The DesignDash Podcast

Episode 59: The Designer’s Edge: Finding Inspiration in Unexpected Places with Thom Filicia

In this episode, our guest is Thom Filicia, legendary designer, author, and TV personality—recorded live from High Point Market.
We talk about how inspiration actually works in the real world. Not just the Pinterest version of it, but how to train your eye to notice the right things.
Thom pulls back the curtain on how he blends creativity with functionality, especially when moving between residential, hospitality, and product design. He shares how designers can think several steps ahead when creating a piece of furniture—and why sometimes the way a sofa leg is shaped today can make or break an entire collection tomorrow.
We also get into the conversations designers need to have with clients: how to speak their language, how to build trust, and how to lead them away from trend-chasing into something that actually reflects who they are.
If you’ve ever wondered how to turn a creative idea into something that actually works—for the client, the showroom, and the market—this one’s for you.
Check out our website too:
https://designdash.com/
Follow us on socials:
https://www.instagram.com/designdasher/
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Episode 58: When the World Shifts—What Happens to Your Brand? with Victoria Holly

In this episode, our guest is Victoria Holly, founder of The Victoria Holly Interiors, an interior design firm with locations in Los Angeles, Newport Beach, and New York, with projects near and far.
We recorded this conversation live at High Point Market, and it's packed with real talk on what it means to build—both literally and creatively—when everything around you feels uncertain.
Victoria opens up about the impact of the recent LA fires and how it’s shifted not just her projects, but her perspective as a designer, business owner, and mom. If you’ve ever felt the pressure of balancing creativity with chaos, or the tension between personal branding and real-life identity, this one’s for you.
We also dive into:
What clients are really looking for in a post-crisis rebuild
How design aesthetics shift based on life stage, geography, and emotional context
The unexpected ways motherhood shapes creative direction
Why “classic, playful, and unexpected” became her new design pillars (and how to define your own)
And how to find clarity when inspiration feels completely out of reach
Victoria shares her process, her mindset shifts, and the quiet lessons that come from being forced to slow down and ask: What do I really want to create?
This isn’t just a design chat. It’s a fresh look at what it means to create meaning through space—even when the ground beneath you is shifting.
Check out our website too:
https://designdash.com/
Follow us on socials:
https://www.instagram.com/designdasher/
https://www.tiktok.com/@designdasher
https://www.facebook.com/DesignDasher

Episode 57: What to Do with Your Marketing When Business Slows Down

Let’s be real—when business feels uncertain, your first instinct might be to cut back on marketing. It feels like the safe, practical move. 
In today’s episode, we break down what to do instead of pulling back. We talk about how to stay visible when times feel uncertain, and how to make smart, realistic decisions about where your marketing dollars (and effort) should actually go.
Whether you’re a solo designer or running a larger firm, you’ll come away with a better sense of what’s worth it and what you can let go of.
We also talk about:
How to decide how much to spend on marketing (and why percentages matter more than fixed numbers)
What types of marketing are worth the investment right now—and which ones can wait
Why consistency is more important than size when it comes to visibility
How long it really takes to see results from things like SEO, blogs, and print
What we would do differently if we had an unlimited budget (and what we wouldn’t)
We also get into practical things like hiring a copywriter, partnering with other businesses, and what to do if you're starting from scratch or bootstrapping.
This isn’t a marketing 101 episode or a “do it all” checklist. It’s a real, honest talk about how to keep showing up—even when it feels like no one’s looking.
Check out our website too:
https://designdash.com/
Follow us on socials:
https://www.instagram.com/designdasher/
https://www.tiktok.com/@designdasher
https://www.facebook.com/DesignDasher

Episode 56: Profit First - Why You're Not Keeping More of What You Earn

In this episode, we're talking about something that completely changed the way we run our design business: Profit First.
If you’ve ever wondered:
“Can I afford to hire someone right now?”
“Can I invest in a branding shoot?”
“Where the heck is all the money going?”…then this episode is going to feel like a warm cup of clarity (with a strong espresso shot of truth).
We’re flipping the traditional profit formula on its head. Most business owners think:Revenue – Expenses = Profit.But what if it was the opposite!
We break down:
How the Profit First method flips the traditional business budgeting mindset (and why it actually works)
How to know when you can afford to grow your team or take on a big project (not just hope)
Why hourly billing is a powerful tool for creating consistent monthly revenue—especially when projects get delayed
What to look for in your cash flow before making your next big move (hint: your bank balance might be lying to you)
How to make decisions with confidence instead of confusion
You’ll also learn how we think about revenue goals, set margins, and make sure profit isn't something that “happens if we’re lucky”—it’s something we plan for.
Whether you're running solo or growing a team, this episode gives you practical tools, real numbers, and mindset shifts that will help you build a business that pays you well and gives you freedom.
Check out our website too:
https://designdash.com/
Follow us on socials:
https://www.instagram.com/designdasher/
https://www.tiktok.com/@designdasher
https://www.facebook.com/DesignDasher

Episode 55: The Hidden Profit Potential in Time Billing for Designers

If you've ever felt like time tracking is a total buzzkill? Yeah, we get it. But what if it’s actually the secret weapon to unlocking consistent revenue and profitability in your design firm?
In this episode, Melissa and I are diving headfirst into one of the most unglamorous but essential parts of running a successful design business – time tracking and billing. We’re pulling back the curtain on our monthly time billing process, the systems we rely on, and the strategies we use to keep cash flowing.
We’re talking about why sticking to a monthly billing schedule isn’t just about getting paid – it’s about setting clear expectations with clients, staying profitable, and avoiding those dreaded, awkward “why is this taking so long?” conversations. Plus, we’re sharing our top tips for keeping your billing simple, transparent, and bulletproof – from breaking down hours by phase to crafting invoices that actually make sense to your clients.
And if you’ve ever wondered how we calculate our target profitability, we’re unpacking how we came up with that number and how it influences everything from setting billing rates to determining whether you can actually afford to hire that new designer.
Check out our website too:
https://designdash.com/
Follow us on socials:
https://www.instagram.com/designdasher/
https://www.tiktok.com/@designdasher
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Episode 54: How to Focus When Everything Feels Important

Okay... be honest.
How many browser tabs do you have open right now? Now add the mental tabs—your calendar’s exploding, your inbox is laughing at you, and suddenly everything feels urgent (but also kind of... not?).
Yeah, we’ve been there. In today’s episode, it’s just the two of us having a raw, honest convo about focus and why it feels nearly impossible when you’re running a business (or two), managing a team, trying to remember to eat lunch, and oh yeah—being a human with a life.
We also talk about:
Why focus is so hard when you're wearing 12 hats and running two businesses or more
The mental overload of switching between your creative brain and your business brain
Our go-to tools like Pomodoro, the “One Thing” rule, and that Eisenhower Matrix thing we actually use
What to do when your calendar says yes, but your brain says absolutely not
And why rest—yes, rest—is one of the most productive things you can do
We’re not perfect—far from it. But this episode is about sharing what’s worked, what hasn’t, and how we’re still learning to show up with intention in the middle of the madness. 
So If you’ve ever felt like you're doing all the things, but still wondering what actually matters… this one’s for you.
Check out our website too:
https://designdash.com/
Follow us on socials:
https://www.instagram.com/designdasher/
https://www.tiktok.com/@designdasher
https://www.facebook.com/DesignDasher

Episode 53: Inside the Business of Interior Design with Rainey Richardson & Casey Brand

You ever meet people and instantly think: Yep. These are my people?
That’s exactly what happened when we sat down with the fabulous Rainey Richardson and Casey Brand—two Houston-based design powerhouses and co-hosts of the Reframing The Art of Interior Design podcast.
And let me tell you... this one goes way beyond mood boards and marble countertops.
In this episode, we get real about:
The not-so-glamorous (but incredibly relatable) side of interior design
How experience, empathy, and emotion fuel great client relationships
Learning the hard way (hello, flooded ceilings and pricing flops 😅)
Why the design biz can feel like a lonely island—and how community changes everything
Embracing technology (or not) in an industry built on touch and texture
We also dive into how Rainey and Casey use humor, honesty, and hard-earned wisdom to run successful design firms and launch a podcast that’s as unfiltered as it is uplifting.
Whether you’re a designer, entrepreneur, or someone who’s just tired of pretending you’ve got it all figured out—this episode is for you.
Check out our website too:
https://designdash.com/
Follow us on socials:
https://www.instagram.com/designdasher/
https://www.tiktok.com/@designdasher
https://www.facebook.com/DesignDasher

Episode 52: How Patti Carpenter Built a Meaningful Global Design Career

In this episode, our guest is Patti Carpenter — principal of Carpenter + Company and Global Trend Ambassador for Maison&Objet — and honestly, what a ride this conversation was.
From the bustling world of high fashion to purpose-driven design work across 60+ countries, Patti’s journey is anything but linear. She’s lived it, breathed it, and pivoted with more grace and intention than most of us could dream up. And she’s bringing all that real-world wisdom right here to the pod.
We talk about:
Why Patti left Ralph Lauren at the top of her game to follow her gut
How to build a values-led creative business in a fast-paced, trend-chasing world
What really separates a trend from a fad (this part blew our minds)
How connections, community, and curiosity fuel long-term success
The art of forecasting design trends — and what’s coming next 👀
And why it's okay to start over, even when you’ve “made it”
This isn’t just about design. It’s about building a life and a career that aligns with who you are — and trusting that your weird, wild path actually makes you better.
If you’ve ever asked yourself:
“Am I too far in to start something new?”“How do I build credibility in an industry I’m just breaking into?”“What does it look like to work with artisans across the globe and still stay true to yourself?”
Then you’re going to love every minute of this.
Check out our website too:
https://designdash.com/
Follow us on socials:
https://www.instagram.com/designdasher/
https://www.tiktok.com/@designdasher
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Episode 51: Billing Methods for Interior Designers

If you’re a designer, you’ve definitely wrestled with the whole “how the heck do I charge for this?” question.
In this episode we’re opening the door wide on a topic that every design business owner thinks about way more than they admit: billing methods.
Yep, we’re diving deep into hourly vs. flat fee vs. hybrid pricing vs. the “I’ll just cut a few hours because I feel bad” method (you know who you are).
Here’s what we get into:
The biggest mindset block we see designers struggling with when it comes to billing.
Real talk about how undervaluing your time is not a flex—it’s a revenue killer.
Why hourly works for us—and why it may or may not work for you.
How to talk about money with clients without sounding awkward or apologetic.
Alternative billing methods you might not be using yet (but should consider).
And the one simple tool we use to boost confidence during new client calls.
If you've ever found yourself hesitating to hit “send” on an invoice or wondering if your pricing structure is actually working for you and not against you, this one’s for you.
We’re also gearing up for our live workshop inside the Design Dash Community where we’ll dig even deeper into all things billing. Spoiler: you’ll want to be there.
Check out our website too:
https://designdash.com/
Follow us on socials:
https://www.instagram.com/designdasher/
https://www.tiktok.com/@designdasher
https://www.facebook.com/DesignDasher

Episode 50: When Fearless Design Meets Unshakeable Systems with Lori Paranjape

This week, we sat down with the one and only Lori Paranjape, the powerhouse designer behind some of the most stunning, story-driven homes in the country. Based in Nashville, Lori has built a nationally recognized interior design firm, and trust me—this conversation is a masterclass in how to build a thriving creative business without losing your authenticity along the way.
You’ve seen her work in Architectural Digest and Domino, but what you don’t see behind the scenes is just as compelling: razor-sharp systems, kind-but-direct client communication, and the hard-won lessons that took her from humble beginnings to legacy projects.
In this episode, we talk about:
The exact systems Lori uses to eliminate tummy-ache texts from clients
What actually makes a dream team—and the one interview question that says it all
Why trust (not Pinterest boards) is the real magic behind unforgettable design
The messy middle no one posts about: mistakes, growing pains, and learning to bill without flinching
This isn’t just another chat about pretty spaces—it’s a real, raw, and hilarious deep dive into the business behind the beauty. Whether you’re new to the design world or years in, Lori’s story is one that will hit home, hype you up, and remind you why you love what you do.
Trust me, this one’s got everything: heart, humor, and hard-earned wisdom.
Check out our website too:
https://designdash.com/
Follow us on socials:
https://www.instagram.com/designdasher/
https://www.tiktok.com/@designdasher
https://www.facebook.com/DesignDasher