Design Curious | Interior Design Career and Business Podcast

200 | 4 Secrets to Creating a Strong Employer–Employee Relationship in Interior Design Firms With Lillian Janik

What is it really like to work for an interior designer? And just as importantly, what does it take to build a healthy, balanced employee-employer relationship that lasts? As I celebrate 200 episodes of Design Curious, I wanted to pull back the curtain and share a candid conversation with someone who knows my business better than almost anyone—my employee, Lillian Janik. Lilly has worked alongside me for eight years, and together we've navigated everything from residential interior design projects and company growth to mentorship programs, commercial work, and the everyday realities of running a creative business. If you're an aspiring interior designer wondering whether you should work for a design firm or start your own business, this episode offers valuable insight into the employee-employer relationship. We talk about communication, company culture, leadership, career growth, and the mindset shifts that come with being part of a design team. We also have some fun along the way. Lily turns the tables and interviews me, asking questions about work-life balance, design trends, my personal style journey, and how I manage everything from mentoring designers to running the Sacramento Design Business Community. You'll even get a peek at my love of Art Deco architecture, my obsession with historical plaques, our mission to identify the names of Sacramento alleyways, and how a simple wardrobe redesign became its own creative project. Whether you're building a creative career, growing a design business, or simply curious about the behind-the-scenes realities of working in interior design, this conversation is full of practical wisdom and honest reflections. Featured Guest Lillian "Lilly" Janik brings a thoughtful eye, calm presence, and strong design sensibility to the Rebecca Ward Design team. She is a graduate of CSU Sacramento with a Bachelor of Arts in Interior Design. Lillian first joined the studio as an intern during her final semester and quickly became an essential part of the team. Today, as an Associate Designer, she supports projects through design development, sourcing, documentation, and the many details that help each home feel cohesive and complete. What You’ll Learn in This Episode ✳️ Employee versus entrepreneur mindset differences ✳️ Building strong workplace communication and trust ✳️ Creating a positive company culture in design firms ✳️ Work-life balance strategies for busy creatives ✳️ Finding community through mentorship and networking Read the Blog >>> Secrets to Creating a Strong Employer–Employee Relationship in Interior Design Firms [https://rwarddesign.com/episodes/4-secrets-employer-employee-relationship-interior-design/] NEXT STEPS: 🎯 Join My Design Mentor [https://my-design-mentor.mn.co/] and start creating a design career you truly love. 👉https://my-design-mentor.mn.co [https://my-design-mentor.mn.co/] ⁠ [https://rwarddesign.myflodesk.com/launch-your-business-bootcamp] Check out our Designer's Playlist! *️ Start Your Interior Design Journey [https://open.spotify.com/playlist/47je439lIzMSWXwmKUSacm?si=8a755677153b4c4d] *️ From Newbie to Confident Designer [https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7JsBmrh9lYN9wMXIiRLSjw?si=4IFDtkIkRZqgk6tIpcLQzA] *️ Switching Gears to Interior Design [https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0GVerNj9q5KQNTPeqeQ336?si=dLRlc8b0QRCiJlZKhq6mdQ] Grab your freebies: 📺 Watch this free webinar, "From Passion to Profit," [https://rwarddesign.myflodesk.com/5moneymoves] and learn the 5 Money Moves to start your interior design business right 📌 Your Roadmap to a Career in Interior Design [https://view.flodesk.com/pages/63d183d4b4f015f30446db98] 🎨 3 Things I Wish I had known when I Started my Career [https://view.flodesk.com/pages/62ca13a9d53d17693563a9b5] Connect With Me: 📧 Email: podcast@rwarddesign.com [podcast@rwarddesign.com] 🔆 Instagram: @rwarddesign [https://www.instagram.com/rwarddesign/] 🌎 Website at https://rwarddesign.com/rwarddesign.com [https://rwarddesign.com/] Thanks for listening! I hope this helps you discover if interior design is the career for you. See you next week... Timestamps 0:00 Introduction and Celebrating 200 Podcast Episodes 3:15 Updates After 100 episodes 7:14 Lilly’s Expectations as a New Employee 11:10 Employee vs Entrepreneur Mindset Differences 16:20 Communication and Company Culture Lessons 19:49 Understanding Your Role Within a Design Firm 23:29 Q&A: The Rewards and Challenges of Being A Boss 26:25 Q&A: Art Deco and Emerging Interior Design Trends 29:22 Q&A: Design Leaders Collective and SDBC 34:37 Work-Life Balance Strategies 40:28 Rebecca’s Personal Style Transformation

199 | How to Curate Meaningful Artwork for Your Interior Design Projects With Sarah Hurt of Seattle Art Source

Have you ever completed a beautiful interior design project, only to reach the final stage and realize the walls still feel unfinished because the art hasn’t been selected yet? Many designers focus heavily on furniture, finishes, textiles, and architectural details, but art often becomes something clients think about at the very end. In this episode, I’m joined by Sarah Hurt, founder of Seattle Art Source, to talk about how interior designers can confidently integrate art into their projects, collaborate with local artists, and create more meaningful spaces for their clients. Sarah shares practical advice on art curation, working with an art advisor, selecting pieces that complement a design vision, and helping clients discover artwork they truly connect with. Whether you are a new designer building your creative career or an experienced designer looking to elevate your client experience, this conversation will help you rethink the role art plays in creating complete, intentional interiors. Featured Guest Sarah Hurt [https://www.instagram.com/seattleartsource/] is the founder of Seattle Art Source [https://seattleartsource.com/], a company dedicated to connecting interior designers, clients, and local artists through meaningful art experiences. After starting Seattle Art Source as a second career, Sarah built a bridge between artists and buyers by helping designers curate artwork that enhances everyday life. She works with designers on residential and commercial projects, offering art sourcing, commissions, installations, and advisory support. What You’ll Learn in This Episode ✳️ Why art belongs in the initial design package ✳️ How to confidently curate art selections ✳️ Ways to collaborate with local artists ✳️ How to manage client art preferences ✳️ Building stronger design relationships through art Read the Blog >>> How to Integrate Art Into the Interior Design Process [https://rwarddesign.com/episodes/curating-meaningful-artwork-interior-design-projects/] NEXT STEPS: 🎯 Join My Design Mentor [https://my-design-mentor.mn.co/] and start creating a design career you truly love. 👉https://my-design-mentor.mn.co [https://my-design-mentor.mn.co/] Check out our Designer's Playlist! *️ Start Your Interior Design Journey [https://open.spotify.com/playlist/47je439lIzMSWXwmKUSacm?si=8a755677153b4c4d] *️ From Newbie to Confident Designer [https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7JsBmrh9lYN9wMXIiRLSjw?si=4IFDtkIkRZqgk6tIpcLQzA] *️ Switching Gears to Interior Design [https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0GVerNj9q5KQNTPeqeQ336?si=dLRlc8b0QRCiJlZKhq6mdQ] Grab your freebies: 📺 Watch this free webinar, "From Passion to Profit," [https://rwarddesign.myflodesk.com/5moneymoves] and learn the 5 Money Moves to start your interior design business right 📌 Your Roadmap to a Career in Interior Design [https://view.flodesk.com/pages/63d183d4b4f015f30446db98] 🎨 3 Things I Wish I had known when I Started my Career [https://view.flodesk.com/pages/62ca13a9d53d17693563a9b5] Connect With Me: 📧 Email: podcast@rwarddesign.com [podcast@rwarddesign.com] 🔆 Instagram: @rwarddesign [https://www.instagram.com/rwarddesign/] 🌎 Website at https://rwarddesign.com/rwarddesign.com [https://rwarddesign.com/] Thanks for listening! I hope this helps you discover if interior design is the career for you. See you next week... Timestamps 0:00 Introduction and Guest Bio 2:49 Sarah Hurt's Journey into the Art Industry 6:34 How Seattle Art Source Works 8:59 Integrating Art into the Design Process 10:31 Making Art Approachable for Clients 14:23 Handling Client Art Preferences 19:10 Renting Art for Photography 21:21 Building Confidence in Art Selection

198 | 4 Ways Interior Designers Can Build a Simpler, Scalable Business With Sallie Ogden

Are you working harder, taking on more projects, and increasing your revenue—but still wondering where the profit is going? Many creative entrepreneurs start their interior design business because they love the work, but over time, they find themselves overwhelmed by the administrative side, unpredictable income, and the pressure to constantly create more. In this episode, I’m joined by business strategist Sallie Ogden, founder of Brimm and creator of Brimm Capital, to talk about why more revenue does not always equal more freedom. Sallie shares how shifting your focus from chasing revenue growth to building predictable profit can completely transform the way you run your business. If you want to simplify your interior design business, create stronger business systems, improve operational efficiency, and build a clear plan for long-term profitability, this conversation will help you rethink how you approach scaling. Sallie breaks down why intentional planning, smart automation, AI tools, and niching down can help you grow a sustainable creative career without burning yourself out. Featured Guest Sallie Ogden [https://www.instagram.com/the_brimm] is a business strategist, founder of Brimm [https://growwiththebrimm.com/], and creator of Brimm Capital, a framework designed to help female entrepreneurs build real profit—not just revenue. After scaling her own company to multiple seven figures and experiencing the challenges of unsustainable growth, Sallie became focused on helping business owners create smarter systems, predictable profit, and sustainable growth. Through consulting and coaching, she helps entrepreneurs simplify sales, improve operations, leverage AI tools, and build businesses that protect their time while creating wealth. What You’ll Learn in This Episode ✳️ Why profit matters more than revenue growth ✳️ How to build scalable business systems ✳️ Ways AI tools simplify daily operations ✳️ Why niching down creates business growth ✳️ How to create predictable profit plans Read the Blog >>> 4 Ways to Simplify Your Interior Design Business and Create More Profit [https://rwarddesign.com/episodes/4-ways-interior-designers-build-simpler-scalable-business/] NEXT STEPS: 🎯 Join My Design Mentor [https://my-design-mentor.mn.co/] and start creating a design career you truly love. 👉https://my-design-mentor.mn.co [https://my-design-mentor.mn.co/] Check out our Designer's Playlist! *️ Start Your Interior Design Journey [https://open.spotify.com/playlist/47je439lIzMSWXwmKUSacm?si=8a755677153b4c4d] *️ From Newbie to Confident Designer [https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7JsBmrh9lYN9wMXIiRLSjw?si=4IFDtkIkRZqgk6tIpcLQzA] *️ Switching Gears to Interior Design [https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0GVerNj9q5KQNTPeqeQ336?si=dLRlc8b0QRCiJlZKhq6mdQ] Grab your freebies: 📺 Watch this free webinar, "From Passion to Profit," [https://rwarddesign.myflodesk.com/5moneymoves] and learn the 5 Money Moves to start your interior design business right 📌 Your Roadmap to a Career in Interior Design [https://view.flodesk.com/pages/63d183d4b4f015f30446db98] 🎨 3 Things I Wish I had known when I Started my Career [https://view.flodesk.com/pages/62ca13a9d53d17693563a9b5] Connect With Me: 📧 Email: podcast@rwarddesign.com [podcast@rwarddesign.com] 🔆 Instagram: @rwarddesign [https://www.instagram.com/rwarddesign/] 🌎 Website at https://rwarddesign.com/rwarddesign.com [https://rwarddesign.com/] Thanks for listening! I hope this helps you discover if interior design is the career for you. See you next week... Timestamps 0:00 Introduction and Guest Bio 3:09 From Corporate Law to Founding Her Own Business 5:58 Shift from Chasing Revenue to Protecting Profit 8:02 Brimm Capital’s Profitability Framework 10:04 The Five Pillars of Business Systems 11:19 How Interior Designers Can Use AI 17:34 AI Tool Recommendation for Interior Designers 22:34 Mistakes to Avoid When Scaling a Business 26:48 The Power of Niching Down

197 | How to Build a Strong Interior Design Business Foundation from Day One

Are you struggling to decide where to spend your time, energy, and money as you build your interior design business? I got you! One of the biggest challenges I see aspiring and emerging designers face is knowing when—and how—to invest in themselves and their business. Many creatives hesitate to spend money on education, systems, coaching, legal support, or professional expertise because it feels risky. But what if not investing is actually costing you more? As interior designers, we regularly ask clients to trust our expertise. We encourage them to invest in professional guidance because we know it saves them time, prevents costly mistakes, and helps them achieve a better outcome. The same principle applies to building a successful design business. If you want clients to value your expertise, you must learn to value expertise yourself. In this episode, I explore the investment mindset that separates hobbyists from serious professionals. I share why adopting a CEO mindset, making intentional investments, and planning for business growth can help you avoid burnout, build client trust, create stronger business systems, and ultimately develop the career and business you've always wanted. What You’ll Learn in This Episode ✔️ Why an investment mindset fuels long-term business growth ✔️ How time investment builds your business foundation early ✔️ Questions to ask before every strategic business investment ✔️ Why NOT investing often costs more long-term ✔️ How professional expertise scales as your business grows Read the Blog >>> Building a Strong Interior Design Business Foundation Through Intentional Investment [https://rwarddesign.com/episodes/how-to-build-a-strong-interior-design-business-foundation/] NEXT STEPS: 🎯 Join the Summer '26 Launch Your Business Bootcamp [https://my-design-mentor.mn.co/plans/1970343?bundle_token=fee51b0c6fd2325ac9157ac423a9579c&utm_source=manual] 🎯 Join My Design Mentor [https://rwarddesign.com/my-design-mentor/] and lock in the lower rate Check out our Designer's Playlist! *️ Start Your Interior Design Journey [https://open.spotify.com/playlist/47je439lIzMSWXwmKUSacm?si=8a755677153b4c4d] *️ From Newbie to Confident Designer [https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7JsBmrh9lYN9wMXIiRLSjw?si=4IFDtkIkRZqgk6tIpcLQzA] *️ Switching Gears to Interior Design [https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0GVerNj9q5KQNTPeqeQ336?si=dLRlc8b0QRCiJlZKhq6mdQ] Grab your freebies: 📺 Watch this FREE webinar, "From Passion to Profit," [https://rwarddesign.myflodesk.com/5moneymoves] and learn the 5 Money Moves to start your interior design business right 📌 Your Roadmap to a Career in Interior Design [https://view.flodesk.com/pages/63d183d4b4f015f30446db98] 🎨 3 Things I Wish I had known when I Started my Career [https://view.flodesk.com/pages/62ca13a9d53d17693563a9b5] Connect With Me: 📧 Email: podcast@rwarddesign.com [podcast@rwarddesign.com] 🔆 Instagram: @rwarddesign [https://www.instagram.com/rwarddesign/] 🌎 Website at https://rwarddesign.com/rwarddesign.com [https://rwarddesign.com/] Thanks for listening! I hope this helps you discover if interior design is the career for you. See you next week... Timestamps 0:00 Introduction to Investment Mindset 4:18 Investing Throughout Every Career Stage 8:55 Investing Time Before Investing Money 10:40 Questions to Evaluate Business Investments 12:53 Making Decisions Using Data, Not Emotions 14:05 Why Hiring Experts Accelerates Growth 17:19 The Hidden Costs of Underinvesting 19:30 Developing the CEO Mindset for Success 21:31 Final Call for Summer Boot Camp and Pricing Reminder

196 | Cash Flow Management for Interior Designers With Finance Expert Carla Titus

If you've ever found yourself staring at your bank account hoping the number magically went up overnight, or waiting until December to figure out what — if anything — you get to pay yourself this year, this episode is going to feel like a direct message just for you. So many of the designers I work with are talented, passionate, and completely in the dark about the financial side of their business. And here's the thing: that's not a character flaw. It's an education gap. But it is your responsibility to close it — and that's exactly what today's conversation is all about. In this episode, I sit down with Carla Titus, a fractional CFO and financial consultant with over 17 years of experience in corporate financial planning and business strategy. Carla breaks down the practical financial planning strategies every interior designer needs, from simple two-week cash flow forecasting to building financial reserves, paying yourself consistently, and knowing exactly when it's time to bring in a fractional CFO. Whether you're just starting or ready to scale, this conversation will shift the way you think about money in your business — and give you real tools to move forward with confidence and financial stability. Featured Guest Carla Titus [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ceo-financial-clarity-corner-podcast-money-strategy/id1818238749] is a finance expert with more than 17 years of experience in corporate financial planning, analysis, strategy, and online business operations. As the founder of Wealth & Worth Within [https://www.wealthworthwithin.com/], she provides Fractional CFO services, financial consulting, bookkeeping support, and strategic financial planning for entrepreneurs who want to grow their businesses profitably. Carla's mission is to help business owners achieve financial clarity, improve cash flow, and make confident decisions that support sustainable growth and long-term success. What You’ll Learn in This Episode ✳️ Why cash flow is your business's oxygen ✳️ Simple two-week cash flow planning strategies ✳️ How to build financial reserves without overwhelm ✳️ When to hire a fractional CFO ✳️ How to pay yourself consistently and intentionally Read the Blog >>> Cash Flow Management for Interior Designers [https://rwarddesign.com/episodes/cash-flow-management-for-interior-designers-carla-titus/] NEXT STEPS: 🔸 Save your seat! June 24 FREE Webinar: Are You Ready to Start Your Interior Design Business? How to Know for Sure (and What It Really Costs to Launch) [https://rwarddesign.myflodesk.com/areyouready] 🎯 Join the Summer '26 Launch Your Business Bootcamp [https://my-design-mentor.mn.co/plans/1970343?bundle_token=fee51b0c6fd2325ac9157ac423a9579c&utm_source=manual] 🎯 Join My Design Mentor [https://rwarddesign.com/my-design-mentor/] and lock in the lower rate Check out our Designer's Playlist! *️ Start Your Interior Design Journey [https://open.spotify.com/playlist/47je439lIzMSWXwmKUSacm?si=8a755677153b4c4d] *️ From Newbie to Confident Designer [https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7JsBmrh9lYN9wMXIiRLSjw?si=4IFDtkIkRZqgk6tIpcLQzA] *️ Switching Gears to Interior Design [https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0GVerNj9q5KQNTPeqeQ336?si=dLRlc8b0QRCiJlZKhq6mdQ] Grab your freebies: 📺 Watch this free webinar, "From Passion to Profit," [https://rwarddesign.myflodesk.com/5moneymoves] and learn the 5 Money Moves to start your interior design business right 📌 Your Roadmap to a Career in Interior Design [https://view.flodesk.com/pages/63d183d4b4f015f30446db98] 🎨 3 Things I Wish I had known when I Started my Career [https://view.flodesk.com/pages/62ca13a9d53d17693563a9b5] Connect With Me: 📧 Email: podcast@rwarddesign.com [podcast@rwarddesign.com] 🔆 Instagram: @rwarddesign [https://www.instagram.com/rwarddesign/] 🌎 Website at https://rwarddesign.com/rwarddesign.com [https://rwarddesign.com/] Thanks for listening! I hope this helps you discover if interior design is the career for you. See you next week... Timestamps 0:00 Introduction and Guest Bio 5:43 Cash Flow Explained 7:19 Practical Processes for Maintaining Healthy Cash Flow 10:18 Building Cash Reserves and the “Buckets” System 11:23 When to Consider Hiring a Fractional CFO 13:37 Strategy-First, Numbers-Second Approach to Business Growth 15:14 Common Money Mindset Challenges Business Owners Face 17:38 The “Hoarder” vs. “Spender” Business Owner Spectrum 19:34 How to Create a Habit of Paying Yourself 21:45 About Wealth and Worth Within: The Story and Services 24:01 The Best Time to Seek Fractional CFO Services