Episodes

  • Let’s Name Names: How Community, Collaboration & Courage Spark a Design Movement

    Let’s Name Names: How Community, Collaboration & Courage Spark a Design Movement
    Dec 16 2025
    In Episode 2 of Pretty Smart — “Let’s Name Names” — the founders dive into the people, partnerships, and pivotal moments that have shaped this growing design movement. From the trailblazers who stepped up to speak, to the unexpected friendships and collaborations formed at the Summit, this episode celebrates the individuals who make the Pretty Smart community what it is. It’s a conversation about showing up, finding your people, and building something bigger than yourself — one connection at a time. Ericka, Jane, and Jessica reflect on the stories of designers, hosts, and brands who have become central to the movement — from Paula’s mastery in branded destination design, to the “Design Besties” who met at the Summit and went on to launch a nonprofit, to Lorraine’s mission to make accessible vacation rentals the norm. This episode highlights exactly why this community works: people are eager to share, collaborate, mentor, and grow together. Whether you're a designer, host, brand, or creative entrepreneur, this conversation is a reminder that stepping into the room can change your entire path. This is what happens when people with purpose and passion decide to build something bigger than themselves. ⏱️ Timestamps 00:00 — Finding community & the origin of the Collective How the summit sparked unexpected friendships, connections, and collaborations. 02:00 — What Pretty Smart is all about A movement built from courage, creativity, and taking action before you know how. 03:00 — Before the Summit vs. after The shift from individual careers to a tight-knit design family. 05:00 — The diversity of the community Designers at all levels, from vacation rental specialists to lifelong interior designers. 06:00 — Spotlight: Paula Oblen Her expertise in branded destination design, celebrity collaborations, and opportunities created through Summit appearances. 09:00 — Collaborations born from showing up Why increasing your circle leads to unexpected partnerships. 10:00 — The Design Besties How four designers met at the Summit, formed a nonprofit, and now redesign teachers’ lounges nationwide. 12:00 — Featuring Lorraine Woodward and Inclusivity Her work on accessibility, neurodiversity, vacation rental standards, and why design must consider all needs. 15:00 — Safety, cleanability & design intersections How experts like Justin Ford and Durk Johnston connect safety, housekeeping and design. 17:00 — Community champions: Jonathan & Birgit From front-row supporters to Collective members helping the movement grow. 19:00 — Pillow Talk memories A behind-the-scenes story from Summit two — pajamas, heels, and a stage walk. 21:00 — Brand partnerships & influence How designers' insights are shaping product development and collaborations. 23:00 — Industry leaders taking notice Speakers, innovators, and couples like Harshad & Ishita sharing hard-earned business lessons. 26:00 — Tyann Marcink Hammond A pillar in the STR world and advocate for preparing hosts for the FIFA World Cup demand. 27:00 — The volunteer team that makes it happen Recognizing the people on the ground who help bring the Summit to life. 30:00 — Spotlight: Janice & her biophilic luxury retreat Designing with intention, beauty, and deep connection to the natural world. 31:00 — Why the magic works People are willing to share — and that generosity fuels the movement. 33:00 — Your invitation to join Show up, connect, and access a community that wants to grow with you. 💬 Key Quotes “When you show up and increase your circle, opportunities appear that you never planned for.” “Design isn’t just about the space — it’s about who feels welcome in it.” “They didn’t wait until they knew how. They cared so much, they figured it out.” “We created what we couldn’t find: a community willing to share openly.” “You’re not alone. This is what happens when people decide to build something bigger than themselves.” 🔗 Relevant Links 🎟 Register for the Vacation Rental Design Summit https://tinyurl.com/2rd8w6sr 🎧 Learn More About the Pretty Smart Podcast https://theprettysmartpodcast.com/ 📱 Instagram Links Vacation Rental Designers — https://www.instagram.com/vacationrentaldesigners/?hl=en High Point x Design — https://www.instagram.com/highpointxdesign/?hl=en Saurit Creative — https://www.instagram.com/sauritcreative/?hl=en J Duce Design — https://www.instagram.com/jducedesign/?hl=en
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    34 mins
  • How Three Designers Accidentally Built a Movement: The Origin Story of the Vacation Rental Design Summit

    How Three Designers Accidentally Built a Movement: The Origin Story of the Vacation Rental Design Summit
    Dec 9 2025

    In the premiere episode of Pretty Smart, hosts Jane Dagmi, Jessica Duce, and Ericka Saurit share the real, never-before-told story of how a single courageous moment at High Point Market sparked an idea that grew into the Vacation Rental Design Summit, a thriving community, and ultimately a new platform filling an unserved space in the overlap of design and vacation rentals.

    Through candid storytelling, the trio walks through the shaky beginnings, the late-night Zooms across time zones, the heartbreak of hard decisions, and the unexpected opportunities that followed. You’ll hear how they built something the design industry didn’t even know it needed—and how doing it before they felt ready became their superpower.

    If you’re a designer, creative entrepreneur, or someone standing at the edge of a big idea, this episode is your reminder that ordinary isn’t profitable, courage compounds, and sometimes the boldest moves start with simply saying yes.

    Episode Timestamps

    00:00 — The moment that sparked it all: a nervous pitch at High Point Market. 02:00 — Why Pretty Smart exists and what listeners can expect. 03:30 — How the idea for the Vacation Rental Design Summit was born. 07:00 — Saying yes before knowing how—and finding the right partners. 12:30 — Building the first summit after hours and across three time zones. 17:00 — The “Do you have an exit plan?” wake-up call. 19:00 — Canceling the Summer Escape—and what happened immediately after. 21:00 — How closing one door opened the opportunity in Las Vegas. 23:30 — Why vacation rental design is exploding—and why design actually matters. 35:00 — The standing ovation that made everything worth it. 38:00 — Courage takeaways: just do it, ask the question, take the leap.

    Key Quotes
    • “Take a jump. Take a leap. If you believe in something, you can build it.”
    • “Living in the I don’t know is not a good place.”
    • “Ordinary isn’t profitable.”
    • “None of us went to Summit School—we just kept doing it anyway.”
    • “We poured everything into it, and that standing ovation… that’s when we knew it mattered.”
    Important Links 🎟 Register for the Vacation Rental Design Summit

    https://tinyurl.com/2rd8w6sr

    🌟 Learn More About the Pretty Smart Podcast

    https://theprettysmartpodcast.com/

    📸 Instagram
    • Vacation Rental Designers — https://www.instagram.com/vacationrentaldesigners/?hl=en
    • High Point x Design — https://www.instagram.com/highpointxdesign/?hl=en
    • Saurit Creative — https://www.instagram.com/sauritcreative/?hl=en
    • J Duce Design —
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    40 mins