The Design Dialogues Podcast

After 133 episodes, 85 interviews, 54 solo shows, and two live events… I’m pressing pause on the Design Dialogues podcast. This isn’t goodbye forever, but it does feel like the right moment to stop, breathe, and reflect on what’s next.
When I started this podcast back in July 2023, I honestly didn’t know if anyone would listen. But week after week, you showed up. You tuned in on commutes, while walking the dog, late at night after wrapping up drawings. And together, we built something I’ll always be proud of — a space for real, honest conversations about the business of design.
This episode is part reflection, part thank you, and part love letter to this community.
Beth xx
Episode Highlights
. Looking back at the journey: from Episode 1 to Episode 133
. What I’ve learned from the incredible designers and experts I’ve spoken to
. Why pressing pause feels both scary and necessary
. The changing landscape of the design industry — and what it means for us
. A heartfelt thank you to you — the listeners who made this podcast what it is
Key Takeaways
. Pausing isn’t failing — it’s making space for clarity, creativity, and renewal.
. Our businesses are meant to evolve as we do. It’s okay if what excited you two years ago isn’t what lights you up today.
. The design industry may be noisy, but true transformation happens when we invest in ourselves and our businesses.
. Gratitude isn’t just a nice-to-have — it’s what sustains us through the highs and lows.
Practical Insight
Sometimes the bravest business move you can make is to stop and listen — to yourself, to your clients, to what you need most. A pause creates space for the next chapter to emerge, even if you don’t yet know what it looks like.
This Episode is Perfect For:
. Designers standing at a crossroads, wondering what comes next
. Anyone who needs permission to take a step back before moving forward
. Listeners who want to celebrate the journey of Design Dialogues
. Business owners ready to embrace change with courage and heart

Want to work together? Here are the ways I can help you in your business.

1.Sign up to our MAILING LIST where each month you will receive helpful business tips straight to your inbox

2. Start a HEALTH CHECK today. We will work together for 8 weeks and improve your systems and processes.
I only have 8 spots available every month.

3. Start my course THE PROCESS so you know exactly what to do when in your interior design studio.

4. Have a look at THE RESOURCE STOCKROOM - this is where you will find our short courses and free resources to help you run a better interior design studio

5. Want to use our tool MTTD in your studio? Start your FREE 30 DAY TRIAL today.

In this episode of Design Dialogues, I’m sharing why your second, third, or even fourth career is not a setback — it’s actually your biggest strength as a designer.
I know it’s easy to feel like you’re behind if you didn’t study interiors straight out of school. But the truth is, the skills and experiences you’ve gained in other industries can give you a real advantage in building your design studio. From communication and project management to finance, creativity, and resilience — these are the tools that make clients trust you and projects run smoothly.
If you’ve ever wondered whether your past career was wasted time, I want to reframe it for you: you didn’t start late, you started with a head start.
Hope you enjoy the episode
Beth xx
Episode Highlights
. Why your past career experience is never wasted
. How transferable skills strengthen your design business
. Examples of skills from teaching, finance, retail, marketing, and more
. Why maturity and lived experience help you connect with clients
. How to reframe the story you tell yourself about “starting late”
. A practical exercise to uncover your past career strengths
Key Takeaways
. Your career journey is part of your brand story. Clients connect with the full picture, not just your design skills.
. Transferable skills are design superpowers. Communication, budgeting, project management, and creativity give you an edge.
. Experience builds trust. Clients value maturity, perspective, and real-world know-how.
. Reframe your story. Stop saying “I’m behind.” Start saying “I started with a head start.”
Practical Insight
This week, try this simple exercise:
. Write down the last two industries you worked in.
. List three skills you gained from each.
. Look at how these six skills can support your design studio.
. Weave them into your brand story, your website, your Instagram bio, and client conversations.
Perfect For
. Designers building their business after a career change
. Second or third career professionals moving into interiors
. Creatives who want to highlight their unique story in their brand
. Anyone who feels “behind” and needs a reminder of their strengths

Want to work together? Here are the ways I can help you in your business.

1.Sign up to our MAILING LIST where each month you will receive helpful business tips straight to your inbox

2. Start a HEALTH CHECK today. We will work together for 8 weeks and improve your systems and processes.
I only have 8 spots available every month.

3. Start my course THE PROCESS so you know exactly what to do when in your interior design studio.

4. Have a look at THE RESOURCE STOCKROOM - this is where you will find our short courses and free resources to help you run a better interior design studio

5. Want to use our tool MTTD in your studio? Start your FREE 30 DAY TRIAL today.

This week on Design Dialogues, I’m joined by Alison Wheeler, founder of boutique digital advertising agency Society State. Alison’s mission? To take the mystery (and stress!) out of social media advertising for small creative businesses.
From starting out in PR and events to running a thriving agency while raising two little ones, Alison has walked the walk. She shares exactly how much budget you really need to get started, why strategy always beats the “boost” button, and the simple shifts that make ads work harder for your design business.
If you’ve been thinking, “I don’t have the budget for ads,” or you’ve tried before and felt like you were throwing money away, this conversation will give you clarity, confidence, and a fresh perspective.
Hope you enjoy the episode
Beth xx
Episode Highlights
. Alison’s story of building her boutique agency, Society State
. Why “broad experience” gave her an edge in digital advertising
. The truth about ad budgets (spoiler: you can start smaller than you think!)
. How organic content and paid ads work hand in hand
. What to look for when choosing an agency that actually delivers
. Productivity hacks for running a business and raising kids
. Alison’s next big goals for her brand and why she’s excited about a refresh 🎉
Key Takeaways
. Start with strategy, not budget → clarity first, ads second.
. Organic + paid = power duo → ads amplify what already works.
. Be patient → results build over time (think 3 months, not 3 days).
. Say no to boost → Ads Manager gives you real control.
. Ask smart questions → experience, deliverables, and reporting matter.
Practical Insights
. You can kick off ads from $500–$1000/month with the right strategy.
. Keep socials fresh and consistent — they’re your “digital storefront.”
. Ads work best when they support your existing customer journey.
. Twice a week posting beats being silent for months.
Perfect For
. Creatives + designers ready to grow with ads but not sure where to start
. Small business owners tired of wasting $$ on boosted posts
. Parents balancing family + business who want real-life hacks
. Anyone craving clarity and confidence around digital advertising
Key Quote
“Don’t start with budget and say, ‘I don’t have enough.’ Start with strategy.” – Alison Wheeler
Connect with Alison Wheeler
Website: https://societystate.com.au/services/ - Meta & Google Ads Management, Coaching & Training, Ads Audits
Instagram: @societystate

Want to work together? Here are the ways I can help you in your business.

1.Sign up to our MAILING LIST where each month you will receive helpful business tips straight to your inbox

2. Start a HEALTH CHECK today. We will work together for 8 weeks and improve your systems and processes.
I only have 8 spots available every month.

3. Start my course THE PROCESS so you know exactly what to do when in your interior design studio.

4. Have a look at THE RESOURCE STOCKROOM - this is where you will find our short courses and free resources to help you run a better interior design studio

5. Want to use our tool MTTD in your studio? Start your FREE 30 DAY TRIAL today.

In this episode, I’m tackling a topic every interior designer has faced at some point: the nerves that come with walking into a showroom. From imposter syndrome to sales pressure, I’ve been there myself (yes, awkward mumbling about fabric samples included!).
But here’s the truth: showrooms need us as much as we need them. In this episode, I share practical strategies, mindset shifts, and personal stories to help you replace nerves with confidence, build stronger relationships with reps, and start seeing showrooms as an essential tool for your success.
Hope you enjoy the episode
Beth xx
Episode Highlights
. Why even experienced designers can feel nervous about walking into showrooms
. The most common fears: imposter syndrome, comparison, lack of knowledge, and sales pressure
. How to reframe your mindset: showrooms are a resource, not a gatekeeper
. Building long-term relationships with showroom reps for trust and support
. Practical tips to make your first visits easier
Key Takeaways
. You belong there. Showrooms exist for designers — you’re not an intruder, you’re a partner.
. Preparation builds confidence. Do a little research, bring your plans, and have a few questions ready.
. Relationships matter. Investing in reps creates future support, opportunities, and insider knowledge.
. Start small. One positive visit leads to another — confidence grows with practice.
Practical Insights
. Treat showroom visits like a chef at a farmer’s market: explore, ask questions, and gather inspiration.
. Take a buddy for your first visit — it makes the experience lighter and less intimidating.
. Practice a simple opener: “Hi, I’m [your name], I run a design studio and I’m sourcing X for a project. Can you help?”
. Build a hit list of 20 showrooms to visit over the year, focusing on relationship-building as much as product.
Perfect For
. Interior designers new to the industry
. Designers feeling nervous or “not experienced enough” to walk into showrooms
. Studio owners who want to build stronger supplier relationships
. Anyone wanting to boost confidence in client and supplier interactions
Keywords
interior design showrooms, showroom confidence, overcoming imposter syndrome, building supplier relationships, interior designer tips, design business support, showroom reps, interior design confidence

Want to work together? Here are the ways I can help you in your business.

1.Sign up to our MAILING LIST where each month you will receive helpful business tips straight to your inbox

2. Start a HEALTH CHECK today. We will work together for 8 weeks and improve your systems and processes.
I only have 8 spots available every month.

3. Start my course THE PROCESS so you know exactly what to do when in your interior design studio.

4. Have a look at THE RESOURCE STOCKROOM - this is where you will find our short courses and free resources to help you run a better interior design studio

5. Want to use our tool MTTD in your studio? Start your FREE 30 DAY TRIAL today.

This week I’m joined by Lisa Sinagra, interior designer, founder of Stylis Creations, and the driving force behind the Perth Design Community. With more than 20 years in the industry, Lisa knows the real ups and downs of running a design business—and she’s passionate about making sure other designers don’t have to figure it all out the hard way.
In our chat, Lisa shares the lessons she’s learned about pricing, building confidence, and finding the right support. She’s honest, practical, and incredibly generous with her advice—exactly the kind of conversation you’ll want to grab a coffee and listen in on.
Hope you enjoy the episode
Beth xx
Episode Highlights
. Lisa’s journey from boutique luxury projects to running her own design business.
. Why she started the Perth Design Community—and how it’s helping designers thrive.
. The never-ending question: how do you really price your services?
. How collaboration can take the pressure off and open up opportunities.
. Why confidence comes from action, not waiting until you “feel ready.”
. The reminder that your niche doesn’t have to be forever—it can evolve as you do.
Key Takeaways
. You don’t need to do everything on your own.
. Pricing is messy for everyone—you’re not behind.
. Collaboration isn’t weakness—it’s smart business.
. Confidence grows the more you show up and connect.
Practical Insight
Community and connection aren’t just “nice to have”—they can be the difference between staying stuck and moving forward with clarity.
Perfect For
. Designers who feel isolated or unsure where to turn.
. Anyone wrestling with pricing or second-guessing their value.
. New designers starting out and looking for direction.
. Studio owners who’d love more support (and less competition).
Key Quote
"You don’t have to do it all. Lean into what you love, and find others who can fill the gaps." – Lisa Sinagra
Connect with Guest
Follow Lisa Sinagra on Instagram: @styliscreations @theperthdesigncommunity
Explore her work: styliscreations.com.au
Learn more about the Perth Design Community: https://subscribepage.io/VYc6Vz](https://subscribepage.io/VYc6Vz

Want to work together? Here are the ways I can help you in your business.

1.Sign up to our MAILING LIST where each month you will receive helpful business tips straight to your inbox

2. Start a HEALTH CHECK today. We will work together for 8 weeks and improve your systems and processes.
I only have 8 spots available every month.

3. Start my course THE PROCESS so you know exactly what to do when in your interior design studio.

4. Have a look at THE RESOURCE STOCKROOM - this is where you will find our short courses and free resources to help you run a better interior design studio

5. Want to use our tool MTTD in your studio? Start your FREE 30 DAY TRIAL today.