What does it really take to build a successful interior design business when no one is opening doors for you?
If you’ve ever wondered whether you’re talented enough, questioned your career transition, or felt discouraged because clients aren’t calling, this conversation is one I want you to slow down and absorb. Too many aspiring interior designers believe success comes from luck, connections, or overnight visibility. Corey Damen Jenkins proves the opposite. His story reminds us that meaningful careers are built through relentless persistence, business discipline, and the courage to keep showing up—even when every door seems to close.
In this episode, I sit down with internationally acclaimed interior designer Corey Damen Jenkins, who shares his journey behind his remarkable success. From leaving the automotive industry after the Great Recession to knocking on 779 doors before landing his first major client, Corey shares the mindset shifts, business lessons, and mentorship philosophy that helped him build one of the most respected brands in interior design.
Whether you’re navigating a career transition, building your client acquisition strategy, or wondering how AI will shape the future of our profession, this conversation will encourage you to build your career with confidence while choosing collaboration over competition.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode
Why relentless grit outperforms natural talent.
Turning career setbacks into business opportunities.
Protecting your mindset from discouraging voices.
Building business acumen beyond creative skills.
Why mentorship strengthens the entire design community.
5 Principles That Turned Rejection Into a Profitable Interior Design Career
Behind every successful interior design business is a collection of difficult decisions, uncomfortable moments, and valuable lessons.
Corey generously shares the principles that helped him transform rejection into opportunity while building a profitable, purpose-driven career. These lessons go beyond beautiful interiors—they’re about developing the resilience, business acumen, leadership, and mindset needed to create a meaningful design career that lasts.
1. Relentless Grit Creates Opportunity
One of the biggest myths in the interior design industry is that successful designers simply get discovered. Corey reminds us that opportunities often come after extraordinary persistence.
Following layoffs during the Great Recession and an unsuccessful return to the design showroom world, he launched his own business with little more than determination. When his website failed to generate leads, he created his own client acquisition strategy by literally knocking on doors throughout Michigan.
His goal was 1,000 homes.
After countless rejections—including doors slammed in his face, ghosting from potential clients, and deeply painful personal experiences—his breakthrough finally came at door number 779. That single project became the portfolio piece that eventually caught HGTV’s attention and launched his national career.
As Corey explained:
“I think desperation creates warriors.”
That perspective completely reframes failure. Instead of seeing setbacks as signs to quit, Corey viewed them as training that strengthened his resilience.
2. Business Discipline Is a Creative Advantage
Many aspiring interior designers worry they don’t have enough creative experience.
Corey offers a refreshing reminder that previous careers often provide valuable business skills. Although his dream was always interior design, his years in the automotive industry taught him budgeting, purchasing, leadership, and financial management.
When mentorship wasn’t available and established designers refused to help, he leaned on those business fundamentals to build his firm from the ground up. His first hire wasn’t another designer—it was an accountant.
As he shared:
“I just basically figured it out.”
That willingness to apply existing knowledge while continuing to learn became one of the strongest competitive advantages in his business. For anyone transitioning into interior design from another profession, your previous experience is not a detour—it’s an asset.
3. Protect Your Mindset as Fiercely as Your Business
Success isn’t only built through systems and strategy. It’s also protected by mindset.
One of the most powerful parts of our conversation centered on the voices we allow to shape our confidence. Corey shared the heartbreaking story of proudly showing one of his early projects to his father, only to have it dismissed. That single moment affected him so deeply that he never publicly shared the project afterward.
Rather than letting that criticism define his future, he learned an essential lesson:
“Be kind to yourself. It’s going to take time, and it’s going to be okay.”
He also reminds us:
“Broken crayons still color.”
Those words speak directly to every designer who questions whether they’re talented enough, experienced enough, or ready enough. Protecting your creative confidence is not selfish—it’s necessary if you want to build a long-term career.
4. Lift Others Instead of Competing from Scarcity
One of the reasons I admire Corey so much is his commitment to mentorship.
Because he experienced significant gatekeeping early in his career, he made a promise that if he ever became successful, he would leave the ladder down for others. Today, that commitment shows up through his books Design Remix and Design Reimagined, his YouTube series, speaking engagements, brand partnerships, and countless conversations with aspiring designers around the world.
As Corey shared:
“Giving back is kind. It’s free. It takes nothing to share.”
The interior design community becomes stronger when experienced professionals openly share business knowledge, pricing strategies, leadership lessons, and client management techniques instead of protecting them behind scarcity. Rising together ultimately benefits every designer.
5. Build Authority Instead of Fearing AI
AI continues to dominate conversations across every creative industry, but Corey offers a refreshing perspective.
Rather than viewing artificial intelligence as the biggest threat, he believes the greater danger is failing to elevate professional standards within the design community. Interior designers provide judgment, relationships, execution, project management, and countless human skills that technology cannot replace.
As Corey put it:
“I don’t think AI is a threat to us. I think we are a threat to ourselves.”
His encouragement is clear: strengthen your expertise, continue learning, support fellow designers, and confidently communicate the value only a professional designer can provide.
6. You’re the Professional—Not a People-Pleaser
One of Corey’s most practical pieces of business advice comes near the end of our conversation, and it’s something every interior designer needs to hear.
Too often, designers overwhelm clients with endless mood boards, multiple concepts, and countless product options because they’re afraid of making the wrong recommendation. Corey challenges that approach. Clients aren’t hiring you to curate an endless catalog—they’re hiring you to make informed decisions on their behalf.
As Corey confidently says:
“You are the professional. It’s not about, ‘Here are some options.’ No—here’s my recommendation.”
He takes that confidence one step further:
“Shouldn’t we be following the trends? I don’t follow trends. I set them.”
That mindset isn’t about ego—it’s about leadership. Your greatest value isn’t simply sourcing beautiful furnishings or presenting dozens of possibilities. It’s your ability to synthesize hundreds of decisions into one cohesive vision that serves your client’s goals.
When you stop trying to please everyone and start confidently leading the design process, you reinforce your expertise, strengthen client trust, and justify your professional fees. You also help elevate the reputation of the interior design industry as a whole. Designers who lead with confidence instead of hesitation become trusted advisors rather than personal shoppers—and that’s exactly where long-term, profitable careers are built.
Final Thoughts
Corey Damen Jenkins’ story is far bigger than becoming an HGTV personality, bestselling author, or internationally recognized interior designer. It’s a reminder that meaningful, profitable careers are built one decision at a time—through perseverance, intentional business growth, lifelong learning, and a commitment to helping others succeed.
If you’re building your own interior design career, I hope this conversation gives you permission to trust the process, keep moving forward, and remember that your biggest breakthroughs may be waiting just beyond the next door.
Meet Corey Damen Jenkins
Corey Damen Jenkins is an internationally acclaimed interior designer, bestselling author, MasterClass instructor, television personality, and mentor. His work has been featured by Architectural Digest, House Beautiful, ELLE Decor, Vanity Fair, The New York Times, and numerous leading design publications. He is the author of Design Remix and Design Reimagined, creator of the Design Reimagined YouTube series, and has developed celebrated brand partnerships spanning furniture, textiles, wallcoverings, and lighting. Corey is widely recognized not only for his colorful, timeless interiors but also for his passion for mentoring the next generation of interior designers.
Connect With Corey Damen Jenkins
Website: Corey Damen Jenkins
Instagram: @coreydamenjenkins
YouTube: Corey Damen Jenkins – Design Reimagined
Your Next Steps
If you’re ready to gain clarity about your creative career, build confidence in your skills, and receive mentorship from someone who’s navigated both sides of the employee-employer relationship, I’d love to invite you to join My Design Mentor.
Inside the program, you’ll find educational modules, coaching opportunities, career guidance, and a supportive community designed specifically for aspiring and emerging interior designers. Whether you’re exploring your first design job or building your own business, you’ll gain the tools and support to move forward with confidence.
Join My Design Mentor and start creating a career you truly love.
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Resources & Freebies
- Free webinar, “From Passion to Profit,” and learn the 5 Money Moves to start your interior design business right
- Your Roadmap to a Career in Interior Design
- Furnishings Investment Guide
- Remodel Budget and Timeline Guide
- 3 Things I Wish I had known when I Started my Career
- The best books every interior designer should have
Take a Quiz!
- Find Your Perfect Interior Design Style if you are curious about your design style
- Find Out What Type of Interior Designer You Should Be!
Let’s Connect!
- Email me at [email protected] if you have suggested topics
- DM me on Instagram at @rwarddesign if you have a burning question
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