S2 Ep.156 Curious About Interior Design? Understanding the Career with Rebecca Ward

Hey, hey, hey! Welcome back to Designed for the Creative Mind! Today, I’m thrilled to have Rebecca Ward from Rebecca Ward Design joining us. Rebecca Ward leads one of Sacramento's premier residential interior design firms as CEO and Principal Designer. With over 15 years of experience, she's an award-winning, certified interior designer in California, holding the prestigious NCIDQ certification.   Not only is she an incredible interior designer and business mentor, but she’s also the voice behind the Design Curious Podcast. We’re diving deep into her journey from her design beginnings, her path to podcasting, and her mission of community over competition.   In our chat, Rebecca opens up about her early love for interior design (think endless room makeovers as a kid!), how she discovered the world of design as a career, and the mentors who helped her along the way. She shares her unique path from working with luxury designers to launching her own business in the 2007-2009 recession, an experience that shaped her entrepreneurial mindset. She also talks about the moment she decided to give back by becoming a mentor herself. If you’re curious about how to make a creative passion into a thriving business, Rebecca’s story is the perfect inspiration.   In This Episode, You’ll Learn: Community over Competition: Why there’s room for everyone in interior design and how Rebecca and I are committed to supporting fellow designers, not competing with them. Rebecca’s Beginnings: How her passion for rearranging her childhood bedroom turned into a fulfilling career in design and why mentorship made all the difference in her journey. Launching a Business During the Recession: The challenges and rewards Rebecca faced in starting her design business in 2007-2009. Mentorship vs. Coaching: Rebecca’s approach to mentorship—coming alongside new designers, showing them what’s possible, and guiding them through the foundational steps of their careers. Bringing Knowledge to More Designers: How Rebecca’s mentorship program and podcast serve as accessible resources for those curious about design but unsure of where to start. Diverse Career Paths in Design: Rebecca explores the wide variety of opportunities in interior design, from staging and drafting to hospitality and corporate spaces, and how her mentorship program helps new designers find their unique path. The Start of the Design Curious Podcast: Rebecca’s vision to reach more people and share her knowledge through podcasting.   Mentorship with Rebecca: Rebecca offers mentorship tailored to designers at any stage—whether you’re considering a career switch, looking to polish your skills, or seeking feedback on real projects. If you’re a designer seeking more personalized guidance, check out her mentorship program and listen to her Design Curious Podcast for insights from designers of all backgrounds.   Podcast Website and Resources: Get more info about our year-long mentorship and coaching program: https://www.designedforthecreativemind.com/business-bakery   Text BESTIE to 855-784-8299 for business tips, encouragement, and all our DFCM updates.   SIMPLIFY YOUR MARKETING, SIMPLIFY YOUR LIFE. Sidemark is an all-new, all-in-one software that organizes sales, marketing, and business services all in one convenient location. Join mysidemark.com to help grow your interior design business. Stay in touch with Michelle Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/designedforthecreativemind/  Join our Free Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/idbizlaunchpad  Get clarity on your next best step today! https://www.designedforthecreativemind.com/reviewguide   Have ideas or suggestions or want to be considered as a guest on the show? Contact me! https://www.DesignedForTheCreativeMind.com/contact   A Podcast Launch Bestie production