031: Building Your First Team: Lessons Learned Growing a Design Business

032: The Builder's Perspective: What Every Designer Should Know

THE BUILDER'S PERSPECTIVE: WHAT EVERY DESIGNER SHOULD KNOW Guest: Chad Arendsen, COAT Design Remodel What happens when an interior designer and a general contractor truly work as partners? In this episode of Interior Design San Diego, Rachel sits down with Chad Arendsen, owner of COAT Design Remodel, for an honest conversation about collaboration, communication, and creating exceptional client experiences. As a fifth-generation builder, Chad shares his unconventional path into construction, from renovating a trailer in Leucadia to leading a design forward remodeling company known for its systems, craftsmanship, and collaborative approach. Together, Rachel and Chad explore why bringing the builder into the design process early leads to better outcomes, happier clients, and stronger professional relationships. Whether you're an emerging designer, an experienced professional, or simply fascinated by the process behind beautiful homes, this conversation is packed with practical wisdom and inspiring perspective. EMAIL: chad@coatdr.com IG: https://instagram.com/coatinc https://instagram.com/love.design.sd YOUTUBE CHANNEL: https://www.youtube.com/@COATDR Bio: Chad Arendsen has been in the building business most of his life. He grew up in a family business of contracting and was quick to learn the ropes. Chad and his wife Amber started a small handyman company they called Chad of All Trades 25 years ago. They did small jobs for the locals around north San Diego county. He continued to grow his business, getting an office, bringing on more subcontractors and creating a general contracting business that thrives on excellent service. COAT Design Remodel takes a "Design Forward" approach to every project it accepts. Members of the San Diego design community are included in every job. He feels so fortunate to have helped hundreds of clients accomplish their home goals and dreams. Chad is a family-focused, father of four. There’s nothing he loves and values more than his beautiful wife, and 4 amazing kids. He makes sure they all get his time and focus daily, and by never losing that, he is able to be 100% when working. Chad brings his passion for family into building strong relationships with his clients. Chad loves his local community of Solana Beach and he tries to live an active and healthy lifestyle. He enjoys surfing, climbing or boxing at the local gym. Stay Connected: * Sign Up for Our Newsletter [https://casd.asid.org/email_updates] * ASID San Diego Website [https://casd.asid.org/] * LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/asid-san-diego-03851a1ba/] * Follow us on Instagram [https://instagram.com/asid_sandiego] * Ask your question, share a topic of interest or be our guest here. [https://www.speakpipe.com/msg/s/428342/2/l0du908k4yerva0i] * Subscribe to the podcast so you don’t miss upcoming episodes * Share this podcast with a fellow designer in your community * Questions, sponsorship or feed back: sandiegoasid@gmail.com

031: Building Your First Team: Lessons Learned Growing a Design Business

Growing a design business doesn't start with hiring a full-time employee—it starts with building the right support system. In this solo episode, Rachel Larraine Crawford shares her personal journey of growing Tiger Veil from a one-person operation into a collaborative team. From hiring an accountant as her very first business investment to bringing on a full-time team member and mentoring emerging professionals, Rachel offers an honest look at the lessons, mistakes, and mindset shifts that shaped her approach to building a team. Whether you're wondering if you're ready to hire, feeling overwhelmed by wearing every hat in your business, or trying to determine what support would create the biggest impact, this episode provides practical guidance to help you move forward with confidence. IN THIS EPISODE, YOU'LL LEARN: * Why your first "hire" may not be an employee at all * How to identify which tasks only you can do as the founder of your business * The difference between creating support and simply hiring staff * Why hiring should be viewed as an investment in growth, not just an expense * A practical framework for determining your next hire * Lessons learned from a hiring decision that wasn't the right fit * The value of mentoring emerging professionals and design interns * How to build a team in stages as your business grows Get your Interior Design First Hire Readiness Checklist Here. Stay Connected: * Sign Up for Our Newsletter [https://casd.asid.org/email_updates] * ASID San Diego Website [https://casd.asid.org/] * LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/asid-san-diego-03851a1ba/] * Follow us on Instagram [https://instagram.com/asid_sandiego] * Ask your question, share a topic of interest or be our guest here. [https://www.speakpipe.com/msg/s/428342/2/l0du908k4yerva0i] * Subscribe to the podcast so you don’t miss upcoming episodes * Share this podcast with a fellow designer in your community * Questions, sponsorship or feed back: sandiegoasid@gmail.com

30: Building Relationships, Luxury, and Legacy with Russ Diamond of Snyder Diamond

BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS, LUXURY, AND LEGACY WITH RUSS DIAMOND OF SNYDER DIAMOND In this episode of Interior Design San Diego, host Rachel Crawford sits down with Russ Diamond, President and CEO of Snyder Diamond, to talk about what it really means to build a legacy brand in the design industry. From traveling through Milan and touring Bertazzoni’s factory to discussing the evolution of luxury, mentorship, and the power of relationships, Russ shares decades of insight from one of the most respected kitchen and bath companies in the country. With over 77 years in business, Snyder Diamond has helped shape the luxury kitchen and bath industry by introducing iconic European brands to the U.S. market and creating curated experiences that connect designers directly with innovation, craftsmanship, and global design culture. This conversation is packed with wisdom for designers at every stage — especially those looking to grow through relationships, travel, curiosity, and client-centered service. IN THIS EPISODE, WE DISCUSS: * How Snyder Diamond became a leader in luxury kitchen and bath * The importance of relationships in the design industry * What designers can learn from European trade shows like Salone del Mobile * Emerging design trends in wellness, longevity, and earth-tone palettes * Why communication and support systems matter for successful designers * The evolving meaning of “luxury” in today’s market * Advice for aspiring interior designers entering the industry * How travel and exposure shape stronger, more inspired creatives KEY TAKEAWAYS RELATIONSHIPS ARE EVERYTHING Russ shares how decades of trust, collaboration, and showing up for designers helped Snyder Diamond become a go-to resource for architects and interior designers across Southern California. GREAT DESIGN STARTS WITH CARING DEEPLY The best designers aren’t just creative — they genuinely care about their clients and treat every project like their own. TRAVEL EXPANDS CREATIVITY From Milan to Paris, experiencing global design firsthand helps designers bring fresh perspective and innovation back to their clients. LUXURY IS MORE THAN A LABEL True luxury comes down to quality, craftsmanship, emotional connection, and creating an experience — not just using the word in marketing. STRONG TEAMS CREATE STRONG CLIENT EXPERIENCES Designers who build support systems and communicate clearly are the ones who create smoother projects and happier clients. Stay Connected: * Sign Up for Our Newsletter [https://casd.asid.org/email_updates] * ASID San Diego Website [https://casd.asid.org/] * LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/asid-san-diego-03851a1ba/] * Follow us on Instagram [https://instagram.com/asid_sandiego] * Ask your question, share a topic of interest or be our guest here. [https://www.speakpipe.com/msg/s/428342/2/l0du908k4yerva0i] * Subscribe to the podcast so you don’t miss upcoming episodes * Share this podcast with a fellow designer in your community * Questions, sponsorship or feed back: sandiegoasid@gmail.com

029: Inside Milan Design Week: ASID San Diego Takes Italy

In this episode of the Interior Design San Diego Podcast, Rachel Crawford welcomes back Kendra Araujo of K2 Interiors to recap ASID San Diego’s unforgettable Design Gems journey through Italy during Milan Design Week and Salone del Mobile. From immersive showroom experiences and trend forecasting to Carrara marble mines and late-night dinners with fellow designers, this conversation dives into why travel remains one of the most powerful tools for creative growth. Kendra shares behind-the-scenes moments from organizing ASID San Diego’s first international design trip, what designers can learn from European culture, and how meaningful community connections became one of the most unexpected highlights of the experience. Whether you’ve dreamed of attending Salone yourself or simply want fresh inspiration for your creative practice, this episode is packed with insight, encouragement, and a reminder that design is ultimately about how we live. IN THIS EPISODE: * What Salone del Mobile and Milan Design Week are really like * Why travel expands creativity and design perspective * The biggest trends spotted in Milan this year * The rise of color, wellness rituals, and human-centered spaces * How European design culture differs from the U.S. * Behind the scenes of ASID San Diego’s Design Gems experience * Touring the Carrara marble mines in Italy * Why community and connection became the heart of the trip * Tips for designers interested in attending future international design events Stay Connected: * Sign Up for Our Newsletter [https://casd.asid.org/email_updates] * ASID San Diego Website [https://casd.asid.org/] * LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/asid-san-diego-03851a1ba/] * Follow us on Instagram [https://instagram.com/asid_sandiego] * Ask your question, share a topic of interest or be our guest here. [https://www.speakpipe.com/msg/s/428342/2/l0du908k4yerva0i] * Subscribe to the podcast so you don’t miss upcoming episodes * Share this podcast with a fellow designer in your community * Questions, sponsorship or feed back: sandiegoasid@gmail.com

028: Show Up & See What Happens: A Student’s Path into Design

In this student spotlight episode, Rachel sits down with emerging designer Sam Iacometti, a fifth-year architecture student at the NewSchool of Architecture & Design, to talk about what it really looks like to step into the design industry. From attending events solo (and why that matters) to designing an elementary school rooted in sensory experience, Sam shares a thoughtful, grounded perspective on creativity, community, and designing with intention. This conversation is a reminder that the design journey doesn’t start after graduation—it starts the moment you decide to show up. Stay Connected: 1. Sign Up for Our Newsletter [https://casd.asid.org/email_updates] 2. ASID San Diego Website [https://casd.asid.org/] 3. LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/asid-san-diego-03851a1ba/] 4. Follow us on Instagram [https://instagram.com/asid_sandiego] 5. Ask your question, share a topic of interest or be our guest here. [https://www.speakpipe.com/msg/s/428342/2/l0du908k4yerva0i] 6. Subscribe to the podcast so you don’t miss upcoming episodes 7. Share this podcast with a fellow designer in your community 8. Questions, sponsorship or feed back: sandiegoasid@gmail.com