Designing Homes That Actually Fit People (Not Just Portfolios) with Cole Hamilton

What Builders Actually Look for in Quality Floor Plans With Meghan Billings

In this episode of Not A ‘Licensed’ Architect, Stefani Thatcher sits down with Meg Billings, owner of Meg & Co. Designer Homes, who went from building her own home out of necessity to becoming a certified master builder. Meg shares how stepping into construction without a roadmap shaped the way she runs her business today—from building strong trade relationships to creating systems that improve communication with clients. Her experience highlights what really makes a project successful beyond just good design. They also dive into one of the biggest gaps in the industry: what builders actually need from floor plans. If you’re a residential designer, this conversation will shift how you think about documentation, collaboration, and delivering plans that truly work in the field. What You’ll Learn ✅ Why strong trade relationships are critical to project success ✅ How communication systems reduce mistakes and client stress ✅ What builders actually need (and don’t need) in floor plans ✅ Why documentation matters: “If it’s not on paper, it’s not happening” ✅ How weekly client meetings improve clarity and trust ✅ The role of feedback in refining your design process ✅ Why simplifying language helps clients feel more confident Chapters 00:00 – Meg’s Path from First Build to Business Owner 06:12 – The Power of Trade Relationships 11:17 – Why Building Isn’t a Commodity 18:19 – Learning Through Her First Projects 24:01 – Handling Feedback & Improving Processes 28:02 – Client Communication & Weekly Meetings 33:05 – What Builders Need from Floor Plans Want to Be a Guest? Do you want to be a guest on Not A ‘Licensed’ Architect or nominate someone? 👉 https://www.dostudios.co/contact

Failing Forward: The Long Road to Becoming an Architect with Don Titus

In this episode of Not A ‘Licensed’ Architect, Stefani Thatcher sits down with Don Titus, founder of Haven Architecture Studio. With over 25 years in the field and nearly two decades running his own business, Don shares a unique perspective shaped by both unlicensed and licensed experience. They dive into the realities of the licensure journey—what it actually takes, where people get stuck, and why persistence matters more than perfection. Don opens up about failing multiple exams, stepping away for years, and eventually finding the support and strategy he needed to follow through. They also explore the value of community, the importance of aligning budget with expectations, and what it looks like to design homes that truly serve the people living in them. If you’ve ever questioned your path—or your pace—this episode will give you clarity and encouragement to keep going. What You’ll Learn * Why the path to becoming an architect isn’t always linear * How to stay motivated after repeated setbacks or failures * The role of community and accountability in achieving big goals * What licensure actually changes (and what it doesn’t) in your career * How to qualify clients and align budget with expectations * Key challenges in remodel and addition projects * Why honesty and guidance are essential in client relationships Chapters 00:00 – From Childhood Inspiration to Architecture 04:25 – Understanding the Licensure Process 10:01 – Starting a Business During the Recession 17:30 – Failing the ARE and Losing Momentum 20:46 – Licensed vs. Unlicensed: Pros and Cons 25:58 – Specializing in Remodels and Additions 36:55 – Final Advice: Persistence and Finding Support Want to Be a Guest? Do you want to be a guest on Not A ‘Licensed’ Architect or nominate someone? 👉 https://www.dostudios.co/contact

Designing Homes That Actually Fit People (Not Just Portfolios) with Cole Hamilton

In this episode of Not A ‘Licensed’ Architect, Stefani Thatcher sits down with Cole Hamilton, licensed architect and founder of Hamilton Home Design. With a non-linear path into architecture, Cole shares how he built a business focused on designing homes that truly reflect the people who live in them. They unpack the realities of the residential design industry—from confusion around titles to gaps in quality and service—and why clear communication and strong processes matter more than trying to impress with “perfect” design. If you’re an aspiring residential designer or working in the custom home industry, this episode will help you design with more clarity, confidence, and a stronger client-first approach. What You’ll Learn * Why designing for real people matters more than impressing with a portfolio * How to help clients find the right designer (and be the right fit) * The importance of asking better questions before starting a design * How to balance guiding clients without overpowering their vision * Why clear processes improve both design outcomes and client experience * How ongoing learning and code knowledge can set you apart * The role of honesty and communication in building trust with clients Chapters 00:00 – From Accidental Architect to Residential Design 02:31 – Cole’s Path to Licensure 09:55 – Starting a Business Through Opportunity 13:14 – The Gap in Residential Design Services 16:50 – How Clients Can Choose the Right Designer 24:56 – Communication, Revisions, and Client Expectations 40:49 – Systems, Process, and Final Advice Want to Be a Guest? Do you want to be a guest on Not A ‘Licensed’ Architect or nominate someone? 👉 https://www.dostudios.co/contact [https://www.dostudios.co/contact]

How Great Designers Deliver Better Results (Faster) with Brian Friehe

In this episode of Not A ‘Licensed’ Architect, Stefani Thatcher sits down with Brian Free, co-founder of VirtuActive, a residential design firm that has grown from a small side operation into a nationwide business serving builders and homeowners. With a background in construction and drafting, Brian brings a practical, process-driven perspective to residential design. Together, they explore what it really takes to scale a design business, from building a team and training designers to creating efficient systems that improve both workflow and client experience. Brian shares how speed, iteration, and early feedback can lead to better outcomes than trying to perfect a design upfront. They also dive into the importance of communication and collaboration—especially with builders—and how tools like 3D visualization help clients better understand their homes. If you’re an aspiring residential designer or working in the custom home industry, this episode will help you deliver stronger designs with more confidence and efficiency. What You’ll Learn * * Why speed and iteration matter more than trying to create the “perfect” first draft * * How strong processes improve both efficiency and the client experience * * Why collaboration with builders leads to better design outcomes * * The role of 3D visualization in helping clients understand their homes * * How to train and scale a design team effectively * Why tracking performance improves productivity and accountability * The importance of clear communication and setting expectations with clients Chapters00:00 – Introduction & Brian’s Background02:36 – From Side Work to Scaling a Design Business08:36 – Working with Builders vs. Homeowners14:02 – Building and Training a Design Team19:16 – Speed, Process, and Client Experience25:07 – Using 3D to Improve Communication32:25 – Final Lessons: Feedback, Efficiency, and Delivery Connect with Brian & VirtuActive Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VirtuActive/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/virtuactiveomaha Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/virtuactive/ Want to Be a Guest? Do you want to be a guest on Not A ‘Licensed’ Architect or nominate someone? 👉 https://www.dostudios.co/contact [https://www.dostudios.co/contact]

Designing What Clients Actually Mean (Not Just What They Say) with Jennie Leigh Jones

In this episode of Not A ‘Licensed’ Architect, Stefani Thatcher sits down with Jennie Leigh Jones, a residential designer with over 30 years of experience and a deeply rooted background in the design/build world. From sketching floor plans as a child to working at Southern Living Magazine and eventually building her own design studio, Jennie brings a practical, client-first perspective shaped by decades of real-world experience. Together, they dive into what truly sets great designers apart—going beyond drawings to interpret what clients actually mean, not just what they say. They unpack the role of communication, how to prevent costly mistakes before construction begins, and why guiding clients (instead of just following directions) leads to better outcomes. If you’re an aspiring residential designer or working in the custom home industry, this episode will sharpen how you think, communicate, and design. What You’ll Learn * Why great design starts with understanding how clients live, not just what they say they want * The power of clear communication—and how to avoid costly misunderstandings * Why asking deeper follow-up questions can completely change a design outcome * How to create flexible, long-term “master plans” that evolve with clients’ lives * The importance of guiding clients without overpowering their vision * How to handle difficult conversations while maintaining a great client experience * Why overdelivering matters in an industry with little repeat business * Real-life lessons from design mistakes—and how to prevent them Chapters 00:00 – Translating What Clients Actually Mean 01:33 – Podcast Intro & Who This Is For 04:39 – Jennie’s Background in Design/Build 08:22 – Learning from Real Plans at Southern Living 13:36 – The Real Role of a Residential Designer 24:39 – Communication Mistakes & Client Clarity 35:47 – Designing for the Future (Master Planning) Want to Be a Guest? Do you want to be a guest on Not A ‘Licensed’ Architect or nominate someone? 👉 https://www.dostudios.co/contact [https://www.dostudios.co/contact]