Founders & Friends
Founders & Friends is where interior designers and creative entrepreneurs come for real conversations about building a business—and a life—that feels good.
Hosted by a designer-turned-founder, each episode dives into honest, behind-the-scenes stories from industry leaders, creative thinkers, and bold business owners who are shaping the design world on their own terms. We talk about the big wins, the hard lessons, the financial truths, and the messy middle of entrepreneurship.
Whether you're just starting out or scaling something big, this podcast is your reminder that you're not doing it alone—and that success can look a lot of different ways.
Come for the insights, stay for the community. This is Founders & Friends—where business gets personal, and conversations get real.
Founders & Friends
08. Fabulous, Not Perfect: Lesley Myrick on Doing Business Boldly
In this episode of Founders and Friends, host Ronniesha Rivera sits down with bold-but-introverted designer Lesley Myrick, founder of Lesley Myrick Interiors and co-creator of a designer coaching program alongside Nancy Quinn.
Despite identifying as an introvert, Lesley shares how she's grown a public-facing business by leaning into relationship-building, in-person networking, and staying true to her vibrant design style—even when it defied local trends. She and Ronniesha dive into the realities of running a design firm, including what design school didn't teach them, why certifications may not matter for residential designers, and how AI is shaping (and shaking up) the industry.
They discuss strategies for attracting ideal clients, scaling through high-end projects, and the power of outsourcing. Lesley’s mantra—“Fabulous, not perfect”—offers a refreshing, efficient approach to decision-making that many designers need to hear.
Whether you’re just starting your design journey or looking to scale with intention, this episode is packed with real talk, hard-earned lessons, and empowering advice.
Ways to connect with Lesley
https://www.instagram.com/lesleymyrick/
This Episode was brought to you by Vetted by Design
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www.vetted-bydesign.com
https://www.instagram.com/vettedbydesign/
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