In episode 23 of Behind the Design, we sit down with Dimitri Vargas, the visionary behind a flourishing custom furniture business that specialises in handcrafted, Australian-made pieces. Dimitri shares his inspiring entrepreneurial journey, from starting his career in the design world during the 2020 lockdown to now running a successful furniture company. He dives deep into his creative process, the challenges of managing a growing business, and the importance of local sourcing in the furniture industry.

We cover:

• Dimitri’s beginnings as a commercial interior designer and his pivot into furniture making during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• How Dimitri's company blends craftsmanship with innovation, pushing the boundaries of what furniture can be.
• How working with both industry trade professionals and retail customers, bridges the gap between expert, custom designs and everyday living.
• The journey from building pieces in his garage to managing a team and scaling a creative business.
• The importance of using Australian-made materials and the challenges that come with high-quality, locally sourced production.
• Insights into prototyping, custom designs, and the benefits of offering personalised pieces to clients.

This episode is a must-listen for aspiring entrepreneurs, customers seeking personalised pieces, design lovers, and anyone curious about growing a business without compromising on creativity or craftsmanship. Dimitri’s journey is full of lessons on perseverance, the importance of community, and the art of building a unique brand.

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00:00:00 – Intro & Origins

00:01:27 – Meet Dimitri

00:02:57 – Made in Australia: Pros & Cons

00:05:26 – Managing Workload & Delegation Strategies

00:10:55 – Building Your Team & Outsourcing Tips

00:11:59 – Designing Product Lines: Concept to Prototype

00:15:54 – Material Selection: Preferences & Insights

00:21:11 – Scaling Production: Design to Manufacturing

00:22:30 – Avoiding Burnout: Creativity & Work-Life Balance

00:27:59 – Prototype Testing & Safety Equipment Essentials

00:31:09 – Balancing Business Growth & Personal Passions

00:32:23 – Growth Strategies: Scaling vs Maintaining Size

00:33:38 – Sales Channels: Retailers vs Designers

00:38:13 – Time Management in Prototyping

00:38:37 – Future Vision: Business Goals & Roadmap

00:42:36 – Advanced Testing & Warehouse Expansion

00:44:16 – Highlight Project: Taree Case Study

00:46:02 – Innovation in Large-Scale Experiments

00:47:02 – Spotlight: Karaoke Dance Floor Design

00:48:21 – Closing Thoughts & Contact Details

00:48:50 – Outro

* Custom Furniture

* Furniture Design

* Australian Made Furniture

* Dimitri Vargas Furniture

* Furniture Prototyping

* Bespoke Furniture Design

* Creative Business Growth

* Sustainable Furniture

* Australian Furniture Makers

* Handcrafted Furniture

* Small Business Scaling

* Entrepreneurial Journey

* Furniture Business Tips

* Interior Design and Furniture

* Behind the Design Podcast

* Furniture Design Innovation

* Business Mindset for Creatives

* Creative Entrepreneurship

* Sourcing Local Materials

* Custom Furniture Process

* Furniture Industry Insights