Plot Twist Design Business Podcast

Kiyonda Powell, Creator in Chief of Kiyonda Powell Design Studio is sharing her journey with us today. Kiyonda’s love for interior design began in her childhood years and led her to an educational path to do exactly what she loves. She walks us through what it was like to goto school and work at one time and the start of her career in hospitality design. Kiyonda shares about the start of her own firm and navigating the challenges that come with being an entrepreneur. We also discussed her amazing space designed for Aspire House McLean 2020 (Designer Show House) while being pregnant amidst the pandemic, how she now balances motherhood, and much more!

DuVal Reynolds, Principal of DuVal Interiors is sharing his journey with us today. DuVal walks us through how his earlier career led him to the design world and how he navigated starting his own firm. We discussed business processes, his aesthetic logic, his participation in the AD Iconic Home 2021, our experience in being WNWN 2021 Design Ambassadors for NYDC, and what we both look forward to being named High Point Style Spotters for 2022. He is a wealth of business knowledge and shares a ton of transparency, design business gems, and welcomed humor!

Christina Marie Kairis, Principal of Tina Marie Interior Design is sharing her journey with us. From her career pivot, to the path that led to her now having her own firm. Christina also owns her own receivership, Stash; which is a huge benefit to other designers in Florida. She shares her ‘how’ and ‘why’ for this added business, how she balances motherhood, how she defines her livable luxury design brand, and reveals something new with us that she’s working. It’s such an honor to be the first to hear and share amazing designer news. Tune in and enjoy!

David Quarles IV, Principal and Owner of Concept 417 is sharing his journey with us. David’s firm is based in Tennessee. His colorful eclectic, mid century home aesthetic and beautiful plants throughout his home have been featured for home tours with Apartment Therapy and HGTV. He facilitates virtual fitness classes, and designs jewelry. David walks us through how his journey of how his design journey started and how past career steps led him back on this path. We’re discussing best practices for balancing entrepreneurship, his latest big commercial project, and more!

Whitney Jones, Principal and Owner of Whitney J Decor is sharing her journey with us today. She’s walking us through how she quickly realized her ability to be an entrepreneur after finishing school, jumping in with two feet. Whitney gives insight to how she runs her design firm that includes decor retail via within her brick & mortar location, as well as online. We discuss navigating contractors, the part we play in educating clients, and more!

Malik Logan, Principal of The Tailored Interiors is sharing his design journey with us. The leap of faith in starting his firm during the pandemic and full transparency in the behind the scenes insight shared are both commendable. Anyone new to starting your firm, take notes on Malik’s branding gems shared. Malik gives a true picture of what it looks like to “do it scared” and succeed. He walks us through his strategic approach to having his ideal clients identified early on, details about his masculine design aesthetic, the scoop on where most of his clients are, and more!

Natasa Jones of Natasa Jones Interiors is sharing her design journey with us today. Natasa walks us through a bit of her heritage being born and raised in Europe and how her culture lends to her personal modern aesthetic. She shares about her days as an Event Planner that led her back to her design roots and the big project that catapulted her to start of her own design firm. Natasa dropped some great business gems, views on design trends, and much more!!

Justin Q. Williams of Trademark Design Co is not just sharing his design journey with us today. He’s sharing here first publicly, all the details about his new furniture line with TOV. Justin walks us through how his love for design and architecture both started at a very young age, his path of being self-taught paired with his business education led to the success we see today, and the balance of life as a Designer who travels with being a Dog Dad to Sir Alon. Of course we’re also talking about his experience having been on HGTV Design Start Next Gen, news announced about Justin being in the panel of judges lined up for the Thermador + Interior Design Society Diversity Design In Pipeline scholarship program, the importance of diversity in the design industry, and much more!

Ashley Ross, Principal of Muse Noire Interiors is sharing her design journey with us today. Ashley shares the strategy behind her services offered and how she approaches client projects. She is unapologetic about her aesthetic being contemporary global and being inspired by travel and the impact culture has in design. Ashley gives insight to her transition from an executive seat in corporate to becoming principal designer owning her own firm, her transferable skills, leveraging Highpoint vendors, and more!

Keia McSwain of Kimberly + Cameron Interiors, and CEO & President of Black Interior Designers Network (BIDN) is sharing her design journey with us. Keia is based in Denver, Colorado. She shares a bird’s eye view of her life as an Interior Designer whose travels are constant and how she juggles it all. She gives insight on experiences at High Point Market from her earlier days and tips on how to best plan for a productive market. Keia also shares informational updates about BIDN; how to join the network, ally partnerships, projections for 2022, and more!