A Well-Designed Business® | Interior Design Business Podcast

Today with William Kauker and Dawn DiGregorio of Mr. Steam:

We all know that wellness-focused design is steadily trending. And in today’s sponsored show, we’re talking about what exactly that means in terms of bathroom design, and how you can be ahead of the cutting-edge to meet clients before they even know what they’re looking for. 

My guests today, William Kauker and Dawn DiGregorio of Mr. Steam, join the show to talk about how steam showers can change the game for your clients. They talk about the language behind wellness design in bathrooms, why steam is so important, and they break down the operational logistics that might be holding you back from implementing these features into your designs. Learn how to start creating a new, elevated experience for your clients in every bathroom design. To learn more go to luannnigara.com/mrsteam

More About William Kauker and Dawn DiGregorio:

Dawn DiGregorio

Vice President and General Manager- MrSteam / Feel Good Inc.

With over 25 years at MrSteam, Dawn continually drives success in planning, business and product development, customer service, technical service, human resources, operations, sales, and marketing while building a culture that empowers every individual to innovate, grow, and thrive.

 

Dawn has devoted herself to the promise of fostering positive relationships that unite groups while allowing individuals to find their voice, grow their talents and succeed.

 

Dawn pridefully and passionately approaches every initiative with a focus on care and service, truly embodying the MrSteam-Feel Good Inc. ethos; “We feel good when you feel good.”

William Kauker

Director of Marketing- MrSteam / Feel Good Inc.

The peanut butter and the chocolate. The strategist and the creative marketer.

 

William’s CV is a legacy of leading global advertising agencies tasked to champion some of the world’s biggest consumer and business brands.

 

William is now focused on delivering elegant solutions that help shape and guide the product, marketing and brand experience for MrSteam / Feel Good Inc. where every innovation is thoughtfully designed, and every individual is empowered to champion making people feel good.

Ah Ha Moments with William Kauker and Dawn DiGregorio:

"We don't make faucets tile or plumbing fixtures, we make steam showers, and now saunas too. And when designers call with questions, how-to questions and the like, they're talking to people who have spent their entire careers on this one experience." -Dawn "People are not just saying, I want a beautiful bathroom anymore. They're saying, I want to change my life. I want my home to make me perform better in my life." -William 

"So it sounds like Mr. Steam is built on this philosophy, number one. This is not like, oh, by the way, we have a product and we can make an angle out of it. This is a core culture belief for your company." -LuAnn

"We really do need to steam. We need to be aware that steam will be part of the project as soon as possible. It's not something that could be an afterthought, right?" -William

Connect with Mr. Steam:

Website

Instagram

What’s new with LuAnn Nigara:

Watch the Docuseries!

http://www.luannnigara.com/cob

Get The Goodies!

For checklists, resources, and extra goodies from A Well-Designed Business sign up for free here.

Purchase LuAnn’s Books Here:

Book 1: The Making of A Well – Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action

Audiobook: The Making of A Well – Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action

Book 2: A Well-Designed Business – The Power Talk Friday Experts

Book 3: A Well-Designed Business – The Power Talk Friday Experts Volume 2

Connect with LuAnn Nigara:

LuAnn’s Website

LuAnn’s Blog

Power Talk Friday

Like Us: Facebook | Tweet Us: Twitter | Follow Us: Instagram | Listen Here: Podcast

Today with Jasmine Roth:

We all want to stand out and get noticed in our businesses…but sometimes we get so caught up in trying to do what we’re “supposed” to do or put out what we think people are looking for that we forget the most important thing—loving what we do and committing to who we are as people and business owners. 

My guest today, Jasmine Roth, host of HGTV's hit shows and the upcoming series Roast My Rental, joins the show to share her journey to her high-profile career. Jasmine breaks down the reality of building a standout firm rooted in authenticity, explaining how keeping her early construction business and her network helped her stay efficient, why saying no to the wrong projects clarifies your true business values, and how embracing seasons of life is the ultimate secret, not just to long-term entrepreneurial happiness, but also to getting noticed and standing out from the crowd.

More About Jasmine Roth:

Jasmine Roth is the founder of Built Custom Homes, curator of the online retail store The Shop by Jasmine Roth and host of HGTV’s hit shows Hidden Potential and HELP! I Wrecked My House. She was also on HGTV’s Rock the Block Season 1, but we won’t spoil the winner for you! Jasmine will also be starring alongside comedian Leslie Jones in a new HGTV series Roast My Rental, premiering July 24th, 2026 at 9:30pm ET/PT. Building custom homes is her bread and butter and she loves finding ways to make homes as personal, functional and beautiful as possible.

Growing up, Jasmine spent her childhood weekends building playhouses and furniture in her dad’s garage. In college she met her husband, Brett, and graduated with a business degree in entrepreneurship and new venture management from the school of business. In 2012, Jasmine launched her boutique development company, Built Custom Homes. As owner and founder, Jasmine runs her projects with a hands-on approach and customizes each home to the family that will eventually live there. Jasmine's website is rapidly growing, and her first book, titled, "House Story: Insider Secrets to the Perfect Home Renovation," was published in 2021. In 2023 she rolled out Virtual Design Consulting with Built Custom Homes to assist clients around the world.

She lives in Park City, UT with her husband Brett and their daughters Hazel Lynn (6) and Darla Rose (1).  She is also excitedly expecting a new baby due October 23rd, 2026.

Ah Ha Moments with Jasmine Roth:

"If you're doing something you love, share that. Don't share, don't try to be somebody else. Don't try to post things cause you think that's what somebody's looking for or that's what they wanna see, you just post what you're doing because what you're doing is interesting." -Jasmine Roth

"Saying yes to the right things and really what it comes down to is saying no to the right things can give us the opportunity to say yes to the bigger things, to take that seat at the table." -Jasmine Roth

"If it makes sense to you, if it feels good to you, if you are engaged... you'll be engaging. You can't look and say, what should I say to show up to be one in the noise? It either is you or it isn't because you can't keep up the facade, right?" -LuAnn Nigara

Connect with Jasmine Roth:

Website

Instagram

What’s new with LuAnn Nigara:

Watch the Docuseries!

http://www.luannnigara.com/cob

Get The Goodies!
For checklists, resources, and extra goodies from A Well-Designed Business sign up for free here.

Purchase LuAnn’s Books Here:

Book 1: The Making of A Well – Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action

Audiobook: The Making of A Well – Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action

Book 2: A Well-Designed Business – The Power Talk Friday Experts

Book 3: A Well-Designed Business – The Power Talk Friday Experts Volume 2

Connect with LuAnn Nigara:

LuAnn’s Website

LuAnn’s Blog

Power Talk Friday

Like Us: Facebook | Tweet Us: Twitter | Follow Us: Instagram | Listen Here: Podcast

Other Shows Mentioned:

AWDB #759 Power Talk Friday: Rachael Bozsik: Discover Your Goldmine and Unleash Your Marketing

AWDB #987 Kate Wood: Discovering and Leaning into Your Niche

AWDB #1035 Lindsay Hunter: The Equestrian Interior Designer: Getting Ultra-Specific with Your Niche

AWDB #1183 BEST OF SHOW: Fred Berns: Own Your “Only” Word & Tips to Discover Yours

Today with Isabel Ladd:

Today with Isabel Ladd, self-taught interior designer and unapologetic maximalist, we are getting into what it actually looks like to build a business entirely on your own terms. Isabel is a 2026 High Point Market Authority Style Spotter, a Kips Bay and House Beautiful Whole Home Showhouse alum, and someone who has spent 11 years in business deliberately engineering her client process so that by the time someone works with her, it's a love match — for both of them.

Isabel walks us through the intentional speed bumps she's built into her intake process, the 15-page handbook her clients receive before they ever get on a call with her, and the mindset shifts that changed everything — including why she deleted more than half of her portfolio and never looked back. If you've ever wondered what it looks like to run a business from a place of joy instead of obligation, this is your episode.

More About Isabel Ladd:

A ride-or-die Maximalist, Isabel Ladd thrives on creating homes saturated in a kaleidoscope of intelligent, meticulously layered colors and patterns. A girl of many mantras, Isabel loves to preach: More is More, Less is never enough; and Mix: don’t match. 

Isabel has participated in both the Kip’s Bay Designer Showhouse and House Beautiful’s Whole Home Showhouse. She won the Luxe Magazine Red Award “Interior Design: Best of the Rest” , is a House Beautiful “Next Wave” Designer, represented Kentucky in Business Of Home’s “50 States Project, ” and was named a “New Trad” in Traditional Home magazine. Her work is regularly featured in design + lifestyle outlets.

Ah Ha Moments with Isabel Ladd:

"It's not about the market that you're in that determines if your aesthetic is successful. It's about who aligns with your vibe. And good vibes are more important to me than anything else.”  - Isabel

“There’s not a problem. There’s just a solution we haven’t figured out just yet.” - Isabel

“I give myself authority to make the best decisions for you on your behalf.” - Isabel

"If I don't care if there's only 5% of the people in Kentucky that appreciate your look — you're going to get 100% of that 5% because you're willing to say, this is who I am and this is how I show up." - LuAnn

Connect with Isabel Ladd:

Website

Instagram 

Pinterest

What’s new with LuAnn Nigara:

Watch the Docuseries!

http://www.luannnigara.com/cob

Get The Goodies!

For checklists, resources, and extra goodies from A Well-Designed Business sign up for free here.

Purchase LuAnn’s Books Here:

Book 1: The Making of A Well – Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action

Audiobook: The Making of A Well – Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action

Book 2: A Well-Designed Business – The Power Talk Friday Experts

Book 3: A Well-Designed Business – The Power Talk Friday Experts Volume 2

Connect with LuAnn Nigara:

LuAnn’s Website

LuAnn’s Blog

Power Talk Friday

Like Us: Facebook | Tweet Us: Twitter | Follow Us: Instagram | Listen Here: Podcast

Other Shows Mentioned:

AWDB Episode 991: Chloe Bullock: Conscious Design

AWDB Episode 831: Flashback Friday: Nate Berkus: The Importance of Creating An Exceptional Client Experience

AWDB Episode 1141: Nate Berkus: “Foundations”: His New Book and 30 Years of Interior Design Business Wisdom

AWDB #1006: Power Talk Friday: Tammy Nagem, CEO, High Point Market Authority. Why You Should Go to HPMKT

Today with Jason Saft:

Today with Jason Saft, founder of Staged To Sell Home and one of the most recognized names in luxury staging. Jason has built a business staging multi-million dollar properties across New York City — the kind of apartments and townhouses that were stuck on the market for years until he came in and transformed them into spaces that sell in weeks. With over 20 years in real estate and interiors, a 24,000 square foot warehouse of curated inventory, and a team of 15, Jason operates at a level most stagers only dream about. But what's fascinating about this conversation is how openly he talks about the journey to get here — the years of saying yes to everything, the projects he took for little to no money, and the boundaries he's learned to set (and strategically break) along the way.

We dig into how Jason communicates his value through data, why he'll negotiate on certain projects but hold firm on others, and what it's really like to manage impossibly tight timelines while maintaining his signature design aesthetic. Jason also shares why he stepped away from occupied staging after one particularly brutal project, how he's built systems that allow his team to execute flawlessly under pressure, and why he believes sharing his process openly has been one of the smartest business moves he's ever made. Whether you're a stager, designer, or running any kind of creative business, this episode is packed with insight on building something sustainable at the highest level.

More About Jason Saft:

Jason Saft is the founder of Staged To Sell Home and a visionary leader in the home staging and design industry. His contemporary, curatorial style seamlessly blends eras, integrating modern pieces into historic settings and allowing antiques to feel fresh in new builds. With over 20 years of experience in real estate and interiors, he has overseen more than $3 billion in sales and possesses a unique ability to transform unsellable properties into a sale through the art of interior staging. By realizing every space’s inherent potential, he creates homes where buyers envision their most aspirational lives

Jason’s audience of more than 100k followers looks to him for insight on design that resonates both culturally and commercially. His work has earned awards from the Real Estate Staging Association and has been featured in some of the most prestigious and recognizable outlets, including The Wall Street Journal, Architectural Digest, Vogue, The New York Times, Forbes, and more. Explore his world at www.stagedtosellhome.com. 

Ah Ha Moments with Jason Saft:

"I spent the last 20 years saying yes to everything, so I could finally start to say no." - Jason

“You hired my expertise. Stop getting in the way of it.” - LuAnn

"While I try not to negotiate a lot, because that is the difference of taking care of your employees, hiring that extra person, investing in your inventory, there are a lot of times where I absolutely will negotiate, because there is value in association." - Jason

"You can make whatever deal you want when you know the reason for it." - LuAnn

"Don't ever give anybody anything without telling them that you're giving it to them."  - LuAnn

Connect with Jason Saft:

Website

Instagram 

Press

What’s new with LuAnn Nigara:

Watch the Docuseries!

http://www.luannnigara.com/cob

Get The Goodies!

For checklists, resources, and extra goodies from A Well-Designed Business sign up for free here.

Purchase LuAnn’s Books Here:

Book 1: The Making of A Well – Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action

Audiobook: The Making of A Well – Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action

Book 2: A Well-Designed Business – The Power Talk Friday Experts

Book 3: A Well-Designed Business – The Power Talk Friday Experts Volume 2

Connect with LuAnn Nigara:

LuAnn’s Website

LuAnn’s Blog

Power Talk Friday

Like Us: Facebook | Tweet Us: Twitter | Follow Us: Instagram | Listen Here: Podcast

Other Shows Mentioned:

AWDB #76: Shauna Lynn Simon- Home Staging is not Interior Design and Here’s Why

AWDB #741: Leia Ward: Getting Started with Luxury Staging

AWDB #1104: Corey Damen Jenkins: How He Manages Imposter Syndrome and Builds Client Loyalty in Design

Today with Janelle Photopoulos, Amy Peltier and Liz Walton:

Today we're continuing our referral marketing series with three more designers who transformed their businesses by working with Stacey Brown Randall.

Liz Walton shares how she went from throwing spaghetti at the wall to systematically generating referrals, and she's now more profitable while working less. Amy Peltier reveals her brutal boot camp of calling 40 people per week when she moved cross-country, and the consistency lessons that still drive her business. And Janelle Blakely Photopoulos shows how intentional relationship-building brought in $750,000 in referral business, with seven of her last ten projects coming from referrals.

You'll learn why language is everything when sending video messages, why tracking actual dollar amounts changes your approach, and how to position yourself so realtors and architects want you in their back pocket. These designers were already successful, but they recognized that hoping for referrals and systematically generating them are two very different things.

This is Part 2 of our referral series. If you missed Part 1 with Darci Hether, Rebecca Robinson, and Lacey Michalek, listen to that episode first. Stop winging your referral strategy and start building relationships that actually convert.

Connect with Janelle Photopoulos, Amy Peltier and Liz Walton:

Janelle Photopoulos

Website

Instagram

Facebook

Pinterest

Amy Peltier

Website

Instagram

Facebook

Liz Walton

Website

Instagram

Facebook

Pinterest

LinkedIn

What’s new with LuAnn Nigara:

Watch the Docuseries!

http://www.luannnigara.com/cob

Get The Goodies!

For checklists, resources, and extra goodies from A Well-Designed Business sign up for free here.

Purchase LuAnn’s Books Here:

Book 1: The Making of A Well – Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action

Audiobook: The Making of A Well – Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action

Book 2: A Well-Designed Business – The Power Talk Friday Experts

Book 3: A Well-Designed Business – The Power Talk Friday Experts Volume 2

Connect with LuAnn Nigara:

LuAnn’s Website

LuAnn’s Blog

Power Talk Friday

Like Us: Facebook | Tweet Us: Twitter | Follow Us: Instagram | Listen Here: Podcast

Other Shows Mentioned:

Episode 69 Power Talk Friday: Stacey Brown Randall – Take Control Of Your Business – Employee Management

Episode 93 Power Talk Friday- Stacey Brown Randall- How To Create an Awesome Client Experience!

Episode 364 Janelle Photopoulos: Leading, Not Simply Running, Your Interior Design Firm

Episode 426 Power Talk Friday: Stacey Brown Randall: Generating Business Referrals…Without Asking