169: Fix the Drawer, Fix the Marriage

Shaun and Rebecca catch up on the real-life highs and lows of running an interior design business, from factory tours and studio refreshes to client communication stress and the emotional weight of construction-phase hiccups. They also get candid about creative experimentation, shifting business priorities, and the ways designers quietly improve their clients’ daily lives.

This episode moves between funny, personal, and deeply relatable conversations about what it means to build a design business that actually supports your life. From limewash mishaps and freight increases to career transitions at home and the power of saying no to the wrong projects, this one is full of honest insight for interior designers navigating growth, boundaries, and ambition.

In this episode they discuss:

1. Shaun’s upcoming Norwalk Furniture factory tour in Ohio and what designers can learn from seeing large-scale upholstery production up close
2. Rebecca’s idea to turn fabric remnants into studio-made pillows and possibly host an open house sale at her office
3. How stressful client messages can feel during construction, especially when something like a specialty paint finish goes wrong onsite
4. The difference between handling client feedback during the design phase versus when money has already been spent and installs are underway
5. A creative brainstorm around transforming a discontinued leather chair into an art piece with tattoo-inspired work from local artists
6. Why global events, fuel costs, and freight increases continue to affect furniture pricing, lead times, and client expectations
7. Rebecca’s reflections on her husband’s upcoming retirement and how that may shift the balance of home life and career priorities
8. The importance of protecting your business model, qualifying better-fit clients, and leaving room for the projects that are truly aligned

Mentioned:

1. Norwalk Furniture
2. Color Atelier
3. Market and Nest

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