The DesignDash Podcast
Episodes
Episode 90: Is Your New Hire the Problem — Or Is It You?
02 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
You did everything right. You hired someone. You showed them the ropes. And yet things keep going wrong. Deadlines missed. Mistakes repeated. Instruct...
Episode 89: Why Marketing Feels So Hard for Design Business Owners (And How to Fix It)
26 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Why does marketing feel so hard… even for creative people who run successful design businesses? If you’ve ever stared at Instagram wondering what ...
Episode 88: Will Hiring More Designers Actually Increase My Profit? The Truth About Growing Your Design Firm
19 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Hiring more designers should mean more profit… right? That’s what most firm owners assume. More people, more projects, more revenue. Simple math. ...
Episode 87: Are You Charging Enough for Design Time? Pricing Mistakes Designers Make
12 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Most designers don’t realize they’re undercharging… until the business starts feeling heavier than it should. In this episode, we ask a simple b...
Episode 86: Do You Want to Be Profitable… or Just Be Liked?
05 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Do you actually want to run a profitable business… or do you just want to be liked? It’s a tough question. And if you’re a creative business own...
Episode 85: Should Interior Designers Mark Up Product? The Truth About Pricing, Profit & Transparency
26 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Should you mark up product as an interior designer? If that question makes you feel even a little weird in your stomach, you’re not alone. It’s on...
Episode 84: Are You Resilient Or Just Enduring? The Decisions High-Performing Women Avoid with Lois Barth
12 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
If you’ve ever ended a day thinking, I made a hundred decisions today and I’m still not sure I made the right ones, this episode is for you. We sa...
Episode 83: What Designers Get Wrong About Trends—and How to Spec for the Long Term with Stacy Garcia
05 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Your clients are not “behind.” They are just living in a different timeline than the product world. In this episode of DesignDash, we sit down wit...
Episode 82: The Biggest Hiring Myth Holding Interior Designers Back
29 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Hiring your first team member can feel like this weird mix of excitement and panic. Like… you want help. You need help. But you’re also thinking: ...
Episode 81: Busy but Not Growing: A Real Conversation About Scaling an Interior Design Business with Alexandra Hartley
22 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
You can be “so busy”… and still not be moving forward. If that line hits a little too close to home, you are not alone. In today’s episo...
Episode 80: Hiring, Planning, and Growing Your Design Firm in 2026
15 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
We tried to start the year with a guest… and the tech gods said “absolutely not.” So instead, you get just us, and honestly? We’re coming in h...
Episode 79: What 40 Podcast Conversations Taught Us About Business, Risk & Growth
06 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Happy New Year! Yes, we know… this episode was supposed to be our final one of 2025. And yes, you are listening to it after the New Year. Consider t...
Episode 78: The One Thing Designers Get Wrong About Art—Every Single Time with Elise Miller
11 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What if everything you think you know about the art world is actually what’s keeping you out of it? This week on the Design Dash Podcast, we sit dow...
Episode 77: The 5 December Moves Every Interior Design Firm Needs for a Stronger New Year
04 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
If you’ve ever reached December and felt torn between slowing down and catching up, this episode is exactly what you need. The truth is, December qu...
Episode 76: The Truth Behind Rebranding a Design Studio with Rebekah Zaveloff
20 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Every once in a while, you sit down with someone who doesn’t just talk about design… they embody it. And in this episode, Rebekah Zaveloff proves ...
Episode 75: Inside the Business of Design: How Libby Langdon Turned Her Biggest Pivot into Her Greatest Success
06 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What happens when life completely derails, and somehow lands you right where you were meant to be? That’s exactly what today’s guest, Libby Langdo...
Episode 74: Building a Luxury Design Brand from Scratch: Lessons from Nikki Levy Interiors
23 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What happens when “exquisitely livable luxury” meets real-world grit? In this episode of Design Dash, Melissa and Laura sit down with South Africa...
Episode 73: The Truth About Starting a Design Business with Brittny Button
02 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode our guest is Brittny Button, founder of Button Atelier, an interior design studio in Los Angeles. Brittny has built a reputation for c...
Episode 72: How to Get Your Design Work Published: Insider Tips from Andrea Lillo
18 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What makes a project catch an editor’s eye? Is it the styling? The story? The angle of the photo? Or is it something much less obvious? This week on...
Episode 71: How Yates Desygn Grew One of Dallas’ Most Sought-After Design Firms with Mike and Bryan Yates
04 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we sit down with the dynamic duo Mike and Bryan Yates of Yates Desygn. If you know them, you already know you’re in for sharp wit, ...
Episode 70: How To Stand Out in a Crowded Design World with Jane Dagmi
28 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Design Dash, we sit down with the one and only Jane Dagmi—Managing Director of High Point by Design (HPxD) and former Editor-in-C...
Episode 69: Why Interior Designers Need Psychology to Succeed with Tracee Murphy
21 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, my guest is Tracee Murphy, CEO and Principal Designer of Trademark Interiors and founder of The Designer Launch. Tracee has built a m...
Episode 68: One Tool You Can Use This Week to Prevent Burnout and Build a Healthier, More Profitable Studio
14 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
I just got back from a 10-day vacation. Melissa’s about to head out on hers. And in the space between “leaving” and “coming back,” we realiz...
Episode 67: Client Red Flags That Cost You Time, Profit, and Peace
07 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Ever left a client meeting thinking, “Is it me… or are they just an ahole?”** If yes, you’re not alone—and this episode is definitely for yo...
Episode 66: The Hire That Changes Everything (And Why You're Probably Overthinking It) with Danae Branson
31 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Let’s be honest—if you’ve ever found yourself drowning in invoicing, juggling a million tabs, or spending more time sourcing tile than actually ...
Episode 65: Why Most Design Businesses Fail by Year 5 (And How to Avoid It) with LuAnn Nigara
17 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, my guest is LuAnn Nigara, host of A Well-Designed Business and a true leader in the interior design industry. If you’ve ever wonder...
Episode 64: Startup vs. Scale-Up: How to Know You’re Ready to Build a Team
10 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
You know that feeling when you’re drowning in sticky notes, juggling a million hats, and wondering if hiring help will save your sanity or sink the ...
Episode 63: How Designers Can Stop Losing Money and Build Profitable Businesses with Laurie Laizure
03 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we sit down with the incredible Laurie Laizure, founder of the Interior Design Community—a space that’s rewriting the rules for de...
Episode 62: How to Design a Life (and Business) You Actually Love with Carolyn Rodz
26 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, our guest is Carolyn Rodz from Hello Alice, a powerful platform helping over 1.5 million small business owners find the right resourc...
Episode 61: How Designers Can Turn High Point Into a Business Growth Engine with Tammy Covington
19 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Design Dash, we’re thrilled to sit down with Tammy, President & CEO of the High Point Market Authority—aka the woman behind...
Episode 60: What It Really Takes to Build a Timeless Design Brand with Jamie Young
12 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Ever wonder what it really takes to build a creative empire without losing your soul in the process? In this episode we sit down with Jamie Young—co...
Episode 59: The Designer’s Edge: Finding Inspiration in Unexpected Places with Thom Filicia
05 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, our guest is Thom Filicia, legendary designer, author, and TV personality—recorded live from High Point Market. We talk about how i...
Episode 58: When the World Shifts—What Happens to Your Brand? with Victoria Holly
30 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, our guest is Victoria Holly, founder of The Victoria Holly Interiors, an interior design firm with locations in Los Angeles, Newport...
Episode 57: What to Do with Your Marketing When Business Slows Down
22 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Let’s be real—when business feels uncertain, your first instinct might be to cut back on marketing. It feels like the safe, practical move. In t...
Episode 56: Profit First - Why You're Not Keeping More of What You Earn
15 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we're talking about something that completely changed the way we run our design business: Profit First. If you’ve ever wondered: ...
Episode 55: The Hidden Profit Potential in Time Billing for Designers
08 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
If you've ever felt like time tracking is a total buzzkill? Yeah, we get it. But what if it’s actually the secret weapon to unlocking consistent rev...
Episode 54: How to Focus When Everything Feels Important
02 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Okay... be honest. How many browser tabs do you have open right now? Now add the mental tabs—your calendar’s exploding, your inbox is laughing at ...
Episode 53: Inside the Business of Interior Design with Rainey Richardson & Casey Brand
24 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
You ever meet people and instantly think: Yep. These are my people? That’s exactly what happened when we sat down with the fabulous Rainey Richardso...
Episode 52: How Patti Carpenter Built a Meaningful Global Design Career
18 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, our guest is Patti Carpenter — principal of Carpenter + Company and Global Trend Ambassador for Maison&Objet — and honestly, ...
Episode 51: Billing Methods for Interior Designers
11 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
If you’re a designer, you’ve definitely wrestled with the whole “how the heck do I charge for this?” question. In this episode we’re opening...
Episode 50: When Fearless Design Meets Unshakeable Systems with Lori Paranjape
03 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This week, we sat down with the one and only Lori Paranjape, the powerhouse designer behind some of the most stunning, story-driven homes in the count...
Episode 49: Behind the Scenes of High-End Interior Design with Shannon Smith
14 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What happens when you take an international business background, mix in a love for design, and layer it with over a decade of experience in luxury int...
Episode 48: How to Prepare for High Point Market: Pro Tips to Maximize Your Trip
06 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Alright, let’s be real—High Point Market is A LOT. It’s exciting, it’s overwhelming, and if you’re not careful, it will chew you up and spit...
Episode 47: Navigating High-End Home Projects: Expert Advice from Erin Stetzer
27 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, our guest is Erin Stetzer—an absolute force in high-end homebuilding. As the founder of Stetzer Builders, Erin has built a rock-s...
Episode 46: The Power of Intentional Branding with Kali Edwards
20 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Hey Design Dashers in this episode we are sitting down with Kali Edwards—branding genius, website magician, and the creative mind behind June Mango ...
Episode 45: Client Freakouts, Budget Fatigue & The Designer’s Role in Keeping It Together w/ Megan Strasburg
13 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Designers, you know the drill. A new client walks in, excited but totally lost—Who do I hire first? Builder? Architect? Designer? All of the above? ...
Episode 44: How a Solid Design Agreement Can Make or Break Your Business
06 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Hey Design Dashers! It’s just US today and we're getting real about one of the most debated topics in the design world: design agreements. Look, we ...
Episode 43: Building a Business & Brand – Secrets to Scaling a Design Firm with Kate O’Hara
31 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Alright, friends, this episode is a must-listen! Today, we are sitting down with the brilliant Kate O’Hara—CEO & Creative Director of O’Hara...
Episode 42: Mastering Smartphone Photography for Interior Designers with Linda Holt
24 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
If you’ve ever thought, “Can my smartphone really take professional-level photos of my interiors?”—the answer is YES, and today’s episode is...
Episode 41: Our 2025 Game Plan - Dump It or Do It Better
16 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome back, Design Dashers to our first episode of 2025! It’s just us today—catching up, and having a real chat about the year ahead and how we’...
Episode 40: Building an Unforgettable Brand with Ericka Saurit
26 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Alright, design dashers, this episode is one you do not want to miss. We’re closing out the year and our 40th episode (can you believe it?!) with th...
Episode 39: 2024 Wrap-Up - What We Learned This Year
18 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Hey Design Dashers! It’s us—just us—for the final one-on-one episode of 2024. Can you believe it? A full year of podcasting, 40 episodes in, and...
Episode 38: How to Build a Personal Brand That Feels Authentic w/ Kathleen Shannon
13 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
What’s the deal with personal branding? Is it all just a capitalist trap, or can it actually empower you to live and work authentically? This week, ...
Episode 37: Secrets to Building Your Dream Business with Kara Duffy
05 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Hey, Design Dashers! Today’s episode is a special one because we’re diving deep with the powerhouse that is Kara Duffy—a business strategist who...
Episode 36: How to Align Your Money Mindset with Your Business Goals
28 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Hey, Dashers! Buckle up for an empowering and game-changing conversation that will have you rethinking your relationship with money, mindset, and your...
Episode 35: Individual Contributors vs. Leaders
21 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
What does it truly mean to transition from “me” to “we” in the design world? Can leadership be as fulfilling as hands-on creativity? Or is the...
Episode 34: Jillian O'Neill
14 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
What would it take to pivot from a math teacher to a sought-after designer? How do you balance a creative calling with the demands of entrepreneurship...
Episode 33: Tina Ramchandani
08 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Ever wondered what it really takes to run a successful design firm? Join us as we sit down with the brilliant Tina Ramchandani, a force to be reckoned...
Episode 32: Tools to Align Your Life
24 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
You ever have those days (or weeks) where nothing feels quite right? You’re putting in the work, but something’s still...off? Yeah, we’ve all be...
Episode 31: Defining Success on Your Own Terms
11 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Hey design dashers, today it's just the two of us having a real talk about success, leadership, and navigating boundaries in the creative world. If yo...
Episode 30: Candid Conversations
02 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Hey design dashers, today, we're diving deep into something that most of us avoid—candid conversations. Let’s be real, how many times have you sug...
Episode 29: Kerstin Kirchsteiger
27 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Hey design dashers, today, we're diving deep into a conversation that every ambitious woman needs to hear. We had the incredible pleasure of chatting ...
Episode 28: What Happens When You Feel Like Your Purpose Is Gone?
18 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Hey design dashers, it’s Laura and Melissa here, back with a conversation that hits home for so many of us. You ever have those days where the work ...
Episode 27: Lauren Payne
11 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Design Dash, we’re talking with Lauren Payne, a board-certified family nurse practitioner and founder of Clinic Concierge. What s...
Episode 26: Katie Decker-Erickson
05 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
How do you find balance between creative passion and business success? Can your intuition guide you to make the right decisions, even when faced with ...
Episode 25: Parenting Through the Toughest Years
29 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Today’s episode is a little different—an honest chat about something we’re both knee-deep in right now: parenting teen girls. We’re not here t...
Episode 24: Nicole Malachowski
22 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Nicole Malachowski is no ordinary guest; she is a retired U.S. Air Force Colonel and the first woman to fly with the elite Air Demonstration Squadron,...
Episode 23: Erika De Pellegrin
15 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we’re diving deep into a conversation that hits home for so many of us—finding balance in the beautiful chaos of life. You know ho...
Episode 22: Diana Indries
01 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Ever wondered if a game could save your relationship? Join us on this episode of the Design Dash Podcast as we explore the art of meaningful conversat...
Episode 21: The DesignDash Mastermind
18 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we’re going to be talking about the power and magic of networking and community – but not just the typical networking meetings th...
Episode 20: Erin Cummings
11 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this week’s episode, we’re sitting down with the incredible Erin Cummings, an inspiring entrepreneur and and the visionary behind Yes Yoga, a t...
EP 19: Let’s do a Mid-Year Check-In
04 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Can you believe we’re already halfway through 2024?! I want you to check in with yourself real quick. Remember those big goals you set for yourself...
EP 18: Feeling Burnt Out? How to Recognize and Recover with Avery Thatcher
27 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This week, Melissa and I had an eye-opening conversation with Avery Thatcher, a burnout recovery and prevention strategist who has transformed her own...
EP 17: How to Build a Thriving Side Hustle While Keeping Your Day Job With Jen White
20 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Jen White is a content creator known for her engaging and viral posts on Instagram and TikTok. In this episode, Jen brings a unique perspective to the...
Ep 16: How To Set Better Boundaries At Work
13 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Ever wondered how the pandemic reshaped the traditional office environment? How do you maintain creativity and productivity when your team is scattere...
Ep 15: Redefining Success in the Modern Workplace
06 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Are generational differences a barrier or a bridge in today’s workplace? Can a text message be as effective as a phone call? How do we set boundarie...
Episode 14 - Lauren Levicki Courville
30 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Join us for this week’s episode as we sit down with the incredible Lauren Levicki Courville, President of Dress for Success Houston. Lauren's journe...
Episode 13 - Carrie Colbert
23 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to another episode of our podcast! Today, we are thrilled to have Carrie Colbert join us. After working for nearly two decades in the energy i...
Episode 12 - Jennifer Phillips
16 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this week’s episode, we’re sitting down with the incredible Jennifer Phillips, a seasoned coach and organizational consultant with over 15 year...
Episode 11 - Business Trips
09 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Join us for a journey into the world of business travel! In this episode, we're looking back to our exhilarating trip to Paris for the 2024 Maison et ...
Episode 10 - Gin Braverman
02 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this week's episode, we delve deep into the captivating world of design with none other than Gin Braverman, the founder and creative director of Gi...
Episode 9 - Quarterly Wrap-Up
25 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this week’s episode, we sit down for a special quarterly wrap-up episode. Join us for a reflective journey through the insightful conversations a...
Episode 8 - Women's Health
18 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, it’s just us again, and we’re delving into the crucial yet often overlooked topic of women’s health issues. We’re shining a l...
Episode 7 - Allie Danziger
11 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Meet Allie Danziger, a dynamic force with a passion for empowering newcomers to the workforce. With over 15 years of experience in leadership and ment...
Episode 6 - Jacky Fischer
04 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Jacky Fischer is our guest this week. A former art school student, Jacky bought her parent's moving business, and quickly grew it from a $3 million c...
Episode 5 - Authenticity in the Workplace
28 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, it's just us and we're discussing what it means to be authentic in the workplace. Genuine leadership has been talked about for years...
Episode 4 - Anna Van Delden
21 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this podcast, we interview Anna Van Delden, fitness professional and founder of LHTX, a "powerformer" Pilates studio based in Houston, TX. Anna's ...
Episode 3 - Elaine Turner
14 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Elaine Turner, a multifaceted fashion designer, life coach, and entrepreneur from Houston, Texas, has made significant strides in the fashion industry...
Episode 2 - Malene Barnett
14 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this podcast, we interview the ever-inspiring, Malene Barnett. Malene is a multidisciplinary artist and textile designer and a visionary community...
Episode 1 - Our Wish for 2024
14 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
When we started DesignDash, we thought our goal was to help other creative entrepreneurs find professional fulfillment. We quickly realized that the R...
Introducing the DesignDash Podcast
26 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to the DesignDash podcast, your guide to designing a life you love. Join us, Laura Umansky and Melissa Grove, as we try to understand how wome...