EP 179 | Why Every Interior Designer Needs an A Team with Holly, Phoebe and Justine

July 13, 2020

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No interior designer succeeds alone.

In this episode, Kimberley Seldon discusses the power of building a trusted A Team — the skilled trades, suppliers, vendors, and specialists who consistently help interior designers deliver exceptional results project after project.

A reliable team doesn’t just support your work; they strengthen your reputation, improve the client experience, and help your business operate more efficiently and profitably. This conversation explores how developing specialized expertise, taking ownership of vendor relationships, and collaborating with trusted professionals leads to stronger interior design businesses.

In this episode, we learn:
• Why interior designers rely on strong teams to deliver outstanding client experiences
• How creating a niche skillset helps position professionals as experts
• Why licensing alone may not fully address the needs of today’s interior design professionals
• How carefully selecting vendors and trades benefits both designers and clients
• Why taking responsibility for vendor relationships improves project outcomes
• How building an A Team creates consistency, trust, and long-term business success
• Why collaboration is essential for profitable and well-executed interior design projects

 

Design Intervention

Holly Gagne | Charge more! It is until you charge more that your business will soar, and you’ll feel confident.

Justine Sterling | If you’re unsure how to react, don’t.

Phoebe Russell | Perfection isn’t attainable, but if you continue to pursue it; excellence is.

Holly Gagne

Holly says her life didn’t really start until she found Interior Design, a second career that began after spending many years working for a consulting firm and learning how to manage people and structure projects. She has a masters of Interior Architecture from the Boston Architectural College, and has been running independent design projects since 2007. She has a team of 5, and her studio is located in an historic barn. She specializes in renovations, additions and new construction projects where she can have a strong hand in designing the interior architecture.

www.hollygagne.com

 

 

Phoebe Russell

Phoebe started her business in 2008 after getting a degree in interior design from New York School of Interior Design in NYC. During college, her love of interior design was formulated with experiences at Victoria Hagan and Schumacher, where she had the honor to work. Phoebe’s firm consists of 2 full time employees and a part time draftsman, and she considers her workroom and industry professionals part of her team as well.

Phoebe is known for calming, clean interiors which are achieved by blending complimentary patterns, soothing color palettes, unique furnishings and always keeping our eye on the details.

www.lovejoyinteriors.com

 

 

Justine Sterling

Justine’s journey began almost 30 years ago in Cape Town, South Africa. A graduate of Cape Technikon School of Art and Design, she found a home in interiors due to her love of art, organization and the inherent nature of finding structure in chaos. Innovative and prestigious firms have driven her career. She worked in the interior design field as a hospitality designer in Cape Town and Johannesburg, and after moving to the United States in 1999, furthered her career in corporate design in the world of interior architecture.

When she became a mom in 2008, her need for effective space planning went into overdrive and Justine Sterling Design was born. The same structure, effective space planning, and intention-filled interiors she used in commercial projects suddenly had new meaning in her own home. Justine has a portfolio of residential projects which vary from small, urban condominium redesigns to kitchen renovations to entire home remodeling endeavors. She has one full time employee and a purchasing and expediting team.

www.justinesterling.com

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Legal Disclosure | This podcast is for educational purposes only and provides general business advice for interior designers and design professionals. It is not intended as individual legal, accounting, or professional guidance. Kimberley Seldon and Business of Design® make no guarantees regarding accuracy and are not liable for how information is used. Strategies shared may not apply to every situation—listeners should seek qualified legal, financial, or professional advice before making business decisions. References and resources mentioned may change over time.

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