What happens when you actually track your marketing—and tell the truth about what worked and what didn’t?

In this episode of Founders and Friends, host Ronniesha Rivera pulls back the curtain on a four-month experiment she calls the “Six Marketing Shifts.” Born out of a slow season in early 2025, the experiment generated nine leads and $33,000 in secured design fees and product revenue—but the real value came from the insights behind the numbers.

Ronniesha breaks down each of the six shifts she tested, including Instagram, email marketing, blogging, cold pitching, in-person networking, and Google paid ads. She shares which channels actually moved the needle, which ones fell flat, and why lead tracking completely changed how she evaluates her marketing efforts. You’ll hear how cold pitching produced her highest-value project to date, why a long-ignored platform delivered a surprise $15K opportunity, and what she’s choosing to double down on heading into 2026.

The conversation also dives deep into pricing lessons, including a major misbid on a multimillion-dollar new build that forced Ronniesha to rethink how she prices full-service design. She shares how implementing a pricing matrix (with support from Seriously Happy Consulting) helped her set clearer boundaries, establish a $5,000 minimum design fee, and bid projects more intentionally—without burnout or undercutting her expertise.

Finally, Ronniesha outlines her bigger vision: transitioning fully into a CEO role by outsourcing across all areas of her work—from Alder and Stone Design Studio, to Vetted by Design, to the podcast itself (and even childcare). This episode is an honest, practical look at growth, margins, and what it really takes to build a sustainable design business.

Whether you’re experimenting with marketing, struggling with pricing, or preparing to step out of the day-to-day and lead at a higher level, this episode is packed with real numbers, real lessons, and real encouragement.

This Episode was brought to you by Vetted by Design

If you are looking to outsource anything in your design business check out Vetted by Design to find some amazing highly vetted pros you can trust to help you grow your business.

www.vetted-bydesign.com

https://www.instagram.com/vettedbydesign/

Connect with all things Founders & Friends on our Facebook Group & Instagram

*Only for interior designers & pro's who serve the industry

Returning guest Georgia Economus of Designs by Georgia joins Ronniesha Rivera for a candid continuation of their earlier conversation — this time diving deep into the realities of process, pricing, and packages in an interior design business.

Georgia shares how running a “one-woman show” boutique studio has allowed her to expand beyond cabinetry into full renovations while still protecting her time, expertise, and financial stability. Together, Ronniesha and Georgia tackle some of the most polarizing topics in the design industry — including product pricing, charging consultation fees, requiring full payment upfront, and why designers should never be expected to discount products below retail.

This episode breaks down Georgia’s client discovery and qualification process, how she uses renderings and recorded walk-throughs to present designs, and why charging for time is essential to protecting intellectual property. The conversation also explores letters of agreement, wet signatures, payment draws, scope clarity, and how three-tiered service packages help designers serve different clients without overdelivering.

Ronniesha and Georgia share hard-earned lessons on risk mitigation, setting boundaries, managing expectations, and building consistency — along with practical advice for newer designers on securing legal and financial support early. If you’ve ever struggled with pricing confidence, scope creep, or protecting your business while still delivering great design, this episode is a must-listen.

You can find Georgia at:

https://www.designsbygeorgia.com/

https://www.instagram.com/georgiaeconomakis?igsh=YmRxYmd2aTF3c2c%3D

This Episode was brought to you by Vetted by Design

If you are looking to outsource anything in your design business check out Vetted by Design to find some amazing highly vetted pros you can trust to help you grow your business.

www.vetted-bydesign.com

https://www.instagram.com/vettedbydesign/

Connect with all things Founders & Friends on our Facebook Group & Instagram

Founders & Friends Instagram

Founders & Friends FB group

*Only for interior designers & pro's who serve the industry

After nearly 30 years in the interior design industry, Georgia — founder of Designs by Georgia — reached a pivotal moment: stay comfortable, or take the leap into business ownership.

In this episode, Georgia and host Ronniesha Rivera have an honest, no-fluff conversation about what it actually takes to start and run a sustainable design firm — especially at the construction and kitchen & bath level, where liability, budgets, and boundaries matter more than aesthetics.

Georgia shares why hiring an accountant first (before your first job!) is non-negotiable, why designers must bring in a lawyer early to draft contracts that protect them, and how blurry roles with contractors can quickly become a legal nightmare. Together, they break down how to set firm boundaries, qualify clients during discovery calls, identify red flags within minutes, and confidently walk away when a project isn’t the right fit.

The conversation also dives deep into the realities of kitchen and bath design — from why it’s a highly specialized discipline, to how Georgia sets realistic remodel budgets starting at $100K+, manages client expectations, and communicates costs without fear or apology.

If you’re a designer thinking about going out on your own, transitioning into kitchen and bath, or tightening up your business systems to protect your time, energy, and liability — this episode is a must-listen.

You can find Georgia at:

https://www.designsbygeorgia.com/

https://www.instagram.com/georgiaeconomakis?igsh=YmRxYmd2aTF3c2c%3D

This Episode was brought to you by Vetted by Design

If you are looking to outsource anything in your design business check out Vetted by Design to find some amazing highly vetted pros you can trust to help you grow your business.

www.vetted-bydesign.com

https://www.instagram.com/vettedbydesign/

Connect with all things Founders & Friends on our Facebook Group & Instagram

Founders & Friends Instagram

Founders & Friends FB group

*Only for interior designers & pro's who serve the industry