EP 208 | Culture of Growth in Your Interior Design Firm with Andrew Kotchen, hosted by Darci Hether

February 9, 2021

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What does it take to build an interior design firm that grows sustainably over time?

In this episode, hosted by Darci Hether, acclaimed architect and designer Andrew Kotchen of Workshop/APD shares insights into leadership, operations, and creating a culture of growth within a design business.

Whether you’re a solo entrepreneur or managing a larger team, Andrew explains why thinking like a larger organization—through systems, planning, and talent development—creates stronger foundations for long-term success.

If you want to build a business that can evolve, adapt, and thrive through changing economic conditions, this episode offers valuable perspective.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

• Why consistently good work attracts better opportunities
• How systems and procedures create operational stability and growth
• The importance of planning for the long-term future of your firm
• How business operations changed after COVID—both logistically and culturally
• Why recognizing opportunities for strategic pivots matters
• Lessons from past recessions and reducing financial vulnerability
• How to intentionally create a culture of growth within your company
• Why surrounding yourself with talented people elevates the quality of your work

 

Design Intervention

Take every opportunity in front of you. You never know where it is going to lead.

About Guest Host Darci Hether

Darci Hether is the founder and principal designer at darci hether new york. her goal is to create a space that welcomes you home after a long day, that reflects your cultural experiences and travels, that injects confidence and ease into your every moment.

Working with clients from around the world, she specializes in turn-key homes as well as second and third homes that serve as vacation pied-à-terres and beautiful beach houses in areas like new york city, the hamptons, nantucket, and florida’s 30a region.

Follow Darcie on insta | @darcihether

About Andrew Kotchen

For more than two decades, Andrew Kotchen’s distinct aesthetic vision has shaped Workshop/APD’s remarkable portfolio of projects across North America and abroad. Under his leadership, the New York City-based design and architecture firm has expanded to a vertically integrated, 50-person team renowned for luxury residences and ground-breaking multi-family developments including 70 Charlton Street,

Andrew’s work is defined by a distinctive sense of place and purpose, delving into a project’s unique location and history to inform its details at every scale. This site-specific approach yields highly customized spaces across diverse contexts, and provides Andrew and his team with new ideas, sources and inspiration to fuel and evolve the firm’s work.

Andrew is dedicated to supporting educational initiatives and dedicates his time to institutions including the Van Alen Institute and Swim Across America, also serving as a board member for Suffield Academy and the Artists Association of Nantucket. A resident of Irvington, NY and Nantucket, MA, he enjoys sailing, outdoor sports and travel with his wife Emily and children, Grace and William. He holds a Bachelor of Arts from Lehigh University and a Master of Architecture from the University of Michigan. He has served as a visiting professor at Pratt Institute and is a visiting critic at the New York Institute of Technology, Columbia University, Lehigh University, Parsons School of Design and the University of Michigan.

www.workshopapd.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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