Podcast
Hot Young Designers Club | Interior Design Business Podcast
Hosted by Hot Young Designers Club · EN
They're not that hot, or that young - but hosts Rebecca Plumb (Studio Plumb) and Shaun Crha (Wrensted Interiors) spill the tea every week on how a new generation of interior designers run their business. Join a community exploring the emotional, practical, and humorous side of the interior design business.
19episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
177: How to Be a Successful House Witch
5d ago01:10:35Tap to summarizeShaun and Rebecca are catching up on the very real emotional, practical, and slightly chaotic sides of running an interior design business. Rebecca shares the time stress of trying to balance work, family, installs, and all the little business decisions that add up, while Shaun reflects on the power of delegating, building support, and choosing the work that actually matters.They also unpack the viral response to a clip from Caroline Turner’s episode about who gets to call themselves an interior designer, the value of design school versus lived experience, and why designers need to communicate their unique skills clearly in their marketing. From comparison traps and phone detoxing to restorative spaces, project installs, California permitting, and the dream of a future HYDC design travel experience, this episode is all about finding more intention, connection, and a little magic in your business.In this episode they discuss:Rebecca’s current season of time stress, overbooking, and learning where she needs more supportThe viral Instagram reel from Caroline Turner’s episode and the ongoing designer versus decorator debateWhy interior design education, experience, technical skill, and creative instinct all matter in different waysUsing your background, training, and point of view as a marketing strengthHow comparison on social media can affect creativity, confidence, and mental healthThe importance of real designer friendships and honest conversations behind the scenesWhy interior designers are basically “house witches” creating intentional, restorative spacesShaun and Rebecca’s early thoughts on hosting a future design-focused travel experienceOur 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
Transcribe →176: Some Clients Need a Design Dom
2w ago01:12:45Tap to summarizeIn this episode Shaun and Rebecca catch up after their latest travels and dig into what those experiences revealed about creativity, mindset, wellness, and the way interior designers structure their businesses. Rebecca shares takeaways from the Design Field Retreat in Charleston, including lessons on Enneagrams, journaling, morning routines, and learning from successful design leaders.Shaun and Rebecca also talk about the power of being opinionated in your interior design business, especially when it comes to positioning, investment guides, and helping clients trust your expertise. From “design domming” clients who want confident direction to building a business that can support travel, remote work, and a stronger team, this episode is a reflective conversation about designing a business that actually supports the life you want.In this episode they discuss:Rebecca’s experience at the Design Field Retreat in CharlestonHow Enneagram types show up in creativity, leadership, and decision-makingCreating healthier morning routines and reducing phone reactivityWhy journaling and mindset work can help interior designers reconnect with their valuesHow Shaun updated his investment guide to better reflect his brand voice and ideal clientWhy some interior design clients want stronger opinions and confident directionThe difference between local and remote design projects, and how strong processes support out-of-state workBuilding a design business with the right team, support, and creative freedomOur 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
Transcribe →175 REHEATED: Caroline Turner Confesses Why She Doesn't Like Referrals
3w ago01:23:53Tap to summarizeIn this episode, we're sitting down with Caroline Turner of Caroline Turner Interiors and Confessions of an Interior Designer to talk about running a design business, building a waitlist, handling referrals (or not), and using social media for client growth. Caroline shares her unfiltered thoughts on why she’s not a fan of referrals, how she sets project minimums, and the major shifts she’s made in her business to improve workflow. Plus, we get into her viral TikToks, the future of AI in design, and her juicy behind-the-scenes confessions from working in the industry. If you’ve ever had to tell a contractor to “suck your dick” (or wanted to), this episode is for you!In this episode, we discuss:How Caroline built her business and team structureThe benefits of creating a waitlist for projectsWhy she doesn’t love getting referrals—and how they can cause problemsSetting minimum project investment amounts and how that changed her businessLearning to fire clients (and how some refused to be fired!)The role TikTok has played in her business growthThe impact of AI on the design industry and why designers need to be cautiousHer experience taking over a project after another designer was let goThe challenges of working with contractors and standing firm on budget conversationsHow she launched Confessions of an Interior Designer and what it’s really like running a podcastSupporting ResourcesCaroline Turner Interiors https://carolineturner.co/Follow Caroline Turner Interiors on Instagram and TikTokhttps://www.instagram.com/carolineturnerinteriors/?hl=enConfessions of an Interior Designer Podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/confessions-of-an-interior-designer/id1777908471Rebecca's Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/studioplumb/?hl=enShaun's Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/wrenstedinteriors/?hl=enJoin Our Patreonhttps://www.patreon.com/hydcListen on Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hot-young-designers-club-interior-design-business-podcast/id1505427626Shop HYDChttps://shop.hotyoungdesignersclub.com/Visit Our Websitehttps://hotyoungdesignersclub.com/
Transcribe →174: My steak is too juicy, and my lobster is too buttery
4w ago01:09:47Tap to summarizeShaun Crha and Rebecca Plum are back with a classic Hot Young Designers Club catch-up episode full of interior design business advice, creative tangents, client presentation stories, and a few pop culture detours. Rebecca shares the high of a nearly fully-approved presentation for a colorful, personality-filled project, while Shaun talks about the joy of working with clients who trust you enough to take bigger creative swings.They also dig into what it feels like when your interior design work starts attracting the right kinds of clients, how creativity shows up whether you are working or trying to rest, and why client presentations are really a form of improv. Plus, Rebecca shares a new AI tool she is experimenting with for custom rugs and home products, and they wrap with a reminder about the Loyal Hotties Patreon community.In this episode they discuss:Why finding clients who trust your creative vision can completely change the energy of your interior design businessHow Shaun and Rebecca approach client presentations, from preemptive strikes to choosing the room that gets the first big “yes”The reality of last-minute tweaks, presentation prep, and the pressure designers put on themselves before big client meetingsWhy having a strong creative practice can make it hard to fully “turn off,” even on vacationHow consultations and retail design experience can sharpen your quick-thinking design skillsRebecca’s colorful formal living room project with a red fireplace, playful fabrics, and unexpected detailsUsing AI as a translation tool between a designer’s creative ideas and custom makers or manufacturersThe value of design community, mastermind-style conversations, and celebrating wins inside the Loyal Hotties PatreonOur 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
Transcribe →173: Who pooped at the dinner party & other floor plan adventures
Apr 2401:14:13Tap to summarizeShaun and Rebecca catch up on spring travel, allergic reactions, editorial photoshoots, and the realities of balancing rest with productivity as interior designers. Rebecca shares the behind-the-scenes story of her Texas project being selected for a magazine cover and what it was like working with a full editorial team on location.They also dive into the importance of showing your design work online, how editors discover interior designers, the ethics of using other designers’ photos on social media, and why clear floor plans and thoughtful presentations matter so much in an interior design business. From art lending libraries to powder rooms opening into dining rooms, this episode is full of hilarious tangents and practical lessons for designers trying to communicate their value clearly.In this episode they discuss:Rebecca’s spring break trip to Palm Springs and navigating a scary allergic reaction at NobuPlanning international travel around food allergies, family preferences, and long-haul logisticsRebecca’s Texas project being photographed for a magazine cover and full home tourWhy sharing your interior design projects online can lead to editorial opportunitiesShaun’s reflections on vacation, rest, productivity, and breaking the reward-based mindsetThe Octopus Initiative at MCA Denver and the idea of borrowing museum-quality art for your homeThe ethics of using other designers’ work in social media content and design education postsWhy floor plan reviews, construction documentation, renderings, and client presentations are so importantOur 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
Transcribe →172 REHEATED: Why Kate Lester Swears by Hourly Fees
Apr 1701:17:38Tap to summarizeHow should you respond to clients when you really don’t want to do the project? How do you set boundaries in your business and train others how to respect them? Should you stop charging a flat rate and start charging by the hour?In this episode, Rebecca and Shaun speak with Kate Lester of Kate Lester Interiors, to discuss:Why Kate quit her six figure job in corporate America to become an interior designerWorking in a home office before you start paying for an office outside the homeAll the things design school failed to teach herHow to teach people to respect your boundariesCharging an hourly rate - it is the only way to goWhy you need to run a profit and loss statement at the end of every projectHow Kate was able to buy and store vintage piecesLeaning into your style and who you areA story of how staying true to one’s process leads to better business in the long runMentioned:Kate’s websiteKate’s 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
Transcribe →171 REHEATED: Trusting your instincts during times of growth and change with Ali Faulkner of AEF Interiors
Apr 1001:12:54Tap to summarizeThis replay episode brings back a great conversation with Ali Faulkner of AEF Interiors about what it really looks like to grow an interior design business with intention. Ali shares how she built her firm by leaning into process, trusting her instincts, and making thoughtful investments in support before the results were fully visible.Rebecca and Shaun talk with Ali about balancing strategy with gut instinct, using Instagram as both a marketing and educational tool, and why community matters so much when you are scaling a design business. From hiring help for social media to building referral relationships with other designers, architects, and builders, this episode is packed with practical insight for designers navigating change and growth.In this episode they discuss:Why trusting your instincts can be just as important as relying on the numbers when making growth decisionsHow Ali positioned AEF Interiors around process instead of aesthetic aloneWhat happened when she invested in social media support and why Instagram became a major lead sourceWhy organic content can attract both ideal clients and fellow interior designersHow networking with architects, builders, realtors, and other designers can create long-term opportunitiesThe importance of hiring people who are better than you in their specific rolesWhy tracking your time is essential for pricing, hiring, and understanding what it costs to run your businessHow community and designer-to-designer relationships can support both your business growth and emotional healthMentioned:AEF Interiors websiteFollow Ali on InstagramHaven WorkshopHer workshop with TandemDiving Into the Interior Design ProcessOur 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
Transcribe →170: What got you here, won't get you there with Brooke Stoll
Apr 301:17:09Tap to summarizeIn this episode, Shaun and Rebecca are joined by Brooke Stoll, an operations and profitability strategist who helps interior designers build stronger, more profitable firms through better systems, clearer processes, and more confident leadership. What starts as a cozy robe-clad conversation quickly turns into a deep and practical discussion about the real skills designers need as their businesses grow.Brooke shares why the scrappy mindset that helps you start a design business is not always the same mindset that helps you lead a team, manage profit, or scale sustainably. Together, they unpack everything from project management tools and onboarding workflows to gross profit benchmarks, ideal clients, confidence, leadership, and building a business that actually supports your life.In this episode they discuss:Why confidence is one of the biggest differentiators between designers who stay stuck and those who growWhat Brooke means by “people, processes, and profitability” and how those three areas shape a successful design firmWhy what got you here in business may not be enough to get you to the next levelHow designers can stop running their firms on vibes and start understanding key numbers like gross profit, net profit, and operating costsThe difference between managing a business and truly leading a growing teamWhy simplifying your systems and choosing tools that actually fit your brain can make a huge differenceHow getting clearer on your ideal client makes discovery calls, proposals, and decision-making so much easierWhy community, support, and honest conversations with industry peers can help designers build confidence fasterMentioned:Brooke StollThe Design Field RetreatOur 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
Transcribe →169: Fix the Drawer, Fix the Marriage
Mar 2701:09:18Tap to summarizeShaun and Rebecca catch up on the real-life highs and lows of running an interior design business, from factory tours and studio refreshes to client communication stress and the emotional weight of construction-phase hiccups. They also get candid about creative experimentation, shifting business priorities, and the ways designers quietly improve their clients’ daily lives.This episode moves between funny, personal, and deeply relatable conversations about what it means to build a design business that actually supports your life. From limewash mishaps and freight increases to career transitions at home and the power of saying no to the wrong projects, this one is full of honest insight for interior designers navigating growth, boundaries, and ambition.In this episode they discuss:Shaun’s upcoming Norwalk Furniture factory tour in Ohio and what designers can learn from seeing large-scale upholstery production up closeRebecca’s idea to turn fabric remnants into studio-made pillows and possibly host an open house sale at her officeHow stressful client messages can feel during construction, especially when something like a specialty paint finish goes wrong onsiteThe difference between handling client feedback during the design phase versus when money has already been spent and installs are underwayA creative brainstorm around transforming a discontinued leather chair into an art piece with tattoo-inspired work from local artistsWhy global events, fuel costs, and freight increases continue to affect furniture pricing, lead times, and client expectationsRebecca’s reflections on her husband’s upcoming retirement and how that may shift the balance of home life and career prioritiesThe importance of protecting your business model, qualifying better-fit clients, and leaving room for the projects that are truly alignedMentioned:Norwalk FurnitureColor AtelierMarket and NestOur 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
Transcribe →168: Our Seniors Are the Gateway Drug to Accessibility with Maegan Blau of Blue Copper Design
Mar 2001:21:31Tap to summarizeRebecca and Shaun are joined by Maegan Blau, owner of Blue Copper Design in the Phoenix area, for a conversation about accessibility, aging in place, and why thoughtful design should support people through every stage of life. Maegan shares how her lived experience as a wheelchair user shaped her design perspective and why accessibility has become such a central part of her business.They dig into the misconceptions that keep homeowners and designers from planning ahead, from the belief that accessibility is only needed “later” to the idea that it has to look clinical or cost dramatically more. Along the way, they also talk about designing for seniors, the future of accessible interiors, social media hot takes, and a few delightfully chaotic sidebars only this club could deliver.In this episode they discuss:Why Maegan believes seniors are often the best entry point for conversations about accessibility and aging in placeCommon misconceptions around accessible design, including the idea that it is ugly, overly expensive, or only necessary after a crisisHow designers can make homes more flexible with features like curbless showers, wider doorways, blocking for future grab bars, and hybrid cabinetryThe difference between accessible design, ADA guidelines, universal design, and aging-in-place planning in residential interiorsWhy waiting until an injury, illness, or mobility change happens is usually too late for smart and seamless home updatesHow Maegan is using social media to educate both designers and homeowners about accessibility in a more practical and relatable wayThe challenge of building a design business that serves an underserved population while still sustaining a luxury service modelA mix of industry chatter on portfolios, newsletters, design process tools, celebrity house features, and the realities of sharing opinions onlineMentioned:Blue Copper DesignBlue Copper Design on FacebookBlue Copper Design on 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
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