The DesignDash Podcast

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 desig...

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...

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 f...

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 i...

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, t...

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 ...

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 rel...

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 ...

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:

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, bu...

What happens when you take an international business background, mix in a love for design, and layer it with over a decade of experience in luxury interiors? You get Shannon Smith — our rockstar Director of Interior Design at Laura U Design Collective.

Melissa is off on vacation today, but I’ve got you covered! In this episode, I’m sitting down with Shannon to dive into the world of high-end interior design, from creating stunning ...

Alright, let’s be real—High Point Market is A LOT. It’s exciting, it’s overwhelming, and if you’re not careful, it will chew you up and spit you out with sore feet, an overpacked schedule, and a camera roll full of blurry photos you don’t even remember taking.

But guess what? We’ve been there. We’ve made the mistakes so you don’t have to. And in this episode we're breaking down exactly how to do High Point the right way.

Here’s wha...

In this episode, our guest is Erin Stetzer—an absolute force in high-end homebuilding.  As the founder of Stetzer Builders, Erin has built a rock-solid reputation by delivering luxury homes with integrity, transparency, and an obsession for details.

If you’ve ever been involved in a home build or renovation, you know how quickly things can spiral. The process is slow, overwhelming, and full of unexpected challenges that can leave e...

Hey Design Dashers in this episode we are sitting down with Kali Edwards—branding genius, website magician, and the creative mind behind June Mango Design.

And let me tell you… this conversation is a breath of fresh air for anyone who’s ever felt overwhelmed by branding, stuck in analysis paralysis over their website, or convinced that “niching down” means leaving money on the table.

Kali’s whole approach? Intentional, strategic, a...

Designers, you know the drill. A new client walks in, excited but totally lost—Who do I hire first? Builder? Architect? Designer? All of the above? And then there’s the mid-reno meltdown: Why are my walls still open? Why did I do this to myself?

Sound familiar? Yeah, we thought so.

In this episode, we’re pulling back the curtain on the real challenges that come with renovations—and how we, as designers, can be the steady hand guidi...

Hey Design Dashers! It’s just US today and we're getting real about one of the most debated topics in the design world: design agreements.

Look, we know contracts can feel like a necessary evil, but here’s our take: a solid design agreement is your BEST tool for protecting your business, your clients, and your sanity. And honestly? If you don’t have one yet… you need to fix that ASAP.

In this episode, we’re sharing our unfiltered t...

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 s...

If you’ve ever thought, “Can my smartphone really take professional-level photos of my interiors?”—the answer is YES, and today’s episode is about to blow your mind. 

We’re sitting down with the incredible Linda Holt, a photographer-turned-interior-designer-turned-smartphone-photography guru, to uncover how YOU can transform your design portfolio and social media presence using nothing but your smartphone.

Here’s what we’re diving ...

Welcome back, Design Dashers to our first episode of 2025! It’s just us today—catching up, and having a real chat about the year ahead and how we’re setting ourselves up for a little less chaos and a lot more intentional living.

First off, big news: We’ve officially launched the Design Dash Community!  We’ve built a space just for interior designers who want to thrive. It’s your go-to spot to chat about everything from the business...