Only Girl On The Jobsite

This week, I'm re-airing one of the highest-listened interviews we've ever done — my conversation with Katie Decker-Erickson, founder of Success by Design. And I'll be honest: when I listened back, it landed completely differently than it did the first time. I was in a different place. I heard different things. That's exactly why good content is worth coming back to.   Katie is a commercial interior designer turned business coach, and she has built her firm on something most designers skip entirely: airtight processes that run in the background so she can focus on the work she actually loves.   We get into scaling — when to do it, when not to, and what has to be in place first. We talk about agility, the myth that more projects equals more profit, and the "lonely work" that no one sees but everyone benefits from.   Whether you're hearing this for the first time or coming back around to it, there is something in this conversation you can put to work today.   You'll learn: Why scaling before your processes are solid usually backfires What agility actually means in a design business — and why rigid processes create paralysis The "lonely work" that positions you for growth before the big clients arrive   Mentioned in this episode: Join The Designer's Edge waitlist here: https://www.reneedevignierdesign.com/construction-management-interior-designers Access the full video interview with Elana Steele of Steele Appliance here: https://www.reneedevignierdesign.com/appliance Find the full shownotes at: https://devignierdesign.com/business-of-design-power-of-process-katie-decker-erickson

7/14/26 • 83:28

Everyone talks about the contractor relationship. Nobody talks about the people underneath — the tile setter, the painter, the faux finisher, the trim carpenter doing the work with their hands every single day. In this episode, I'm pulling back the curtain on what's been happening on a current project to show you exactly what trade relationships make possible — and what they cost you when you don't have them. I'll walk you through how these relationships start, how you nurture them between projects, and how you maintain them so that when the scope triples and the timeline is tight, your people show up anyway. Because the team that stretches for you doesn't do it because you hired them once. They do it because you've shown up for them, consistently, over time.   You'll learn: Why trade relationships save projects that processes alone never could How to vet, start, and maintain relationships with new subcontractors What it actually looks like when those relationships show up for you mid-project   Mentioned in this episode: Join The Designer's Edge waitlist here: https://www.reneedevignierdesign.com/construction-management-interior-designers Grab Your Free Script Guide here: https://www.reneedevignierdesign.com/push-back-script-handout Access the full video interview with Elana Steele of Steele Appliance here: https://www.reneedevignierdesign.com/appliance   Find the full shownotes at: https://devignierdesign.com/interior-designer-trade-relationships/   

7/7/26 • 34:36

Most designers skip the conversation that determines whether a client actually trusts them through the hard parts of construction. And by the time they realize it, they're already mid-project trying to unwind frustration that could have been avoided entirely.   In this episode, I'm walking you through exactly what to cover before a single wall comes down — timelines, contingency, allowances, change orders, daily disruption, and the four emotional stages every construction client moves through. Not as a checklist. As a conversation that builds real trust from the very first call.     You'll learn: Why your first client call is already doing two jobs at once What to say about money, timelines, and change orders before they become problems The four emotional stages every client hits — and how naming them changes everything   Mentioned in this episode: Join The Designer's Edge waitlist here: https://www.reneedevignierdesign.com/construction-management-interior-designers Grab Your Free Script Guide here: https://www.reneedevignierdesign.com/push-back-script-handout Access the full video interview with Elana Steele of Steele Appliance here: https://www.reneedevignierdesign.com/appliance   Find the full shownotes at: https://devignierdesign.com/pre-construction-client-conversation   

6/30/26 • 29:23

Most of us measure capacity by how many projects we're running. I did it too, and it's the wrong metric entirely. In this episode, I'm breaking down the two variables that actually determine how a project feels to manage: who's running the operational machine, and how compressed the timeline is. I walk through my own current roster, including the mid-sized renovation that honestly wrecked me these past couple of months despite being the smallest project on my plate, to show you exactly how this plays out in real life.   If you've ever felt buried on something that looked manageable on paper, or wondered why your fee never quite catches up to what you're actually carrying, this one is for you.   You'll learn: Why project count tells you almost nothing about your real workload The two questions to ask before saying yes to any new project How to price the actual load — not just the square footage   Mentioned in this episode: Join The Designer's Edge waitlist here: https://www.reneedevignierdesign.com/construction-management-interior-designers Grab Your Free Script Guide here: https://www.reneedevignierdesign.com/push-back-script-handout Access the full video interview with Elana Steele of Steele Appliance here: https://www.reneedevignierdesign.com/appliance   Find the full shownotes at: https://devignierdesign.com/interior-designer-capacity-project-count 

6/23/26 • 23:51

I've admired Amy Vermillion for a long time, so this conversation felt like sitting down with someone who truly understands what it takes to build a lasting career in this industry. We both started our businesses in 2000, worked our way up through firms, and learned the hard way, through experience, mistakes, and a lot of time on job sites. And what became very clear in this conversation is this: there is no single path to success in interior design, but there are patterns. In this episode, we talk about how a design career is actually built, from early jobs that teach you more than you realize, to starting your own firm, to navigating clients, construction, and the reality of running a business over decades. We also get into: Why construction knowledge changes everything for a designer How to position your value with clients (and why it's not about time) The importance of community in what can be a very isolating industry How the design industry has evolved — and where it's heading next   This is one of those conversations that's equal parts practical and grounding. Whether you're just starting out or years into your business, it's a reminder that careers are built slowly — one project, one decision, and one relationship at a time.   Find out more about Amy here: Website: https://www.amyvermillion.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amyvermilloninteriors   Mentioned in this episode: Join The Designer's Edge waitlist here: https://www.reneedevignierdesign.com/construction-management-interior-designers Grab Your Free Script Guide here: https://www.reneedevignierdesign.com/push-back-script-handout Access the full video interview with Elana Steele of Steele Appliance here: https://www.reneedevignierdesign.com/appliance   Find the full shownotes at: https://devignierdesign.com/building-an-interior-design-career-amy-vermillion    

6/16/26 • 103:56

If you're an interior designer managing construction projects, you already know the feeling. You walk into a room, a jobsite, a contractor meeting, an industry event, and something in the air quietly suggests you don't fully belong there. That the builders and the architects and the trades have a kind of authority you haven't quite earned yet. And without even realizing it, you get a little smaller.   In this episode, I'm talking about what happens when interior designers shrink on jobsites and in rooms they weren't expected to be in, the over-explaining, the unnecessary apologies, the deferred decisions, and why each one compounds into something that costs you more than you realize. I'm also sharing the concrete language and the 60-second practice that changes how you walk into any room from here on out. Because your authority isn't something you earn once you're in the room. It's something you carry in with you.   Mentioned in this episode: Join The Designer's Edge waitlist here: https://www.reneedevignierdesign.com/construction-management-interior-designers Grab Your Free Script Guide here: https://www.reneedevignierdesign.com/push-back-script-handout Access the full video interview with Elana Steele of Steele Appliance here: https://www.reneedevignierdesign.com/appliance Find the full shownotes at: https://devignierdesign.com/interior-designer-confidence-jobsites 

6/9/26 • 25:19

There are three documents every interior designer managing construction projects needs to understand. And most don't, not fully.   Not because they're complicated. Because nobody ever explained the difference between them and why each one matters so much.   In this episode, I'm walking through the scope of work, the change order, and the addendum to scope of work; what each one does, when to use it, and what it costs you when you don't. I'm also talking about how these three documents together answer the question every client is quietly asking: why do I need a designer, and is this worth the investment?   Because when you run a project with clear documentation and a system your whole team understands, you stop having to explain your value. Your clients feel it. Your contractors trust it. And your projects end the way they deserve to.   Mentioned in this episode: Join The Designer's Edge waitlist here: https://www.reneedevignierdesign.com/construction-management-interior-designers Grab Your Free Script Guide here: https://www.reneedevignierdesign.com/push-back-script-handout Access the full video interview with Elana Steele of Steele Appliance here: https://www.reneedevignierdesign.com/appliance   Find the full shownotes at: https://devignierdesign.com/three-documents-interior-design-project 

6/2/26 • 31:22

You're a few weeks into a project. Things started well. And then the contractor goes quiet.   The texts take days to get a response. The updates get shorter. You show up for a site visit, and no one told you the schedule changed. And you start filling in that silence with stories; he's probably just busy, maybe I'm being too demanding, maybe I should wait a little longer before following up.   Here's the thing: that silence is not neutral. It's telling you something. And the longer you manage around it instead of addressing it directly, the more it costs you — in time, in money, in your client relationship, and in the authority you've worked hard to build.   In this episode, I'm breaking down the four real reasons contractors go quiet, why the responses most of us default to make it worse, and exactly what to say when you have the conversation, so you can reset the dynamic without blowing up the project.   Mentioned in this episode: Join The Designer's Edge waitlist here: https://www.reneedevignierdesign.com/construction-management-interior-designers Grab Your Free Script Guide here: https://www.reneedevignierdesign.com/push-back-script-handout Access the full video interview with Elana Steele of Steele Appliance here: https://www.reneedevignierdesign.com/appliance   Find the full shownotes at: https://devignierdesign.comcontractor-stops-communicating 

5/26/26 • 24:53

I love talking to people who came up through this industry the hard way and then figured out something that makes all of our lives better.   Fiona Sanipelli is one of those people. She studied architecture, spent nearly 20 years in hospitality design, worked her way through some of the most celebrated firms in New York, and somewhere in the middle of all of that, got so frustrated by the chaos of spec writing that she and her brother built a better solution.   That became DesignSpec. In this episode, we talk about her path through the industry, why your specs are either saving your projects or quietly killing them, how the right software can genuinely replace a hire, and what both of us actually think about AI and where it's headed for designers.   Whether you're a solopreneur juggling everything yourself or you have a team trying to get more organized, there is something in this conversation for you.   Connect with Fiona here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/designspec/    https://www.linkedin.com/company/designmanager/  https://www.instagram.com/designspec.com_/  https://www.instagram.com/designmanager/   Mentioned in this episode: Join The Designer's Edge here: https://www.reneedevignierdesign.com/construction-management-interior-designers Grab Your Free Script Guide here: https://www.reneedevignierdesign.com/push-back-script-handout Access the full video interview with Elana Steele of Steele Appliance here: https://www.reneedevignierdesign.com/appliance   Find the full shownotes at: https://devignierdesign.com/interior-design-spec-writing-software 

5/19/26 • 73:46

Most hard construction projects don't announce themselves as disasters. They arrive as a feeling. A low hum. A sense that something's slightly off and you can't quite name it yet. And most of us push through it, manage around it, or work harder to compensate for it. Because that's what we do. But in this episode, I want to talk about what that feeling is actually telling you, and what becomes possible when you act on it early instead of managing through it later. Because a lot of the projects that feel hard from the start didn't have to. They feel hard because of a handful of small moments, early in the project, that went unaddressed. And by the time the hardness is undeniable, those moments are long past. If you've ever finished a project and thought, that was so much more work than it should have been, this one is for you.   Mentioned in this episode: Join The Designer's Edge here: https://www.reneedevignierdesign.com/construction-management-interior-designers Grab Your Free Script Guide here: https://www.reneedevignierdesign.com/push-back-script-handout  Access the full video interview with Elana Steele of Steele Appliance here: https://www.reneedevignierdesign.com/appliance   Find the full shownotes at: https://devignierdesign.com/early-warning-signs-construction-projects 

5/12/26 • 29:36

When you finish a construction project feeling like you worked for free, the instinct is to assume the number was wrong. Sometimes it is. But more often, the number was fine. What broke down was everything around it. In this episode, I'm talking about the two specific places pricing falls apart on construction projects, and neither one is your math. The first is how you present your fee. The second is how you protect it once the project starts. Both will cost you just as reliably as a loose scope of work will. They just do it more quietly. If you've ever hedged in a proposal meeting, absorbed hours you should have flagged, or finished a project and thought, that was so much more work than I accounted for, this one is for you.   Mentioned in this episode: Join The Designer's Edge and my May 5th workshop here: https://www.reneedevignierdesign.com/construction-management-interior-designers Grab Your Free Script Guide here: https://www.reneedevignierdesign.com/push-back-script-handout  Access the full video interview with Elana Steele of Steele Appliance here: https://www.reneedevignierdesign.com/appliance   Find the full shownotes at: https://devignierdesign.com/construction-project-pricing-interior-designers 

5/5/26 • 25:41

I've never told this story in full before. The financial pressure when my husband's career collapsed. My son's medical crisis. My own Graves' disease diagnosis right when my business was finally gaining real momentum. The debt that stayed through all of it — not because I wasn't working hard enough, but because the structure was wrong. This episode is about what it actually took to get to the other side. And why the fix was faster than I spent years convincing myself it would be. If you're surviving right now and wondering when it turns, this one is for you.   Mentioned in this episode: Join the waitlist for The Designer's Edge and my May 5th workshop here: https://www.reneedevignierdesign.com/construction-management-interior-designers Grab Your Free Script Guide here: https://www.reneedevignierdesign.com/push-back-script-handout  Access the full video interview with Elana Steele of Steele Appliance here: https://www.reneedevignierdesign.com/appliance   Find the full shownotes at: https://devignierdesign.com/interior-design-business-pricing-structure 

4/28/26 • 30:43

  Interior design contracts are often misunderstood, not just by clients, but by attorneys who don't understand how this industry actually works. In this episode, I'm joined by Wendy Estela, Founder of Estela Law and Designed Counsel™, a contract template and subscription service created exclusively for interior designers. With 25 years of experience in business law and a background in construction, Wendy serves hundreds of designers from AD100 and Elle Decor A-List professionals to those just starting out. We talk about what designers need to know about contracts, scope of work, liability, construction dynamics, copyright, and how to protect your business before problems arise. If you've ever: Wondered whether your contract truly protects you Felt unsure about construction management language Struggled with scope creep or warranty confusion Questioned what you can legally call yourself in your state Been nervous about sharing work on Instagram This episode is for you. Wendy brings practical, business-minded advice to an industry that is often underserved legally. And this conversation may completely change how you view your contract — not as paperwork, but as protection.   Find out more about Wendy and follow her here: www.designedcounsel.com www.estelalaw.com  https://www.instagram.com/estelalaw/ https://www.instagram.com/designed_counsel/   Mentioned in this episode: Grab Your Free Script Guide here: https://www.reneedevignierdesign.com/push-back-script-handout  Access the full video interview with Elana Steele of Steele Appliance here: https://www.reneedevignierdesign.com/appliance   Find the full shownotes at: https://devignierdesign.com/interior-design-contracts 

4/21/26 • 67:41

So you built your fee. You did the work. You went through every phase. You estimated your hours. You accounted for your role. And you landed on a number that actually reflects what this project will require. And then you presented it. And then the client either said, "That's more than we expected," or "Let us think about it and get back to you." And then they went quiet. If this has happened to you in the past or recently, let me please be the first to tell you: you are not alone. And I want to tell you something important before we go any further: The fee is probably not the problem. I'm actually betting on it. What happened before the fee is the problem. And that's what we're going to talk about today.   Mentioned in this episode: Join the wait list for The Designers Edge and my May 5th workshop here: https://www.reneedevignierdesign.com/construction-management-interior-designers  Grab Your Free Script Guide here: https://www.reneedevignierdesign.com/push-back-script-handout  Access the full video interview with Elana Steele of Steele Appliance here: https://www.reneedevignierdesign.com/appliance   Find the full shownotes at: https://devignierdesign.com/interior-design-fee-rejection 

4/14/26 • 30:17

Have you ever been standing on a job site, or sitting on a call, or answering a text at 9 p.m., and realized mid-sentence that you are clearly running this project? Not consulting on it. Not advising from the edges. But running it. Coordinating it. Holding it together. And nobody ever asked you to take on that role. And you definitely didn't price your fee accordingly. If that moment sounds familiar, you are absolutely in the right place today. Because we're going to talk about the four moments that signal you've crossed from consultant to manager — without a conversation, without an agreement, and almost always without a fee that reflects it.   Mentioned in this episode: Join the wait list for The Designers Edge and my May 5th workshop here: https://www.reneedevignierdesign.com/construction-management-interior-designers  Grab Your Free Script Guide here: https://www.reneedevignierdesign.com/push-back-script-handout  Access the full video interview with Elana Steele of Steele Appliance here: https://www.reneedevignierdesign.com/appliance   Find the full shownotes at: https://devignierdesign.com/interior-designer-consultant-to-construction-manager 

4/7/26 • 27:00

Today is March 31st, the last day of the first quarter. And I want to do something a little different. I want to walk you through a quick audit. Maybe five minutes. Back of the napkin. No fancy spreadsheet. You can use a Post-it if you want. This will tell you more about your business than your QuickBooks has all year. Because we're going to look at the gap between what you earned this quarter and what you were actually worth. And then we're going to talk about what that gap is really costing you — because it's not just money. If you've ever finished a quarter feeling like you worked constantly, but the revenue doesn't match up with your effort, this episode is for you. This is no judgment. Just clarity. Mentioned in this episode: Join the waitlist for The Designer's Edge here: https://www.reneedevignierdesign.com/construction-management-interior-designers Grab Your Free Script Guide here: https://www.reneedevignierdesign.com/push-back-script-handout  Access the full video interview with Elana Steele of Steele Appliance here: https://www.reneedevignierdesign.com/appliance   Find the full shownotes at: https://devignierdesign.com/interior-designer-undercharging-cost

3/31/26 • 31:03

Today's episode feels like you're sitting in on a conversation you want to be a part of. Today, I'm joined by Rebecca Plum and Shaun Crha, the voices behind the Hot Young Designers Club, a global community of designers who are redefining what it means to show up in this industry. They're the founders of Studio Plum and Rinsted Interiors, and together, they've built a platform rooted in friendship, honesty, and the belief that being a hottie is really just a state of mind. Through their podcast, Patreon, and industry events, they're creating space for interior designers to talk about the real stuff, the emotional, the practical, and yes, the humorous side of this business. And today, we're going to go there in this conversation. Today, we talked about community and isolation. We talked about money, construction chaos, and client dynamics. We talked about scope of work clarity and the emotional weight of this business. Let's get into it.   Find out more about Rebecca and Shaun Website: https://hotyoungdesignersclub.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hotyoungdesignersclub   Mentioned in this episode: Grab Your Free Script Guide here: https://www.reneedevignierdesign.com/push-back-script-handout Access the full video interview with Elana Steele of Steele Appliance here: https://www.reneedevignierdesign.com/appliance   Find the full shownotes at: https://devignierdesign.com/interior-design-industry-conversations   

3/24/26 • 106:48

I billed hourly for my entire career. It felt honest, transparent, fair. But one morning, I had a realization that changed everything: the better I got at my work, the less I was making. My earlier clients paid me to build relationships, vet contractors, develop expertise. Now my current clients were benefiting from all of that, for 15 minutes on an invoice. That was the day I decided to stop charging hourly. Today, I'm walking you through why hourly starts working against you as you grow, the 6-input framework I use to build flat fees (no formulas), how to present your fee with confidence, and what to say when clients push back. Mentioned in this episode: Grab Your Free Script Guide here: https://www.reneedevignierdesign.com/push-back-script-handout  Access the full video interview with Elana Steele of Steele Appliance here: https://www.reneedevignierdesign.com/appliance   Find the full shownotes at: https://devignierdesign.com/flat-fee-vs-hourly-interior-design 

3/17/26 • 36:59

There are projects that stretch you creatively. There are projects that grow your business. And then there are projects that quietly cost you more than you realize while you're in them. This is about one of those. For nearly ten years, I worked with a client who, if I'm being honest, I knew was difficult from the very beginning. Not unreasonable in a glaring way. Not someone who screamed or threw things. She was particular. High maintenance. Intense. And in the early years, I convinced myself that I could manage it. We started with decorating. We would work intensely for months, and then I wouldn't hear from her for almost a year. Throughout that time, she would tell me they were looking for their "dream home." The one we would fully renovate together. The big project. Looking back, that may have been the carrot that kept me moving through the more frenetic moments. I believed that if I stayed steady, if I stayed patient, it would all culminate into something extraordinary. Eventually, they found the house. It was beautiful and complicated and ver y old. It needed modernization and a large addition. It was exactly the kind of project designers dream about. And I told myself what so many of us tell ourselves: I know her. I understand her quirks. I can handle this. It was not fine. So today, I want to talk about the red flags I saw — and ignored — along the way. And also the pink flags that showed up. My hope is that you'll recognize them sooner than I did and avoid this kind of client in your own business. Mentioned in this episode: Grab Your Free Script Guide here: https://www.reneedevignierdesign.com/push-back-script-handout  Access the full video interview with Elana Steele of Steele Appliance here: https://www.reneedevignierdesign.com/appliance   Find the full shownotes at: https://devignierdesign.com/client-red-flags-in-interior-design 

3/10/26 • 33:42

Today, we're talking about something that happens on every renovation project I manage: Contractor bids that don't match. Same project. Same drawings. Same walkthrough. And yet — the numbers come back wildly different. Sometimes it's ten thousand dollars. Sometimes it's fifty thousand. And if you've ever stood in front of a client trying to explain why one contractor is double the other… yeah. You know the feeling. So today, I'm walking you through why contractor bids vary (even when you've done everything "right"), how to run a contractor walkthrough that actually reduces variance, the step-by-step process to compare bids line-by-line, and how to ask tough questions without sounding confrontational. Because yes, you can push back professionally. Mentioned in this episode: Access the full video interview with Elana Steele of Steele Appliance here: https://www.reneedevignierdesign.com/appliance   Find the full shownotes at: https://devignierdesign.com/how-to-compare-contractor-bids 

3/3/26 • 27:18

Today, I am joined by my friend, John McClain. He and I met at High Point last October and immediately connected.  John McClain is a multi-faceted leader in the interior design industry and proudly serves in his field as an interior designer, product designer, author, speaker, business coach, and podcast host. As the CEO and Creative Director of his internationally acclaimed award-winning interior design firm, John McClain Design, his interior design and home furnishings creations have been featured by numerous shelter publications and television networks including Elle Décor, Traditional Home, HGTV, CBS, and NBC. John is also a contributor to outlets such as Martha Stewart Living, Interior Design magazine, The Wall Street Journal, & House Beautiful. As a product designer, John has created distinctive home furnishings that have not only garnered awards but have made numerous television appearances in their own right. John's coffee table book, The Designer Within: A Professional Guide to A Well-Styled Home, features homes designed in his signature "Comfortable Chic" aesthetic alongside helpful design tips and processes. John has now taken his 15+ years of design business experience and launched an online education & business coaching program, The McClain Method where he instructs and coaches interior designers on best business practices. He continues these lessons on his popular podcast, The McClain Method. So in today's conversation, he and I dive into the real mechanics of running a design business, from the software we love and the ones we hate to the systems that actually support growth. We talk honestly about leadership, profitability, and why the right back-end structure can make or break a design studio. Today's episode is equal parts practical and refreshing, the kind of behind-the-scenes discussions that designers don't get to hear enough. Connect with John McClain: Check out John's AI Brand Voice Kickstart: https://www.mcclainmethod.com/kickstart_prompt John's Website: https://www.instagram.com/johnmcclaindesign Follow John on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themcclainmethod   Mentioned in this episode: Access the full video interview with Elana Steele of Steele Appliance here: https://www.reneedevignierdesign.com/appliance   Find the full shownotes at: https://devignierdesign.com/john-mcclain-design-business-systems 

2/24/26 • 91:00

I want to ask you something today: Have you ever been on a project and had a contractor basically tell you, whether that's directly or indirectly, that procurement is his territory, his to-do? That the ordering, the tracking, the managing of all materials and finishes, and fixtures that you spend months specifying is somehow not a part of your job or your role? Or have you ever caught yourself thinking, okay, so I take on construction.. I guess I need to give up my decorating work. I don't think I can be both things, right? Like, those are two different people, and you can only be one of them. Well, today we're going to blow both of those up because they're just myths, truly, and believing them is quietly costing you money, costing you authority, and definitely costing your clients the full version of what you're capable of.   Mentioned in this episode: Access the full video interview with Elana Steele of Steele Appliance here: https://www.reneedevignierdesign.com/appliance Join the waitlist for my course here: https://www.reneedevignierdesign.com/construction-management-interior-designers    Find the full shownotes at: https://devignierdesign.com/designer-myths-busted 

2/17/26 • 44:14

Today's episode isn't about what to do when a project is already spiraling. It's about what to do before it ever has the chance.   Because in my 30+ years in the industry, there's one pattern I see on every stressful project: The chaos wasn't born in week 5. It snuck in quietly in week zero, when structure was loose, nobody owned the conversation, and "roles" were just… implied.   So today? We're fixing that.   I'm walking you through the 5 conversations you need to have before construction starts; the ones that separate calm, steady projects from chaotic, reactionary ones. And honestly? These will save your time, your energy, and your authority.   Ready? Let's make your next project one that feels as smooth as it looks.   Mentioned in this episode: Access the full video interview with Elana Steele of Steele Appliance here: https://www.reneedevignierdesign.com/appliance   Find the full shownotes at: https://devignierdesign.com/5-construction-conversations 

2/10/26 • 38:19

This week's episode starts with a snowstorm… but it's not really about the weather.   It's about what happens when construction gets disrupted, and how the silent spaces right after hold more power than most designers realize.   Because when a project goes off track, the real work isn't about drywall or lost days. It's about who communicates what, when they communicate it, and whether that moment creates clarity or chaos.   So today, I'm breaking down: Why designers go quiet during construction (& what's really driving that silence) How not saying anything doesn't protect your authority — it quietly undermines it What you can say instead (even if you don't have all the answers yet)   This isn't about calling anyone out, it's about naming a pattern I see over and over again: Silence isn't neutral during construction. It's a leadership moment missed. Let's talk through it (so you never have to white-knuckle an update email again).   Mentioned in this episode: Access the full video interview with Elana Steele of Steele Appliance here: https://www.reneedevignierdesign.com/appliance Join the waitlist for my course here: https://www.reneedevignierdesign.com/construction-management-interior-designers    Find the full shownotes at: https://devignierdesign.com/why-silence-isnt-neurtral-during-construction 

2/3/26 • 40:16

Today's a special treat. I'm sitting down with Jessica Nelson & Stephanie Lindsey, co-founders of AI for Interiors and principals of Etch Design Group, a nationally recognized design firm based in Austin, TX.   When I first met them at a design retreat last year, I assumed we'd just be swapping project stories, not talking AI strategy. Then I realize these two are leading the conversation on how interior designers can use AI in a way that's practical, creative, and actually makes sense for real studios.   Jessica and Stephanie bring more than 30 years of combined experience, both as working designers and as tech-minded educators who know the ins and outs of this business. Their company, AI for Interiors, helps designers use tech to streamline workflow and automate the messy stuff without losing creativity, connection, or design vision.   Oh, and they also co-host two podcasts: AI for Interiors and 100 Lunches, where they break down design, business, and big tech changes in honest, easy-to-grasp conversations.   Today, we're making AI less intimidating and more actionable. So if you've been curious (but maybe a little overwhelmed), this one's for you. Grab your coffee, open your notes app, and let's get started.   Mentioned in this episode: Access the full video interview with Elana Steele of Steele Appliance here: https://www.reneedevignierdesign.com/applianceFind out more about Jessica and Stephanie here: Find out more about Jessica and Stephanie here: Website: http://www.aiforinteriors.com http://www.etchinteriordesign.com   Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/etchdesigngroup/ https://www.instagram.com/aiforinteriors/   Find the full shownotes at: https://devignierdesign.com/ai-for-interior-designers 

1/27/26 • 90:30

Last week, I dove into how the real magic on the job happens only after you take action (not before). This week, I want to show you what that looks like over time. Because honestly, what I wish someone had handed me at the start of my career wasn't just encouragement. It was context. I needed to hear how different environments teach you radically different lessons about construction, managing projects, and building a business.   So this isn't a pep talk about mindset. This is about learning by doing: What I picked up in the intensity of ultra high-end New York projects 30 years ago The (often humbling) early years of starting my own firm and still underpricing everything And what finally clicked, a decade ago, as my experience outgrew how I was positioning myself.   If you've ever felt capable but underpaid, seasoned but still questioned, or sure of your work but unsure how to charge for the responsibility? This episode is for you.   Mentioned in this episode: Access the full video interview with Elana Steele of Steele Appliance here: https://www.reneedevignierdesign.com/appliance   Find the full shownotes at: https://devignierdesign.com/stopped-waiting-for-permission 

1/20/26 • 28:28

Today I want to talk about something that quietly shapes almost every decision we make as designers—how we price our work, how we speak up in meetings, and which projects we feel ready to take on. That something is confidence. But I'm not talking about the kind of confidence that's just a personality trait or bravado. I mean confidence as clarity. Most designers I meet don't doubt their talent; they doubt themselves the moment the room changes, especially when construction comes into play. So today, let's get real about where that lack of confidence actually comes from, why it's especially strong when designers consider adding construction management to their business, and, most importantly, how you can build true confidence before you ever feel fully ready. I promise, confidence isn't something that arrives after the fact. And if you've been quietly curious about construction management, this conversation is for you.   Mentioned in this episode: Access the full video interview with Elana Steele of Steele Appliance here: https://www.reneedevignierdesign.com/appliance Join the waitlist for The Designer's Edge here: https://www.reneedevignierdesign.com/construction-management-interior-designers    Find the full shownotes at: https://devignierdesign.com/interior-design-confidence-myth 

1/13/26 • 22:31

As we step into a new year, I want to talk today about something that sounds really simple, but in my experience has the power to quietly change everything about how we work, how we earn, and how we show up every day. This year, my word is boundaries. And today, I'm walking you through why boundaries, not hustle, not motivation, not another strategy, are often the missing piece between intentional growth and sustainable success. So I'm going to share the boundary that would have changed everything for me in 2025, the boundaries I'm actively putting into place for this coming year, 2026, and how you can identify the one boundary that would make the biggest difference in your own business this year. Mentioned in this episode: Access the full video interview with Elana Steele of Steele Appliance here: https://www.reneedevignierdesign.com/appliance Sign up for my weekly newsletter here: https://www.reneedevignierdesign.com/from-the-jobsite  Find the full shownotes at: https://devignierdesign.com/interior-design-boundaries 

1/6/26 • 24:52

Discover the subtle shifts actually shaping today's design world, beyond trends and highlight reels. Today, I share what top designers are paying attention to for 2026: why friction is data, how boundaries build trust, and the small refinements that lead to steady, profitable projects.    Mentioned in this episode: Join the wait list for The Designers Edge: https://www.reneedevignierdesign.com/construction-management-interior-designers Access the full video interview with Elana Steele of Steele Appliance here: https://www.reneedevignierdesign.com/appliance   Find the full shownotes at: https://devignierdesign.com/real-shifts-happening-in-design 

12/30/25 • 31:17

Every meaningful shift I'm making for 2026 will come back to one question: What does this allow me to do better? And I mean better for my clients, better for this podcast, better for the education & coaching side of my business, and better for myself as well as my family. So when I look at decisions ahead of me, that one question will be the filter. And it will change how I say yes, how I say no, and how I decide when, not right now, is actually the most responsible answer I can give someone.    Mentioned in this episode: Access the full video interview with Elana Steele of Steele Appliance here: https://www.reneedevignierdesign.com/appliance Sign up for my weekly newsletter here: https://www.reneedevignierdesign.com/from-the-jobsite    Find the full shownotes at: https://devignierdesign.com/building-a-business-that-fits-your-life-my-2026-plan/     

12/23/25 • 28:50