In this episode, Shaun and Rebecca are joined by returning favorites Heather of Heather KW Styles and Lauren of Studio Laloc for an unfiltered designer roundtable. What starts as a chat about Danish hardware and custom furniture quickly spirals into tariffs, turning down nightmare projects, presentation strategies, ideal clients, and—yes—an unforgettable handyman story.

From navigating red flags on discovery calls to debating whether we’d decorate a Miami Vice mansion for the right price, this episode is equal parts business strategy and design therapy. If you’ve ever questioned a client fit, struggled with pricing under tariffs, or wondered how other designers hold their boundaries, this one’s for you.

In this episode they discuss:

Why presenting one strong design concept can lead to fewer revisions and stronger client trust
How tariffs are impacting pricing, sourcing, and designer-client conversations in real time
When it’s smart (and necessary) to turn down a high-paying project
The red flags that show up during discovery calls—and how to handle them professionally
Why ideal clients often have collections, strong opinions, and shared values
Flat fee vs. hourly structures and how that affects presentation strategy
The power of designer friendships and creative accountability groups
A truly unhinged handyman story that proves vetting referrals matters

Mentioned:

Studio Laloc (https://www.studiolaloc.com/)
Heather KW Styles (https://www.heatherkwstyles.com/)

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