In this episode, Rebecca and Shaun sit down with Renee Bush, founder of Tandem, a consultancy for interior designers. She’s the secret weapon behind the brand and business strategy at powerhouses like Studio McGee. Renee shares her journey from graphic and studio operations into honing a niche helping designers align business structure, brand identity, and marketing.

They dive deep into how strategic clarity—knowing who you are, who you're talking to, and what you want—transforms client experience, marketing, pricing, and scale. Renee’s wisdom around confident positioning, signature processes and aesthetics, and the importance of a North Star brand makes this a foundational listen for any designer ready to level up.

In this episode they discuss:

• Renee’s non-designer path: transitioning from graphic design/studio ops through Studio McGee into founding Tandem
• What brand strategy actually means: values, tone, ideal client, mission, emotional deliverables
• How to uncover a designer’s unique "North Star" that aligns brand, process, team and marketing
• The power of signature processes or aesthetics as a form of positioning
• Why confidence—especially in pricing—is the linchpin to attracting the right clients
• How small, strategic changes across branding, social media, press, and referrals generate exponential growth
• Tailoring Instagram and content for your future ideal client without losing your current audience
• Choosing between volume of smaller projects vs. fewer high-end ones—and ensuring profitability through smart systems

Mentioned:

• Tandem – with-tandem.com
• The Haven List workshop – thehavenlist.com/workshop
• Tandem Instagram – instagram.com/with_tandem
• Tandem Pinterest - pinterest.com/with_tandem
• Episode 99 with Ali Faulkner
• Episode 149 with Danielle Chiprut

Our links:

• Subscribe and leave a review - Apple Podcasts
• Like, Comment, & Follow - Hot Young Designers Club Instagram
• Rebecca’s Instagram
• Shaun’s Instagram
• For more information - Check out the website
• Become a “Loyal Hottie” - Support us on Patreon
• Design Resources - Check out our shop

Mentioned in this episode:

Get 50% off your first year + a 14-day free trial with Sortly. https://sortly.com/hydc

Danielle Chiprut, owner and creative force behind Danielle Rose Design Co., joins Shaun and Rebecca to unpack how intentional investments in her business—from team expansion and PR to education and a new studio space—have fueled her growth. With over five years in the interior design world, Danielle shares candid insights on trusting her gut, building boundaries, and empowering her team to elevate her brand.

In this episode they discuss:

• How Danielle transitioned from a solo designer to leading a polished team with a junior designer and ops manager
• Letting go of control: her team’s first install without her and why it was a proud milestone
• The strategic use of Design Assisted and freelance hires before making her first in‑house hire
• Investing in PR and photography early: how it boosted credibility, landed press, and supported premium pricing
• Participating in the Hampton Designer Showhouse and Housing Works Design on a Dime—and the client leads that followed
• Her journey through education, retreats, and workshops like Haven and Design Camp to build strategy, community, and confidence
• The boundary-building mindset she adopted as her business grew, and why that strength matters for her team
• Future plans: opening a studio, creating design “pods,” hosting client workshops, and growing community presence

Mentioned:

• Danielle Rose Design Co: https://www.daniellerosedesignco.com/
• @daniellerosedesignco (Instagram)
• Watch Danielle’s team do their first install without her: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DKSmWPwJSIZ/
• Brand Identity PR: https://www.brandidentitypr.com/
• Housing Works (LGBTQ+ housing & community health): https://www.instagram.com/housingworks/
• Hampton Designer Showhouse: https://hamptondesignershowhouse.com/
• Haven Workshop: https://thehavenlist.com/workshop
• Tandem (branding): https://with-tandem.com/
• Design Camp: https://www.design-camp.co/
• Design Assisted: https://www.designassistedco.com/
• Hear Design Assisted’s episode: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hot-young-designers-club-interior-design-business-podcast/id1505427626?i=1000528360925
• Asana: https://asana.com/

Our links:

• Subscribe and leave a review - Apple Podcasts
• Like, Comment, & Follow - Hot Young Designers Club Instagram

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/3ZTSZp5
• Happy 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-elisabeth
• Crypton Fabrics: https://crypton.com/
• Zia Tile: https://www.ziatile.com/
• Fireclay Tile: https://www.fireclaytile.com/
• Supply Showroom: https://www.supplyshowroom.com/
• Pattern Collective: