Founders & Friends

EXPLORE

Society & Culture

Health & Fitness

© 2024 PodJoint

https://is1-ssl.mzstatic.com/image/thumb/Podcasts211/v4/5b/f7/65/5bf765d3-edf1-9e33-d3d0-dd83bf1db309/mza_378408722118319776.jpg/600x600bb.jpg

Founders & Friends

Ronniesha Rivera

22 episodes

6 days ago

In this episode of Founders and Friends, Ronniesha Rivera sits down with Carleen Lamay, founder of C2 Accounting — a financial powerhouse serving over 60 clients, nearly half of them interior designers. Carleen shares the real story behind C2 Accounting’s growth from a part-time solo venture into a multi-member firm with a strong niche in the interior design industry. She breaks down why so many designers struggle with bookkeeping, the risks of DIY finances, and how to avoid costly mistakes w...

Show more...

Entrepreneurship

All content for Founders & Friends is the property of Ronniesha Rivera and is served directly from their servers with no modification, redirects, or rehosting. The podcast is not affiliated with or endorsed by Podjoint in any way.

In this episode of Founders and Friends, Ronniesha Rivera sits down with Carleen Lamay, founder of C2 Accounting — a financial powerhouse serving over 60 clients, nearly half of them interior designers. Carleen shares the real story behind C2 Accounting’s growth from a part-time solo venture into a multi-member firm with a strong niche in the interior design industry. She breaks down why so many designers struggle with bookkeeping, the risks of DIY finances, and how to avoid costly mistakes w...

Show more...

Entrepreneurship

Episodes (20/22)

Founders & Friends

22. Top Money Mistakes Interior Designers Make (and How to Fix Them) with Carleen Lamay

In this episode of Founders and Friends, Ronniesha Rivera sits down with Carleen Lamay, founder of C2 Accounting — a financial powerhouse serving over 60 clients, nearly half of them interior designers. Carleen shares the real story behind C2 Accounting’s growth from a part-time solo venture into a multi-member firm with a strong niche in the interior design industry. She breaks down why so many designers struggle with bookkeeping, the risks of DIY finances, and how to avoid costly mistakes w...

6 days ago

58 minutes

Founders & Friends

21. From Junior Designer to Rendering Powerhouse: Cassidy Martin’s Journey

utsourcing, boundaries, and the journey to finding your niche — this episode has it all. In this episode of Founders and Friends, host Ronniesha Rivera sits down with Cassidy Martin, founder of CM Interiors, to unpack her evolution from junior designer to sought-after rendering artist and business owner. Cassidy shares how she discovered renderings as a powerful niche, what it took to step into entrepreneurship, and the pivotal moments that shaped her approach to contracts, communication, and...

1 week ago

45 minutes

Founders & Friends

20. Leading with Heart: Kristen Thomas on Building a Firm That Lasts

In this episode of Founders and Friends, host Ronniesha Rivera sits down with Kristen Thomas, founder and principal designer of Studio Thomas, for an inspiring conversation on building a design firm rooted in integrity, education, and heart. Kristen shares how her journey began with a desire to provide for her family and a love of design inspired by her late father. She opens up about the early challenges of balancing motherhood and business ownership, the evolution from working with investor...

2 weeks ago

57 minutes

Founders & Friends

19. Designing Your Why: A Conversation with Rick Campos

On this episode of Founders & Friends, Ronniesha Rivera sits down with Rick Campos — interior designer turned business coach, podcast host, and public speaker — to explore the business side of design and what it takes to build a fulfilling, profitable career. Rick shares his journey from running a design studio during the recession to pivoting into education and mentorship for designers. He opens up about lessons learned through failure, why contracts are non-negotiable, and how understan...

1 month ago

51 minutes

Founders & Friends

18. Why Every Builder Needs a Designer on Their Team with Brad Leavitt

In this episode of Founders & Friends, host Ronniesha Rivera sits down with Brad Leavitt, founder of AFT Construction, to unpack what it truly takes to build a thriving construction company — from humble beginnings to leading one of the most respected firms in the industry. Brad shares his entrepreneurial journey, the challenges of starting and scaling in the construction world, and what separates builders from general contractors. Together, they dive deep into the often-overlooked synerg...

1 month ago

49 minutes

Founders & Friends

17. From $60 Consultations to Luxury Design: Lessons in Growth with Judi Lee-Carr

In this episode of Founders & Friends, host Ronniesha Rivera sits down with Judi Lee-Carr, founder of Jubilee Interiors, to explore her unexpected path from fashion merchandising in Singapore to running a thriving design studio in California. Judi opens up about starting her firm in 2020 after being laid off during the pandemic, embracing uncertainty with courage and calculated risk. They dive into what it takes to grow an interior design business organically—from refining brand messaging...

1 month ago

1 hour 9 minutes

Founders & Friends

16. From Stay-at-Home Mom to 7-Figure CEO: Breanna Cain’s Entrepreneurial Journey

In this episode of Founders and Friends, host Ronniesha Rivera sits down with Breanna Cain, founder of the VA Leadership Academy and agency owner, to talk about her journey from stay-at-home mom to seven-figure entrepreneur. Breanna shares how she built a thriving business teaching and connecting virtual assistants, the strategies that fueled her growth, and the lessons she’s learned along the way. They dive into balancing motherhood and entrepreneurship, why virtual assistant roles are espec...

1 month ago

1 hour

Founders & Friends

15. Behind House of Huck: Growth, Rentals, and Designer Retreats

In this episode of Founders and Friends, Ronniesha Rivera sits down with Meredith Huck of House of Huck to talk about the realities of building a thriving interior design firm while raising a family. Meredith shares how motherhood shaped her entrepreneurial journey, why setting boundaries with clients is essential for work-life balance, and her approach to pricing luxury design services. We dive into the evolution of House of Huck, from hiring a senior designer and opening a studio space to e...

2 months ago

41 minutes

Founders & Friends

14. From Assistant to CEO: Caroline Lewis on Leading Lawson House & Marketing That Works

On this episode of Founders and Friends, Ronniesha Rivera sits down with Caroline Lewis, CEO of Lawson House, to talk about her journey from administrative assistant to business owner, and the mindset shifts required when moving from employee to CEO. Caroline opens up about leading her team through transition, building a strong brand identity, and shifting Lawson House’s focus to create deeper impact locally and nationally. The conversation dives into marketing strategies for designers—from w...

2 months ago

52 minutes

Founders & Friends

13. Building Bold Brands & Better Clients with Rumble Interiors

In this episode of Founders & Friends, host Ronniesha Rivera sits down with Rumble Interiors to unpack their inspiring journey from a 30-year hairstyling career to launching a thriving interior design business during COVID-19. We talk about taking a leap of faith into design, finding clients through Instagram and word-of-mouth, and the power of playful, authentic branding. Stephanie with Rumble Interiors shares candid insights on the financial realities of running a design business, why s...

2 months ago

1 hour

Founders & Friends

12. Scaling With Intention: How Kiara Magee Built Honey Home Designs

On this episode of Founders and Friends, host Ronniesha Rivera sits down with Kiara Magee, founder of Honey Home Designs, a thriving home staging business in Spokane. Kiara shares her journey from staging one home a month to running a business that now transforms 15–18 homes every month—all while balancing motherhood and entrepreneurship. She opens up about the real challenges of starting a staging business without loans or credit cards, the importance of strategic sourcing, and the lessons s...

2 months ago

1 hour 6 minutes

Founders & Friends

11. Motherhood, Marketing, and Everything In between of Business With Kate Greunke

In this episode of Founders & Friends, Ronniesha Rivera sits down with Kate Greunke, founder of The Socialite Agency, to talk about the real journey of entrepreneurship—the grit, sacrifice, and resilience it requires. Kate shares how early influences shaped her path, why she walked away from traditional employment, and how rebranding her business unlocked long-term scalability. Together, she and Ronniesha dive into the power of niching down, the emotional rollercoaster of entrepreneurship...

3 months ago

1 hour 23 minutes

Founders & Friends

10. The 6 Marketing Shifts I’m Making Now to Stay Booked in 2026

On this episode of Founders and Friends Podcast, I’m opening up about the six major marketing shifts I’m making for Alder and Stone between now and the end of 2025. After taking 18 months of maternity leave and going through a challenging client experience that almost made me close my business, I realized I needed to rebuild with intention. These shifts are all about setting myself up for stronger projects, better leads, and higher design fees in 2026. I share why I’m changing my Instagram st...

3 months ago

59 minutes

Founders & Friends

09. Money, Motherhood & Unshakable Confidence — A Conversation with Lindsey Borchard

In this episode of Founders and Friends, Ronniesha Rivera sits down with Lindsey Borchard, founder of Lindsey Brooke Design and co-founder of Design Camp, to explore her journey from unpaid passion projects to running a profitable, full-service design firm. Lindsey shares how she overcame early pricing fears, built a supportive team, and learned to separate emotion from business decisions. The two dive into the challenges of balancing motherhood with entrepreneurship, the value of industry fr...

3 months ago

1 hour 16 minutes

Founders & Friends

08. Fabulous, Not Perfect: Lesley Myrick on Doing Business Boldly

In this episode of Founders and Friends, host Ronniesha Rivera sits down with bold-but-introverted designer Lesley Myrick, founder of Lesley Myrick Interiors and co-creator of a designer coaching program alongside Nancy Quinn. Despite identifying as an introvert, Lesley shares how she's grown a public-facing business by leaning into relationship-building, in-person networking, and staying true to her vibrant design style—even when it defied local trends. She and Ronniesha dive into the realit...

3 months ago

1 hour 9 minutes

Founders & Friends

07. Building Sidemark: What It Takes to Launch a Platform with 4 Co-Founders

In this episode, I sit down with Ben Rutledge, co-founder of Sidemark, a marketing and lead-generation platform created specifically for interior designers. Alongside co-founders Michelle Lynn, Nicole Ogden, and his brother, Ben shares how Sidemark evolved from a simple marketing tool into a full-service growth engine for creative entrepreneurs. We unpack Sidemark’s journey from MVP to a hybrid SaaS and agency model, explore how they address user overwhelm, and dive into the real reasons why ...

3 months ago

1 hour 33 minutes

Founders & Friends

06. Defining a Niche Through Resilience: Emily Aborn's Journey To Starting Her Copywriting Business

In this episode of Founders & Friends, I’m joined by Emily Aborn — content writer, podcast host, and creative entrepreneur — who helps businesses find their voice and communicate with clarity. Emily shares how thoughtful copywriting can transform how you connect with your audience, what most creatives get wrong when writing about their work, and why being yourself is one of the most powerful tools in your marketing toolbox. She also walks us through the businesses she started and closed d...

4 months ago

55 minutes

Founders & Friends

05. Trust Your Gut: Designing a Business That Fits with Ashleigh Cochran of Oar Haus Interiors

When the traditional path in interior design didn’t feel like the right fit, Ashleigh Cochran trusted her instincts and chose something different. In this episode, she shares how that bold decision led to the creation of Oar Haus Interiors — a CAD and rendering studio built specifically to support other designers behind the scenes. Ashleigh opens up about her early love for the technical side of design, why she walked away from the full-service model, and how she turned a niche skillset into ...

4 months ago

58 minutes

Founders & Friends

04. Just Do It – Scared: Nina Silver on Facing Fear and Building a Business

In this episode of Founders & Friends we chat with Nina Silver, the founder of Drafted by Design. Nina talks candidly about how the birth of her son inspired her to make big moves within her drafting business. As her family grew so did her business so she talks in depth about the struggles and advantages in balancing the two. She also dives into the complexities of hiring employees and how she navigates managing a team. She talks about the importance of finding employees that she ...

4 months ago

50 minutes

Founders & Friends

02. Juggling 2 Kids and 2 Businesses: How Summerlyn Feckner Finds Intention in the Chaos

In this episode of Founders and Friends, host Ronniesha Rivera sits down with longtime friend and designer Summerlyn Feckner, founder of Ginger Designs, for a candid conversation about building a creative business, balancing motherhood, and embracing the unexpected turns of entrepreneurship. Summerlyn shares her early days juggling multiple jobs during design school, working her way up in a construction company, and eventually launching Ginger Designs after nearly leaving the industry. She re...

4 months ago

50 minutes