Today we welcome Renee Biery, owner of Devignier Design based in Wilmington Delaware and host of the The Only Girl on the Job site Podcast. In this episode Renee shares her journey of design and how she developed a niche expertise in managing large scale construction from renovations to new builds. We dive deep into the benefits of embracing the construction side of design and the nuances of contributing to the construction process from a design perspective. Renee pays it forward to the design community by informing and empowering designers on how to be more confident on the job site and she shares her top tips right here with us.

Show Highlights:

• Embracing Construction: Why designers should integrate construction management into their business models.

• Confidence on the Jobsite: How to project value and demonstrate leadership during construction projects.

• Collaboration Tips: Building rapport with trades, contractors, and clients for project success.

• Podcast Beginnings: The surprising origin of Only Girl on the Jobsite and its evolution into a go-to resource for designers.

• Resilience in Design: How Renee’s construction-first approach sustained her business during economic downturns.

Notable Quotes:

• “You are an equal with the contractor, the architect, and the landscaper. The client sees all of you as equals, and designers need to embrace that confidence.”
• “Be curious, show up early, and stay a little late on job sites. Building rapport with trades can transform your projects and strengthen relationships.”
• “The secret to survival in this business is construction. No two projects, teams, or clients are ever alike. That’s what keeps it exciting.”​

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Supporting Resources:

Devignier Design: devignierdesign.com

Devignier Design on Instagram: Renee’s Podcast: https://devignierdesign.com/podcast/

Register for the Design Biz Power Course – https://designbizsurvivalguide.com/design-biz-power-course/

Sponsor Links:

James and James Trade Program: https://carpenterjames.com/pages/trade-program?ad=DBSG

Design Manager: https://www.designmanager.com/