EP 445 | Risk and Reward with Park & Oak

September 9, 2025

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Ever wonder what happens when interior design meets entrepreneurship, creativity, and a dash of audacity? In this episode, the dynamic design duo behind Park & Oak share their ten-year journey from solo ventures to a thriving design, retail, and event empire. They’ll reveal how they turned a shared passion into multiple income streams without following a traditional roadmap. If you’ve longed to embrace risk, pivot when needed, and build a brand that’s bigger than you, then this conversation is packed with real-world lessons on collaboration, scaling creatively, and making bold decisions. 

In this episode we learn:

  • why the path to your ideal business isn’t always straight
  • how rewarding it can be to create multiple revenue streams to complement your design business.
  • it’s ok to jump in, experiment, fail, and refine
  • when you partner with people whose strengths complement yours—synergy can take a small idea and turn it into a thriving enterprise.
  • why a design experience might land you your next, best clients
  • it’s ok to roll up your sleeves, learn as you go, and make mistakes

 

DESIGN INTERVENTION

Be open to pivoting. Follow your passion and lean into what you love. Push through challenges. Even through hard times, perseverance leads to the best results.

 

WATCH ON YOUTUBE

 

About Christina Samatas and Renee DiSanto

Founders of Park & Oak, the complementary personalities and skill sets of Christina Samatas and Renee DiSanto merge to create timeless, sophisticated interiors that feel both welcoming and refined. After starting their respective careers in PR and marketing (Christina) and photography, baking, and content creation (Renee), the two joined forces in 2014 to build Park & Oak, a now nationally acclaimed design brand based in Chicagoland celebrating their 10th year in business in 2025.

www.parkandoak.com

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Thank you to our podcast sponsor, Aquavato!

Aquavato is a trade-focused plumbing showroom in Toronto designed to support interior designers with expert product guidance, educational support, and concierge level service. Inside, the House of Rohl Studio has curated selections of Perrin & Rowe, Rohl, Shaws, Victoria + Albert, Emtek & Schaub.

Learn more about the Aquavato Trade Program at aquavato.com.

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Legal Disclosure | This podcast is for educational purposes only and should not be used for any legal decisions. Kimberley Seldon Design Group, Kimberley Seldon Productions Inc., Kimberley Seldon Design and Media, Inc., Business of Design™, or any of its affiliated companies or staff is not responsible for any errors or omissions effecting accuracy in any content, and they will not be held liable for the use or misuse of information, facts, details or any other aspects should there arise any defects, errors, omissions or perhaps inaccuracies. Extensive research has been conducted to put this podcast together for the purpose of educating our industry in order to better serve the public. Care has been taken to acknowledge ownership of copyrighted material. The advice and strategies contained herein may not be suitable for every situation. This work is offered with the understanding that we do not render any legal, accounting or other professional advice. Seek the advice of a lawyer and/or other competent professional person in all matters of law. Further, listeners should be aware that internet websites mentioned may change or disappear between when this was recorded and when it was listened to.

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