You know what they say about the company you keep … Whether it’s figuring out how to bill for your work or finding new vendors to source from, designers can learn a lot from each other. This week, we asked seven pros—Libby Baker Speight, Niki Cavallo, Leigh Ann Harris, Rebecca Hughes, Christie Leu, Deborah Silver Fagel and Marissa Stokes—how they have met like-minded peers and fostered community within the industry.
The Initiator
“I started a design group. On the third Wednesday of each month, a different member presents or invites a speaker to share on a specific, scheduled topic for about 45 minutes. Outside of these meetings, we have created a database of referrals and have an ongoing email exchange to ask for help or vent frustrations. It has been a lifeline for me to have a private community who understands the frustrations and shares the successes of my small business in a big way.” —Christie Leu, Christie Leu Interiors, Chevy Chase, Maryland
Digital Connection
“Social media has been invaluable for this. I’ve built meaningful professional relationships by engaging authentically with other designers’ work online, commenting thoughtfully and sharing inspiration. The design community is stronger when we lift each other up rather than view each other as rivals.” —Rebecca Hughes, Rebecca Hughes Interiors, London
Be A Joiner
“Shortly after moving to Chicago over a decade ago, I was invited to a fellow designer’s home for a small, salon-style trade show with select vendors presenting new collections. While the group has grown over the years, many of us remain closely connected. We exchange resources, travel inspiration and trusted advice. That sense of community has been invaluable, both professionally and personally. I’m a natural ‘joiner,’ so I show up at industry events, pop-ups, design-driven philanthropic gatherings, and peer learning. These have all been meaningful touchpoints to build my network through a genuine spirit of openness, and leading with how I can be helpful rather than focusing on what I might gain.” —Deborah Silver Fagel, Manor House Interior Design, Evanston, Illinois
Good Neighbors
“I think what made the most impact was making friends with the in-house designers at showrooms around town. I’m always an ear if another designer friend is stuck on something creatively or professionally.” —Libby Baker Speight, Baker Design Co., Santa Rosa Beach, Florida
Get Out There
“By attending trade events, conferences and industry gatherings, I stay connected to emerging trends while forming meaningful, face-to-face connections that foster trust and camaraderie beyond digital interactions. Being part of a supportive design community allows us to share knowledge, uplift one another, and grow together rather than compete. When I invest in these relationships, I’m not only strengthening my own practice but also contributing to a more connected and resilient design industry as a whole.” —Leigh Ann Harris, Christopher Architecture & Interiors, Birmingham, Alabama
Organic Growth
“My network has grown organically through colleagues and vendors I’ve worked with over the years and made a point to stay in touch with. Those relationships naturally expanded into a wider circle as we introduced one another to designers along the way. It’s a genuinely supportive community. We lean on each other for advice, trade resources and trusted subcontractor recommendations. I love having a group of designers that I can bounce ideas off and share vendors I recommend. That kind of collaboration keeps the industry strong and benefits everyone involved.” —Marissa Stokes, Marissa Stokes Interior Design, New York
A Little Help From My Friends
“I had the benefit of starting my interior design firm just before one of my childhood besties, who [started hers] in San Diego, California. Calling her was like calling home. I was able to connect with designers in her area, which has been amazing. I’ve been lucky to develop local designer relationships as well. I’m a believer that it takes a village, and we can always glean advice from one another, especially in a creative field that involves so much detail combined with organization.” —Niki Cavallo, Encompass Design Group, North Palm Beach, Florida
