A Well-Designed Business® | Interior Design Business Podcast

Today With Kate O’Hara:

Today on In Good Company: CEO Conversations with Kate O’Hara, we’re discussing diversifying your revenue—how to expand your business without losing focus on what’s already working.

Kate O’Hara, CEO and Creative Director of O’Hara Interiors, joins me to unpack what it really looks like to grow beyond design. We talk about service expansion—adding furnishings to construction, or vice versa—opening a second location, stepping into commercial, and what to know before diving into retail or e-commerce.

We also get honest about the “fun stuff”—books, licensing, TV, speaking, and podcasts—and why those often fall into the PR bucket, not the profit one. Kate shares how to test new ideas as CEO-level experiments, keep your core business airtight, and balance quick wins with long-term plays that build lasting opportunity.

If you’re ready to grow with intention, this conversation will help you run every next move like a CEO.

LuAnn Nigara and Kate O'Hara's Ah-Ha Moments

“When you are diversifying, each moment of diversification is an experiment.” - Kate

“When you go to diversify…you’ll immediately see what isn’t buttoned up in your core business.” - Kate

More About Kate O’Hara

Kate O’Hara grew up in the world of design. After a decade with the company, she stepped into the role of CEO + Creative Director, expanding the family design firm into new regions of the U.S. When she isn’t traveling between our Minnesota and Texas offices, you can find Kate speaking at conferences, working with our design team, and connecting with new clients and furniture lines.

Connect with Kate O’Hara

⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠Pinterest⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠Houzz⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠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.

Today with LuAnn Nigara:

The Boardroom for Creatives Is Open. Here's Why I Built It.

After nine years and over 1,400 episodes of bringing the best voices and the most qualified experts to this community, LuAnn built something new.

In this episode she tells the full story, the heartfelt emails she couldn't answer the way they deserved, the Instagram DM that crystallized the problem, and the interview with Corey Damon Jenkins that made everything click into place.

She also goes behind the scenes: the genius moment followed by the tech panic, the two green lights she got in a single afternoon from her coach Amber De La Garza and her husband Vin, and what happened when she started inviting Board Members into the room.

The Boardroom for Creatives is a curated platform where you book a private 50-minute session with a vetted expert personally selected by LuAnn. Someone she would send her own clients to. No long-term commitment. No contracts. No pay to play.

Board Members are taking appointments now.

👉 boardroomforcreatives.com

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

What’s new with LuAnn Nigara:

Watch the Docuseries!

https://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

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