Episodes

Artificial intelligence (AI) is still in its infancy. But already its impact is being seen in how people work, create content, search for information, and interact online. Only a fraction of the interior design industry is currently using AI on a regular basis. In the not-too-distant future, however, AI will be integrated into almost everything designers and their clients do. In this episode, Gail talks with Douglas Robb, creator of Interior DesignHer and founder and editor of Interior Design T...

What are you struggling with at the moment? A business issue? A design issue? A personal issue? Whatever the matter, rather than struggle alone, seek out advice from someone who can help you resolve it. You will learn something new, gain a new perspective, and be able to return to a more balanced, productive state of mind. In this episode, Gail talks with Mike Agugliaro, founder of FuDog Group, an online firm focused on accelerating personal growth and mind growth. After starting, growing and s...

When builders and interior designers work together, magic happens. A well-built and well-designed home is a win-win for the builder and the homeowner. If you’ve never worked on a new construction project, you may be wondering how to tap into the high-end luxury home market. Start by educating yourself about what a builder needs and the value you bring as a designer. In this episode, Gail talks with Brad Leavitt, president of AFT Construction in Scottsdale, Arizona. Founded in 2013, AFT Construc...

You don’t last 20-plus years in the interior design industry without learning a few valuable lessons along the way. While every interior design firm is unique, the principles of sound business management and marketing still apply. You can learn them the hard way, or you can learn them from others who’ve learned the hard way. The latter path is less of a steep and bumpy road to long-term growth and success. In this episode, Gail talks with Katie Decker-Erickson, principal with Color Works Design...

Interior design is demanding work, involving thousands of detailed decisions, project challenges and competing personalities. That can give rise to a lot of friction and stress. While you can’t eliminate every stressor, you can minimize them by establishing good project management practices and cultivating mental fitness. In this episode, Gail talks with mental fitness coach Janine Aurichio. A self-titled “Joy Master,” Janine offers an approach she calls Life Styling that trains interior design...

It seems like everyone nowadays has a podcast. So why not you? Although one might argue that there are far too many podcasts, they are extremely popular ways of consuming information. Like blogs and videos, different podcasts attract different audiences, offering something for everyone. That makes them a great medium for marketing and building brand awareness if you tap into the right niche. In this episode, Gail talks with Nicole Lashae Ben, CEO and founder of Thrive in Design, a web-based fir...

All designers aim to create environments for their clients that will improve their lives and support their health and wellness. In the execution of those designs, that often focus on functionality and aesthetics, other areas of wellbeing may get overlooked. Taking a broader, more holistic approach to client needs and the connection of the space to the natural environment can produce additional benefits. In this episode, Gail welcomes back to the podcast Matthew Tenzin, principal designer with J...

Many interior designers are uncomfortable with the idea of selling their services to a client. For them, the word “selling” carries a connotation of persuading someone to buy something that maybe they don’t want or can’t afford. There are other ways to approach a sale, however. Keep in mind that prospective clients are looking for help from you, the expert. Explain to them what you have to offer and explore whether you are a good fit for each other. In this episode, Gail talks with Shannyn Lee,...

Sometimes a designer latches onto a particular period or style and builds their career around it. It may appeal to their sense of aesthetics or taste. Or it may speak them in more profound ways. They look for clients who also respond to that style and adapt when possible to meet that client’s needs. In this episode, Gail talks with Christopher Kennedy, principal, Christopher Kennedy in Palm Springs, California. Christopher has a B.A. in architecture and an MBA in finance. He has been labeled an...

Interior designers deal with hundreds, if not thousands, of details every day. It only takes one slip-up to jeopardize a project and potentially lose a client. Being well organized can help prevent mistakes from happening or deadlines falling through the cracks. You need someone on your team with top-notch project management skills. In this episode, Gail talks with Kathleen DiPaolo, founder and CEO of Kathleen DiPaolo Designs, based in Newport Beach, California. Kathleen also operates a website...

In his 2020 account of his 15 years as CEO of the Disney empire, The Ride of a Lifetime, Roger Iger proclaimed the maxim, “Innovate or Die”. It quickly became a mantra for business executives and would-be executives hoping to emulate Disney’s phenomenal success. Whether or not you share the same sense of passion and urgency for innovation as Iger does, the fact is that some degree of innovation is needed for any business to maintain competitiveness and move forward. Knowing how to apply innovati...

Using social media to market products and services is not a new practice. But in recent years it has increased exponentially with the massive popularity of channels like TikTok and Instagram. That proliferation presents new opportunities for interior designers, but it also presents some challenges. With so much competition for consumers’ attention, you need a consistent, coherent strategy if you want to reap the benefits. In this episode, Gail talks with Darla Powell, director and self-proclaim...

Along with marketing, public relations can be an effective means of expanding into new markets and attracting more of your ideal clients. Also like marketing, to produce the desired results, you need to devote a certain amount of time each week to PR and consistently implement your plan week in and week out. It may take some time, but persistence will pay off in the long run. In this episode, Gail talks with Amy Flurry, a nationally recognized speaker on do-it-yourself public relations. She has...

You have many reasons to be proud of your business. But as we all know from having sold homes or cars, it’s not what we value that matters, it’s what the buyer values. If you plan to sell your business, either in the near or distant future, you need to start now to ensure that it has a high value for those who might be interested in buying it. That can vary from buyer to buyer. In this episode, Gail welcomes back to the podcast financial consultant Manny Clark. Manny has many years of experienc...

Practicing interior design is highly demanding. So is running a small business. Combine them and you have a perfect storm for generating stress and burnout. You can ease some of that pressure by getting help. Whether you’re a sole practitioner and like it that way or a firm with a small team, you don’t have to do everything yourself. You may not want or are not able to hire an employee or two, but you can get assistance by outsourcing to others who have expertise in areas you don’t have or don’t...

People have many reasons for why they do the jobs that they do. Certainly, some may have more options than others. Yet, time and again studies, personal accounts and memoirs attest to the fact that people who devote themselves to doing what they love—even when it involves great sacrifice—experience the greatest satisfaction from what they do and while they are doing it. And often, they eventually achieve high levels of success. In this episode, Gail talks with multi-media artist Dawn Sweitzer, ...

Procurement is one of the most essential activities of any interior design business. But it is time-consuming and fraught with frustrations and headaches. Up to now, designers have not had many options if they wanted to delegate procurement to someone else. Thanks to a new service created by interior designers for interior designers, that is now easier than ever. In this episode, Gail welcomes back to the podcast interior designer Christi Barbour, founder and partner, Barbour Spangle, in High P...

Alas, there is no magic formula or time-tested blueprint for running a successful interior design business. One reason is that, despite a number of similarities, each interior design business is unique. Yet, struggling business owners often look to their competition to try to figure out what they should be doing. Instead, they should be asking themselves what will make their particular business profitable. In this episode, Gail talks with Ali Faulkner, principal designer, AEF Interiors in Orang...

Perhaps at one time or another you’ve considered using a recruiter to help you with a difficult or timely hire. Perhaps, too, after reviewing their fees you decided to conduct the search on your own. Understandable — but did you factor in all the elements involved? A recruiter can do a lot more than helping you find possible candidates. They can make the difference between making a satisfactory hire and making a great one. In this episode, Gail welcomes back to the podcast Ken Roberts, principa...

Fear can be a positive emotion, protecting us from danger. Fear can also be a hindrance, holding us back from achieving our best, true selves. Deep-seated fears and traumas from the earliest years of our lives may influence our choices and relationships without us even being aware they are doing so. In the name of keeping us safe, they create barriers to growth. Recognizing and getting free of these fears can allow us to live more positive, productive and satisfying lives. In this episode, Gail...

In many parts of the world, life expectancy is increasing. Many adults in the U.S. today can anticipate living into their 80s and possibly beyond. Maintaining a high quality of life in one’s later years requires taking steps now to ensure your future physical, mental and financial well-being. With a sound foundation, the second half of life can be just as fulfilling and rewarding as the first. In this episode, Gail talks with Michael Clinton, author of ROAR: Into the Second Half of Your Life (B...

Many interior designers today maintain one or more social media accounts as a means of promoting themselves and their firms. Many also say they don’t get much new business from their social media efforts. In part that may be because they’re not really familiar with the best ways to leverage their social media presence. In this episode, Gail talks with Laurie Laizure, founder of the Interior Design Community (IDC). As the name implies, the Interior Design Community was established to be an onlin...

As with any major transaction, many things can go wrong when selling a business. You need to be well-informed and diligent from the very beginning. Some mistakes or oversights could end up reducing the value of your firm or saddling you with a high tax liability. Working with qualified professionals from the start can help ensure you get the most value and other conditions you want from your sale. In this episode, Gail invites attorney Manny Clark to the podcast to discuss what factors owners n...

You’ve invested a lot personally and professionally in growing and sustaining your firm over the years to make it the thriving business it is today. When it comes to selling your business, however, the value for prospective buyers is not how the firm has performed in the past but what prospects it has for the future. To get the most value for your business when you’re ready to sell, make sure it’s in tip-top condition to set up the buyer for success. In this episode, Gail talks with Kirsten Kap...