Do you ever wonder if it’s really possible to switch careers and succeed in interior design—even without a design degree?
In this 150th episode, I chat with Caron Woolsey, a self-taught designer who left her job in oil and gas to follow her love for design. What started as decorating her own home turned into a growing business, CW Interiors, with a strong and creative team behind it.
Caron shares how she faced fear, built confidence, and turned a passion project into a full-time career. She gives helpful tips on knowing when it’s time to hire, how to build a strong team, and what to look for in new designers.
If you're not sure whether you can make interior design your real job, Caron’s story will inspire you to take that first brave step even if you're scared.
🎧 You don’t need a degree to get started—just courage, creativity, and a willingness to learn. Listen now to get the boost you need to start your own design journey.
Featured Guest:
Caron Woolsey is the founder of CW Interiors, a design studio based in The Woodlands, Texas. After a 16-year career in the oil and gas industry, she discovered her true passion for interior design while building her own home. What began as a creative hobby soon grew into a thriving business. Today, Caron leads a talented team and partners with homeowners, builders, and developers to create timeless, storytelling homes across The Woodlands, Houston, and Conroe areas.
Why you’ve got to check out today’s episode:
📌 Get real talk on starting without a design degree
📌 Learn powerful lessons on growing a team the right way
📌 Be empowered, especially the non-traditional design professionals, to take the first step
Check out the show notes >>> Building a Design Business From the Ground Up
NEXT STEPS:
🎯 Join the My Design Mentor to kickstart a successful career in interior design!
Grab your freebies:
📌 Your Roadmap to a Career in Interior Design
🎨 3 Things I Wish I had known when I Started my Career
Connect With Me:
📧 Email: podcast@rwarddesign.com
🔆 Instagram: @rwarddesign
🌎 Website at rwarddesign.com
Thanks for listening! I hope this helps you discover if interior design is the career for you. See you next week...
Timestamps:
0:00 Introduction
02:59 Caron’s Career Path to Design
04:38 Taking the Leap Into Business
05:24 Early Business Struggles
07:10 Learning Without a Mentor
08:28 Team Growth and Dynamic
10:04 When and How to Start Hiring
13:11 What She Looks for in a Hire
14:47 Balancing Business and Creativity
16:34 Establishing Mission and Values
19:34 Team Communication
21:42 With Degree vs Without Degree When Hiring
22:29 Advice for Aspiring Designers
