The DesignDash Podcast

Episode 75: Inside the Business of Design: How Libby Langdon Turned Her Biggest Pivot into Her Greatest Success

What happens when life completely derails, and somehow lands you right where you were meant to be?
That’s exactly what today’s guest, Libby Langdon, discovered after one of the biggest pivots of her life. From actress and TV producer to one of the most recognizable names in design, Libby’s story is equal parts grit, humor, and pure creative drive.
In this episode of Design Dash, Melissa and Laura sit down with Libby to unpack how she built her powerhouse brand, one that now spans furniture, lighting, and art collections with industry heavyweights like Fairfield Chair, Krystorama, and Paragon Art.
We get into:
The real work that goes into High Point Market (and what most designers don’t see)
How heartbreak launched a thriving design career
The unfiltered truth about licensing, what makes it profitable, what doesn’t, and how to actually make it last
Why being approachable might just be the secret ingredient to long-term brand success
And how setting goals on paper (yes, actually writing them down) became the framework for every major leap in her career
It’s part business masterclass, part personal reinvention story, and all the inspiration you didn’t know you needed this week.
Hit play, and you’ll see why Libby’s mantra, “easy, elegant, everyday style” is more than a design philosophy; it’s a roadmap for how to live and build something lasting.
Check out our website too:
https://designdash.com/
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Episode 74: Building a Luxury Design Brand from Scratch: Lessons from Nikki Levy Interiors

What happens when “exquisitely livable luxury” meets real-world grit?
In this episode of Design Dash, Melissa and Laura sit down with South Africa–born designer Nikki Levy, who built her namesake Boca Raton studio from the edge of her bed, literally, and turned it into a thriving brand now shaping homes (and hearts) across the world.
You’ll hear how Nikki:
Took her first leap from a kitchen-table startup to a luxury design powerhouse
Built a team culture rooted in trust, freedom, and creative safety (that actually keeps her people coming back)
Balances the chaos of business ownership with the calm of design intuition
Translates storytelling, culture, and imperfection into her version of luxury living
Uses honesty and Instagram to attract dream clients and million-dollar projects
From the “ugliest fabric” that became her favorite design statement to the team members who left and later returned, Nikki’s story is full of lessons for anyone trying to grow something meaningful without losing the soul that started it all.
If you’ve ever wondered how to scale a creative business and stay human in the process, this conversation will give you the blueprint.
Check out our website too:
https://designdash.com/
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Episode 73: The Truth About Starting a Design Business with Brittny Button

In this episode our guest is Brittny Button, founder of Button Atelier, an interior design studio in Los Angeles. Brittny has built a reputation for creating spaces that feel both calm and timeless, drawing inspiration from Spanish revival architecture, European details, and old Hollywood romance.
We talk about her unexpected path into design after leaving a modeling career, how renovating a Palm Springs home while pregnant became her crash course in construction, and what it really takes to start a design firm from scratch. She shares the lessons learned from business partnerships, why antiques and vintage finds shape so much of her work, and how she’s preparing to launch her first furniture collection with major retailers.
You’ll also hear Brittny’s thoughts on where true inspiration comes from, what it’s like to balance creativity with raising two young kids, and the confidence it takes to put your work into the world even when imposter syndrome creeps in.
If you’ve ever thought about making a big career pivot, chasing a dream project, or simply want to know how a designer turns vision into reality, this conversation is full of insights you can take with you.
Check out our website too:
https://designdash.com/
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Episode 72: How to Get Your Design Work Published: Insider Tips from Andrea Lillo

What makes a project catch an editor’s eye?
Is it the styling? The story? The angle of the photo? Or is it something much less obvious?
This week on Design Dash, we sit down with Andrea Lillo, the Executive Editor of Designers Today. She’s the one shaping the stories and covers that end up defining the conversation in our industry. And she was generous enough to share exactly what goes into those decisions.
We covered a lot, but here are a few moments that stood out:
The contract story that revealed just how many designers overlook one of the most important tools in their business.
Why cropping out a single detail in your photos could change whether your work gets published.
The future of wellness and accessible design, and why both are becoming impossible to ignore.
What really happens behind the Power List and the new 40 Under 40.
It’s one thing to create beautiful work. It’s another to know how to get that work noticed.
Andrea gives us an honest look at both.
If you’ve ever wondered what editors are really thinking when they look at your projects, this episode is worth your time.
Check out our website too:
https://designdash.com/
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Episode 71: How Yates Desygn Grew One of Dallas’ Most Sought-After Design Firms with Mike and Bryan Yates

In this episode we sit down with the dynamic duo Mike and Bryan Yates of Yates Desygn. If you know them, you already know you’re in for sharp wit, bold vision, and unapologetic honesty. If you don’t know them yet—trust me, you’ll want to.
We talk about the turning points that pushed them to expand, how they designed a workspace that actually sells their vision to clients, and why natural light and thoughtful details matter more than most people think.
Here’s a taste of what we dive into:
How they scaled from a 500 sq. ft. shared office to a 3,500 sq. ft. experiential studio that doubles as a design showcase.
The real talk about vendor relationships, trust, and why saying no to the wrong clients is sometimes the best “yes” for your business.
The messy, human side of growth—losing team members, rethinking operations, and what it really takes to build morale after setbacks.
How creating their own projects (and even eating the cost of mistakes) has shaped the way they guide clients through the emotional rollercoaster of design.
You’ll hear practical ways to think about vendor relationships, managing the emotional side of projects, and setting clear expectations with clients so trust becomes the foundation of every design. And, of course, we touch on their upcoming Kips Bay Show House project and how giving back fuels their creativity.
Check out our website too:
https://designdash.com/
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Episode 70: How To Stand Out in a Crowded Design World with Jane Dagmi

In this episode of Design Dash, we sit down with the one and only Jane Dagmi—Managing Director of High Point by Design (HPxD) and former Editor-in-Chief of Designers Today. If you’re in the design world, chances are you already know Jane as a connector, a champion of creativity, and someone who has shaped the way we talk about design for decades.
We talk about the real power of storytelling in design and why the most relatable parts of your journey aren’t always the glossy “big wins,” but the in-between moments that show vulnerability and grit. Jane also shares why the middle of your career can actually be the sweetest spot—and how to stand out when you feel caught between the newcomers and the big, established names.
You’ll also hear about High Point beyond market week, and how HPxD is helping designers access resources, education, and community year-round. Jane describes what it’s really like to experience High Point at a slower pace, why it matters for both designers and clients, and how it can reshape the way we think about sourcing and growth.
This conversation is full of insights you can actually apply—whether you’re navigating client challenges, battling comparison on social media, or wondering what’s next in your career.
Check out our website too:
https://designdash.com/
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Episode 69: Why Interior Designers Need Psychology to Succeed with Tracee Murphy

In this episode, my guest is Tracee Murphy, CEO and Principal Designer of Trademark Interiors and founder of The Designer Launch. Tracee has built a multimillion-dollar design firm and now mentors other designers on everything from conflict management to selling luxury services.
We talk about how psychology plays a bigger role in design than most people realize, and why learning to read people is just as important as creating beautiful spaces. Tracee shares how she uses psychology to manage conflict on projects, earn trust with clients, and even handle the fears that come with running a business.
You’ll hear practical insights on:
What to say (and not say) when a client or contractor gets difficult.
Simple ways to build and protect trust throughout long projects.
How to recognize fear in your business decisions and move forward with confidence.
Why luxury design isn’t going away, even with AI shaking up the industry.
Tracee has 25 years of experience and brings a fresh, honest perspective. If you’ve ever wondered how to balance the creative side of design with the very real people challenges, this episode will give you tools and ideas you can use right away.
Check out our website too:
https://designdash.com/
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Episode 68: One Tool You Can Use This Week to Prevent Burnout and Build a Healthier, More Profitable Studio

I just got back from a 10-day vacation. Melissa’s about to head out on hers. And in the space between “leaving” and “coming back,” we realized something: burnout isn’t always obvious until it’s running the show.
In this episode, we get brutally honest about how burnout shows up in our lives, why “I’m so busy” is not a badge of honor, and how the wrong kind of hustle can quietly rob you of the joy that made you start your business in the first place.
We also share a simple, practical tool, the Studio Wellness and Burnout Checklist—that’s helping us and our teams step back, breathe, and reset. We talk about:
The signs you’re closer to burnout than you think (and how to catch them early)
Why vacation might not be the magic cure you think it is
How leaders accidentally model bad habits for their teams—and how to flip the script
The surprising questions that get your team talking honestly about workload, mental health, and creativity
Why “busy” isn’t the same as “successful”
If you’ve been spinning your wheels, wondering why your motivation is tanking, or catching yourself daydreaming about burning it all down (we’ve been there), this one’s for you.
Because your business should support your life—not swallow it whole.
Check out our website too:
https://designdash.com/
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Episode 67: Client Red Flags That Cost You Time, Profit, and Peace

Ever left a client meeting thinking, “Is it me… or are they just an ahole?”**If yes, you’re not alone—and this episode is definitely for you.
In this episode we are pulling back the velvet curtain on the three personality types that show up in interior design projects: discerning, demanding, and downright disrespectful. The differences between them? Subtle… but game-changing.
We’re diving into:
What separates a high-standard client from a high-maintenance one
Red flags we’ve learned to spot (and wish we had sooner)
How to professionally course-correct when clients go off the rails
When to part ways—and how to protect your team and peace in the process
And yes, how we’ve dealt with those 17-texts-in-20-minutes situations 
This isn’t a rant. It’s real talk. Because respect is everything, and your best clients? They’ll push you in the best way possible.
If you’ve ever wrestled with how to set boundaries, stay sane, and still deliver incredible work, this episode will feel like a deep exhale. You’ll leave with clarity, confidence, and permission to ditch the drama and chase the dream projects.
Check out our website too:
https://designdash.com/
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Episode 66: The Hire That Changes Everything (And Why You're Probably Overthinking It) with Danae Branson

Let’s be honest—if you’ve ever found yourself drowning in invoicing, juggling a million tabs, or spending more time sourcing tile than actually designing the room, you’re not alone.
In this episode, we’re joined by Danae Branson, founder of Elite Design Assistants and creator of Niche Maven, two brilliant solutions helping interior designers ditch the overwhelm and build the kind of businesses they actually want to run.
Whether you’re a solopreneur stuck in admin quicksand or leading a firm that’s too busy to find the right senior designer, this episode is your green light to stop spinning your wheels and start building the team that gets you back to your creative zone.
Here’s a taste of what we unpack:
Why burnout is optional when you have the right support
The most requested roles Danae fills for design firms (spoiler: invoicing is a universal pain point)
How as-needed, no-minimum hiring could be your secret weapon
When to hire a full-timer vs. when to go virtual
The big shift in marketing needs post-COVID—and why social is back
Plus… the tools, platforms, and mindset shifts that make it all actually work
If you’ve ever said, “I’d grow if I just had the right help,” this one’s for you. Danae shares real talk, real options, and real encouragement for designers who want more time, more sanity, and more room to do what they love.
Check out our website too:
https://designdash.com/
Follow us on socials:
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