Trade Tales: How Studio DB Took Their Firm Out of Its Startup Phase

Released on May 7, 2025 | Hosted by Kaitlin Petersen

In this engaging episode of Trade Tales, Kaitlin Petersen delves deep into the journey of Studio DB, an architecture and interior design firm helmed by husband and wife duo, Damian and Britt Zanino. Over the course of 18 years, Studio DB has evolved from a nascent startup to a well-established firm, navigating the challenges of growth, team-building, and maintaining creative integrity. This detailed summary captures the essence of their conversation, highlighting key discussions, insights, and pivotal moments that defined their path to success.

Foundations of Creativity and Collaboration

Backgrounds and Early Inspirations

Damian and Britt come from creative backgrounds that naturally converged to form Studio DB. Damian, influenced by his architect father and a fashion designer mother, initially pursued mathematics before discovering his passion for art history and architecture.

Damian Zanino [02:41]: "I grew up in a creative family... I found that love was more for architectural."

Britt's journey was equally diverse. Growing up in northern Michigan, her exposure to her fashion-forward aunt sparked her interest in design. Despite initially pursuing competitive snowboarding and a career in fashion in New York, Britt's passion for interior design led her to formal education and eventually, a pivotal collaboration with Damian.

Britt Zanino [04:04]: "I grew up in northern Michigan... always redecorating the house that I lived with..."

The Birth of Studio DB

The partnership between Damian and Britt officially materialized in 2007 with the launch of Studio DB. Their complementary skills in architecture and design allowed them to offer a cohesive and integrated approach to their projects.

Britt Zanino [05:51]: "We officially launched the architecture and interior design firm Studio DB, and we would go on to get married two years later."

Recognizing the Need to Grow

As Studio DB began to take on more projects, Damian and Britt realized that their workload was exceeding what they could manage alone. This recognition was crucial in transitioning from a small team to a more structured firm.

Early Team Expansion

The first significant step came when they hired their first employees, Kate and Sunny, to handle drafting and intern tasks. This move was prompted by practical challenges, such as managing workspaces more effectively.

Britt Zanino [07:21]: "We made the decision we had a few freelancers... and we needed to move out of the house and we needed a real office and we needed real help."

Evolving Leadership and Systems

Understanding their limitations, Damian and Britt sought the expertise of business consultants to refine their firm's structure and systems. This strategic move helped them manage a growing team and streamline operations.

Damian Zanino [17:55]: "Working with a consultant was sort of just creating, documenting all of our systems, being really clear about what our goals were and what our structure was."

Navigating Growth During the Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic posed unprecedented challenges, forcing Studio DB to adapt rapidly to remote work while maintaining project continuity.

Adapting to Remote Operations

Britt credits their prior preparations, such as remote desktop setups and sample distributions, for their ability to transition smoothly.

Britt Zanino [12:58]: "We put all these systems in place in the weeks leading up to when everything shut down. And that set us up for success."

Expanding Project Horizons

The necessity to work remotely broadened their project scope beyond New York City, allowing them to undertake international projects and diversify their portfolio.

Damian Zanino [14:30]: "We really figured out, we put in systems and we learned how to do a lot of that remotely. And it really opened up the ability to do projects all over first the country and then a couple international projects as well."

Building a Robust Team Structure

With growth came the need for a more defined team structure. Studio DB expanded to nearly 20 team members, each with specialized roles to ensure efficiency and creativity.

Role Definition and Team Dynamics

Damian and Britt emphasized the importance of clear role delineation while fostering a collaborative environment. They highlighted the evolution from a reactive startup mindset to a more strategic, forward-thinking management approach.

Damian Zanino [24:10]: "We have people that are architects but study interior design or vice versa. And they collaborate on pretty much all of our projects."

Hiring for Growth

The firm strategically hired business directors with diverse backgrounds to manage operations, enabling Damian and Britt to focus more on design and client relationships.

Damian Zanino [22:59]: "The first one was very much during the pandemic... The person we currently have had worked at Christie's and Sotheby's..."

Balancing Creative Control and Delegation

One of the critical challenges faced by Damian was relinquishing control over back-office tasks. Hiring operations personnel allowed him to maintain creative focus while ensuring administrative tasks were efficiently handled.

Damian Zanino [21:32]: "I had a really hard time with the idea of letting other people in on that... It's really nice to not be the one responsible for it all."

Defining Success and Future Aspirations

For Damian and Britt, success is measured by the quality of their work, client satisfaction, and team fulfillment. They strive to maintain a balance between growth and personal connection to each project, ensuring that their designs remain both timeless and fresh.

Future Endeavors

Looking ahead, Studio DB aims to expand into hospitality and commercial projects, leveraging their cohesive architecture and design expertise to tell compelling brand stories.

Britt Zanino [53:58]: "I'd love to do more retail or, you know, where you get to tell a brand story, which I think is really fun."

Embracing Publicity and Continuing Growth

To enhance their visibility, Studio DB invested in a PR firm and engaged with platforms like the Expert portal for online design. These efforts have broadened their client base and opened doors to more creative and ambitious projects.

Britt Zanino [44:13]: "We decided to hire a PR firm... joining the Expert, which is the online portal for online design, has been really wonderful."

Publishing a Book

A significant milestone was the publication of their book with Rizzoli, encapsulating their work and narrative. This endeavor, though daunting, has reinforced their brand presence and allowed them to share their story with a broader audience.

Britt Zanino [47:29]: "Half of the book was already photographed... We went back and reshot them so that the photography was consistent and felt fresh."

Key Takeaways and Insights

1. Adaptability is Crucial: Studio DB's ability to pivot and adapt, especially during the pandemic, was instrumental in their sustained growth and ability to take on diverse projects.

2. Strategic Team Building: Recognizing when to seek help and build a specialized team allowed the firm to maintain high standards and manage an increasing workload effectively.

3. Integrated Services Add Value: Offering both architecture and interior design under one roof provides clients with a seamless experience, enhancing project efficiency and coherence.

4. Embracing Publicity: Proactive efforts in marketing and publicity, such as hiring PR firms and publishing books, significantly contribute to brand recognition and business growth.

5. Balancing Control and Delegation: Effective delegation, particularly of administrative tasks, frees up creative leaders to focus on their strengths and fosters a more dynamic and productive work environment.

6. Defining Personal Success: Success is multifaceted, encompassing not just business growth but also personal fulfillment, team satisfaction, and the creation of meaningful, enduring designs.

Notable Quotes

• Damian Zanino [02:41]: "I grew up in a creative family... I found that love was more for architectural."
• Britt Zanino [04:04]: "I have this incredibly fashionable aunt... always redecorating the house."
• Britt Zanino [05:51]: "We officially launched the architecture and interior design firm Studio DB..."
• Britt Zanino [07:21]: "We needed to move out of the house and we needed a real office and we needed real help."
• Damian Zanino [17:55]: "Working with a consultant was sort of just creating, documenting all of our systems..."
• Britt Zanino [12:58]: "We put all these systems in place... set us up for success."
• Damian Zanino [14:30]: "It really opened up the ability to do projects all over... and a couple international projects as well."
• Damian Zanino [22:59]: "The person we currently have had worked at Christie's and Sotheby's..."
• Damian Zanino [24:10]: "We have people that are architects but study interior design or vice versa."
• Britt Zanino [53:58]: "I'd love to do more retail... tell a brand story, which I think is really fun."
• Damian Zanino [17:04]: "Creating, documenting all of our systems... being really clear about what our goals were."
• Britt Zanino [47:29]: "We went back and reshot them so that the photography was consistent and felt fresh."

Conclusion

The conversation with Damian and Britt Zanino offers a compelling narrative of entrepreneurship, resilience, and strategic growth in the competitive fields of architecture and interior design. Studio DB's journey underscores the importance of adaptability, strategic team-building, and maintaining creative integrity. For aspiring designers and business owners, their story serves as an inspiring blueprint for navigating the challenges of growing a creative firm while staying true to one's vision and values.