What does it actually takes to go from “wide-eyed intern” to confident design-firm owner? What does it feel like to be two years into running your own studio?

In this very special episode of Stuff Interior Designers Need To Know Rebecca sits down with her former Seriously Happy Homes team member, Rachel Poe, to unpack the real-world lessons she carried from her early days into running her own thriving firm.

She spills the specifics—from realizing she knew absolutely nothing at the beginning (her words!), to navigating client meltdowns with grace, rebuilding trust when things go sideways, setting boundaries that stick, and marketing herself in a way that attracts the right people.

If you’ve ever wondered what actually goes into becoming a confident, capable design business owner—this conversation is your shortcut, your pep talk, and your reality check all in one.

And if you’re thinking about opening your own interior design firm, or wondering if you're where you should be now that you're a couple of years in, this is the episode for you! You’ll nod, laugh, cringe, and walk away with fresh ideas to keep you grounded and growing.

Enjoy!

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About Rachel:

Rachel Poe is the founder and principal designer of Rachel Poe Design, a design-only firm based in Everett, Washington. She excels at everything from whole-home interior design to home styling, loves creating extremely colorful homes, and is known for her uber-efficient approach that helps clients get happy at home as quickly as possible.

To connect with Rachel and Rachel Poe Design:

• Instagram
• Website

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