Hot Young Designers Club | Interior Design Business Podcast

In this episode, Shaun and Rebecca dive deep into the nuts and bolts of creating and managing a materials library for interior designers. They discuss everything from sourcing sample accounts and organizing fabrics, tile, rugs, paint, hardware, lighting, and window coverings, to managing the relentless influx of materials and avoiding storage chaos—all while keeping things inspiring and client-ready.With practical tips on establishing vendor relationships, setting up effective storage systems, maintaining sample quality, and curating collections by color or usage, this episode is packed with insights to help designers build an efficient, beautiful, and functional materials library.In this episode they discuss:How to get design trade accounts and sample access from major vendors like Pindler, Fabricut, Kravet, York, and more using resale certificates and business credentials.Strategies for organizing fabric samples—by color themes, outdoor vs. indoor, window treatments, and best folding and bin systems to keep samples visible and curled-free.Tips for storing tile, rugs, hardware, lighting, and paint samples—utilizing IKEA Pax units, bins, hangers, shallow drawers, finished-sample rings, and rep-supplied storage aids.Using Material Bank and vendor programs for efficient sample sourcing and quick shipping of paint, commercial fabrics, and tile.Solutions for managing bulky samples (e.g., tile boards, rug swatches, paint decks) and the benefits of building strong vendor relationships for rep delivery and service.Facing common challenges such as moth infestations, sample deterioration, and the time/labor required to maintain a materials library, including ideas for reuse or redistribution of unused samples.Leveraging market exposure (High Point, Las Vegas, Pacific Design Center) to expand your sample collection and deepen vendor knowledge without cluttering your home studio.Mentioned:IKEA Pax System: https://www.ikea.com/us/en/cat/pax-system-19086/HYDC Material Library Organization Amazon Storefront: https://amzn.to/3ZTSZp5Happy Hour Design Collective: https://www.itshappyhour.co/Pindler Fabrics: https://www.pindler.com/Fabricut Fabrics: https://fabricut.com/Schumacher Fabrics: https://schumacher.com/Kravet: https://www.kravet.com/York Wallcoverings: https://www.yorkwallcoverings.com/Anna Elizabeth / Greenhouse Fabrics: https://www.greenhousefabrics.com/anna-elisabethCrypton Fabrics: https://crypton.com/Zia Tile: https://www.ziatile.com/Fireclay Tile: https://www.fireclaytile.com/Supply Showroom: https://www.supplyshowroom.com/Pattern Collective:

In this episode, Shaun and Rebecca dive deep into the world of custom and bespoke furnishings and how they can elevate not only your designs but your entire interior design business. They share real-life experiences, lessons learned, and the emotional ups and downs of taking the custom route—from sourcing local artisans to managing the expectations of clients and contractors. They also explore how new AI tools are transforming the way designers visualize and pitch one-of-a-kind pieces.If you're feeling stuck sourcing from the same retailers or want to push your creative limits, this episode is a must-listen. Rebecca and Shaun break down the practical strategies and mindset shifts that can help you make custom your new standard.In this episode they discuss:How AI tools like ChatGPT can help visualize custom furnishings and win client buy-inWhy custom might be a necessary pivot in today’s economy and evolving retail landscapeChallenges with finding local vendors and how to build your dream custom teamThe importance of managing client expectations with custom installs and fittingsCreative ways to customize ready-made pieces without breaking the bankHow to structure your pricing when there’s no MSRP for custom workSmall-scale custom ideas that can elevate your portfolio and client experienceStrategies to avoid burnout and ensure profitability with time-intensive custom projectsMentioned:Norwalk Custom Upholstery (https://www.norwalkfurniture.com/)Villa Lagoon Tile (https://www.villalagoontile.com/)Gat Creek Custom Furniture (https://www.gatcreek.com/)Jaipur Living Custom Rugs (https://www.jaipurliving.com)Fabric Guru (https://www.fabricguru.com/)Our links:Subscribe and leave a review - Apple PodcastsLike, Comment, & Follow - Hot Young Designers Club InstagramRebecca’s InstagramShaun’s InstagramFor more information - Check out the websiteBecome a “Loyal Hottie” - Support us on PatreonDesign Resources - Check out our shopMentioned in this episode:Get 50% off your first year + a 14-day free trial with Sortly. https://sortly.com/hydc

This week, Shaun and Rebecca are joined by Natalie Papier of Home Ec Op to talk all things color, creativity, and carving your own design path. Natalie shares how her background in fine art has shaped her interiors, how she grew her business organically through Instagram, and the whirlwind of launching multiple product lines, filming a design TV show, and publishing her first book. She opens up about the real-life chaos behind the scenes and the power of staying true to your aesthetic.In this episode they discuss:Natalie's journey from fine artist to interior designerFilming Artfully Designed and navigating behind-the-scenes challengesHow her book Start with the Art came to life and what she learnedCollaborating with brands like Mitzi and Mitchell Black on product linesBalancing client work with content creation and licensing dealsThe importance of boundaries and fit in client relationshipsHow she handles unsolicited opinions and the downsides of viralityWhy midlife is actually the best time for creative evolutionIn this episode they discuss:Rasheeda’s transition from corporate marketing to full-time interior designBuilding a business while juggling a 9-to-5 job and family responsibilitiesCollaborating with her husband to create a design-construction duoThe significance of community and mentorship in her career growthRevising her pricing structure to enhance profitability and cash flowLeveraging local television as an effective marketing toolBalancing flat-fee and hourly billing to meet creative and business needsPreparing for her most significant TV project to date and expanding Gray Space's recognitionMentioned:Home Ec Op WebsiteHome Ec Op InstagramNatalie’s Wallpaper Collection with Mitchell BlackArtfully Designed on Discovery +Home Ec Collection with Mitzi LightingNatalie’s Book: Start with the ArtOur links:Subscribe and leave a review - Apple PodcastsLike, Comment, & Follow - Hot Young Designers Club InstagramRebecca’s InstagramShaun’s InstagramFor more information - Check out the websiteBecome a “Loyal Hottie” - Support us on PatreonDesign Resources - Check out our shopMentioned in this episode:Get 50% off your first year + a 14-day free trial with Sortly. https://sortly.com/hydc

In this heartfelt and vulnerable episode, Shaun and Rebecca open up about their personal mental health journeys and how those experiences impact their lives as interior designers and creative entrepreneurs. In recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month, they shed light on how common mental health struggles are within the design industry, and how important it is to build a life and business that supports your mind and body.Together, they share their own stories of burnout, depression, therapy, and medication, while encouraging fellow designers to normalize conversations around emotional well-being. This isn't about quick fixes—it's about real talk, compassion, and taking steps (big or small) toward mental resilience in a creative industry that often demands so much.In this episode they discuss:Why it's important to name and acknowledge your emotional state without shameThe emotional crash that can follow the adrenaline of busy periods and client workTips for recognizing and responding to situational versus long-term depressionThe benefits of therapy, medication, and consistent mental health check-insHow somatic stretching and body awareness can support emotional releaseDrawing boundaries with email, social media, and business energy drainsThe struggle of detaching your identity from your business and client feedbackFinding healing and connection through your design community and close friendsMentioned:BetterHelpTalkSpacePsychology TodayOur links:Subscribe and leave a review - Apple PodcastsLike, Comment, & Follow - Hot Young Designers Club InstagramRebecca’s InstagramShaun’s InstagramFor more information - Check out the websiteBecome a “Loyal Hottie” - Support us on PatreonDesign Resources - Check out our shopMentioned in this episode:Get 50% off your first year + a 14-day free trial with Sortly. https://sortly.com/hydc

In this episode, Shaun and Rebecca sit down with interior designer and TV personality Rasheeda Gray of Gray Space Interiors. Rasheeda shares how she transitioned from a 15-year corporate marketing career into a thriving design business — and how she made her purpose and passion align. They also dive into how she’s leveraged local television and mentorships to grow her brand, and what it’s really like running a business with your partner.From juggling 20 projects while holding down a full-time job to building a renovation-focused business with her husband, Rasheeda gets real about the hustle behind the glam. She also shares her evolving pricing strategies, her love for marketing, and what it takes to step into the spotlight on national TV.In this episode they discuss:Rasheeda’s shift from corporate marketing to full-time designHow she built her business while working a 9-to-5 and raising a familyPartnering with her husband to create a design-construction power duoThe importance of community and mentorship in building her careerReworking her pricing structure to protect profits and boost cash flowUsing local television as a powerful marketing toolBalancing flat-fee and hourly billing to serve both creativity and business needsPreparing for her biggest TV project yet — and aiming to make Gray Space a household nameMentioned:Gray Space Interiors: https://grayspaceinteriors.com/Rasheeda Gray on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/grayspaceinteriors/Rasheeda Gray on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/grayspaceinteriordesign/Kelly Collier-Clark: https://www.instagram.com/kellycollierclark/House of Clark Interiors: https://www.instagram.com/houseofclarkinteriors/Cheryl Luckett: https://www.instagram.com/dwellbycheryl/?hl=enOur links:Subscribe and leave a review - Apple PodcastsLike, Comment, & Follow - Hot Young Designers Club InstagramRebecca’s InstagramShaun’s InstagramFor more information - Check out the websiteBecome a “Loyal Hottie” - Support us on PatreonDesign Resources - Check out our shopMentioned in this episode:Get 50% off your first year + a 14-day free trial with Sortly. https://sortly.com/hydc

Shaun and Rebecca are back with another Mixed Baggie episode filled with updates, rants, and juicy industry talk! Rebecca shares a major manifestation win — landing a restaurant design opportunity just weeks after putting it out into the universe. They dig into writing proposals and pricing for commercial work, hitting critical mass in your business, and dealing with clients who have unrealistic expectations. Plus, they get real about how wild remodeling costs have gotten, and the emotional struggle with paying more for everything, even as consumers.In this episode they discuss:Rebecca’s restaurant project manifestation story and how it happened almost too fastHow Rebecca structured her first commercial project proposal and what she learnedHitting critical mass in business and the terrifying feeling of leveling upWhy discovery calls can be painful when clients have unrealistic budgets and timelinesRemodeling costs in 2025 and why even ChatGPT’s numbers might be too lowThe hard truth that not every designer can—or should—work with 1% clientsWhy it's important to pay for upgrades, even monthly app fees, to scale your businessMore Facebook group drama and the politics of online designer communitiesMentioned:Harvest App (https://www.getharvest.com/)Acuity Scheduling (https://acuityscheduling.com/)Noir Furniture (https://www.noirfurniturela.com/)Our links:Subscribe and leave a review - Apple PodcastsLike, Comment, & Follow - Hot Young Designers Club InstagramRebecca’s InstagramShaun’s InstagramFor more information - Check out the websiteBecome a “Loyal Hottie” - Support us on PatreonDesign Resources - Check out our shopMentioned in this episode:Get 50% off your first year + a 14-day free trial with Sortly. https://sortly.com/hydc

In this powerful and soul-nourishing episode, Rebecca and Shaun welcome special guest Coach Jackie (aka Jacquelyn Vasquez), a money mindset coach who’s all about helping entrepreneurs shift their inner narratives to transform their outer realities. With her background in NLP, EFT, and hypnosis, Coach Jackie offers actionable insights and energetic real-talk to help creatives, especially interior designers, break through blocks around self-worth, fear, and money.If money mindset has ever held you back in your design business, this episode will inspire you to reframe your thoughts, trust your journey, and dream bigger. Jackie shares her own personal stories of manifestation and energetic alignment while guiding listeners to step into their most confident, wealthy, and authentic selves.In this episode they discuss:Why money mindset blocks are rooted in fear and self-worthHow to shift out of scarcity and embody your next-level selfThe link between procrastination and self-doubt in your businessCreating your “alter ego” to help show up with confidenceReprogramming beliefs through affirmations and visualizationHow to let go of control and trust the journey (especially with money!)Letting go of outdated narratives around wealth and successWhy manifestation works best when you detach from the "how"Mentioned:The Pursuit To Happy WebsiteThe Pursuit To Happy on InstagramThe Pursuit To Happy on TikTokThe Pursuit To Happy on YouTubeClear Your Money Blocks CourseOur links:Subscribe and leave a review - Apple PodcastsLike, Comment, & Follow - Hot Young Designers Club InstagramRebecca’s InstagramShaun’s InstagramFor more information - Check out the websiteBecome a “Loyal Hottie” - Support us on PatreonDesign Resources - Check out our shopMentioned in this episode:Get 50% off your first year + a 14-day free trial with Sortly. https://sortly.com/hydc

In this episode, Rebecca and Shaun bring back their fan-favorite "Just Stop" series, diving into the latest industry grievances and personal pet peeves. From unexpected social media drama to frustrating client revisions, they share unfiltered takes on what needs to stop in the design world. If you’ve ever dealt with a client revising a project into oblivion or questioned the logic behind tiny shower windows, this episode is for you!A surprising Facebook group mystery—who blocked Rebecca and why?The exhausting cycle of clients who over-revise and degrade their own designsWhy some designers take on too many projects for the money and end up drowning in workThe battle of parenting culture and why we need to stop making everything "kid-proof"How restaurant design is failing—why spending money on bad design is just as costly as good designThe case against tiny shower windows—why are they still a thing?Learning to say no to projects that don’t excite you and staying true to the work you loveWant exclusive behind-the-scenes content, monthly live calls, and 20% off our shop? Join us on Patreon: Patreon.com/hydc and be part of our designer community!Supporting Resources:Rebecca's Instagram: Studio PlumbShaun's Instagram: Wrensted InteriorsStay connected: Hot Young Designers Club InstagramExplore more: Hot Young Designers Club WebsiteShop our design resources: Hot Young Designers Club ShopBecome a Loyal Hottie:Support the show by subscribing on Apple Podcasts, leaving a review, and sharing this episode with your design besties. For exclusive content, join us on Patreon.Mentioned in this episode:Get 50% off your first year + a 14-day free trial with Sortly. https://sortly.com/hydc

In this episode, we're sitting down with Caroline Turner of Caroline Turner Interiors and Confessions of an Interior Designer to talk about running a design business, building a waitlist, handling referrals (or not), and using social media for client growth. Caroline shares her unfiltered thoughts on why she’s not a fan of referrals, how she sets project minimums, and the major shifts she’s made in her business to improve workflow. Plus, we get into her viral TikToks, the future of AI in design, and her juicy behind-the-scenes confessions from working in the industry. If you’ve ever had to tell a contractor to “suck your dick” (or wanted to), this episode is for you!In this episode, we discuss:How Caroline built her business and team structureThe benefits of creating a waitlist for projectsWhy she doesn’t love getting referrals—and how they can cause problemsSetting minimum project investment amounts and how that changed her businessLearning to fire clients (and how some refused to be fired!)The role TikTok has played in her business growthThe impact of AI on the design industry and why designers need to be cautiousHer experience taking over a project after another designer was let goThe challenges of working with contractors and standing firm on budget conversationsHow she launched Confessions of an Interior Designer and what it’s really like running a podcastSupporting ResourcesCaroline Turner Interiors https://carolineturner.co/Follow Caroline Turner Interiors on Instagram and TikTokhttps://www.instagram.com/carolineturnerinteriors/?hl=enConfessions of an Interior Designer Podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/confessions-of-an-interior-designer/id1777908471Rebecca's Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/studioplumb/?hl=enShaun's Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/wrenstedinteriors/?hl=enJoin Our Patreonhttps://www.patreon.com/hydcListen on Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hot-young-designers-club-interior-design-business-podcast/id1505427626Shop HYDChttps://shop.hotyoungdesignersclub.com/Visit Our Websitehttps://hotyoungdesignersclub.com/Mentioned in this episode:Get 50% off your first year + a 14-day free trial with Sortly. https://sortly.com/hydc

If you’ve ever thought about attending High Point Market but felt overwhelmed by the planning, logistics, and sheer scale of the event, this episode is for you! Shaun and Rebecca break down everything you need to know before making the trip—what to expect, how to prepare, and how to make the most of your time. Whether you’re going for the first time or looking to refine your market strategy, they’ve got tips to help you navigate like a pro.From booking accommodations early to finding the best showrooms and events, this guide will help you maximize your experience at the biggest trade show for designers.In this episode, we discuss:Why designers should go to High Point Market – The value of attending and how it can help you grow your business.The best time to plan your trip – How early you should book flights, hotels, and register for market.Navigating the massive layout – Understanding transportation options, shuttle routes, and how to group showrooms.Maximizing showroom visits – How to efficiently take notes, snap photos, and collect vendor information.The importance of networking – Making connections with other designers, attending panels, and learning from the best in the industry.Packing smart for market – What to wear, what to bring, and how to stay comfortable during long days.Want exclusive behind-the-scenes content, monthly live calls, and 20% off our shop? Join us on Patreon: Patreon.com/hydc and be part of our designer community!Supporting Resources:High Point Market: RegistrationRebecca's Instagram: Studio PlumbShaun's Instagram: Wrensted InteriorsStay connected: Hot Young Designers Club InstagramExplore more: Hot Young Designers Club WebsiteShop our design resources: Hot Young Designers Club ShopBecome a Loyal Hottie:Support the show by subscribing on Apple Podcasts, leaving a review, and sharing this episode with your design besties. For exclusive content, join us on Patreon.