40. Portfolio Strategy, Pricing, and Profit with Erin Hackett

40. Portfolio Strategy, Pricing, and Profit with Erin Hackett

In this episode of Founders and Friends, Ronniesha Rivera sits down with Erin Hackett, founder of Hackett House Studio, for an honest conversation about pricing, profitability, and scaling a luxury interior design business. Erin shares her unconventional journey from financial advisor to interior designer and how her background in finance shaped the way she approaches business strategy, pricing models, and long-term growth. Together, they unpack the realities of running a full-service design studio, including the challenges of hiring, managing large-scale projects, and building a team through a flexible network of independent contractors. The conversation dives deep into one of the most requested topics in the design industry: pricing. Erin explains why her studio operates on an hourly billing model with flat-fee style deposits, how transparent communication builds client trust, and why many designers are still undercharging for their expertise. She also shares how setting project minimums, curating portfolio work intentionally, and prioritizing high-quality furnishings have helped Hackett House Studio attract aligned, high-end clients. Ronniesha and Erin also discuss the emotional side of entrepreneurship, the importance of vetted contractors, the cyclical nature of revenue growth, and the value of creating a business model that supports both creativity and sustainability. This episode is packed with practical insights for designers looking to refine their pricing, scale strategically, and build a more profitable studio. You can find Erin at: https://www.hacketthousestudio.com/ This Episode was brought to you by Vetted by Design If you are looking to outsource anything in your design business check out Vetted by Design to find some amazing highly vetted pros you can trust to help you grow your business. www.vetted-bydesign.com https://www.instagram.com/vettedbydesign/ Connect with all things Founders & Friends on our Facebook Group & Instagram *Only for interior designers & pro's who serve the industry

39. How Starting a Coffee Table Book Became So Much More with Candice Brooke

In this episode of Founders and Friends, Ronniesha Rivera sits down with returning guest Candace of Mark Brook Photography to discuss the unexpected journey behind The Design Ledger — a curated coffee table book celebrating Charleston’s best interiors. What began as a creative marketing idea quickly evolved into an accidental business, opening up conversations about publishing, collaboration, entrepreneurship, and the realities of scaling a creative product. Candace shares how her background in wedding photography and luxury albums inspired the concept for The Design Ledger, originally envisioned as a relationship-building tool and “love letter” to Charleston’s design community. Instead of traditional advertising, the book became a unique way to connect designers, showcase timeless interiors, and create something tangible in an increasingly digital industry. The conversation dives into the intense behind-the-scenes process of self-publishing Volume One — from photographing projects and designing layouts to navigating legal contracts and surviving a major printing disaster just weeks before launch. Despite the setbacks, the book gained immediate traction, with local stores and designers eager to carry it, turning what was meant to be a gifted marketing piece into a retail product and growing brand. Candace also opens up about the financial realities of producing high-quality coffee table books, including losing money on wholesale sales due to high production costs, and her search for large-scale printing solutions that can support future growth. Looking ahead, she shares her ambitious five-year vision to expand The Design Ledger into cities across the United States through a franchise-style model while preserving its identity as a curated art piece rather than an advertising publication. Throughout the episode, both Candace and Ronniesha reflect on entrepreneurship, creative risk-taking, and the power of building meaningful relationships through intentional projects. Candace closes with advice for aspiring creators: if you feel called to make something beautiful, start now — but give yourself the time and patience to do it well. You can find Candice at: https://www.markbrooke.com/ https://www.readthedesignledger.com/ This Episode was brought to you by Vetted by Design If you are looking to outsource anything in your design business check out Vetted by Design to find some amazing highly vetted pros you can trust to help you grow your business. www.vetted-bydesign.com https://www.instagram.com/vettedbydesign/ Connect with all things Founders & Friends on our Facebook Group & Instagram *Only for interior designers & pro's who serve the industry

38. I Am Hiring And I Am Scared Sh*tless

Heyyyyyy a solo episode by yours truly! All about how I am hiring and how I am scared and how I calm myself down :)  You can find me at: https://www.instagram.com/vettedbydesign/ https://www.instagram.com/alderandstone_/ https://www.instagram.com/foundersandfriendspod/ This Episode was brought to you by Vetted by Design If you are looking to outsource anything in your design business check out Vetted by Design to find some amazing highly vetted pros you can trust to help you grow your business. www.vetted-bydesign.com https://www.instagram.com/vettedbydesign/ Connect with all things Founders & Friends https://www.instagram.com/foundersandfriendspod/

37. The Biggest Mistakes Interior Designers Make in Business

In this episode of Founders and Friends, Ronniesha Rivera is joined by Erin Hildmann and Keri Hinterreiter, co-founders of The Collective for Designers, to unpack the real, often unspoken side of building a design business.  Drawing from their backgrounds in event management, client communications, and telecom consulting, Erin and Keri share how they transitioned into the design industry and ultimately built a business dedicated to helping designers succeed beyond creativity—on the operational and strategic side.  The conversation dives deep into entrepreneurship’s realities, from the constant mental load of ownership to the importance of structuring a strong co-founder partnership. They emphasize why a formal operating agreement, aligned vision, and clearly defined roles are critical to avoiding conflict and building a sustainable business.  Ronniesha, Erin, and Keri also break down the most common mistakes designers make—like skipping contracts, failing to map the client experience, relying on gut over data, and falling into people-pleasing habits. A major theme throughout the episode is the importance of systems and data-driven decision-making, especially when it comes to pricing, profitability, and scaling.  Whether you're just starting out or looking to grow, this episode is a candid look at what it really takes to build a profitable, aligned, and resilient design business.  You can find Erin & Keri at: https://www.thecollectivefordesigners.com/ https://www.instagram.com/thecollectivefordesigners/   This Episode was brought to you by Vetted by Design If you are looking to outsource anything in your design business check out Vetted by Design to find some amazing highly vetted pros you can trust to help you grow your business. www.vetted-bydesign.com https://www.instagram.com/vettedbydesign/

36. Behind the Drawings: The Missing Piece in Interior Design with Jessica Marchant

In this episode we chat with Jessica Marchant, founder of Blue Sky Creative, joins Ronniesha Rivera to share how she built a thriving B2B technical design business from the ground up—starting in the uncertainty of COVID-19. With a background in corporate technical design, Jessica leaned into her strengths in AutoCAD and 3D rendering to create a “back-of-house” partner for interior designers. She opens up about her experience with burnout in corporate life, and how entrepreneurship has given her the flexibility and control to build a more sustainable career. The conversation dives into the often-overlooked power of technical documentation, why clear drawings can make or break a project, and how designers can effectively outsource without losing creative control. Jessica also breaks down her business model—from hourly design drawings to flat-fee construction documents—and why transparency in pricing has been a game changer. They also explore the importance of collaboration between designers and architects, and Jessica shares candid advice for aspiring entrepreneurs: before starting your own business, spend time working for someone else to truly learn the industry. You can find Jessica at: https://blue-skycreative.com/ https://www.instagram.com/blue_skycreative/ This Episode was brought to you by Vetted by Design If you are looking to outsource anything in your design business check out Vetted by Design to find some amazing highly vetted pros you can trust to help you grow your business. www.vetted-bydesign.com https://www.instagram.com/vettedbydesign/