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 Collective
The 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 beverages
Setting design fee and purchasing minimums—and actually sticking to them
Time blocking, capacity limits, and how anxiety shows up differently for every designer
The value of retreats, masterminds, and getting outside your bubble to avoid stagnation
Why 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 diary

Mentioned:

Happy Hour Design Collective - Instagram
Etch & Ivy Design - Instagram
Anything But Vanilla Podcast - Instagram

Our links:

Subscribe and leave a review - Apple Podcasts
Like, Comment, & Follow - Hot Young Designers Club Instagram
Rebecca’s Instagram
Shaun’s Instagram
For more information - Check out the website
Become a “Loyal Hottie” - Support us on Patreon
Design Resources - Check out our shop