Do you ever feel like you’re running your design business on autopilot—too busy with client deadlines to pause and ask yourself if this is really the life and business you want?
Many interior designers fall into the trap of working nonstop but never taking the time to reflect, reset, and plan ahead. The result? Burnout, scattered focus, missed opportunities for real business breakthroughs, and a business that feels more like a burden than a passion.
In this episode, I sit down with leadership coach Sierra Collins and designer and entrepreneur Cathy Tonks to share what’s in store for the upcoming Sacramento Design Business Collective Thrive Retreat for Interior Designers (SDBC Thrive Retreat). We talk about how Thrive Retreat can help you step away from the grind, increase productivity, step into 2026 with clarity and confidence, and create a balanced life where your business supports your dreams instead of competing with them.
If you’ve been craving clarity, accountability, and a community of designers who truly understand your challenges, this episode will show you why the Thrive Retreat could be the one thing you need.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode
✔️ Why stepping away from your business is essential for growth and productivity
✔️ The power of DISC and Working Genius assessments in communication and teamwork
✔️ The power of designing a business model that aligns with your life goals
✔️ How procedures, automation, and team building simplify business complexity
✔️ Mindset shifts every designer needs to scale from scarcity thinking to CEO thinking
✔️ The importance of accountability and building supportive design community connections
✔️ How to craft your ideal day and create a 2026 roadmap with intention
Read the Blog >>> >>> Sneak Peek Inside the 2-Day Sacramento Thrive Retreat
NEXT STEPS:
🎯 Sign up for the Sacramento Thrive Retreat! Spots are limited to just 20 designers, and registration closes October 24th at midnight.
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
02:30 Why Personal and Business Growth Is Non-Negotiable
06:50 How Much Time Designers Lose to Distractions (And How Retreats Reclaim It)
09:40 The Struggle to Honor Personal Time and Why Non-Negotiables Matter
14:15 Day 1 Preview: DISC, Working Genius, the Language for Success
19:40 What Breakout Sessions and Roundtable Discussions Look Like
22:00 Day 2 Preview: Goal Setting, Productivity Hacks, and Preparing for 2026
28:50 Retreat Details: Limited Spots, Payment Plans, and Why This Investment Pays Off
