Talk Design

Laurie Laizure founded the Interior Design Community (IDC) over 12 years ago, starting on Google Plus and expanding to platforms like Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, and LinkedIn. With over 110,000 Instagram followers, IDC is a vibrant space where designers share knowledge, foster friendships, and improve their business practices.Evolution and Impact of Social Media: Laurie emphasizes how IDC facilitates deeper conversations among designers, addressing business challenges and enhancing collaboration. The community has become a crucial resource for professional growth and client service quality.Future Goals and Nonprofit Structure: Operating as a nonprofit, IDC aims to be governed by its members. Laurie envisions a future board of interior designers advocating for the profession, negotiating with brands, and providing essential resources, creating a sustainable, member-driven community.Increased Demand for Quality and Local Design: Consumers' frustration with fast furniture is driving a demand for higher-quality, durable pieces and local sourcing, partly due to COVID-19 supply chain issues. This trend offers significant business opportunities for designers to monetize their expertise through shoppable showrooms and online consultations.

Join Mick Hawes, the dynamic host of "The Tool Shed" podcast and founder of Builders Business Black Belt, as he delves into the intricacies of business coaching for builders. Mick’s journey from electrician to business coach is marked by diverse experiences, including roles as a musician, photocopier technician, and life insurance salesperson. These roles led him to personal development and time management, ultimately steering him toward business coaching.Mick's coaching philosophy emphasizes the distinction between technical skills and successful business management. He helps builders enhance communication, relationship-building, and business acumen using the six working geniuses' model by Patrick Lencioni. This model highlights the importance of leveraging all six types of genius: wonder, invention, discernment, galvanizing, enablement, and tenacity, to ensure project success.Mick shares insights on identifying weak links in business operations, utilizing tools like the "Black Belt Compass" for direction, and the value of community and support. Tune in to learn how to refine your instincts, make informed decisions, and continuously improve your business through education and self-improvement.

Andrew always knew he wanted to be an architect. He was drawing floor plans as far back as the first grade. The obsession never subsided, so he continued his journey at Kansas State University, completing his Master of Architecture degree in 2010. He arrived in Dallas just as the architecture industry was emerging from the lean years of the Great Recession. Time spent at a large international retail design firm as well as a local boutique firm has formed the foundation of Andrew’s professional experience. Andrew launched Agent Architecture in May of 2017.Since then, the practice has grown, with his wife and co-owner joining in 2019, and the addition of 2 team members in the following years. Now a small studio of 4, Agent has maintained a diverse range of project types, with an emphasis on adaptive re-use, workplace, and early childhood education. A seamlessly integrated architecture and interiors practice, Agent delivers whole-building design solutions for nearly any project type. Beyond Architecture, Andrew is a father to a nearly 2-year-old, life-long science-fiction fan, and self-proclaimed sandwich connoisseur. 

Marie Kargiotis an interior stylist and home renovator, whose refined style and unwavering passion have made waves in the lifestyle landscape. Marie is authentic and passionate, and her enthusiasm for visualizing the potential of a project is infectious. Recognised as one of Adelaide’s top 10 interior stylists by The Advertiser, she has had the privilege of collaborating with numerous high-profile clients. Marie possesses the unique gift of seamlessly intertwining style with authenticity and beauty with purpose. Marie transitioned from a successful hairstyling career to interior design. Her meticulous attention to aesthetics began in childhood. Her hairstyling career, marked by high-profile work and education in Vidal Sassoon techniques, cultivated her appreciation for design, eventually sparking her interest in interiors.Marie's interior design business developed naturally through compliments and requests from friends. Initially offering services informally, her business grew as her reputation spread. She learned to value her skills, gradually increasing her rates as she gained confidence, despite lacking formal interior design training.Marie emphasizes creating personalized, emotionally resonant interiors. She excels in understanding and fulfilling clients' desires through incorporating meaningful items into home decor, making a home unique and reflective of the individual's experiences. She advocates for fun, expressive design choices that reflect individual personalities, ensuring each project represents the client's style. The conversation emphasizes mixing styles, such as modern elements with vintage pieces, showcasing creativity and respecting the original architecture, resulting in a balanced, pleasing space.Tune in for a great conversation!

Phil Darwen, the mastermind behind the Instagram sensation "A Designer's Mind" with 1.4 million followers, delves into his unique journey as a building designer. Specializing in home design and renovation, Phil brings an exceptional flair for interior styling that has made him a significant figure in the design world.Phil's career blossomed under the mentorship of renowned designer Paul Clout, where he transitioned from hand-drawn sketches to AutoCAD, showcasing his adaptability and commitment. His design philosophy centres on the critical importance of light, ventilation, and storage, addressing modern challenges of smaller plot sizes. Ensuring proper breathability, light penetration, and ample storage in homes enhances comfort and well-being.Highlighting environmental influences, Phil discusses designing homes that breathe naturally, minimizing the need for air conditioning, especially in subtropical climates. Emphasizing human-centered architecture, he stresses the emotional impact of engaging with spaces at ground level, advocating for designs that elevate societal vibrancy.Phil's Instagram journey, from a personal profile to a design-focused platform, reflects his dedication to sharing innovative ideas and fostering a community seeking inspiration. By integrating unexpected and historically rich images, Phil reminds us to view design from different perspectives, enriching the engagement and thoughtfulness of his content. His personal legacy project encapsulates his professional growth, underscoring functionality, materiality, and emotional connection in architecture.

In this podcast, Brad Sugars, founder of Action Coach, shares valuable insights into business design, marketing, and creating a sustainable, saleable business. He emphasizes the importance of acquiring and retaining customers and staff, regardless of business size or industry. Brad discusses modern marketing strategies, stressing comprehensive online content and tools like Neuron Writer for SEO. He explains the significance of Marketing Qualified Leads (MQLs) and Sales Qualified Leads (SQLs), aiming for genuine engagement over superficial social media metrics.Brad underscores the need for businesses to design shareable moments, enhancing organic promotion through customer-generated content. He highlights the importance of consistency and systemization in business, advocating for standardized procedures to ensure reliable customer experiences. Effective delegation is crucial, as trying to handle everything yourself can hinder growth. Success involves collaboration, leadership, and staying in your lane of genius.