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PODCAST

Design Curious | Interior Design Career and Business Podcast

Rebecca Ward, CID | Interior Design Mentor and Coach

A show for the curious creatives who want to learn what it takes to become an interior designer. Welcome to the Design Curious podcast! Each week, you"ll learn practical skills every designer needs to develop regardless of whether you want to work for yourself or someone else. You"ll learn secrets from professional interior designers to help you avoid costly mistakes & regrets. You"ll be encouraged & empowered to overcome your fears of change, failure & money. With my 20 yrs of

arts design

All Episodes

00:27:14

210 | Bringing Together the Aesthetic and Technical...

Design Curious | Interior Design Career and Business... ·

2026/09/28

Interior designers love the beautiful, creative side of the work. They love choosing materials, working with clients, selecting furnishings, and bringing a vision to life. But when a project moves into renovation, remodeling, or new construction, another side of interior design becomes just as important: the technical side.I see this gap often, especially with designers who are moving from decorating and furnishing into more complex residential or commercial projects. You may be confident in your

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00:25:42

Ep209 | 7 Must-Read Books to Help Interior Designers...

Design Curious | Interior Design Career and Business... ·

2026/09/21

You became an interior designer because you love design. You know how to create beautiful spaces, solve design problems, make thoughtful selections, and bring a client's vision to life. But once you start your own interior design business, you quickly discover that being a talented designer is only one part of the job.Suddenly, you're also responsible for marketing, sales, client experience, project management, finances, systems, leadership, and all the decisions that come with running a

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00:32:54

208 | The Real Work of a Professional Interior...

Design Curious | Interior Design Career and Business... ·

2026/09/14

What does it really mean to be an interior designer? Is it simply choosing beautiful colors, furniture, and finishes? Or is there something much deeper happening when we step into a client's home and ask them to trust our professional judgment?In this episode, I sit down with Tamera Gamble of Arranged Space, an interior designer, educator, mentor, and longtime design professional whose career has taken her from high-end residential design to commercial, municipal, retail, and residential

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00:31:25

207 | 5 Tips for Managing Construction & Remodel...

Design Curious | Interior Design Career and Business... ·

2026/09/07

Construction and remodel projects can feel intimidating, especially when you’re a new interior designer approaching your first project.You may be wondering how to work with contractors, who should handle permits and engineering, how to respond when a contractor pushes back on your design, or what happens when something unexpected appears after a wall is opened. These are all real concerns—and they’re exactly why understanding construction project management is such an important part of becoming a

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00:29:02

206 | 6 Proven Strategies for a Profitable,...

Design Curious | Interior Design Career and Business... ·

2026/08/31

If you're an aspiring interior designer, career changer, or established designer trying to grow a sustainable business, you may feel pressure to know everything before you begin. You may also believe that growth means taking on more projects, hiring more people, or becoming the person who can handle every detail of every project.But Annie Obermann’s journey with Forge and Bow offers a different perspective. Annie and her husband and business partner, Jordan Obermann, didn't start with formal

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00:26:03

205 | The House Hushing Framework for Beautiful,...

Design Curious | Interior Design Career and Business... ·

2026/08/24

As interior designers, we often focus on creating beautiful spaces, but beauty alone isn't always enough. Sometimes a room can have gorgeous furnishings, meaningful décor, and impeccable styling, yet still feel visually loud. When every surface competes for attention, a home stops supporting everyday life and starts demanding energy from the people living in it.That's why I was so excited to sit down with bestselling author Myquillyn Smith, better known as The Nester, to talk about her

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00:44:05

204 | From 779 Doors to HGTV: How to Build a Thriving...

Design Curious | Interior Design Career and Business... ·

2026/08/17

What does it really take to build a successful interior design business when no one is opening doors for you?If you've ever wondered whether you're talented enough, questioned your career transition, or felt discouraged because clients aren't calling, this conversation is one I want you to slow down and absorb. Too many aspiring interior designers believe success comes from luck, connections, or overnight visibility. Corey Damen Jenkins proves the opposite. His story reminds us that

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00:31:10

203 | 5 Rules for Long-Term Success in the Interior...

Design Curious | Interior Design Career and Business... ·

2026/08/10

Is talent alone enough to build a successful interior design career? This episode is a powerful reminder that creativity is only one piece of the puzzle.Many aspiring interior designers spend years refining their aesthetic but struggle with the business side—pricing, vendor relationships, execution, and confidently bringing their ideas to life. Without those skills, even the most inspired creative vision can remain just that: an idea.In this conversation, I sit down with Jamie Young, co-founder of

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00:24:56

202 | Why Learning Revit Can Transform Your Interior...

Design Curious | Interior Design Career and Business... ·

2026/08/03

Are you intimidated by Revit?I hear from so many interior designers who are curious about commercial design, multifamily housing, student housing, senior living, or hospitality projects, but feel held back because they don’t have the technical skills employers are asking for. And honestly, that hesitation can keep talented designers from pursuing opportunities they’d genuinely love.In this episode, I’m joined by Marcy Sagel, creator of Designer Bank, an online learning platform that helps interior

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00:35:54

201 | The Role of Decluttering and Home Organization...

Design Curious | Interior Design Career and Business... ·

2026/07/27

Interior designers naturally focus on aesthetics, layouts, furnishings, and creating spaces that feel beautiful. But what happens when a client's home is filled with clutter, unfinished systems, and daily chaos that no amount of beautiful design can solve? The reality is that even the most stunning space will struggle to function if the foundation of organization isn't in place first.In this episode, I sit down with professional organizer and Organize 365 founder Lisa Woodruff to discuss the

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00:46:48

200 | 4 Secrets to Creating a Strong...

Design Curious | Interior Design Career and Business... ·

2026/07/20

What is it really like to work for an interior designer? And just as importantly, what does it take to build a healthy, balanced employee-employer relationship that lasts?As I celebrate 200 episodes of Design Curious, I wanted to pull back the curtain and share a candid conversation with someone who knows my business better than almost anyone—my employee, Lillian Janik. Lilly has worked alongside me for eight years, and together we've navigated everything from residential interior design

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00:28:54

199 | How to Curate Meaningful Artwork for Your...

Design Curious | Interior Design Career and Business... ·

2026/07/13

Have you ever completed a beautiful interior design project, only to reach the final stage and realize the walls still feel unfinished because the art hasn’t been selected yet?Many designers focus heavily on furniture, finishes, textiles, and architectural details, but art often becomes something clients think about at the very end.In this episode, I’m joined by Sarah Hurt, founder of Seattle Art Source, to talk about how interior designers can confidently integrate art into their projects,

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00:30:36

198 | 4 Ways Interior Designers Can Build a Simpler,...

Design Curious | Interior Design Career and Business... ·

2026/07/06

Are you working harder, taking on more projects, and increasing your revenue—but still wondering where the profit is going?Many creative entrepreneurs start their interior design business because they love the work, but over time, they find themselves overwhelmed by the administrative side, unpredictable income, and the pressure to constantly create more.In this episode, I’m joined by business strategist Sallie Ogden, founder of Brimm and creator of Brimm Capital, to talk about why more revenue does

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00:23:28

197 | How to Build a Strong Interior Design Business...

Design Curious | Interior Design Career and Business... ·

2026/06/29

Are you struggling to decide where to spend your time, energy, and money as you build your interior design business? I got you!One of the biggest challenges I see aspiring and emerging designers face is knowing when—and how—to invest in themselves and their business.Many creatives hesitate to spend money on education, systems, coaching, legal support, or professional expertise because it feels risky. But what if not investing is actually costing you more?As interior designers, we regularly ask

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00:26:29

196 | Cash Flow Management for Interior Designers...

Design Curious | Interior Design Career and Business... ·

2026/06/22

If you've ever found yourself staring at your bank account hoping the number magically went up overnight, or waiting until December to figure out what — if anything — you get to pay yourself this year, this episode is going to feel like a direct message just for you.So many of the designers I work with are talented, passionate, and completely in the dark about the financial side of their business. And here's the thing: that's not a character flaw. It's an education gap. But it is

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00:29:21

195 | "Can I Really Do This?" 4 Real-Life Questions...

Design Curious | Interior Design Career and Business... ·

2026/06/15

Have you been dreaming about starting an interior design career, but keep telling yourself you'll start when the time is right? Maybe you’re balancing a full-time job, raising kids, managing a household, or simply trying to figure out if you’re talented enough to make a creative career shift. I'm here to tell you something important: that perfect season is never coming. And the longer you wait for it, the longer you stay stuck in a career that isn't feeding your soul.In this episode, I’m

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00:37:35

194 | Building Your Interior Design Website?...

Design Curious | Interior Design Career and Business... ·

2026/06/08

If you’re an aspiring interior designer or you’re still in the early stages of building your business, chances are you’ve asked yourself questions like: Do I really need a professional website yet? Should I invest in custom website design? Or can I just use a template for now?I hear these questions constantly from designers inside my programs, especially when they’re trying to balance launching their business with managing their budget wisely. And honestly? It’s easy to get overwhelmed by all the

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00:31:14

193 | Struggling with Self-Doubt? Overcome Imposter...

Design Curious | Interior Design Career and Business... ·

2026/06/01

Have you ever caught yourself thinking, “I’m not experienced enough to call myself a real interior designer”? Or maybe you scroll through social media, comparing your work to polished projects, and suddenly feel like you don’t belong in this industry at all. That quiet voice of self-doubt—what we call imposter syndrome—can creep in at any stage of your interior design career, especially when you're just starting out.I want you to know something important: feeling like an imposter doesn’t mean

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00:40:52

192 | The Biggest Money Mistakes Interior Designers...

Design Curious | Interior Design Career and Business... ·

2026/05/25

Have you ever finished a project and thought… “Wait, where did all the money go?”One of the biggest mistakes creatives make is treating money as something that shows up at the end—rather than something that needs structure from the very beginning. And that mindset? It quietly drains your profit, your energy, and your confidence.In this episode, I sit down with Lauren Nist, a bookkeeping and advisory expert who works behind the scenes with creative businesses. Together, we unpack the most common

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00:28:11

191 | Why Your Contract Is Your Business Bestie

Design Curious | Interior Design Career and Business... ·

2026/05/18

If you’ve ever felt unsure about what to include in your interior design contract—or worse, you’ve avoided contracts altogether because they feel overwhelming—you’re not alone.I see so many designers relying on verbal agreements or vague expectations, thinking things will “just work out” because the client relationship feels good. But that’s exactly where problems begin. Miscommunication, scope creep, late payments, and blurred boundaries can quickly turn a dream project into a stressful

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211 results

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