Episode 43: Building a Business & Brand – Secrets to Scaling a Design Firm with Kate O’Hara

Alright, friends, this episode is a must-listen!

Today, we are sitting down with the brilliant Kate O’Hara—CEO & Creative Director of O’Hara Interiors AND co-founder of Faye Belle Rugs. This woman does it all! She’s running multiple design studios across Austin, Dallas, and Minneapolis while keeping her brand’s integrity, scaling her business, and still finding time to sail and practice Krav Maga (seriously, is there anything she can’t do?!).

We first met Kate back in the day, sharing the big stage at High Point—nervous as heck, not knowing what to expect. But one thing was clear right away: We were in this together. And guess what? That’s exactly the energy she brings to her business.

In this episode, we’re diving deep into:
- Scaling a design firm while staying true to your creative vision
- Navigating the transition from a family-run business to a powerhouse brand
- The real process behind curating a portfolio that reflects your brand identity
- Balancing structured processes with creative freedom (spoiler: it's tricky, but totally doable)
- The importance of intentionality in leadership, team culture, and even personal time management

Kate also shares the behind-the-scenes of launching her first official rug collection (because obviously, when she couldn’t find what she needed… she just went and created it herself. No big deal. ).

Plus, we get real about failure, team dynamics, and the eternal struggle of planning vs. just going for it.

If you're an interior designer looking to grow your firm without losing your creative soul, this episode is packed with gold.

Tune in, get inspired, and let us know: What’s your biggest challenge when it comes to scaling your business?

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