How to Make Your Interior Design Brand Stand Out in a Crowded Market with Nicole Lashae Ben

Interior Designer Podcast, Interior Design Career, Interior Design School, Interior Design Business, Interior Design Mentor, Interior Designer

Struggling to make your interior design business stand out in a crowded market?

In this episode, I sit down with Nicole Lashae Ben, a design strategy expert who reveals how interior designers and product manufacturers can boost their brand awareness and revenue. Nicole shares her journey from watching HGTV as a middle schooler to creating Thrive in Design, a company that helps creative professionals develop powerful marketing strategies.

Nicole offers practical advice for designers looking to elevate their brand, including the importance of finding a specific niche and creating partnerships with complementary brands. She explains how design thinking and strategic storytelling can help you connect with clients emotionally, using examples from successful companies like Nike.

Ready to elevate your interior design brand and increase your client base? Tune in now and start your journey to a more successful, distinctive design brand!

Why you’ve got to check out today’s episode
  • Learn how to collaborate with complementary brands to scale your design business
  • Understand how finding your specific niche and telling your authentic brand story across all platforms can transform your business
  • Get practical advice on avoiding burnout while building a successful design business
    About the Guest:

    Nicole Lashae Ben, MA, CEO and Founder of Thrive In Design, is a seasoned expert in the interior design industry with over 17 years of experience. A graduate of Syracuse University and the Savannah College of Art and Design, she founded Thrive In Design to help interior product companies boost brand awareness and revenue through a human-centered approach.

     Nicole has successfully implemented strategies that have generated over $15 million in sales and won over two dozen sales awards for top international brands. Her proprietary method, A.C.E. The Journey, enhances customer experiences and equips sales teams to secure more specifications. Nicole is passionate about the intersection of design and strategy, striving to ensure that both thrive in the industry.

    Connect with Nicole Lashae Ben:
    Website: Thrive in Design
    Instagram: @thriveindesign

      Check out these episode highlights

      02:37 Nicole’s Journey into Interior Design

      • Initial interest sparked by HGTV shows in middle school

      • Attended Syracuse University’s interior design program

      • Developed an interest in how products impact environments

      • Considered becoming a production designer for Beyoncé

      • Obtained Master’s in Design Management from SCAD

      • Worked for interior product manufacturers while studying

      07:15 The Birth of Thrive in Design

      • Initially helped various businesses to avoid direct competition

      • Working with various clients, including interior designers, product-based businesses, and beauty product companies

      • The pandemic was a turning point for specializing in interior products

      • Quickly adapted to virtual selling when in-person presentations stopped

      • Created training for other sales reps on digital experiences

      • Recognized industry-wide need for digital transformation

      • Identified niche connecting manufacturers with designers in new ways

      13:03 Services and Approach

      • Works with both manufacturers and interior designers

      • Runs the LinkedIn group The Interior Designers Forum with 23,000+ members

      • Hosts Thrive in Design podcast featuring designers and manufacturers

      • Believes podcasting is essential for brand-building

      • Advocates for partnerships between complementary, non-competing brands

      • Example: multiple companies sharing trade show booths to create complete spaces

      • Promotes collaboration over competition

      19:05 Balancing Entrepreneurship and Personal Commitments

      • Core values: rest and excellence

      • Prioritizes work-life balance and avoiding burnout

      • Sets clear boundaries around work hours

      • Ensures everything with her name maintains excellence

      • Emphasizes the importance of conveying values across social media

      • Focuses on evoking feelings in customers to build trust

      22:51 Courses and Services Offered

      • Offers Thrive Cast Academy, a 6-week podcasting course helping aspiring podcasters define their brand story and strategically amplify their content

      • Plans to launch a new course specifically for interior product brands, focusing on design thinking and sales strategy

      • Thrive in Design Core services: brand amplification, rebranding, sales & marketing strategies

      • Customized proposals for specific client needs

      24:34 Advice for Designers

      • Don’t give up, even when feeling overwhelmed

      • Find your unique perspective and purpose

      • Find a specific niche rather than trying to serve everyone

      • Continuously niching down to refine your target market and improve your business

      • Focus on your unique strengths and do not be afraid to specialize in a specific area

       

        Next Steps

        Grab your freebies:

          Take a Quiz!

          Join the Design Mentor to kickstart a successful career in interior design!

          Check out the best books every interior designer should have here.

          Email me at [email protected] if you have suggested topics

          DM me on Instagram at @rwarddesign if you have a burning question

          Leave me a rating and review! Click here.

          Thanks for listening! I hope this helps you discover if interior design is the career for you. See you next week…