Design Biz Survival Guide – Détails, épisodes et analyse

Welcome to another episode of Design Biz Survival Guide! Today we welcome Helen and Simon Knox, the husband-and-wife team behind Lewis Knox Interior and Architectural Design based in Cheshire, UK. In this episode, we explore the business of design from a UK perspective.

Helen and Simon share their journey from design school to launching their own design business, and they explain their approach to developing a multi-faceted business model—including the addition of a cabinetry studio. We also discuss the state of the design community in the UK and how their experience at the first Business of Interiors Community Summit has impacted the growth and development of their business.

• Launching a Design Business: The pivotal moment when Helen and Simon took the leap.
• Business Model Evolution: How they integrated cabinetry into their services.
• Challenges & Growth: Lessons learned from building and scaling a design team.
• UK Design Community: The importance of networking, pricing transparency, and industry collaboration.
• The Business of Interiors Summit: Insights gained and why events like these are shaping the UK design landscape.

• “We never set out to run a business together. It just evolved naturally, and when the opportunity presented itself, we had to take the leap.”
• “In the UK, no one teaches you how to run a business. Design school is all about creativity, but figuring out the financials, the processes, and the structure—that was something we had to learn ourselves.”
• “Owning a cabinetry studio allows us to control the quality and timelines, which makes our design process smoother and our clients happier.”

• Learn More About Lewis Knox: Visit Their Website

• Follow Lewis Knox on Instagram: @lewisknox_

• Register for The UK Business of Interiors Community Summit: Event Details & Tickets

A big thank you to our sponsors:

• Design Manager – A comprehensive project management and accounting platform tailored for interior design professionals.
• Daniel House Club – Simplifying the business of design with exclusive trade pricing, concierge service, and commission opportunities.

We’d love for you to follow us if you haven’t yet. Click that purple ‘+’ in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review,” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second, and it helps spread the word about the podcast.

Welcome to another episode of Design Biz Survival Guide! Today we welcome Hannah Oravec, founder of Lawless Design—a New England-based residential and boutique commercial interior design studio focused on wellness and sustainability. In this episode, Hannah shares her design journey and the process of launching her own design business. We discuss her perspective on commercial and residential design and her strategy for qualifying projects that best align with her business model and personal design approach. We also dive into the value of expanding your professional circle, and Hannah shares her top networking tips for creative introverts.

• Business Beginnings: Hannah’s journey from commercial design to launching her own studio.

• Finding Your Niche: How wellness and sustainability became central to Lawless Design’s mission.

• Networking for Introverts: Hannah’s tips for creative professionals to make meaningful connections.

• Team Growth: The lessons learned from hiring and building a supportive design team.

• Infusing Joy: How to incorporate passion projects into your business model.

• “Design should be personal. We’re not just giving you a cookie-cutter design; it’s about how our clients live in their homes and what makes them feel good.”

• “I’m very upfront when interviewing clients—I’m not the designer for everyone, and that’s okay. There’s a designer out there for everyone.”

• “Make sure there is an aspect or component of your business that truly brings you joy. You’re the business owner; you have the ability to make joy part of your business.”

• Learn More About Lawless Design: Visit the Website

• Follow Lawless Design on Instagram: @lawless_design

• Book Recommendation: How to Win Friends and Influence People

• Register for The UK Business of Interiors Community Summit: Event Information

A big thank you to our sponsors:

• Design Manager – A comprehensive project management and accounting platform tailored for interior design professionals.

• Daniel House Club – Simplifying the business of design with exclusive trade pricing, concierge service, and commission opportunities.

We’d love for you to follow us if you haven’t yet. Click that purple ‘+’ in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review,” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second, and it helps spread the word about the podcast.

Today, we welcome Emily Yeates, CEO and Principal Designer of Urban Revival — a full-service interior design firm based in Paradise Valley. Arizona. In this episode, we discuss Emily’s exposure to design at a young age and her passion for problem-solving, which led to the launch of her own design business. 

Emily shares her lessons learned while growing her team and developing her processes… spoiler alert — it did not happen overnight. We also discuss the importance of a fine-tuned business structure and how it not only allows her to provide extraordinary service to her clients but also allows her to be present for herself, her health, and her family.

Tune in to learn how Emily built a successful design business by creating efficient systems while balancing her professional and personal life!

• Emily’s early exposure to design and the path to launching her own business

• Hiring the right people for your business and why more designer is not the solution when growing your business

• Developing a strong business structure with the help of her operations manager, Meredith

• How having clear and repeatable processes made her business run smoothly

• Tools and platforms that Emily’s team uses for efficiency and communication – Asana, Loom, DesignFiles, etc

• How the business was able to thrive during Emily’s cancer treatment

• Emily’s “Business Edit” program and how it helps other designers succeed

• The importance of furniture profit margins and wholesale ordering

Notable Quotes:

• “I refuse to live in an ugly place. I grew up around beautiful things. I wanted a beautiful place, and I was going to make it happen.” - Emily Yeates
• “The pinnacle of success is having a business that can run when I step away, and it keeps going.” - Emily Yeates
• “Profit margin is a really big deal to me. And furniture is the way that I’m able to do that.” - Emily Yeates
• “Implementing processes and structure allows you to put your business on autopilot in times when you need it.” - Rick

Follow and Review:

We’d love for you to follow us if you haven’t yet. Click that purple ‘+’ in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review,” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second, and it helps spread the word about the podcast.

Supporting Resources:

Urban Revival Website - https://urbanrevivalphx.com/urban-revival

Emily Yeates on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/urbanrevivalphx/

Sponsor Links:

James and James: https://carpenterjames.com/pages/trade-program?ad=DBSG

Design Manager: https://www.designmanager.com/

Today we welcome Susan Thiel of Susan Thiel Design to the podcast. Susan launched her full service interior design business in 2008 which specializes in new construction and major remodels. In this episode we discuss Susan’s decision to transition her design business from a traditional office space to Orange County’s premiere co-working space exclusively for interior design professionals, Studio 88. Susan also shares her perspective on community, mentorship, and paying it forward.

Today we welcome Anderson Somerselle to the podcast. In this episode we discuss Anderson’s namesake showroom SOMERSELLE and how he designed what he has dubbed “the new showroom experience” from the inside out with the needs of design professionals in mind. Anderson shares how he’s made a career of being of service to interior designers and how he plans to reinvigorate the connection between designers and showrooms. We also discuss one of my favorite topics, community over competition, and how sharing and supporting is truly the foundation of our industry.

Today we welcome our sales tax guru Amy Monroe to the podcast! Amy specializes in sales tax consulting and audit defense for businesses big and small. In this episode we discuss some sales tax basics and how they relate specifically to the business of design. We also dig a little deeper and discuss strategies to keep your business organized and compliant. Amy is one of our featured speakers this Fall at DESIGN BIZ RETREAT so if this conversation fires you up and you want more - hop online and resigner today.

Today we welcome Hawlie Ohe of White Sands Design Build - a full service construction, development and design firm located in the South Bay Area of Los Angeles. In this episode we discuss the benefits of having the entire design build process under one roof, how it streamlines the creative process, and how the business approach takes service and communication to the next level. Hawlie also shares her approach to marketing and the role that messaging and targeted demographics has played in their business.

Today we welcome back Christina Fluegge of Greige Design and Textiles as part of our “catching up with” series. In this episode we dive into innovation and discovery as it relates to business and life balance. The business of design is moving faster than ever and the opportunity for growth and diversification has never been greater. Christina reveals how she curates for her e-commerce to keep it fresh and in demand and she shares her passion for textile design and the role that it’s playing in the evolution of her design business.

Today we welcome Mike Reeves of Corbin Reeves Construction. A southern California based home builder specializing in high end custom home construction. In this episode Mike shares their client approach from a builder perspective, how they establish a construction budget, and how design professionals can best contribute to the process. We also discuss how partnering with a quality home builder can lower your stress level, reduce your liability, and make time for design.

Today we welcome Brian Paquette to the Podcast. Based in Seattle, Washington - Brian’s design business model has reinvented itself over the years in response not only to business goals but also to life priorities. In this episode we discuss how scaling back his business made more room for his passion for design, a book featuring over a decade of his work, and how he made philanthropy a tenet of his business model.