In this episode, Rachel Usher interviews Renée Bush, founder of Tandem, a boutique design agency in the US. They discuss the importance of aligning business strategy with design, focusing on authenticity and emotional deliverables to attract the right clients. Renee spent time crafting the marketing strategy for internationally renowned design studio, Studio McGee so she is able to provide insightful strategy advice through her understanding of the design industry and client process. She also shares insights on setting boundaries, understanding unique value, and creating a business that reflects personal values and goals.

Keywords

interior design, business strategy, authenticity, emotional deliverables, client attraction

Takeaways

• Authenticity in design attracts the right clients.
• Emotional deliverables are key to client satisfaction.
• Setting boundaries enhances personal and professional life.
• Understanding your unique value is crucial for success.
• Aligning business strategy with design leads to growth.
• Clear messaging prevents client confusion.
• Niche marketing can be a powerful tool.
• Balancing work and personal life is essential.
• Community over competition fosters growth.
• Investing in quality over quantity benefits long-term success.

Sound bites

• Authenticity attracts the right clients.
• Emotional deliverables matter.
• Set boundaries for success.
• Know your unique value.
• Align strategy with design.

Chapters

• 00:00:00 Introduction to Renée Bush
• 00:03:00 Aligning Strategy with Design
• 00:09:00 The Importance of Authenticity
• 00:15:00 Emotional Deliverables
• 00:21:00 Setting Boundaries
• 00:27:00 Understanding Unique Value
• 00:33:00 Niche Marketing
• 00:39:00 Balancing Work and Life
• 00:45:00 Community Over Competition
• 00:51:00 Investing in Quality

✨ Links:

• Renee's agency-Tandem : https://with-tandem.com/about
• Renee's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/with_tandem?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=MXU3Yms1bDQxOGRkeg==
• The Business of Interiors: https://www.thebusinessofinteriors.co.uk/
• The Business of Interiors Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebusinessofinteriors/

This podcast is sponsored by Usher & Co Interior Design.

If you enjoy this podcast please could we ask that you leave a review.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It was such an honour to welcome Sophie Paterson onto the podcast. Sophie is someone I’ve admired for a long time, not only for her incredible design work but also for the way she has built her business with such clarity and intention. In our conversation, she so generously shares her journey into the world of interiors, from her passion for aesthetics to the strategies that have shaped her success.

What struck me most was how insightful and inspirational her advice is, from the importance of photography and branding, to building a strong, supportive team, to the role of client relationships in creating truly successful projects. We also spoke about her exciting new venture, the Sophie Paterson Academy, which is empowering both aspiring designers and homeowners to approach design with confidence.

This episode is full of wisdom, from finding balance between work and life, to understanding what it takes to create a career that’s both successful and fulfilling. I’m so thrilled to share this conversation with you.

Takeaways:

• Sophie Paterson's journey into interior design was unconventional, starting from a passion for aesthetics.
• Investing in photography and branding is crucial for building a successful design business.
• Social media has transformed the way designers connect with clients and showcase their work.
• Building a strong, stable team is essential for maintaining quality and consistency in design projects.
• Effective communication with clients can significantly enhance project management and client satisfaction.
• Having multiple revenue streams can provide stability and growth opportunities for design businesses.
• Collaborations with brands can be a fruitful way to expand product offerings without the burden of logistics.
• The Sophie Patterson Academy aims to bridge the gap between academic learning and real-world design application.
• Understanding client needs and preferences is key to successful project outcomes.
• Work-life balance is vital for sustaining creativity and passion in the design industry.

Chapters:

• 00:00 Introduction to Sophie Paterson
• 05:12 The Journey to Becoming an Interior Designer
• 11:25 The Role of Marketing in Design Success
• 17:54 Building a Strong Team and Company Culture
• 24:25 Client Relationships and Project Management
• 32:18 Revenue Streams and Collaborations
• 39:44 Launching the Sophie Patterson Academy
• 46:44 Reflections and Future Aspirations

✨ Links:

• Sophie Paterson Interiors: https://www.sophiepatersoninteriors.com/
• Sophie's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sophiepatersoninteriors/
• The Business of Interiors: https://www.thebusinessofinteriors.co.uk/
• The Business of Interiors Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebusinessofinteriors/

This podcast is sponsored by Usher & Co Interior Design.

If you enjoy this podcast please could we ask that you leave a review.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of If These Walls Could Talk, I sit down with Helen Bygraves and Jenny Weiss, the visionary duo behind Hill House Interiors. From starting as friends with a shared love of design to building a globally recognised studio with offices in London and Dubai, Helen and Jenny share their journey of nearly three decades in the luxury interiors world.

We talk about navigating friendship and business, the organic growth of their studio, the value of investing in photography and PR, building strong in-house teams, and the challenges of scaling a design business internationally. Their insights into procurement, marketing, and running large-scale projects are invaluable for designers at every stage of their career.

This is a conversation filled with humour, wisdom, and a rare honesty about what it really takes to sustain a thriving interior design practice.

• How Helen and Jenny turned a friendship into a 28-year design partnership
• The early days of Hill House Interiors and their “six-month trial” as business partners
• Growing organically without the push of social media in the early years
• Why investing in professional photography was pivotal to their success
• The role of PR in establishing credibility and building momentum
• Expanding into Dubai and managing international projects
• The importance of in-house teams: design, architecture, marketing, and finance
• Procurement challenges post-Brexit and how a dedicated team can streamline efficiency
• Insights on balancing creativity with financial rigour in a design practice
• Honest reflections on the realities of running a global studio

✨ Links:

• Hill House Interiors: www.hillhouseinteriors.com
• Hill House Interiors Instagram: @hillhouseinteriors
• The Business of Interiors: www.thebusinessofinteriors.co.uk
• The Business of Interiors Instagram: @thebusinessofinteriors

This podcast is sponsored by Usher & Co Interior Design.

If you enjoy this podcast please could we ask that you leave a review.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.