161: 2025 Reflection, it wasn't as bad as we thought

161: 2025 Reflection, it wasn't as bad as we thought

Author: Hot Young Designers Club December 19, 2025 Duration: 1:29:47

Shaun and Rebecca are back to wrap up 2025 with their annual year-in-review tradition—and it turns out, it wasn’t all bad! In this episode, they share a candid look at the highs, lows, and the messy middle of running their interior design businesses this year. From surviving slowdowns and personal challenges to celebrating wins like tightened brand messaging and more aligned client projects, they prove that progress isn’t always loud, flashy, or Instagram-worthy.

They revisit the goals they set at the beginning of the year (in Episode 138) and dig into what worked, what didn’t, and why sometimes just holding steady is a success worth celebrating. Whether you’re a seasoned designer or new to the business, this episode offers inspiration and validation that your growth is happening—even if it’s slower than you expected.

In this episode they discuss:

  • Why looking back—even when you don’t feel like it—is essential to growth
  • How Shaun’s business remained resilient during a personally challenging year
  • Rebecca’s experience finally finding the right bookkeeper and getting her finances dialed
  • Their evolving relationships with designer on-call services and how to better qualify leads
  • Why having fresh portfolio photography changed Rebecca’s marketing game
  • How Shaun refined his brand voice and simplified his services for more aligned clients
  • The value of investing in professional development through retreats and workshops
  • The systems and automations they put in place to support bigger goals in 2026

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Ever wondered what it really takes to run a creative business beyond the beautiful mood boards? Hot Young Designers Club pulls back the curtain on the interior design industry, one candid conversation at a time. Hosts Rebecca Plumb and Shaun Crha-practicing designers themselves-bring their combined experience from Studio Plumb and Wrensted Interiors to the table. They’re here to discuss the unglamorous details, the client negotiations, and the small victories that define a modern design practice. Each episode feels like grabbing a coffee with colleagues who aren’t afraid to be honest about the emotional rollercoaster, the practical logistics, and the outright funny moments that happen behind the scenes. This podcast serves as a weekly check-in for anyone navigating the business of aesthetics, offering a sense of community and shared understanding. You’ll hear real stories about pricing projects, managing workflows, setting boundaries, and maintaining a creative spark amidst the administrative tasks. Tune in for a blend of strategic advice and personal reflection, all delivered with a dose of humor and relatability. The Hot Young Designers Club is essentially your audio companion for building a more sustainable and joyful design business, proving that success isn’t just about taste-it’s about resilience, adaptability, and a good laugh along the way.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Hot Young Designers Club | Interior Design Business Podcast
Podcast Episodes
167: Birdhouse for the Soul [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:01:22
Rebecca and Shaun meander their way through beauty routines, personal style, creativity, books, and the importance of staying curious as creative people. What starts as a conversation about video backgrounds and ChatGPT…
166: Life is a Highway and I’m Gonna Ride It All Night Long [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:02:28
Rebecca and Shaun are back with a classic HYDC catch-up episode—covering everything from creative ruts and tile inspiration to mattress upgrades and the strange ways we all unwind after long design days. If you’ve ever f…
164: Not every piece can be the Beyoncé (but you need at least one) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:04:37
In this episode, Rebecca and Shaun cover everything from skunk-induced wake-up calls to the realities of private equity in the design industry—before diving deep into the creative growing pains that come with leveling up…
162: Getting out of our own way and other business goals [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:13:24
In this kickoff episode for 2026, Shaun and Rebecca get real about what’s holding them back in their design businesses—and what they’re doing about it. From car accidents to calendar overhauls, they unpack how they’re us…
160: Renee Biery, “The Only Girl on the Job Site” [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:38:32
Shaun and Rebecca sit down with guest Renée Biery of deVignier Design and host of the podcast Only Girl on the Jobsite. With a career spanning over 30 years, Renée has worked on complex construction‑heavy design projects…
158: Why You Shouldn't Photograph Every Project with Jessica Burke [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:01:36
In this episode of the Hot Young Designers Club, Rebecca and Shaun welcome interior‑photographer turned editor and marketing strategist Jessica Burke to unpack when and why designers should not photograph—or publish—ever…
157: Las Vegas Market, Logistics for Designers [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 49:25
In this episode, Rebecca and Shaun dive into everything designers need to know about attending Las Vegas Market — from travel logistics to strategy, networking, sourcing and setting up your post‑market follow‑up. Whether…