She DESIGNS Podcast

Ep. 21: The Art + Biz Balance [Rudy Larson]

Summary
Rudy Larson, a textile artist based in Northern California, shares her journey of starting her own business and creating sustainable, eco-friendly garments and home goods using natural dyes. She discusses how her passion for sustainability and her love for different cultures and textiles influenced her work. Rudy emphasizes the importance of perseverance and taking leaps of faith in pursuing one's passion. She also highlights the need to find a balance between creativity and business in order to stay true to oneself.
Golden Nuggets
Starting a business in a field you are passionate about requires hard work and perseverance.
Finding a balance between creativity and business is crucial to stay true to oneself.
Taking leaps of faith and pushing through challenges are necessary for personal and professional growth.
Being sustainable and eco-friendly in your work can have a positive impact on the environment and resonate with customers.
Show Notes
00:00 Introduction to Rudy Larson and her work
03:07 The journey of starting a business
06:09 Transitioning from hobby to business
08:20 The inspiration behind the name 'La Terra'
09:54 Living out personal values in business
11:34 Incorporating heritage and culture into art
16:24 The influence of a supportive mother
17:46 Wearing all the hats as a one-woman show
19:13 Self-care and finding balance
20:02 Overcoming challenges and moments of doubt
21:53 Taking leaps of faith and navigating uncertainty
24:12 Advice for women starting their own ventures
25:51 Excitement for new creative projects
28:00 Outro
 
Where to Find Rudy
Website: https://delaterratextiles.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/delaterra_/
 
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Ep.20: From Massage Table to CEO [Rachel Beider]

Summary
In this episode of the She Designs podcast, Desha Peacock interviews Rachel Beider, a multi-passionate entrepreneur and owner of Press Modern Massage and Canopy. Rachel shares her journey from being a massage therapist to running multiple businesses, emphasizing the importance of community, research, and personal experience in her ventures.
She discusses her leadership style, the significance of empowering her team, and how she navigates challenges in her career. Rachel also offers valuable advice for those in transition, focusing on self-accountability and seeking support.
Golden Nuggets
Rachel started her journey as a massage therapist and grew her business organically, over time. 
She says she feels the fear, but does it anyway. She does, however, practice informed decision-making before starting new ventures.
Her leadership style is based on servant leadership, empowering her team to make decisions.
Rachel's daily routine includes structured meetings and delegation of tasks to her team so she has a more freedom-based lifestyle. 
Despite facing significant challenges during COVID, she found opportunities for growth.
Rachel credits mentorship and inspiration from figures like Tony Robbins for her resilience.
She encourages self-accountability by asking what one is tolerating and avoiding in life.
Rachel advocates for seeking support to tackle challenges and avoid procrastination.
Show Notes
00:00 Introduction to Rachel Beider02:54 Rachel's Entrepreneurial Journey06:47 Creating a Unique Play Space / Canopy10:39 Business Philosophy and Team Empowerment18:18 Daily Life and Work-Life Balance26:10 Overcoming Challenges and Resilience28:34 Advice for Entrepreneurs in Transition33:13 Outro 
 
Where to find Rachel
Canopy  /  @thecanopynyc
Press Massage  /  @PRESSmassage
Rachel Beider   / @rachelbeider
 
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Ep 19: Faith Over Fear [Faith Blakeney]

Summary
In this conversation, Faith Blakeney shares her journey from a childhood passion for design to becoming a successful interior designer and author. She discusses the importance of pursuing dreams without the need for wealth, navigating hustle culture, and the significance of community and collaboration in her work. Faith emphasizes the transformative power of design on people's lives and the impact of cultural influences and travel on her creative process. She also reflects on the importance of aligning personal values with professional goals and the need to curate supportive relationships.
About Faith Blakeney
Faith Blakeney is a designer, seeker, lifestylist and mama. She launched her interior design studio after fifteen years studying and working in Switzerland, France, Italy & New York.
Faith was raised in Berkeley, California. As a child she spent countless hours in her room redecorating, dressing up and dancing in the mirror. She studied architecture at UC Berkeley, and Bordeaux, France and immersed herself in all things old and beautiful at the auction house where she worked.
Faith's love for the arts, and the art of living, brought her to Italy where she spent most of her 20’s. There she and her sister Justina opened Compai, a concept boutique and collective of dreamers & creatives. Together they also wrote and published a best-selling book series.
After over a decade in Europe, Faith moved back home to California and in 2009 opened her interior design studio in Los Angeles. Since then, her studio has worked on projects from luxury homes for Hollywood celebrities with hefty budgets to charity design projects with zero design budget. 
You may have seen her works in publications such as Architectural Digest, The LA Times, House Beautiful and many others.
Faith and her team are committed to transforming lives, families and communities through design. She believes that the environment that surrounds us, the backdrop of our lives, has a profound impact on our quality of life. She creates spaces that inspire a sense of wellbeing and true self expression.
Today Faith brings passion, purpose and play to her clients- designing their dream spaces.
Where to find Faith
-website: https://www.faithblakeney.com/
-Instagram: @studiofaithblakeney
Golden Nuggets
There are many ways to achieve our dreams without wealth.
Navigating hustle culture requires letting the heart lead.
Pivoting from fashion to interior design after years in the industry.
Success is not just about reaching goals, but enjoying the journey.
It's essential to align life choices with personal values.
Building a design business requires community and word of mouth.
Travel as an influencer of design perspective.
Curating a supportive circle is crucial for personal growth.
Show Notes
00:00 Introduction to Faith Blakeney
01:59 Faith's Journey into Design
07:34 Pivoting from Fashion to Interior Design
13:38 Design as Healing
17:04 Incorporating Cultural Background and Travel into Design
23:51 Inspiring Messages for Her Daughter
25:41 Choosing Faith Over Fear
26:48 The Illusion of Money and Happiness
28:04 The Journey vs. the Destination
30:10 The Power of Community and Connection
37:12 Following the Whispers of the Soul
41:43 Outro 
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Ep 18: Long Story Short [Jilan Carroll Glorfield]

In this episode of the She Designs podcast, hosts Desha Peacock and Christine Martin engage in a heartfelt conversation with Jilan Carroll Glorfield, the owner of Long Story Short, a boutique gathering space in Hudson, New York. Jilan shares her inspiring journey from childhood dreams of creating spaces to navigating the challenges of life, including the loss of her husband to Early-onset Alzheimer's disease.
We dive into the importance of community, the power of intuition, and the beauty of choosing joy amidst adversity. Jilan's story serves as a testament to resilience and the transformative power of following one's passion.
 
About Jilan Carroll Glorfield
A little bit wild and free, a little bit homebody. Undeniably rebellious, and a touch refined. A twist of rock+roll, a touch of ballet’s pink. Obsessed with the patina of old houses, the pull of the sea, and the poetry in fleeting moments…
Jilan Carroll Glorfield is devoted to an exquisitely integrated life—where family, home, passion, and livelihood blur into one seamless, intoxicating whole. Beyond her three beloved children and their family’s ever-cheeky sidekick, Franklin, Jilan’s greatest love lies in creating spaces that feel like a dream, gathering extraordinary humans inside them, and crafting experiences so immersive and intentional, they live on forever.
Born in Center City Philadelphia, raised between there and the Florida Keys, then later bringing up her own family in Northern California, Jilan moves fluidly between the pulse of urban life and the peace of the natural world. A firm believer in the sheer magic of life – how breathtaking, precious, and fleeting it all is – she takes big, unapologetic bites out of this existence, grounded in high vibes and a love that runs fierce and deep.
Her latest chapter, Long Story Short NY in Hudson, NY, is her newest love story, one stitched from (and dedicated to) her past, woven into everything still to come. It’s a space alive with enchantment, alchemy, and layered storied collections, designed so that all who step inside become part of its ever-unfolding narrative.
To connect about all things Long Story Short—boutique stays, film and photo shoots, retreats and workshops, niche events, or their delicious newest offering, 'MERCI', a magical three-day reset package focusing on deep self care. 
 
Where to find Jilan
Website: longstoryshortny.com Instagram: @longstoryshortny 
 
Show Notes
00:00 Introduction to She Designs Podcast01:39 Jilan's Journey: From Dollhouse Dreams to Reality10:08 Navigating Life's Challenges: Love, Loss, and Resilience20:05 The Leap of Faith: Moving to Hudson35:09 Choosing Joy: Nuggets of Wisdom for Life's Journey
 
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S2 Ep 17: Know Yourself [Debra Rapoport]

About
Debra Rapoport is a New York style icon. She's a textile designer, visual artist, and creator of high-end fashion using found objects. She's been featured in three style books and Ari Seth Cohen's Advanced Style movie. You can find that on Netflix. 
Her work has been exhibited in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Philadelphia Museum of Art, Smithsonian American Art Museum, and many more. After receiving her master's degree at the University of California at Berkeley, she taught at various universities and has given workshops on how to turn recycled materials into creative and beautiful hats, handbags, and necklaces. 
Debra is such an inspiration and we are thrilled to share her story here on She DESIGNS.
In this episode, Debra Rapoport, a 79-year-old artist and maker, shares her journey of following her passion and creating a life and business that align with her values. From a young age, Debra embraced play and creativity, which led her to study textile design and eventually become a maker. She emphasizes the importance of trusting your gut and listening to your inner truth. Debra's lifestyle values of health, healing, and personal expression are reflected in her work. She credits her mother, grandmother, and supportive mentors for inspiring and encouraging her along the way.
Takeaways
Embrace play and creativity from a young age.
Trust your gut and listen to your inner truth.
Align your lifestyle values with your work.
Surround yourself with supportive mentors and a community.
Focus on health, healing, and personal expression.
Shownotes
00:00 Introduction to She DESIGNS Podcast
01:30 Debra Rapoport: A Creative Journey
10:23 The Importance of Intuition and Play
12:22 Navigating Challenges and Trusting the Process
18:29 The Role of Networking and Community
25:37 Embracing Life's Simplicity and Playfulness
26:37 Final Thoughts and Advice for Listeners
 
Where to find Debra
INSTAGRAM //  @debrarapoport
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Live your life by design. 

S2 Ep 16: Keeping the Ember Lit [Christine Chitnis]

About
Christine Chitnis is a journalist, photographer, and bestselling author of East Coasting (Artisan, 2024), Patterns of Portugal (Clarkson Potter, 2024) and Patterns of India (Clarkson Potter, 2020). As a contributor to publications including the New York Times, Elle, Travel + Leisure and Condé Nast Traveler, Christine has not only earned a reputation as a multi-talented storyteller, but also as a trusted strategist in the lifestyle publishing sector. She resides in Providence, Rhode Island, with her husband and three children, Vijay, Vikram and Meera.
From book proposals to publicity, Christine has spent the past decade helping fellow business owners and creatives translate their unique skills into marketable concepts, and now she’s poured all of her knowledge and experience into a new offering, The Creative Launchpad; a 3-month incubator to help you define your creative practice and share your work with the world. Whether you’re an aspiring writer, photographer, small business owner, or artist, you’ll learn how to take that initial spark of inspiration and turn it into something fully realized, whether it’s a book, a published article, an art show, a body of work, or a creative project that resonates on a larger scale. Join her in the next session, beginning in April 2025 by signing up for the waitlist here! 
 
Shownotes
0:00 Intro
0:44 Sponsor: The Good Abode- holistic interior design
1:50 Welcoming Christine Chitnis
2:45 Christine’s business journey (from grant writing to publishing)
5:08 Patterns of India, the career trajectory book
6:50 Values aligned work
8:54 The interconnectedness in stories 
11:09 Why Portugal?
12:22 The background on East Coasting
14:44 Project of Day of the Dead
18:01 Resilience found in the dream 
22:05 Waking up grateful every day 
23:13 Keeping ember in the fire lit (it’s about the timing)
24:27 The importance of having people who champion you
25:13 Ways to cultivate self care 
29.17 What’s lighting Christine up right now
34:25 Outro 
 
Where to find Christine
INSTAGRAM //  @christine.chitnis
WEBSITE // https://www.christinechitnis.com/
CREATIVE LAUNCHPAD // https://www.christinechitnis.com/creativelaunchpad
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S2 Ep 15: Return to Joy [Juliette Crane]

About
Juliette Crane is an artist based in the scenic Driftless Region of Wisconsin. Dancing between abstraction and figuration, her colorful and enchanting paintings explore overlapping themes of imagination, memory, and elements in nature.
When Juliette lost her job in 2009, she returned to what she loved most as a child: painting. She began by dripping and splashing color, then defining the figures she imagined in the layers and bringing them out of the paint.
Juliette uses techniques that involve building up layers of paint and mixed media to create rich patterns, celebrating the beauty inherent in imperfection. Her paintings challenge conventional expectations of everyday life, providing viewers with a space to contemplate their personal histories. She allows marks and textures to overlap in transparent layers, mirroring the human condition. Each painting becomes a deeper understanding of the world, revealing universal truths and connectedness.
In addition to her original paintings and commissions, Juliette also offers painting retreats, 1-1 mentoring, and online courses. 
Shownotes
0:00 Intro
0:43 Work with Desha
1:35 Who is Juliette Crane? 
2:31 Making a living as an artist
5:05 Return to joy
6:13 When things get hard, find gratitude 
8:53 Intentional lifestyle design
11:38 Bringing in the collaboration spirit
12:32 Peer inspiration
15:20 Following joy- the marketing magic
19:56 Business evolution/mainstreams of income
21:51 France retreat 2025
23:02 Juliette’s golden nugget of wisdom
25:22 Resilience & support
27:20 Outro
 
Where to find Juliette
INSTAGRAM //  @juliettecrane
WEBSITE //https://www.juliettecrane.com/
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Live your life by design. 
 

S2 Ep.14: Trust Your Instinct

About
Michelle “Meeshie” Fahmy is the Los Angeles-based interior designer behind Haus of Meeshie. She was named one of Apartment Therapy’s Design Changemakers, a list of “the most talented and dynamic people in the design world,” and has been featured in The Wall Street Journal, Architectural Digest, Apartment Therapy, Palm Springs LIfe and Tastemade Home.
Michelle’s work is driven by her love of connecting with clients and the creative alchemy that comes from collaborating with a diverse circle of artisans and tradespeople to bring each client’s unique design dreams to life. She credits her passion for color, pattern play and art to her Egyptian background and to her father Walter Fahmy, an Impressionist/Fauvist painter and mixed media artist. This, along with her inside track into vintage sourcing and a fearlessness in mixing different eras and styles, defines the viewpoint of Haus of Meeshie: bold, eclectic and with a keen eye for artwork, but always making spaces a true reflection of the people they are designed for. Michelle’s philosophy for Haus of Meeshie is to be daring, whether that means working with an unexpected pattern combination, celebrating off-the-beaten-path colors or letting an eye-catching statement piece take center stage. Her ever-growing list of design influences include Mexican architect Luis Barragan, interior designer Ken Fulk and filmmaker Wes Anderson.
 
She currently lives in Los Angeles with her husband Aaron and their four spoiled rescue pups and kitties, where she spends her free time renovating their midcentury A-frame cabin near Yosemite, Sugar Pine Haus, and tending to their constantly evolving backyard garden.
 
Shownotes
4:20 The trip that changed everything
5:30 Asking the higher powers for help
6:00 Meeshie's business evolution 
7:00 Working with Willa Ford
7:58 I did not go to school for this
9:35 The universe provided
10:00 Ugly crying / WIPEOUT!
11:15 Importance of your supporters / Hayley Yerington
12:40 Jumping into the fire
13:31 I knew I was in my lane
14:08 Trial by fire
16:00 You have to work hard, but not forever
17:00 White space
17:45 Level up moment 
18:25 Shout out to Tricia Benitez Beanum from Pop Up Home
19:00 The day you plant the seed is not the day you eat the fruit
20:05 What it takes to get there 
22:30 Burnout to balance 
22:52 Shout out to Noz Nozawa Noz designs
28:00 Scaling to keep with the lifeSYTLE goals
28:30 Haus of Meeshie Vision
31:00 Navigating social media 
32:00 The A Frame story
34:00 Running around the Playboy Mansion
35:00 LA design inspo 
36:00 Lessons from hospitality 
37:00 The ultimate dream
38:00 Trust your instinct 
40:00 Stay true to who you are
40:00 Don't ask for too many opinions
40:10 Be prepared to work
Where to find Meeshie
INSTAGRAM //  @haus_of_meeshie
WEBSITE //https://www.hausofmeeshie.com
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S2 ep. 13:When You Just Decide

About this episode
Pretend you have a grand, well traveled, and stylish Auntie. She collects vintage dresses from London, Catrinas from Mexico, antique rugs from Morocco and storied jewelry from Paris. She is not old and she is not young. She says whatever she wants, she swears a lot, and is a bad influence on children, but only in the best possible way. She loves plants and animals, tarot cards and Florence Welch. She gives sage advice and has a story for everything. She is a Bohemian, not a hippie and you know this because she taught you the difference. She has a house in the deep dark woods, in a fairy tale town that sits on a stormy beach, in the most woodsy state. She stares at the moon. She plays good music.
Her name is Layne Postilion. Endora is her Cabinet of Curiosities, her collections, and her dress up closet. And she can’t wait to show you around. 
Shownotes
0:00 Intro
0:42 Sweet Spot Style sponsorship
1:30 Who is Layne?
2:31 Career journey & evolution
4:13 Following your own path & valuing creativity
8:50 The power of women
9:38 The influence of life values
16:19Challenges and pivoting for success
20:04The wisdom of older women
23:22 The travel muse
28:22 Collaboration & the jewelry collection
31:19 The golden nugget (entrepreneur advice)
34:45 Vintage dresses!!!
37:10 The Endora Bohemian destination itinerary (the art coast of Michigan)
38:38 Closing
Where to find Layne
INSTAGRAM // @endorabohemian
WEBSITE // https://www.endorashop.com/
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Live your life by design. 

S2 Ep 12: The Freepreneur

About this episode
This is Madison Paige - Business Growth Specialist, Top Rated Business Podcast Host, & Industry Leading Online Community Builder. She helps brands build a ride or die online community so you can stand out & sell out your products & launches online. Her genuine spirit, high energy, and nine years of experience in the social media world supporting thousands of product based businesses in their growth journey equips her to bring you high level, practical tips as your newest biz growth bestie.
Shownotes
0:00 intro
0:40 Sponsorship Ad- Sweet Spot Style by Desha Peacock
1:30 Who is Madison Page?
2:00 Short bus life! 
3:20 From adventure resort to business growth specialist
5:44 “Freepreneur lifestyle” 
6:25 Biz burnout & benefits at 18
8:00 Doing it differently 
9:50 Gaining clarity through discomfort
11:39 Building ride or die communities
13:26 Social media…necessary?
16:13 The foundational trifecta for the “industry of one”
16:50 Aspiration: business full of freedom
20:07 Being ok with doing nothing
23:58 Who are you outside of your business? 
25:00 Remove & rejuv
26:59 Where to find Madi
28:34 Outro
Where to find Madison
Small Business Growth Podcast // https://open.spotify.com/show/2lAVUE8axyTivb2w91ji7W?si=5d600821c4864edd 
INSTAGRAM // https://www.instagram.com/thisismadisonpaige/
WEBSITE // https://www.thisismadisonpaige.com/
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Live your life by design.