Networking can feel like small talk until you realize it can also be the strongest business development system you have. We sit down with Samantha Vogt, president of the NKBA Texas North Plains Chapter and a senior interior designer at Jay Wiley Designs, to get specific about what the National Kitchen and Bath Association really offers working designers and remodelers who want to grow with more confidence and less guesswork.

We unpack the practical benefits Samantha sees every day: education that goes beyond inspiration, market research that helps you understand shifting budgets and client expectations, and a community that can become an organic referral pipeline. Samantha breaks down NKBA certifications and specialty badges, plus the value of standards and code guidance for kitchen and bath design, from clearances to accessibility considerations. If you’ve ever wished for a clearer roadmap for professional development, this conversation lays out what’s available and how to use it.

We also talk trends and the bigger industry picture, including KBIS, the Kitchen and Bath Industry Show, where vendors, CEUs, and panel discussions can keep you ahead of materials and products your clients will ask about next. And yes, we go straight at the AI question: where AI can support your workflow, why it still can’t replace a designer, and how to stay adaptable without buying into hype.

If you want to connect with the right people, learn faster, and build a stronger design business, press play and take notes. Subscribe, share this with a design friend, and leave a review so more pros can find the show.

Transform your marketing with Designer Discussions Academy. In weekly face-to-face sessions, we equip busy business owners with cutting-edge PR strategies, marketing insights, and time-saving tools to not just work in your business, but on your business. Join us to outshine competitors and elevate your business.

Join us for our Academy sessions and workshops:

https://www.designerdiscussions.com/academy.html

Designer Discussions is an educational interior design podcast on marketing, PR and related business topics.

Download our FREE Client Avatar Guide

Designer Discussions is a partnership of three experts: Jason Lockhart, CEO of KABMS; Maria Martin, founder of DesignAppy; and Mirjam Lippuner, founder of Get Ink DIY

PR can feel like a black box for designers and remodeling pros, so we’re pulling the curtain back with the 10 questions we get asked nonstop. We talk about what PR actually is (hint: it’s not just “getting into a magazine”), why earned media builds trust in a way paid ads can’t, and how to think about visibility across online publications, local outlets, trade media, podcasts, and even speaking opportunities.

We also get practical about doing your own public relations without hiring a pricey PR agency. We unpack what journalists and editors are really looking for, how to turn your projects and expertise into story-ready angles, and why generic self-praise falls flat. Then we dig into photography expectations, including when professional photos are worth the spend and when high-quality iPhone images can be enough for the right kind of coverage.

From there, we zoom out into strategy: how fast PR can work when you focus, why long-term consistency compounds, and why local press often beats national logos for generating qualified leads in your region. We also clarify the relationship between PR and marketing, explain where press releases fit today, and share a mindset shift for handling rejection so you keep pitching without taking it personally.

If you want more visibility, more credibility, and a clearer path to media coverage that supports your business goals, hit play, then subscribe, leave a review, and share the show with a friend.

Transform your marketing with Designer Discussions Academy. In weekly face-to-face sessions, we equip busy business owners with cutting-edge PR strategies, marketing insights, and time-saving tools to not just work in your business, but on your business. Join us to outshine competitors and elevate your business.

Join us for our Academy sessions and workshops:

https://www.designerdiscussions.com/academy.html

Designer Discussions is an educational interior design podcast on marketing, PR and related business topics.

Download our FREE Client Avatar Guide

Designer Discussions is a partnership of three experts: Jason Lockhart, CEO of KABMS; Maria Martin, founder of DesignAppy; and Mirjam Lippuner, founder of Get Ink DIY

Social media has never offered more ways to reach clients & it has never been easier to waste an entire afternoon scrolling. We break that tension down with 10 practical social media tips for 2026 built specifically for design professionals who need results without burning out.

We start with the foundation, consistency. If a potential client checks your Instagram or Facebook and your last post is months old, trust drops fast. We talk about what “consistent” actually looks like, why one strong post per week can be enough, and how a simple schedule keeps your brand visible while you stay focused on projects. We also share a batching workflow that takes about an hour a month.

From there, we get into community and content strategy for design and remodeling businesses growth. We explain how joining the right groups and engaging with like minded pros helps you earn shares, comments, and long term momentum. The goal is to give people a real reason to keep coming back to your page. We close with the part nobody talks about enough: your relationship with social media. We share how to avoid spreading yourself too thin, set a weekly engagement window, & stop the death scroll so you can stay sharp, healthy, and consistent.

Subscribe, leave a review, & share the show with a friend. See all 10 tips below:

1. Trust-First Content — Authentic content that builds credibility and trust now outperforms overly promotional posts.
2. Short-Form Video Storytelling — Educational and story-driven short videos generate the highest engagement and reach.
3. Authority-Based Content — Businesses that consistently teach and share expertise attract higher-quality leads.
4. Local SEO + Social Integration — Local keywords, geotags, and city-focused content are critical for visibility in 2026.
5. Personal Branding — Owners and leadership teams who are visible online build trust faster than company brands alone.
6. AI-Assisted Content Creation — AI tools are helping businesses create faster, more consistent, and scalable content.
7. Community Engagement — Meaningful interactions and conversations matter more than follower count.
8. Educational Carousel Posts — Informative carousel posts are driving strong saves, shares, and audience retention.
9. Consistency Over Virality — Consistent posting and messaging outperform occasional viral content.
10. Full Buyer Journey Content — Successful brands create content that supports every stage from awareness to conversion.

Transform your marketing with Designer Discussions Academy. In weekly face-to-face sessions, we equip busy business owners with cutting-edge PR strategies, marketing insights, and time-saving tools to not just work in your business, but on your business. Join us to outshine competitors and elevate your business.

Join us for our Academy sessions and workshops:

https://www.designerdiscussions.com/academy.html

Designer Discussions is an educational interior design podcast on marketing, PR and related business topics.

Download our FREE Client Avatar Guide

Designer Discussions is a partnership of three experts: Jason Lockhart, CEO of KABMS; Maria Martin, founder of DesignAppy; and Mirjam Lippuner, founder of Get Ink DIY