Podcast Summary: Talk Shop with Ariel Okin – Episode Featuring Rhiannon & Travis Hageman

Episode Title: Rhiannon & Travis Hageman // A Couple's Journey Scaling a Design/Build Firm in Five Years
Release Date: December 4, 2024
Host: Ariel Okin

Introduction

In this compelling episode of Talk Shop with Ariel Okin, host Ariel Okin sits down with Rhiannon and Travis Hageman, the dynamic husband-and-wife duo behind Hagman Homes, a prominent residential interior design and custom home building firm based in Oakville, Ontario. Celebrating five years of remarkable growth, the Hagemans share their inspiring journey of transforming a shared passion for design and construction into a successful boutique studio renowned for its blend of traditional craftsmanship and personalized interiors.

Meet the Hagemans: From Dream to Reality

Personal Background and Partnership

Rhiannon and Travis Hageman reveal the foundational elements of their partnership, both personally and professionally. Married for ten years with two young children, they chose to work from their home to balance family life with their entrepreneurial ambitions.

• Rhiannon: Reflects on their creative synergy, stating, “We are creative, that we love entertaining and we love people in our home...very relaxed” (00:02).

• Travis: Emphasizes the importance of a welcoming home environment, saying, “It feels like a home” (00:16).

Early Beginnings

Their journey began with a mutual love for traditional architecture and craftsmanship. Initially envisioning their venture as a mid-life dream, the couple decided to launch Hagman Homes five years earlier than anticipated, driven by personal experiences and the desire to create meaningful spaces.

• Rhiannon: Shares, “This is something that we get to do every single day. It feeds my soul.” (23:04).

• Travis: Discusses his technical background, “I'm a little bit more direct with the words. It'd be traditional, historical and true” (03:07).

Design Philosophy and Approach

Rhiannon's Emotional Design

Rhiannon describes her design style as “full of emotion,” focusing on creating spaces that reflect clients' lives and stories through layered antiques, classic textiles, and personalized elements.

• Rhiannon: “My spaces feel as though they've been thoughtfully assembled over generations” (04:24).

Travis's Architectural Precision

Travis brings a methodical approach rooted in engineering and construction management, ensuring that every architectural detail aligns with the clients' vision and maintains structural integrity.

• Travis: “The most important thing in a project is timeline, quality, and budget” (10:36).

Collaborative Synergy

Together, the Hagemans blend intuition with technical expertise, creating homes that are both sophisticated and deeply personal. This collaboration allows them to execute projects with precision while honoring each client's unique story.

• Rhiannon: “Together, it's a really neat team because you need both, and both are so valuable” (10:47).

Scaling the Business: Key Milestones

First Project: A Test of Commitment

Their inaugural project involved renovating a charming single-family home in Toronto, where they undertook approximately 75% of the work themselves. This hands-on experience was pivotal in establishing their credibility and honing their skills.

• Travis: “We were like this really charming single, like this great little house...It was the first time we got to work for clients” (09:50).

Securing the Allen Project

Building on their initial success, the Hagemans acquired a pre-construction property in Oakville, allowing them to work directly with clients. This project, featured in House and Home, showcased their ability to blend heritage aesthetics with modern functionality.

• Rhiannon: “We built this house from the ground up. It was our Allen project” (17:10).

Evolution into a Design Firm

As Travis achieved licensure to design in Ontario, the firm's focus gradually shifted more towards interior design, leveraging his architectural insights to enhance their offerings.

• Rhiannon: “We started with the intention of selling it. It was a big opportunity” (17:50).

Overcoming Challenges and Embracing Growth

Learning Curves and Mistakes

Transitioning from self-taught designers to industry professionals involved numerous learning experiences. Rhiannon highlights the importance of humility and the willingness to ask questions, while Travis emphasizes problem-solving and continuous education.

• Rhiannon: “Having enough humility to ask the question has moved us forward” (15:32).

• Travis: “I love trying to solve a problem” (26:00).

Maintaining Quality and Client Trust

The Hagemans prioritize building to the highest standards, ensuring longevity and client satisfaction. They discuss how owning their projects from design to construction fosters trust and allows for seamless execution.

• Travis: “Having clients who believed in the vision that we had for the home was key” (19:35).

Personal Insights: Home as a Reflection

Designing Their Own Space

Their home serves as both sanctuary and showcase, embodying their design principles of comfort, detail, and personal touch. It stands as a living portfolio, demonstrating their ability to create spaces that feel both timeless and inviting.

• Rhiannon: “We restored the house that we're in a year ago... it says that we care about the details, but that we also are very relaxed” (33:59).

• Travis: “When you walk in here. It really is a sense of home” (34:46).

Work-Life Balance

Balancing professional projects with family life is integral to their approach. They emphasize the joy of working together and the fulfillment derived from creating meaningful spaces for their clients and themselves.

• Rhiannon: “It's such a privilege to have a career and a job that has rarely felt like work” (23:04).

Rapid Fire: Personal Favorites

In the concluding segment, Ariel Okin engages the Hagemans in a rapid-fire round, uncovering their personal preferences which also subtly reflect their design sensibilities.

• Favorite Food: Rhiannon and Ariel both love Italian cuisine, while Travis prefers a good steak.

• Favorite Drink: Rhiannon enjoys a diet Coke with lime, and Travis opts for an old fashioned.

• Favorite City: Both agree on London, influenced by Rhiannon's family roots and Travis's appreciation for history.

• Favorite Design Book: Rhiannon is inspired by Mario Buatta's works, particularly the one with the blue cover, whereas Travis recommends "Get Your House Right" and Gil Schafer’s publications.

Looking Ahead: Upcoming Projects and Aspirations

Future Endeavors

The Hagemans are excited about expanding their portfolio with new decorating projects across North America and architectural additions like covered porches on heritage homes. Travis is particularly thrilled to undertake his first architectural plan project since becoming licensed, signaling a deeper integration of design and construction.

• Travis: “It's going to be exciting to go through it from start to finish again” (47:18).

• Rhiannon: “I'm really looking forward to seeing a lot of projects come together next year” (46:28).

Continued Growth and Learning

As Hagman Homes continues to evolve, the Hagemans remain committed to maintaining a personal touch in each project while embracing the opportunities and challenges of scaling their business.

• Rhiannon: “We have really found where we want to be in terms of our own aesthetic” (47:10).

Final Thoughts and Advice

Defining Your Interior Style

Rhiannon and Travis offer invaluable advice for aspiring designers: immerse yourself in the industry, seek mentorship, explore diverse inspirations, and confidently embrace what you love. Their journey underscores the importance of passion, continuous learning, and personal authenticity in carving out a unique design identity.

• Rhiannon: “Explore...travel and open books and watch movies and really just expose yourself to as much as you possibly can” (50:02).

• Travis: “Stick with what you love. If you have an aesthetic that you love, then stick with that and really jump into it” (50:44).

Conclusion

Rhiannon and Travis Hageman's story is a testament to the power of passion, collaboration, and resilience in building a successful design/build firm. Their commitment to quality, personalized service, and continuous growth has positioned Hagman Homes as a cherished name in the interior design community. Listeners are left inspired by their journey, eager to see what the future holds for this remarkable couple.

Find Out More:

• Website: Hageman Homes and Interiors
• Instagram: @HagemanHomesInteriors

Note: The timestamps referenced correspond to segments within the provided transcript to highlight notable quotes and moments.