170: What got you here, won't get you there with Brooke Stoll

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:

1. Why confidence is one of the biggest differentiators between designers who stay stuck and those who grow
2. What Brooke means by “people, processes, and profitability” and how those three areas shape a successful design firm
3. Why what got you here in business may not be enough to get you to the next level
4. How designers can stop running their firms on vibes and start understanding key numbers like gross profit, net profit, and operating costs
5. The difference between managing a business and truly leading a growing team
6. Why simplifying your systems and choosing tools that actually fit your brain can make a huge difference
7. How getting clearer on your ideal client makes discovery calls, proposals, and decision-making so much easier
8. Why community, support, and honest conversations with industry peers can help designers build confidence faster

Mentioned:

1. Brooke Stoll
2. The Design Field Retreat

Our links:

1. Subscribe and leave a review - Apple Podcasts
2. Like, Comment, & Follow - Hot Young Designers Club Instagram
3. Rebecca’s Instagram
4. Shaun’s Instagram
5. For more information - Check out the website
6. Become a “Loyal Hottie” - Support us on Patreon
7. Design Resources - Check out our shop