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PODCAST

Design Biz Survival Guide

Design Biz Survival Guide

What if you could hang out with experienced design professionals and entrepreneurs who have drive and vision, ask them about their successes and failures, and more; then take an insight or two to guide your own business journey? That"s what we do each episode on Design Biz Survival Guide. Hosted by Rick Campos – recovering interior designer turned business coach with over a decade of experience in the design industry –– every episode is an in-depth look at how to launch, navigate, and grow your

business entrepreneurship

All Episodes

32:17

197: Oana Molodoi – OM Drapes Design, Special...

Design Biz Survival Guide ·

2025/10/27

This is a special Industry Spotlight episode of Design Biz Survival Guide. This supplemental format is designed to share brands and partners that support designers both creatively and professionally. This is our way of sharing valuable information and resources for your business with you, our loyal listeners. Today we’re speaking with Oana Molodoi, owner of OM Drapes Design, a full-service window treatment resource based in Orange County, California. In this episode, Oana shares the backstory of the

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45:28

196: Effective Marketing Techniques with Cameron Sellers

Design Biz Survival Guide ·

2025/10/20

Today we welcome Cameron Sellers, Vice President of Marketing for Hooker Furnishes. In this episode we chat with a marketing pro about her long term relationship with the design and furnishings industry. Cameron pulls back the curtain to reveal how big business approaches marketing and she shares her individual and team approach to creating data driven marketing strategies. We also discuss the importance of brand voice, story telling, and identifying pain points and providing solutions to capture

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40:54

195: Mae Reedy | Strategies for Scaling

Design Biz Survival Guide ·

2025/10/06

Today we welcome Mae Reedy – founder, principal designer, and general contractor of Mae Reedy Build + Design based in Plano, Texas. In this episode, we discuss overcoming fear, the power of saying yes, and how Mae leverages innovation to stay resilient in an ever-changing economy. Mae shares her thoughtful approach to scaling her business, growing a purpose-driven team, and the custom systems she’s developed to manage workflow, empower her team, and maintain momentum. Her journey from Etsy

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51:22

194: Journey of Growth with Brad Leavitt

Design Biz Survival Guide ·

2025/09/22

Today we welcome Brad Leavitt, President and owner of AFT Construction based in Scottsdale, Arizona. Brad is known for his collaborative design-build approach and his commitment to the designer + builder partnership. In this episode, we discuss Brad’s unintentional entrepreneurial journey, lessons in effective collaboration, and his perspective on scaling a business and cultivating a team of resourceful and empowered leaders. We also dive into Brad’s dedication to giving back through his podcast,

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44:12

193: Re-Brand to Expand with Laura Williams

Design Biz Survival Guide ·

2025/09/08

Today we welcome Laura Williams, Founder and Principal Designer of Living Oak, a boutique design firm based in Austin, TX. In this episode, Laura shares the story behind her recent rebrand from ATX Interior Design to Living Oak and how this strategic shift allowed her business to grow beyond the local market. We discuss the power of community and networking in building a thriving design business, and Laura pulls back the curtain on the realities of running a hybrid business model that includes

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55:41

192: Jude Charles – Special Industry Spotlight Episode

Design Biz Survival Guide ·

2025/09/01

This special Industry Spotlight episode of Design Biz Survival Guide features filmmaker and brand storyteller Jude Charles. Jude returns to the podcast for a deep dive into the strategy behind his signature process called Dramatic Demonstration, a method of crafting impactful video docu-series that highlight the heart and humanity behind creative businesses. Jude shares how personal storytelling can build trust, attract ideal clients, and establish a lasting legacy in the design industry. Through

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43:35

191: The Story of Home with Jen Davidson

Design Biz Survival Guide ·

2025/08/25

Today we welcome Jen Davidson — Owner & Principal Designer of Interiors by Jen Davidson, a full-service interior design studio based in Chicago, Illinois. In this episode, we discuss the evolution of Jen’s creative career and how her former career as a flight attendant has uniquely shaped the way she leads her team, connects with her clients, and manages her design projects. Jen shares how she leverages structure, adaptability, and emotional intelligence to run a streamlined and meaningful business

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01:19:04

190: Luann Nigara | Unpacking the Spirit of...

Design Biz Survival Guide ·

2025/08/11

Today we welcome my dear friend and mentor Luann Nigara to the podcast. Luann is the host of A Well-Designed Business podcast, a celebrated author, speaker, and trusted business coach. She is one of the most influential voices in the interior design industry. In this episode, Luann opens up about her entrepreneurial journey—from growing a window treatment franchise with her husband, Vin, to creating a game-changing podcast and launching Luann University. We talk about the wins, the failures, and the

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48:38

189: The Design Besties | Creative Minds Connecting...

Design Biz Survival Guide ·

2025/07/28

Today we welcome Whitney Atkinson, Rhobin DeLaCruz, Nikki Watson, and Lori Johnson – also known as The Design Besties. In this episode, we discuss the power of community over competition and the impact that collaboration has on their design businesses, personal lives, and the wider design community. The group shares how they met, their diverse creative backgrounds, and how their supportive circle has become an unexpected game-changer in both business and life. Plus, we explore their shared passion

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56:20

188: Michele Williams | Profit is a Choice

Design Biz Survival Guide ·

2025/07/14

Today we welcome Michele Williams, CEO and founder of Scarlet Thread Consulting. Michele specializes in helping design professionals lead and scale their businesses with confidence and clarity. In this episode, Michele shares the pivotal moment that turned her hard-earned lessons and financial expertise into a consulting model that has empowered countless interior designers to build more profitable businesses. We also explore how the book Profit First influenced her approach to financial strategy,

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39:39

187: Melissa Sanabria | Creating Structure out of...

Design Biz Survival Guide ·

2025/06/30

Today we welcome Melissa Sanabria, principal and founder of Sanabria & Co based in Washington, DC. In this episode, Melissa shares her journey from a successful career in finance to launching her own interior design firm—and the real transferable skill that helped her thrive in a creative business. She walks us through the intentional strategies she implemented during the transition, including a three-year planning period, data-driven decision-making, and a commitment to investing in her business

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53:52

186: The Art & Impact of Styling with Dorothea Coelho

Design Biz Survival Guide ·

2025/06/16

Today we welcome LA-based interior designer and stylist Dorothea Coelho to the podcast. Dorothea shares her remarkable journey from stand-up comedy to working with one of LA’s top designers and ultimately creating a unique design business model that includes professional styling services. We explore the often-overlooked art of styling, from the thoughtful editing of a space to the logistics of collaborating with photographers and designers. Dorothea offers invaluable insight into the stylist’s role

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44:45

185: 7 Year Anniversary Podcast Takeover with Nicole Roe

Design Biz Survival Guide ·

2025/06/02

Today we welcome Nicole Roe of R Nickson Interiors as our PODCAST TAKEOVER guest host! The podcast takeover is an annual tradition to celebrate another year of inspiring conversations about life and the business of interior design. In this special 7-year anniversary episode, Nicole takes the reins and puts host Rick Campos in the hot seat. Rick reflects on the podcast’s journey, shares personal and professional insights, and opens up about the mission behind the mic. Plus, questions submitted by

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47:35

184: Nicole Arnold | Expectation of Excellence

Design Biz Survival Guide ·

2025/05/19

Today we welcome Nicole Arnold of Nicole Arnold Interiors—a turnkey residential and commercial interior design firm based in Dallas, Texas. In this episode, Nicole shares how her 15+ year career in sales and marketing with Levi Strauss & Co. laid the foundation for her pivot to interior design in 2008. We explore how her corporate experience shaped the structure, culture, and client commitment in her design business. Nicole also opens up about the things she didn't know when launching her firm and

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38:30

183: Erik Perez - HELLO PR, Special Industry...

Design Biz Survival Guide ·

2025/05/12

This special Industry Spotlight episode of Design Biz Survival Guide shines a light on brands and partners that support designers creatively and professionally. These episodes are our way of sharing valuable resources and insights with our loyal listeners. Today we speak with Erik Perez, Principal of Hello PR Group, a full-service communications and strategic brand development firm specializing in design, lifestyle, and luxury brands. Erik shares the evolution of Hello PR, his insights on the

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53:13

182: Ivan Pineiro | The CONFIDENCE Episode

Design Biz Survival Guide ·

2025/05/05

Today we welcome Ivan Pineiro, owner and Principal Designer of Pimell Interiors based in Las Vegas, Nevada. In this episode, Ivan shares the winding, 15-year journey that led him from retail to interior design and how a pivotal move to Las Vegas—and a push from his design community—helped him finally embrace his calling. Ivan gets candid about his struggle with imposter syndrome, the pressure to have it all figured out, and how cancer helped him reframe his priorities. This is a conversation about

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58:44

181: Jenny Slingerland | Surround Yourself with...

Design Biz Survival Guide ·

2025/04/21

Today we welcome Jenny Slingerland, Founder & Principal Designer of Black Ink Interiors based in Scottsdale, Arizona. In this episode, Jenny shares her unique journey into design, from working as a labor and delivery nurse to launching her own thriving interior design firm. We dive into her transition from healthcare to homebuilding, the pivotal moments that shaped her business, and how her greatest weakness—understanding the financials—evolved into her biggest strength. Jenny's story is a testament

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37:01

180: Emily Campbell | A Student’s Perspective

Design Biz Survival Guide ·

2025/04/07

Today we welcome Emily Campbell, principal designer of Emily Jean Interior Design based in Portland, Oregon. In this episode, Emily shares her fresh perspective on the business of design as a student and entrepreneur. We discuss the pivotal moment that prompted her transition from fashion to interiors, her experience of balancing design school with launching a business, and how she’s building a foundation for long-term success by combining technical skills with real-world networking. Emily also

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40:49

179: Page Sigband | The Nuances of a Niche Brand

Design Biz Survival Guide ·

2025/03/24

Page Sigband, founder of Design by Page and Joyride Garage Design, joins the podcast to share how she carved out her place in the design world by specializing in one of the most overlooked spaces—the garage. In this episode, Page walks us through her background in graphic and furniture design, her transition into museum design, and how these experiences uniquely shaped her niche business model. From TV appearances and magazine features to pop-up tents and mechanic shop visits, Page reveals the real

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42:11

178: Paul McClean | The Impact of Design

Design Biz Survival Guide ·

2025/03/10

Paul McClean, founder of McClean Design, returns to the podcast for an insightful conversation about the evolution of his internationally renowned residential architectural firm since our last interview in 2019. Paul shares how his business has expanded into the global market post-COVID, the challenges and rewards of working internationally, and the nuances of merging cultural traditions with contemporary design. We also dive into the process of developing his second book, Contemporary Living by

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313 results

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