FEATURED ON THIS EPISODE:

INTERIOR DESIGNER’S GUIDE TO CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT

WHAT YOU WILL LEARN IN THIS EPISODE:

COLLABORATION OVER COMPETITION AMONG DESIGNERS

THE WINS AND LESSONS OF 2024

WHY ‘INTENTIONAL’ IS MY WORD FOR 2025 AND HOW YOU CAN FIND YOURS

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As I look back on 2024, there are wins to celebrate, tons of lessons to learn, and growth to be appreciated. This design community has meant so much to me this year. It has truly been a blessing and an honor to be a part of, and why I am so inspired by the changes I see in the industry I love. And it gives me so much hope for 2025.

I know you’re all probably thinking of the resolutions you’re going to be making for 2025, but frankly, I gave those up a long time ago, and that’s because I never kept them. 

Instead, I choose a word of the year, and I definitely stay more true to that than any resolutions I made in the past. So, for 2025, my word of the year is intentional.  

I do want to encourage you to choose a word for yourself if you aren’t one to keep to resolutions. I find doing this keeps me focused. It’s something that I can come back to and inspires me throughout the year. 

Community of Designers

Looking back on 2024, one of my greatest joys of the year and my career,  has been the community of designers that I get to be a part of. Whether it’s been through this podcast, my course or meeting so of you in person at High Point, Dallas, or any other design event, I am constantly reminded of how special this industry is. 

But the best part about what I see building in this community is this seismic shift towards collaboration over competition. It is really heartwarming to see, and gives me such hope for the future of our industry. We are all in this together, and when we collaborate, we absolutely grow stronger – not just individually but as an industry. 

Wins in 2024

In further reflection of 2024, I’ve seen so many wins and they weren’t just for me but for the designs I’ve worked with and had the privilege of watching grow. 

I have seen designers step into leadership roles on their projects, confidently managing construction timelines, budgets, and teams like they’ve been doing it their entire lives. 

I’ve had designers tell me that this is the first year that they’ve felt in control of their businesses. That they’ve stopped underpricing themselves. They set those clear boundaries that they needed and saw massive differences in their profits. 

I’ve seen designers embrace challenges and learn new skills. Stepping on a construction project, as we all know, isn’t for the faint of heart!

I have watched designers confidently take on that new skill and excel. 

I have watched them step into their own value in a way that incredibly inspires me every day.

The lessons of 2024

When you reflect back on the year, there are going to be lessons to learn – and trust me, I am in that boat with you. 

This year, I spent a lot of time trying to figure out how to juggle everything on my plate. Don’t get me wrong, I put all this on my plate, right? A podcast, client work, and the course with the incredible members inside of it. Here’s what I realized: all three of these areas are priorities for me, and I definitely gave a lot of thought to each one of those components. 

Each piece of my business brings me incredible joy, but there are only so many hours in the day. And if I’m being honest, I have been burning both ends of the candle for way too long. So that’s why, for 2025, I am committed to being intentional. 

I have been operating in a very reactive mode. Saying yes to everything, juggling too much, and trying to do it all this year. And yes, It’s been exciting, but it’s also been exhausting. I’ve made mistakes because I have been so reactive. But ultimately, I just don’t want to keep running on fumes. 

For me, and choosing to be intentional in 2025, means choosing quality over quantity in every area of my work. Saying yes to the opportunities that align with my goals and definitely saying no to the ones that don’t. Bringing more thoughtfulness and purpose to this podcast, to my client work, and to the course so that I can deliver my best across all three of these areas.

So, I do want to encourage you to choose your own word for 2025. Whatever it is, let it be a word that inspires you and keeps you aligned with your goals!