Only Girl On The Jobsite

When you finish a construction project feeling like you worked for free, the instinct is to assume the number was wrong. Sometimes it is. But more often, the number was fine. What broke down was everything around it. In this episode, I'm talking about the two specific places pricing falls apart on construction projects, and neither one is your math. The first is how you present your fee. The second is how you protect it once the project starts. Both will cost you just as reliably as a loose scope of work will. They just do it more quietly. If you've ever hedged in a proposal meeting, absorbed hours you should have flagged, or finished a project and thought, that was so much more work than I accounted for, this one is for you. Mentioned in this episode: Join The Designer's Edge and my May 5th workshop here: https://www.reneedevignierdesign.com/construction-management-interior-designers Grab Your Free Script Guide here: https://www.reneedevignierdesign.com/push-back-script-handout Access the full video interview with Elana Steele of Steele Appliance here: https://www.reneedevignierdesign.com/appliance Find the full shownotes at: https://devignierdesign.com/construction-project-pricing-interior-designers

Interior design contracts are often misunderstood, not just by clients, but by attorneys who don't understand how this industry actually works. In this episode, I'm joined by Wendy Estela, Founder of Estela Law and Designed Counsel™, a contract template and subscription service created exclusively for interior designers. With 25 years of experience in business law and a background in construction, Wendy serves hundreds of designers from AD100 and Elle Decor A-List professionals to those just starting out. We talk about what designers need to know about contracts, scope of work, liability, construction dynamics, copyright, and how to protect your business before problems arise. If you've ever: Wondered whether your contract truly protects you Felt unsure about construction management language Struggled with scope creep or warranty confusion Questioned what you can legally call yourself in your state Been nervous about sharing work on Instagram This episode is for you. Wendy brings practical, business-minded advice to an industry that is often underserved legally. And this conversation may completely change how you view your contract — not as paperwork, but as protection. Find out more about Wendy and follow her here: www.designedcounsel.com www.estelalaw.com https://www.instagram.com/estelalaw/ https://www.instagram.com/designed_counsel/ Mentioned in this episode: Grab Your Free Script Guide here: https://www.reneedevignierdesign.com/push-back-script-handout Access the full video interview with Elana Steele of Steele Appliance here: https://www.reneedevignierdesign.com/appliance Find the full shownotes at: https://devignierdesign.com/interior-design-contracts

Have you ever been standing on a job site, or sitting on a call, or answering a text at 9 p.m., and realized mid-sentence that you are clearly running this project? Not consulting on it. Not advising from the edges. But running it. Coordinating it. Holding it together. And nobody ever asked you to take on that role. And you definitely didn't price your fee accordingly. If that moment sounds familiar, you are absolutely in the right place today. Because we're going to talk about the four moments that signal you've crossed from consultant to manager — without a conversation, without an agreement, and almost always without a fee that reflects it. Mentioned in this episode: Join the wait list for The Designers Edge and my May 5th workshop here: https://www.reneedevignierdesign.com/construction-management-interior-designers Grab Your Free Script Guide here: https://www.reneedevignierdesign.com/push-back-script-handout Access the full video interview with Elana Steele of Steele Appliance here: https://www.reneedevignierdesign.com/appliance Find the full shownotes at: https://devignierdesign.com/interior-designer-consultant-to-construction-manager

Today's episode feels like you're sitting in on a conversation you want to be a part of. Today, I'm joined by Rebecca Plum and Shaun Crha, the voices behind the Hot Young Designers Club, a global community of designers who are redefining what it means to show up in this industry. They're the founders of Studio Plum and Rinsted Interiors, and together, they've built a platform rooted in friendship, honesty, and the belief that being a hottie is really just a state of mind. Through their podcast, Patreon, and industry events, they're creating space for interior designers to talk about the real stuff, the emotional, the practical, and yes, the humorous side of this business. And today, we're going to go there in this conversation. Today, we talked about community and isolation. We talked about money, construction chaos, and client dynamics. We talked about scope of work clarity and the emotional weight of this business. Let's get into it. Find out more about Rebecca and Shaun Website: https://hotyoungdesignersclub.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hotyoungdesignersclub Mentioned in this episode: Grab Your Free Script Guide here: https://www.reneedevignierdesign.com/push-back-script-handout Access the full video interview with Elana Steele of Steele Appliance here: https://www.reneedevignierdesign.com/appliance Find the full shownotes at: https://devignierdesign.com/interior-design-industry-conversations

There are projects that stretch you creatively. There are projects that grow your business. And then there are projects that quietly cost you more than you realize while you're in them. This is about one of those. For nearly ten years, I worked with a client who, if I'm being honest, I knew was difficult from the very beginning. Not unreasonable in a glaring way. Not someone who screamed or threw things. She was particular. High maintenance. Intense. And in the early years, I convinced myself that I could manage it. We started with decorating. We would work intensely for months, and then I wouldn't hear from her for almost a year. Throughout that time, she would tell me they were looking for their "dream home." The one we would fully renovate together. The big project. Looking back, that may have been the carrot that kept me moving through the more frenetic moments. I believed that if I stayed steady, if I stayed patient, it would all culminate into something extraordinary. Eventually, they found the house. It was beautiful and complicated and ver y old. It needed modernization and a large addition. It was exactly the kind of project designers dream about. And I told myself what so many of us tell ourselves: I know her. I understand her quirks. I can handle this. It was not fine. So today, I want to talk about the red flags I saw — and ignored — along the way. And also the pink flags that showed up. My hope is that you'll recognize them sooner than I did and avoid this kind of client in your own business. Mentioned in this episode: Grab Your Free Script Guide here: https://www.reneedevignierdesign.com/push-back-script-handout Access the full video interview with Elana Steele of Steele Appliance here: https://www.reneedevignierdesign.com/appliance Find the full shownotes at: https://devignierdesign.com/client-red-flags-in-interior-design

Today, I am joined by my friend, John McClain. He and I met at High Point last October and immediately connected. John McClain is a multi-faceted leader in the interior design industry and proudly serves in his field as an interior designer, product designer, author, speaker, business coach, and podcast host. As the CEO and Creative Director of his internationally acclaimed award-winning interior design firm, John McClain Design, his interior design and home furnishings creations have been featured by numerous shelter publications and television networks including Elle Décor, Traditional Home, HGTV, CBS, and NBC. John is also a contributor to outlets such as Martha Stewart Living, Interior Design magazine, The Wall Street Journal, & House Beautiful. As a product designer, John has created distinctive home furnishings that have not only garnered awards but have made numerous television appearances in their own right. John's coffee table book, The Designer Within: A Professional Guide to A Well-Styled Home, features homes designed in his signature "Comfortable Chic" aesthetic alongside helpful design tips and processes. John has now taken his 15+ years of design business experience and launched an online education & business coaching program, The McClain Method where he instructs and coaches interior designers on best business practices. He continues these lessons on his popular podcast, The McClain Method. So in today's conversation, he and I dive into the real mechanics of running a design business, from the software we love and the ones we hate to the systems that actually support growth. We talk honestly about leadership, profitability, and why the right back-end structure can make or break a design studio. Today's episode is equal parts practical and refreshing, the kind of behind-the-scenes discussions that designers don't get to hear enough. Connect with John McClain: Check out John's AI Brand Voice Kickstart: https://www.mcclainmethod.com/kickstart_prompt John's Website: https://www.instagram.com/johnmcclaindesign Follow John on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themcclainmethod Mentioned in this episode: Access the full video interview with Elana Steele of Steele Appliance here: https://www.reneedevignierdesign.com/appliance Find the full shownotes at: https://devignierdesign.com/john-mcclain-design-business-systems

Today's episode isn't about what to do when a project is already spiraling. It's about what to do before it ever has the chance. Because in my 30+ years in the industry, there's one pattern I see on every stressful project: The chaos wasn't born in week 5. It snuck in quietly in week zero, when structure was loose, nobody owned the conversation, and "roles" were just… implied. So today? We're fixing that. I'm walking you through the 5 conversations you need to have before construction starts; the ones that separate calm, steady projects from chaotic, reactionary ones. And honestly? These will save your time, your energy, and your authority. Ready? Let's make your next project one that feels as smooth as it looks. Mentioned in this episode: Access the full video interview with Elana Steele of Steele Appliance here: https://www.reneedevignierdesign.com/appliance Find the full shownotes at: https://devignierdesign.com/5-construction-conversations

Today's a special treat. I'm sitting down with Jessica Nelson & Stephanie Lindsey, co-founders of AI for Interiors and principals of Etch Design Group, a nationally recognized design firm based in Austin, TX. When I first met them at a design retreat last year, I assumed we'd just be swapping project stories, not talking AI strategy. Then I realize these two are leading the conversation on how interior designers can use AI in a way that's practical, creative, and actually makes sense for real studios. Jessica and Stephanie bring more than 30 years of combined experience, both as working designers and as tech-minded educators who know the ins and outs of this business. Their company, AI for Interiors, helps designers use tech to streamline workflow and automate the messy stuff without losing creativity, connection, or design vision. Oh, and they also co-host two podcasts: AI for Interiors and 100 Lunches, where they break down design, business, and big tech changes in honest, easy-to-grasp conversations. Today, we're making AI less intimidating and more actionable. So if you've been curious (but maybe a little overwhelmed), this one's for you. Grab your coffee, open your notes app, and let's get started. Mentioned in this episode: Access the full video interview with Elana Steele of Steele Appliance here: https://www.reneedevignierdesign.com/applianceFind out more about Jessica and Stephanie here: Find out more about Jessica and Stephanie here: Website: http://www.aiforinteriors.com http://www.etchinteriordesign.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/etchdesigngroup/ https://www.instagram.com/aiforinteriors/ Find the full shownotes at: https://devignierdesign.com/ai-for-interior-designers

Today I want to talk about something that quietly shapes almost every decision we make as designers—how we price our work, how we speak up in meetings, and which projects we feel ready to take on. That something is confidence. But I'm not talking about the kind of confidence that's just a personality trait or bravado. I mean confidence as clarity. Most designers I meet don't doubt their talent; they doubt themselves the moment the room changes, especially when construction comes into play. So today, let's get real about where that lack of confidence actually comes from, why it's especially strong when designers consider adding construction management to their business, and, most importantly, how you can build true confidence before you ever feel fully ready. I promise, confidence isn't something that arrives after the fact. And if you've been quietly curious about construction management, this conversation is for you. Mentioned in this episode: Access the full video interview with Elana Steele of Steele Appliance here: https://www.reneedevignierdesign.com/appliance Join the waitlist for The Designer's Edge here: https://www.reneedevignierdesign.com/construction-management-interior-designers Find the full shownotes at: https://devignierdesign.com/interior-design-confidence-myth

Discover the subtle shifts actually shaping today's design world, beyond trends and highlight reels. Today, I share what top designers are paying attention to for 2026: why friction is data, how boundaries build trust, and the small refinements that lead to steady, profitable projects. Mentioned in this episode: Join the wait list for The Designers Edge: https://www.reneedevignierdesign.com/construction-management-interior-designers Access the full video interview with Elana Steele of Steele Appliance here: https://www.reneedevignierdesign.com/appliance Find the full shownotes at: https://devignierdesign.com/real-shifts-happening-in-design

Do you ever wonder why certain collaborations feel so much easier than others? Today, we're pulling back the curtain on jobsite dynamics and talking about something design school never prepped you for: collaboration as a leadership strategy—not just a "soft skill." Collaboration isn't a bonus. It's not something you stumble into once you feel confident enough. It's a skill. And more importantly, it's a positioning choice. So if you're tired of second-guessing your input, or feel like you're always waiting to be "let into" the real conversations, this one's for you. We're getting sharp about what real authority looks like on a site and how to earn trust by leading with clarity. Mentioned in this episode: Access the full video interview with Elana Steele of Steele Appliance here: https://www.reneedevignierdesign.com/appliance Join the waitlist for The Designers Edge here: https://www.reneedevignierdesign.com/construction-management-interior-designers Find the full shownotes at: https://devignierdesign.com/how-designers-earn-authority-jobsite

Your portfolio is gorgeous — but is your website actually bringing in clients? If you've been staring at your site thinking, "It looks good… but something's not working," this episode's for you. Today, I'm joined by Robyn White of RDW Design Studio. Robyn White brings a rare fusion of strategy and aesthetics to interior design websites. A website designer who didn't follow the traditional path, she began her career working at one of the most prestigious art galleries in the world. She learned how the affluent think, what they value, and how they choose who to work with. In 2019 she founded RDW Design Studio where she combines that luxury market expertise with digital strategy to help elevate interior designers into the high-end market via an online presence that aligns with the clients, projects and opportunities they deserve so they can step into their next level of success. Robyn has been featured by a range of design industry resources from Business of Home to High Point Market. We're digging into how to create an interior design website that's both beautiful and strategic — including the key mistakes designers are making right now (even seasoned ones), how to get found by dream clients without sacrificing style, and what Google (and ChatGPT) actually want to see in 2026. This one's for the designer who's ready to stop blending in — and start building a website that works as hard as you do. Let's get you back in the client's inbox. Get Robyn's free lead magnet here: How to Get Leads from Your Interior Design Website: https://rdwdesignstudio.com/website-leads/ Check out Robyn's Website: https://rdwdesignstudio.com/ Follow Robyn on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rdwdesignstudio/ Mentioned in this episode: Access the full video interview with Elana Steele of Steele Appliance here: https://www.reneedevignierdesign.com/appliance Find the full shownotes at: https://devignierdesign.com/interior-design-website-robyn-white

This episode is a special one for me, and frankly, one I never thought I would be recording, because this marks my fifth anniversary of this podcast, Only Girl on the Jobsite, which just is surreal, shocking, overwhelming, and humbling, all mixed in together. To mark the occasion, I invited my 3 design school besties, my design school friends, the girls, who have walked this path alongside me in different ways; they have been my support system, and my community. And that community started way back when, in 1992, when I started at the New York School of Interior Design. And I met three of the most incredible, dynamic, magical people. Whether you're just starting out or years into your design career, this candid discussion will remind you that your journey is unique, your evolution is valuable, and community makes all the difference. Tune in for real insights, shared wisdom, and a celebration of how far we've all come. Mentioned in this episode: In honor of celebrating our 5-year anniversary here on Only Girl On The Jobsite, if you rate and review this podcast on any platform you are listening to, screenshot your review and email it to me at hello@devignierdesign.com and I will send you a link to schedule a call with me. Access the full video interview with Elana Steele of Steele Appliance here: https://www.reneedevignierdesign.com/appliance Find the full shownotes at: https://devignierdesign.com/5-year-anniversary-designer-roundtable