The DesignDash Podcast

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/
Follow us on socials:
https://www.instagram.com/designdasher/
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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/
Follow us on socials:
https://www.instagram.com/designdasher/
https://www.tiktok.com/@designdasher
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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/
Follow us on socials:
https://www.instagram.com/designdasher/
https://www.tiktok.com/@designdasher
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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:
https://www.instagram.com/designdasher/
https://www.tiktok.com/@designdasher
https://www.facebook.com/DesignDasher

Episode 65: Why Most Design Businesses Fail by Year 5 (And How to Avoid It) with LuAnn Nigara

In this episode, my guest is LuAnn Nigara, host of A Well-Designed Business and a true leader in the interior design industry. If you’ve ever wondered how to run a creative business that actually makes money, this conversation is your wake-up call.
LuAnn shares what she’s learned from building her own business since the early '80s and coaching thousands of designers along the way. We talk about the first few years of business—why they’re so chaotic, how to shorten the learning curve, and what systems actually matter.
You’ll hear:
Why your first hire probably shouldn’t be a design assistant
The financial habits that set successful designers apart (and why skipping them is so common)
How to talk to your team about revenue goals without sounding like a spreadsheet
And the one mindset shift LuAnn says separates real CEOs from hobbyists
It’s a real conversation about the messy middle of growing a business, what to expect as you scale, and how to make better decisions from the start. Whether you're solo or scaling, you’ll walk away with practical takeaways you can use right away.
Go ahead and hit play. You’re going to learn something that saves you time, money, and maybe a few headaches.
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 64: Startup vs. Scale-Up: How to Know You’re Ready to Build a Team

You know that feeling when you’re drowning in sticky notes, juggling a million hats, and wondering if hiring help will save your sanity or sink the ship?
Yeah. That.
In this episode of Design Dash, Laura and Melissa are showing up (yes, even with scratchy voices and the post-travel fog) to unpack exactly what it looks like to move from solo scrappiness into sustainable team-building. Whether you're in full-on startup chaos or quietly pretending your business isn’t overdue for a scale-up—this one's for you.
We talk about:
What startup mode really looks like (and how to know if you're stuck in it)
The moment when hiring becomes less optional and more “must-do”
Common pain points that signal it’s time to scale (spoiler: stress is a big one)
The real math behind hiring your first designer or office assistant (with numbers that actually make sense)
Why delegation feels so scary—and how to shift your mindset so your team can thrive
Mistakes we’ve made hiring (and what we do differently now)
How to onboard someone without setting them up to fail
Plus… our take on whether your first hire should be a design assistant, bookkeeper, or marketing lead (the answer might surprise you)
If you’ve ever asked, “Can I afford to hire?” or “Am I even ready to grow a team?” this episode will help you make that decision with way more confidence.
And hey, if you’re already knee-deep in projects and can barely breathe—this might be the most important 40 minutes you spend on your business this week.
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 63: How Designers Can Stop Losing Money and Build Profitable Businesses with Laurie Laizure

In this episode we sit down with the incredible Laurie Laizure, founder of the Interior Design Community—a space that’s rewriting the rules for designers worldwide. We’re digging into some of the real challenges designers face every day, stuff that doesn’t get talked about enough.
Laurie shares why so many designers are still undercharging for their work, how billing methods can make a huge difference in your bottom line, and what happens when designers don’t put a proper value on their time. We also get into why so many designers end up paying out of their own pocket to make a project “look right” and how to start breaking that habit.
We talk about what it really means to build a business that lasts—one that not only supports your family now but can actually be sold later when you’re ready to step away.
Laurie gives practical ideas on things like:
How to handle difficult conversations with clients
The pros and cons of flat fee vs. hourly billing
How to think about your career beyond the next project
If you’ve ever wondered whether you’re charging enough, or you’ve felt that quiet pressure to make everything perfect at your own expense—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 62: How to Design a Life (and Business) You Actually Love with Carolyn Rodz

In this episode, our guest is Carolyn Rodz from Hello Alice, a powerful platform helping over 1.5 million small business owners find the right resources at the right time.
We talk about what it really takes to build a business and a life you actually love. Carolyn shares how she made the bold move from Houston to a small town in Spain, what it’s like to renovate a 300-year-old rectory, and how stepping out of the U.S. hustle reshaped her view on leadership, creativity, and success.
You’ll hear practical insights about:
How to make big life decisions without losing your head
Why failure is a normal, necessary part of growth (and how to actually get better at it)
The tiny details that make a brand feel truly human
How to build a company that supports small businesses at scale without losing the personal touch
There’s a lot to learn in this conversation—from running a business across continents, to making room for creativity, to how the pace of life can actually shape what we value.
Carolyn’s story will get you thinking about what you’re building and why.
Grab a coffee. Let’s dive in.
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 61: How Designers Can Turn High Point Into a Business Growth Engine with Tammy Covington

In this episode of Design Dash, we’re thrilled to sit down with Tammy, President & CEO of the High Point Market Authority—aka the woman behind the curtain of one of the most iconic events in the design world.
We dig deep into the real High Point story—the chaos, the creativity, and the quiet evolution that turned a century-old furniture market into the can't-miss destination for interior designers. From riding buses undercover to fix broken signage, to forging powerful partnerships with the NKBA, Tammy shares how she’s not just running a show… she’s reshaping an industry.
If you’ve ever wondered:
Why the designer experience at High Point feels tailor-made
How to actually prep like a pro (hint: ditch the heels, pick up the desktop planner)
And what the future holds for whole-home design…
…you’ll want to hear every second of this.
Oh—and if you’ve ever felt intimidated by kitchen & bath, or unsure how to maximize market for biz development? Tammy’s got some gold for you.
This episode is about more than strategy. It’s about finding your Framily in the madness, soaking up the energy, and turning inspiration into ROI.
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 60: What It Really Takes to Build a Timeless Design Brand with Jamie Young

Ever wonder what it really takes to build a creative empire without losing your soul in the process?
In this episode we sit down with Jamie Young—co-founder of the Jamie Young Company—to unpack the beautiful chaos of growing a globally recognized design brand from scratch. Picture this: launching a business while breastfeeding and faxing orders to a small village in Mexico. That’s the kind of grit Jamie brings to the table.
We talk about everything from her first product line to the moments she hit burnout after COVID and had to ask herself, “Now what?” Jamie opens up about scaling her business, staying curious, trusting the people around her, and reinventing the brand—again and again—without losing its soul.
There’s so much heart in this conversation. Jamie gets real about risk, creative leadership, parenting while building, and how she kept her edge when it would’ve been easier to play it safe.
If you’re a creative business owner, a designer with a dream, or someone navigating burnout and wondering if it’s worth pushing through—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