Advertise on podcast: Resilient by Design with Rebecca Hay

There are three types of design firm owners, and most designers are stuck in the first two. If your business feels busy but unpredictable… If you're constantly adjusting, tweaking, and still not seeing consistent growth… This episode will help you understand why. In this episode, I break down the three business identities I see most often: The Resourceful Designer The Adaptable Designer The Confident Designer And what separates them isn't talent. Its structure. If you're ready to move from hustle and reaction into calm, predictable growth, this episode is for you.   Episode Highlights: Why resourcefulness and adaptability can only take you so far What actually creates consistency in your pipeline and revenue How to shift from reactive decision-making to intentional growth The role structure plays in building a calm, sustainable design business   Resources: The Predictability Framework workshop Learn more about Designers Room: A new coaching program for Interior Designers

There was a time when I felt chained to my inbox, constantly reacting, jumping between tasks, and always playing catch-up. That changed when I started time blocking. In this rebroadcast episode, I'm sharing three simple, actionable tips you can start using right away to improve your focus, reduce overwhelm, and manage your time more intentionally. Before you dive in, I encourage you to take a step back and look at where your time has actually been going. A quick time audit can help you make small, meaningful shifts without overhauling your entire schedule. Inside this episode: How I structure focus, buffer, and free days How to map out your ideal week A simple daily habit to help you stay on track Time blocking doesn't have to be all or nothing. Start small, stay consistent, and build from there.   Learn more about Designers Room: https://rebeccahay.com/waitlist    Original Resources: Lisa Canning Conquer Your Calendar Course The Gap and the Gain 10x is easier than 2x Full Focus Planner Read our Blog: How to achieve more by doing less

Your project budgets aren't totally wrong—but they don't feel solid either. In this episode, I break down why that happens (even after you've gained experience) and how to fix it. We're talking about: Why early budgets should be ranges, not detailed breakdowns When the real budgeting work actually begins How to validate your numbers with trades and real data The mistake that quietly erodes client trust If your budgets feel inconsistent or hard to stand behind, this episode will help you move from guessing to grounded, confident numbers.   Learn more about my new coaching experience for interior designers: https://rebeccahay.com/waitlist   This episode is sponsored by Programa. Programa is project management software built specifically for interior designers. It's designed to save you hours every week and reduce the errors that come from managing projects across scattered documents and systems. Use code RBD25 for 25% off annual Programa plans. Click to learn more.

There comes a point in business where what once worked no longer feels aligned. In this episode, I'm sharing a big decision: after years of teaching my signature program, Power of Process, I will not be launching it again. This isn't about walking away from something that didn't work. It's about recognizing when you've outgrown something that did. We're talking about the stages of business growth, how to know when it's time to pivot, and why so many designers feel stuck even after building their systems. If your business is working, but something feels off… this episode is for you.   Episode Resource: Learn more about Designers Room & Join the waitlist! This episode is sponsored by Programa. Programa is project management software built specifically for interior designers. It's designed to save you hours every week and reduce the errors that come from managing projects across scattered documents and systems. Use code RBD25 for 25% off annual Programa plans. Click to learn more.

Hiring can feel overwhelming — especially when you're not sure if you're setting things up the right way. In this rebroadcast episode, Rebecca sits down with HR expert Laura Tolhoek to break down the key decisions every design business owner needs to make when hiring. They cover subcontractors vs employees, what needs to be in your contracts, and how to avoid the common mistakes that can create problems later. If you're thinking about hiring or want to refine your approach, this episode will give you the clarity you need.   Episode Resources: Essential HR Essential HR Canada on LinkedIn Essential HR on Instagram

Hiring someone in your design business should make things easier… but sometimes it does the opposite. Tasks get misunderstood. Expectations feel unclear. And before long you're wondering if you made a bad hire. But what if the problem wasn't the person you hired? In this episode, I'm sharing why many hires fail in small design firms and how a simple 30-60-90 day onboarding plan can completely change the outcome. I walk through how to structure the first 90 days, define success clearly, and create an onboarding process that builds confidence for both you and your new team member. If you've ever felt burned by a hire that didn't work out, this episode will shift how you think about leadership, delegation, and building your team.   Episode Resources: Get on the waitlist for my new Designer's Room  This episode is sponsored by Dovetail Furniture

In this episode, I sit down with Sarah St. Amand to talk about how she's built a design business that serves different types of clients without discounting her expertise or compromising her brand. We talk about smaller design packages, profitability, client communication, team structure, and why designers need to stop equating beautiful work with business success. If you've ever wondered how to stay true to your aesthetic while still building a profitable, sustainable business, this episode is for you. In this episode, we cover: Serving different client budget levels without diluting a luxury brand Offering smaller design packages with strong boundaries Why profitability has to be part of every design decision How to communicate clearly with clients from the start The role of team and operations in supporting growth   Connect with Sarah: Instagram: @sarahstamandinteriordesign Website: stamanddesign.com   Episode Resources: Learn more about Designers Room: A new coaching experience for interior designers: https://rebeccahay.com/waitlist  Episode 34: How to serve your luxury clients with Sarah St. Amand  

Construction projects shouldn't be your biggest stressor — or your biggest money leak. In this episode, Rebecca sits down with construction management expert Renee Biery to talk about: Flat fees vs hourly billing Charging in advance Procurement on renovation projects Allowances and contractor negotiations Liability myths designers believe How construction stabilizes your income If you've ever felt burnt out on renovations or unsure how to price them profitably, this conversation will shift how you think about construction entirely.   Episode Resources: To learn more about Renee Biery visit her website, follow her on instagram and listen to her podcast, The Only Girl on the Jobsite. Episode 158: Managing a Construction Job Site with Renee Biery Episode 256: Live At High Point Market | Money Matters: Expert tips from a profitable business with Renée Biery, Dina Holland & Jamie Merida

One month your design business feels calm and steady. The next, it feels chaotic and uncertain. If you've ever experienced that swing, this episode is for you. Rebecca Hay unpacks the recurring cycle almost every interior designer faces: expansion followed by contraction. She explains why inconsistency doesn't mean you're failing and how a lack of structure, not a lack of talent, is usually the real issue. You'll learn how to stop reacting to slow seasons, build systems that support you year-round, and shift from panic into leadership. Because calm in business isn't constant momentum. It's grounded structure.   Join the Waitlist for Rebecca's new Program!

If your design business feels harder than it should, you're not alone. In this episode, Rebecca shares the three essential systems every successful interior design business needs: process, profitability, marketing, and leadership. You'll hear real stories from her own journey, including what happened when she was booked out but losing money, why hiring didn't work at first, and how building structure created confidence and ease. Talent isn't enough. Instagram isn't enough. Referrals aren't enough. Sustainable success comes from strengthening the right systems. Which one have you been avoiding?   Episode Resources: Save your spot in my new free workshop: The Predictability Framework: https://pop.rebeccahay.com/free-workshop/  Episode 49: An Interview with my clients: Why having a process made them choose me with Kelly & Glen Patchet Join the Waitlist for my new Program!

Luxury isn't louder. It's calmer, quieter, and more confident. In this episode, Rebecca shares what she learned designing a home that sold for over $12 million and working for luxury designer Steven Taylor for five years. This isn't about expensive finishes. It's about premium service, trust, leadership, and building a process that makes clients feel taken care of. Rebecca also reflects on Steven's passing in late 2025 and the lasting business lessons he left behind. Episode Highlights: Why luxury is really about service How premium clients think (and what they don't care about) Why "trust is the currency" in high-end design What to stop over-explaining in presentations How a team makes you look more professional The mindset shift that helps you level up your clientele   What's one small change you could make to level up your service this month? A better process, a part-time hire, clearer boundaries, or simply going the extra mile in how cared for your clients feel?   Resources: Looking for a place to start the podcast? Download the most-listened Resilient by Design episodes at rebeccahay.com/listen.

HGTV Flea Market Flip winner and luxury designer Sarah Trop joins Rebecca for a candid conversation about owning your niche and building a design business that doesn't follow the rules. Sarah shares how she turned her love of upcycling and storytelling into a thriving luxury design firm, why taking risks changed everything for her career, and how biophilic design helps create calmer, more meaningful homes. In this episode, they discuss risk vs. reward, working with different client personalities, designing with intention instead of trends, and why curated, sustainable spaces are becoming the new definition of luxury. This episode is a must-listen for designers who want to stand out, trust their instincts, and build a business rooted in purpose, creativity, and community.   Episode Resources Learn more about Sarah Trop on her website and follow her on social media. Looking for a place to start the podcast? Download the most-listened Resilient by Design episodes at rebeccahay.com/listen.

Scaling a design firm eventually forces a decision: keep controlling everything, or build a team that can run without you in every detail. In this rebroadcast, Rebecca Hay talks with Regan Baker about the mindset shift and the operational structure that helped Regan step into the CEO role. They cover role clarity, team structure, meeting rhythms, documentation standards, and why record-keeping is one of the most underrated tools for client service and project momentum. In this episode: The 9–10 person "tipping point" and learning to let go How Regan structures teams and leadership inside her firm Why design managers protect the client experience Standards, site notes, and documentation that prevent chaos Hiring lessons and onboarding systems that scale If you're ready to stop being the bottleneck and start building a business that can grow, this one's for you.

Premium clients aren't attracted by bigger portfolios, more followers, or higher prices. They're attracted by leadership. In this episode, Rebecca breaks down why good designers often get stuck working with budget-conscious clients and how a clear, structured process is the real driver behind attracting premium ones. You'll learn the key differences between budget and premium clients, why money isn't the deciding factor, and how your intake, boundaries, and communication shape the clients you attract. If you're ready to build a design business that feels aligned, confident, and sustainable, this episode will help you rethink how you lead clients from the very first interaction.   Looking for a place to start the podcast? Download the most-listened Resilient by Design episodes at rebeccahay.com/listen. New episodes air every Tuesday.

Season 7 of Resilient by Design opens with an honest conversation about what it really looks like to grow an interior design business beyond the early hustle years. If you're busy, booked, and still exhausted, this episode is for you. Rebecca Hay shares why burnout is not a business model and why so many designers at the 2–5+ year mark feel successful on paper but overwhelmed behind the scenes. This episode sets the tone for the season ahead, focused on deeper support, real implementation, and building a business that supports your life, not consumes it. You'll hear Rebecca reflect on the shift from collecting information to actually applying it, what it means to step into the CEO role of your design business, and what's changing in Season 7. In this episode, we cover: Why burnout is so common in the interior design industry What changes after the 2–5 year mark in business CEO mindset, pricing confidence, and boundaries Building sustainable systems for long-term growth What to expect this season on Resilient by Design Looking for a place to start? Download the most-listened Resilient by Design episodes at rebeccahay.com/listen. New episodes air every Tuesday.