Hot Young Designers Club | Interior Design Business Podcast

In this episode, Shaun and Rebecca catch up on summer schedules, parenting, old photos, and the strange feeling of realizing how much of our lives has been documented somewhere. That leads them into a bigger conversation about memory, storytelling, and how interior designers can capture the deeper meaning behind the homes they create.They also dig into industry changes, including Pooky Lighting being acquired by Visual Comfort, the challenges of buying from vendors as interior designers, and why designers need to keep educating clients on craft, quality, and the human story behind furnishings. Then, in true Hot Young Designers Club fashion, they build an entire new client experience idea in real time: a project “yearbook” or home storybook that documents the process, the people, the sourcing stories, the funny renovation moments, and the emotional history of a finished project.In this episode they discuss:How summer schedules, parenting seasons, and changing family dynamics affect work and daily lifeWhy documenting homes, childhood rooms, and personal spaces can become meaningful laterThe weird nostalgia of old party photos, VHS tapes, club photographers, and early internet documentationPooky Lighting’s acquisition by Visual Comfort and what corporate ownership can mean for beloved design brandsWhy interior designers need vendors, trade programs, and manufacturers that actually support the design industryHow storytelling helps clients understand the value of custom furniture, vintage pieces, traditional upholstery, and artisan-made goodsThe idea of creating a project yearbook, home storybook, or client keepsake after a design project wrapsWhy local design communities, regional magazines, and city planning should pay more attention to residential interiors and creative industriesOur links:Subscribe and leave a review - Apple PodcastsLike, Comment, & Follow - Hot Young Designers Club InstagramRebecca’s InstagramShaun’s InstagramFor more information - Check out the website

In this episode, Rebecca and Shaun welcome back their friend Claire Jones, founder of Etch & Ivy Design in Sacramento. From quarter-life crisis to full-time interior designer, Claire shares how community, boundaries, and a recent business retreat reshaped the way she approaches her design firm.The trio dives deep into mastermind dynamics, defining your ideal client (hint: it’s not based on Diet Coke preferences), setting minimums, managing anxiety in your workflow, and the power of surrounding yourself with designers who challenge and inspire you. It’s honest, hilarious, and full of real talk about leveling up without losing yourself.In this episode they discuss:How one brave lunch invitation led to a thriving design community and the creation of Happy Hour Design CollectiveThe evolution of Etch & Ivy Design and what it looks like to grow a business around your life (not the other way around)Why defining your ideal client is about boundaries, not beveragesSetting design fee and purchasing minimums—and actually sticking to themTime blocking, capacity limits, and how anxiety shows up differently for every designerThe value of retreats, masterminds, and getting outside your bubble to avoid stagnationWhy you don’t have to do business like everyone else (goodbye, unnecessary automations)A spicy Facebook rant about $100K kitchens—and why some thoughts belong in your diaryMentioned:Happy Hour Design Collective - InstagramEtch & Ivy Design - InstagramAnything But Vanilla Podcast - InstagramOur links:Subscribe and leave a review - Apple PodcastsLike, Comment, & Follow - Hot Young Designers Club InstagramRebecca’s InstagramShaun’s InstagramFor more information - Check out the websiteBecome a “Loyal Hottie” - Support us on PatreonDesign Resources - Check out our shop

Shaun and Rebecca are back to wrap up 2025 with their annual year-in-review tradition—and it turns out, it wasn’t all bad! In this episode, they share a candid look at the highs, lows, and the messy middle of running their interior design businesses this year. From surviving slowdowns and personal challenges to celebrating wins like tightened brand messaging and more aligned client projects, they prove that progress isn’t always loud, flashy, or Instagram-worthy.They revisit the goals they set at the beginning of the year (in Episode 138) and dig into what worked, what didn’t, and why sometimes just holding steady is a success worth celebrating. Whether you’re a seasoned designer or new to the business, this episode offers inspiration and validation that your growth is happening—even if it’s slower than you expected.In this episode they discuss:Why looking back—even when you don’t feel like it—is essential to growthHow Shaun’s business remained resilient during a personally challenging yearRebecca’s experience finally finding the right bookkeeper and getting her finances dialedTheir evolving relationships with designer on-call services and how to better qualify leadsWhy having fresh portfolio photography changed Rebecca’s marketing gameHow Shaun refined his brand voice and simplified his services for more aligned clientsThe value of investing in professional development through retreats and workshopsThe systems and automations they put in place to support bigger goals in 2026Mentioned:Episode 138: What's out for 2025 - 6 goals for our businessesOur links:Subscribe and leave a review - Apple PodcastsLike, Comment, & Follow - Hot Young Designers Club InstagramRebecca’s InstagramShaun’s InstagramFor more information - Check out the websiteBecome a “Loyal Hottie” - Support us on PatreonDesign Resources - Check out our shop

Shaun and Rebecca explore how interior designers can borrow luxury‑hospitality practices (think boutique hotels, high‑end resorts) and apply them to their own design businesses. They dig into the idea that service isn’t just about furniture or finishes–it’s about how you make your clients feel, and how you structure your process, your purchasing, your hiring, and your client‑experience to reflect that elevated standard. Along the way they share candid business talk about shifting models, hiring help, market tiers, and positioning.In this conversation they discuss:The recent Facebook designer‑group debate about trade discounts vs deep pricing and what that means for profitability.How going up‑market and leveraging stocking dealer accounts can open room for margin (and why that old‑school model still has relevance).The concept of hospitality—drawn from the book Unreasonable Hospitality: The Remarkable Power of Giving People More Than They Expect by Will Guidara—and how it applies to interior‑design business beyond restaurants. (Unreasonable Hospitality)Practical low‑starts for elevating client experience (handwritten notes, snack trays at presentations, anticipating needs) and the hard part: sustaining it over a full project.Shaun’s and Rebecca’s personal experiences: one signing a new project at a ‘lowest point,’ website copy finally working for leads, and the bravery of hiring operations/ procurement help.The shift from being “just a furniture order‑taker” to being a concierge, experience architect, and partner—and how that reframes your value proposition.The emotional and operational reality of hiring: knowing when you’re doing too much, needing to delegate, whether you’re ready to manage people (or handlers), and the fear of burning out or falling behind.Mentioned:Design Biz Survival Guide RetreatHouse of Savoy Instagram post exampleUnreasonable Hospitality: The Remarkable Power of Giving People More Than They Expect by Will GuidaraOur links:Subscribe and leave a review - Apple PodcastsLike, Comment, & Follow - Hot Young Designers Club InstagramRebecca’s InstagramShaun’s InstagramFor more information - Check out the websiteBecome a “Loyal Hottie” - Support us on PatreonDesign Resources - Check out our shop

In this episode, Rebecca and Shaun dive into everything designers need to know about attending Las Vegas Market — from travel logistics to strategy, networking, sourcing and setting up your post‑market follow‑up. Whether you're a veteran or preparing for your first market, they share hands‑on tips on planning, navigating the show, maximizing your time, and turning the experience into content and business wins.In the discussion they cover how to approach the show grounds, how to be intentional rather than overwhelmed, how to balance work + enjoyment on the trip, and how to make sure your investment (time, money, travel) pays off once you’re back at your studio.In this episode they discuss:How Rebecca and Shaun view Las Vegas Market as a “work trip that doesn’t feel messy” — accessible, fun, efficient.Pre‑registration, badge scanning, hotel & shuttle logistics so you’re not wasting time checking in.Apparel, shoes, bags, and what to bring (or leave behind) so you’re functional while sourcing.Planning your showroom visits: when to make appointments (and when not to), how to use the show app and preview guide.How to use the show as both business sourcing and content creation (photos, videos, trend‑spotting).Tips for managing time, energy, and collaboration if you bring a team or assistant.Post‑market hustle: organizing your photos/videos, documenting expenses, leveraging new vendor contacts, and keeping the momentum alive.Networking and social aspects: dinner reservations, meeting designer friends, and making the most of the “fun” side of market.Trend‑watching tactics: walking the floors with a mindset, capturing patterns, using the market as a source of inspiration for both client work and social content.Mentioned:Las Vegas Market official siteOur links:Subscribe and leave a review - Apple PodcastsLike, Comment, & Follow - Hot Young Designers Club InstagramRebecca’s InstagramShaun’s InstagramFor more information - Check out the websiteBecome a “Loyal Hottie” - Support us on PatreonDesign Resources - Check out our shop