying custom furniture and understanding manufacturer pricing structuresWhy designers should deeply learn the product lines they specify to avoid costly mistakesThe surprising role beds, sleep setups, and nighttime routines play in maintaining creative energyHow trends like tobacco browns and layered neutrals are showing up in current design palettesThe hosts’ evolving perspectives on aging, creativity, and the shifting priorities that come with experienceShaun’s mission to finally get new headshots that better reflect his brand and personalityOur links:Subscribe and leave a review - Apple PodcastsLike, Comment, & Follow - Hot Young Designers Club InstagramRebecca’s InstagramShaun’s InstagramFor more information - Check out the websiteBecome a “Loyal Hottie” - Support us on PatreonDesign Resources - Check out our shop

In this episode, Shaun and Rebecca are joined by returning favorites Heather of Heather KW Styles and Lauren of Studio Laloc for an unfiltered designer roundtable. What starts as a chat about Danish hardware and custom furniture quickly spirals into tariffs, turning down nightmare projects, presentation strategies, ideal clients, and—yes—an unforgettable handyman story.From navigating red flags on discovery calls to debating whether we’d decorate a Miami Vice mansion for the right price, this episode is equal parts business strategy and design therapy. If you’ve ever questioned a client fit, struggled with pricing under tariffs, or wondered how other designers hold their boundaries, this one’s for you.In this episode they discuss:Why presenting one strong design concept can lead to fewer revisions and stronger client trustHow tariffs are impacting pricing, sourcing, and designer-client conversations in real timeWhen it’s smart (and necessary) to turn down a high-paying projectThe red flags that show up during discovery calls—and how to handle them professionallyWhy ideal clients often have collections, strong opinions, and shared valuesFlat fee vs. hourly structures and how that affects presentation strategyThe power of designer friendships and creative accountability groupsA truly unhinged handyman story that proves vetting referrals mattersMentioned:Studio Laloc (https://www.studiolaloc.com/)Heather KW Styles (https://www.heatherkwstyles.com/)Our links:Subscribe and leave a review - Apple PodcastsLike, Comment, & Follow - Hot Young Designers Club InstagramRebecca’s InstagramShaun’s InstagramFor more information - Check out the websiteBecome a “Loyal Hottie” - Support us on PatreonDesign Resources - Check out our shop

In this episode, Rebecca and Shaun cover everything from skunk-induced wake-up calls to the realities of private equity in the design industry—before diving deep into the creative growing pains that come with leveling up your interiors. If you’ve ever felt burnt out on tile, uninspired by beige beds, or frustrated that nothing “off the rack” feels special enough, this one’s for you.The big takeaway? Not every piece in a room can be the Beyoncé—but you do need at least one showstopper. Rebecca shares her current tile spiral, Shaun vents about the sea of neutral beds, and together they unpack why customization (even in small ways) is often the difference between basic and brilliant.In this episode they discuss:The recent acquisition of The Expert by Havenly—and what it signals about private equity’s growing influence in the interior design worldFeeling creatively boxed in by your own standards (aka: when you’ve trained clients to expect “cool tile” every time)The struggle to source interesting, textured, and affordable tile that doesn’t feel overdone or Instagram-familiarWhy most beds on the market feel painfully beige—and how to push upholstery vendors toward better, more customized solutionsSmart ways to customize without going fully bespoke (split finishes, special applications, COM, trim details, and reupholstering standard pieces)The value of handling complex details—like hardware specifications and mixed finishes—to prove your worth as a designerRebecca’s evolving brand pillars: cool, collected, layered, lived-in, and delightfully different—and how they function as a creative filterThe core philosophy: not every piece can be the Beyoncé, but every piece deserves intention—and at least one moment in the room must steal the showMentioned:The Expert – https://www.theexpert.comHavenly – https://havenly.comNorwalk Furniture – https://www.norwalkfurniture.comFireclay Tile – https://www.fireclaytile.comZia Tile – https://www.ziatile.comDovetail – https://www.dovetailfurniture.comPhilip Jeffries – https://www.phillipjeffries.comOur links:Subscribe and leave a review - Apple PodcastsLike, Comment, & Follow - Hot Young Designers Club InstagramRebecca’s InstagramShaun’s InstagramFor more information - Check out the websiteBecome a “Loyal Hottie” - Support us on PatreonDesign Resources - Check out our shop

In this episode, Rebecca and Shaun welcome back their friend Claire Jones, founder of Etch & Ivy Design in Sacramento. From quarter-life crisis to full-time interior designer, Claire shares how community, boundaries, and a recent business retreat reshaped the way she approaches her design firm.The trio dives deep into mastermind dynamics, defining your ideal client (hint: it’s not based on Diet Coke preferences), setting minimums, managing anxiety in your workflow, and the power of surrounding yourself with designers who challenge and inspire you. It’s honest, hilarious, and full of real talk about leveling up without losing yourself.In this episode they discuss:How one brave lunch invitation led to a thriving design community and the creation of Happy Hour Design CollectiveThe evolution of Etch & Ivy Design and what it looks like to grow a business around your life (not the other way around)Why defining your ideal client is about boundaries, not beveragesSetting design fee and purchasing minimums—and actually sticking to themTime blocking, capacity limits, and how anxiety shows up differently for every designerThe value of retreats, masterminds, and getting outside your bubble to avoid stagnationWhy you don’t have to do business like everyone else (goodbye, unnecessary automations)A spicy Facebook rant about $100K kitchens—and why some thoughts belong in your diaryMentioned:Happy Hour Design Collective - InstagramEtch & Ivy Design - InstagramAnything But Vanilla Podcast - InstagramOur links:Subscribe and leave a review - Apple PodcastsLike, Comment, & Follow - Hot Young Designers Club InstagramRebecca’s InstagramShaun’s InstagramFor more information - Check out the websiteBecome a “Loyal Hottie” - Support us on PatreonDesign Resources - Check out our shop