Only Girl On The Jobsite

Your portfolio is gorgeous — but is your website actually bringing in clients? If you've been staring at your site thinking, "It looks good… but something's not working," this episode's for you. Today, I'm joined by Robyn White of RDW Design Studio. Robyn White brings a rare fusion of strategy and aesthetics to interior design websites. A website designer who didn't follow the traditional path, she began her career working at one of the most prestigious art galleries in the world. She learned how the affluent think, what they value, and how they choose who to work with. In 2019 she founded RDW Design Studio where she combines that luxury market expertise with digital strategy to help elevate interior designers into the high-end market via an online presence that aligns with the clients, projects and opportunities they deserve so they can step into their next level of success. Robyn has been featured by a range of design industry resources from Business of Home to High Point Market. We're digging into how to create an interior design website that's both beautiful and strategic — including the key mistakes designers are making right now (even seasoned ones), how to get found by dream clients without sacrificing style, and what Google (and ChatGPT) actually want to see in 2026. This one's for the designer who's ready to stop blending in — and start building a website that works as hard as you do. Let's get you back in the client's inbox.   Get Robyn's free lead magnet here: How to Get Leads from Your Interior Design Website: https://rdwdesignstudio.com/website-leads/ Check out Robyn's Website: https://rdwdesignstudio.com/  Follow Robyn on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rdwdesignstudio/    Mentioned in this episode: Access the full video interview with Elana Steele of Steele Appliance here: https://www.reneedevignierdesign.com/appliance   Find the full shownotes at: https://devignierdesign.com/interior-design-website-robyn-white   

Today, I want to dive into something incredibly important as we close out 2025, and more importantly, gear up for 2026. This is something that every single designer needs to understand if they want long-term stability, profitability, and relevance in this industry. So today, we're going to unpack a brand new analysis from NAHB that just dropped. And honestly, it confirms something I've been saying on this podcast for years.  Mentioned in this episode: Access the full video interview with Elana Steele of Steele Appliance here: https://www.reneedevignierdesign.com/appliance Find the full shownotes at: https://devignierdesign.com/remodeling-surge-designers-cant-ignore 

This episode is a special one for me, and frankly, one I never thought I would be recording, because this marks my fifth anniversary of this podcast, Only Girl on the Jobsite, which just is surreal, shocking, overwhelming, and humbling, all mixed in together. To mark the occasion, I invited my 3 design school besties, my design school friends, the girls, who have walked this path alongside me in different ways; they have been my support system, and my community. And that community started way back when, in 1992, when I started at the New York School of Interior Design. And I met three of the most incredible, dynamic, magical people. Whether you're just starting out or years into your design career, this candid discussion will remind you that your journey is unique, your evolution is valuable, and community makes all the difference. Tune in for real insights, shared wisdom, and a celebration of how far we've all come.   Mentioned in this episode: In honor of celebrating our 5-year anniversary here on Only Girl On The Jobsite, if you rate and review this podcast on any platform you are listening to, screenshot your review and email it to me at hello@devignierdesign.com and I will send you a link to schedule a call with me. Access the full video interview with Elana Steele of Steele Appliance here: https://www.reneedevignierdesign.com/appliance   Find the full shownotes at: https://devignierdesign.com/5-year-anniversary-designer-roundtable 

Today I'm sharing the story of how I built a design business that doesn't just rely on constant marketing, that next inquiry call, or that lucky referral. I don't go looking for new clients, and I haven't had to in years. My next project almost always comes from a client I've already worked with or from one of the contractors, architects, or realtors in my network. So today I'm breaking down exactly how that happens and, more importantly, how you can start building the same kind of stability and predictability in your own firm. Mentioned in this episode: Find out all the details about The Designer's Edge here: https://www.reneedevignierdesign.com/construction-management-interior-designers  Access the full video interview with Elana Steele of Steele Appliance here: https://www.reneedevignierdesign.com/appliance Find the full shownotes at: https://devignierdesign.com/why-i-never-have-to-go-looking-for-new-clients   

So you've probably noticed this before: you've noticed that contractors never apologize for their prices. They walk into a meeting, they set their number and paperwork on the table, and then they wait. There are no disclaimers. There's no, I hope this seems reasonable, Mrs. Smith. It's just, this is what it costs. Meanwhile, we as designers are still over-explaining, discounting, or defending what we charge. But here's the question I want you to think about today: What if the difference between how contractors and designers price has absolutely nothing to do with money and everything to do with mindset? Because the truth is, they're not just better at math. They're better at leadership. Mentioned in this episode: Sign up for The Pricing Fix workshop on November 6th, 12:30 PM EST:  https://www.reneedevignierdesign.com/the-pricing-fix Access the full video interview with Elana Steele of Steele Appliance here: https://www.reneedevignierdesign.com/appliance   Find the full shownotes at: https://devignierdesign.com/contractor-pricing-vs-designer-pricing 

Have you ever wrapped up a project, looked at your hours, your profitability, what you built, what you spent, and figured out that you were actually working at maybe $47 an hour? You knew the project was beautiful, the clients were thrilled, but somewhere between your proposal and that final invoice, the math just stopped making sense. And the worst part is you knew something was off. You knew you were undercharging, but at the time, it felt reasonable. That good reason is usually one of the three lies we tell ourselves to make undercharging feel okay. And today, we're going to break it down. What those lies are, why they keep us stuck, and more importantly, what to do instead, so you can finally price your construction projects with confidence and clarity. Mentioned in this episode: Sign up for The Pricing Fix workshop on November 6th, 12:30 PM EST:  https://www.reneedevignierdesign.com/the-pricing-fix   Access the full video interview with Elana Steele of Steele Appliance here: https://www.reneedevignierdesign.com/appliance   Find the full shownotes at:  https://devignierdesign.com/three-lies-designers-tell-themselves-about-pricing 

Last week, I talked about invisible work, all of those small, well-intentioned tasks that quietly chip away at your profits. This week, I want to continue that conversation with one simple question: if you've switched to flat fees, are they actually flat enough? Because I see this all the time. Designers move away from hourly billings thinking, finally, no more time tracking, no more nickel and diming, no more surprises. But then the project ends, the designer is exhausted, the profits are thin, and they're wondering where all of their time went. And it's not that your number was wrong, it's that your flat fee wasn't flat enough.   Mentioned in this episode: Sign up for The Pricing Fix workshop on November 6th, 12:30 PM EST:  https://www.reneedevignierdesign.com/the-pricing-fix Join the wait list for my course, The Designers Edge: https://www.reneedevignierdesign.com/construction-management-interior-designers Access the full video interview with Elana Steele of Steele Appliance here: https://www.reneedevignierdesign.com/appliance Sign up here to join my panel discussion at High Point: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/meet-the-podcasters-tickets-1657193372989?aff=oddtdtcreator Sign up for my weekly newsletter: https://www.reneedevignierdesign.com/from-the-jobsite   Find the full shownotes at: https://devignierdesign.com/why-your-flat-fee-isnt-flat-enough  

Today, I want to dive into the invisible work that's eating away at your profits. I think you know what I mean, right? They're the hours that never make it into a proposal, the tiny tasks that keep piling up, the "quick things" that somehow take all day. So if you've ever ended a project feeling like you worked twice as much as you got paid for, you probably did. I have been there many times, and I can tell you exactly where the money is slipping through the cracks. Mentioned in this episode: Join the wait list for my revamped course, The Designers Edge: https://www.reneedevignierdesign.com/construction-management-interior-designers Access the full video interview with Elana Steele of Steele Appliance here: https://www.reneedevignierdesign.com/appliance Sign up here to join my panel discussion at High Point: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/meet-the-podcasters-tickets-1657193372989?aff=oddtdtcreator Find the full shownotes at: https://devignierdesign.com/invisible-work-eating-your-profits 

I talk a lot about profitability on these episodes because, of course, we do this for a living. But today, I invited someone to talk with more authority about our finances in general. And I understand it is not always easy to look at our finances, especially if they aren't where we want them to be. But Carla Titus has over 17 years of combined corporate financial planning, analysis strategy, and online businesses experience. She works with interior designers and she understands and provides fractional CFO services and consulting to business owners like us who are looking to grow their business profitability, which is what we all want. Her mission with Wealth and Worth Within is to empower business owners like you to achieve financial clarity and peace of mind so that they can get back to what they enjoy.  In today's episode, you'll learn how designers can master their money mindset, set profitable margins, and think like a CEO—so your business grows with confidence and sustainability. Find out more about Carla here: Website: www.wealthworthwithin.com  Facebook: www.facebook.com/wealthworthwithin  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wealthworthwithin   LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/wealthworthwithin/  TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@wealthworthwithin  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@wealthandworthwithin   Mentioned in this episode: Join the wait list for my revamped course, The Designers Edge: https://www.reneedevignierdesign.com/construction-management-interior-designers Access the full video interview with Elana Steele of Steele Appliance here: https://www.reneedevignierdesign.com/appliance  Find the full shownotes at: https://devignierdesign.com/interior-designers-guide-to-growth   

Today, we're going to talk about the hard truth: that many of the challenges that we face on construction projects aren't just coming from contractors, architects, or the clients. A lot of them are coming from us, from the way we've been taught to see ourselves, from the way we approach our work, and from the stories we've quietly absorbed about what it means to be an interior designer managing construction. The good news is also the bad news, because if we're the ones doing it to ourselves, we're also the ones who can stop it. Mentioned in this episode: Access the full video interview with Elana Steele of Steele Appliance here: https://www.reneedevignierdesign.com/appliance  Find the full shownotes at: https://devignierdesign.com/designers-jobsite-mistakes-mindset-shift 

Last week, I talked all about proposals and how designers often present themselves in ways that just don't stack up next to the concise professional proposals from architects and contractors, also known as our colleagues. And I said something then that I want to build on today, that the way we present ourselves to our clients matters. Because it's not just in proposals, it's also in how we charge. And the truth is, a lot of designers are unintentionally making themselves look expendable as well as different from our colleagues, architects, and contractors. And all in the wrong way when it comes to fees. So today, I want to talk about whether you feel stuck charging small consult fees when you could be landing six-figure projects.  Mentioned in this episode: Access the full video interview with Elana Steele of Steele Appliance here: https://www.reneedevignierdesign.com/appliance  Find the full shownotes at:  https://devignierdesign.com/interior-design-pricing-flat-fee-vs-hourly

Are your proposals costing you projects and profit? In this episode, I break down the common mistakes designers make in their scopes of work, why vague language leads to scope creep, and how to write proposals that protect your bottom line and earn respect on the job site. Find the full shownotes at: https://devignierdesign.com/proposal-mistake-costing-interior-designers-projects-profit 

Today's episode is a little different than normal—and it all started when I scheduled a Lunch & Learn at Steele Appliance in Delaware.  This is a conversation that every interior designer needs to be part of! In this episode, I share how I sat down with appliance expert Elana Steele to cover everything from common design pitfalls and emerging trends to how to find the right local partners. Whether you're a new or seasoned designer, this conversation will help you guide clients with confidence and elevate your kitchen projects.  Mentioned in this episode:   Access the full video interview here: https://www.reneedevignierdesign.com/appliance  Upcoming Designer-Only Lunch & Learn on appliance specification - Wilmington, DE area: https://www.reneedevignierdesign.com/offers/H2FSxLJb/checkout Find the full shownotes at:  https://devignierdesign.com/the-appliance-conversation-every-designer-needs-to-hear 

Today I'm sharing two recent wins that build on what we discussed in Ep241: What Do Interior Designers Really Do on Construction Projects? These real-life stories show how valuable designers are on job sites—and I hope they inspire you to create similar experiences in your own projects.  Mentioned in this episode: * Upcoming Designer-Only Lunch & Learn on appliance specification - Wilmington, DE area: https://www.reneedevignierdesign.com/offers/H2FSxLJb/checkout    Listen to Ep241 here:  https://devignierdesign.com/what-interior-designers-really-do-on-construction-projects/ Sign up for my weekly newsletter here: https://www.reneedevignierdesign.com/from-the-jobsite Find the full shownotes at: https://devignierdesign.com/interior-designers-invaluable-on-job-sites 

I know it probably feels a little crazy to be talking about the holidays right now. But here's the truth: before we know it, holiday parties, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hannukkah, and New Year's will be front and center, and for all of us in construction and design, that means deadlines, delays, and client expectations that will collide all at once.  Add in the unpredictable fall and winter weather for some of us who have different weather throughout the year, and suddenly, you may have a perfect storm of challenges that will absolutely derail even the best planned projects. Today, we are talking about how to handle holiday deadlines, vacation slowdowns, and other delays. Not just to save our sanity, but to set realistic expectations with clients Join the waitlist for my course here: https://www.reneedevignierdesign.com/construction-management-interior-designers Sign up for my weekly newsletter here: https://www.reneedevignierdesign.com/from-the-jobsite  Follow me on Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/devignierdesign/  Find the full shownotes at: https://devignierdesign.com/holiday-design-planning-for-interior-designers  

Have you ever been asked, "So… what do you do here?" If you're an interior designer, chances are you've heard this question more than once—from contractors, trades, or even clients. The truth is, many people don't fully understand the value designers bring to a construction project. And if they don't know what you do, they can't value it—or hire you for it. In this episode, we dive into why it's critical to define your role with clarity and confidence. You'll hear how one greenhouse project revealed the gap in understanding, and how showing up as a decision-maker, problem-solver, and translator between client and contractor changes everything. You'll leave with the exact language to position yourself as essential, not optional, so you can gain respect, influence, and bigger opportunities. Join the waitlist for my course here: https://www.reneedevignierdesign.com/construction-management-interior-designers  Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/devignierdesign/  Find the full shownotes at: https://devignierdesign.com/what-interior-designers-really-do-on-construction-projects 

Mistakes happen on every design and construction project—because we're human. But how you handle them can make or break your client relationships. In this episode, I share real stories from designers (and my own experiences) about the inevitable missteps that happen, and the exact steps you can take to resolve them with professionalism and confidence. From talking to clients about the problem to navigating tricky contractor conversations, you'll learn how to stay calm, find solutions, and keep projects moving forward—without losing sleep or credibility. Sign up for my weekly newsletter here: https://www.reneedevignierdesign.com/from-the-jobsite  Find the full shownotes at: https://devignierdesign.com/how-to-handle-mistakes 

I am frequently asked what it's really like to be inside The Designer's Edge program, and especially what these new features are inside The Studio portion of the program. Today, I'm excited to pull the curtain back and share one of The Studio's newest features: module-specific live Q&As.  The insight that I'm sharing today, which came out of that live call, applies to each and every one of you and your current and future projects. You will feel like you were a part of that call, with actionable takeaways, just like the members did. Join the waitlist for my course here: https://www.reneedevignierdesign.com/construction-management-interior-designers  Find the full shownotes at:  https://devignierdesign.com/conversations-for-designers   

When a client hires an interior designer, especially for a construction project, they are not just looking for us to help with picking paint color and finishes; they're hiring us for our eye, our foresight, our expertise, and our ability to bring it all together in a way they couldn't do it on their own. Because let's be real, projects get built every day without an interior designer, so those that choose to invest in our service want that elevated experience. So today, we're going to talk about what we think of as "little things" and how they are incredibly impactful in the end, with how your client lives, moves, and experiences their home, and why we shouldn't be taking for granted the amount of value we're bringing to each and every project. Join the waitlist for my course here: https://www.reneedevignierdesign.com/construction-management-interior-designers  Find the full shownotes at: https://devignierdesign.com/design-the-experience 

Allowances. This is what we are covering in today's episode: why they matter so much more than designers realize, and how ignoring them can absolutely blow up your hours, your relationship with the client, and their entire budget. This might not sound sexy, but I promise you it is mission critical.  Join the waitlist for my course here: https://www.reneedevignierdesign.com/construction-management-interior-designers Find the full shownotes at: https://devignierdesign.com/allowances