When you have your own business, you have to do everything—from designing and selling to marketing and growth. But the real power lies in building a brand that goes beyond products or services. It’s about creating spaces and experiences that are meaningful, where people feel connected and inspired. Branding for designers isn’t just about visuals; it’s about telling a story that reflects your values, resonates with your audience, and builds trust over time. When done right, branding helps you stand out in a crowded market, sell with purpose, and grow a business that makes a lasting impact.

In today’s episode, we’re joined by Ericka Saurit, who shares insights on what interior designers truly need today—from brand strategy and product launches to story-driven marketing that fuels growth. We don’t just talk about branding—we dive deep into the different ways to launch a product collection, how to stand out in a saturated market, and what marketing trends designers need to be paying attention to right now, including podcasting.

Ericka Saurit is a brand strategist, educator, and former interior designer with over 25 years of experience shaping culture through design and storytelling. She’s worked with iconic brands like Airbnb, Tag Heuer, and Estée Lauder, and now empowers interior designers, architects, and creatives to grow their businesses through story-driven marketing that connects and converts.

🎧 Tune in now to learn how to refine your message, launch with impact, and future-proof your marketing strategy.

Key Highlights from the Episode:

[00:01] Intro and a bit about your guest, Ericka Saurit

[05:21] Ericka’s background: From interior designer to branding expert

[08:32] How the interior design industry has evolved over the past 18 months

[13:30] Aligning your business strategy with marketing goals

[16:34] Podcasting, storytelling & tools to help you stand out as a designer

[22:30] Revenue streams: What’s working now for design businesses

[25:30] Understanding: Licensing, Private Label, White Label, & Ecommerce

[34:18] What to consider when setting your marketing goals

[39:40] How to build confidence and boldness through market shifts

[46:23] What’s new at Ericka’s company and how she supports clients

[47:59] A quick recap and how to partner with Thrive in Design

[55:58] Wrap-up and end of the show

• “There will always be someone ahead of you who can advise you and give you insights on how to make the best decisions.”

• “You have to have a different strategy when the market shifts; the way you show up to market yourself has to change and evolve.”
• “Having a product line is a great way for a designer to expand their business.”

Connect with Ericka Saurit:

• Websites: https://www.marketingschoolforcreatives.com/ https://www.sauritcreative.com/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erickasaurit/

• Website: thriveindesign.co
• Instagram: @thriveindesign
• Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/thriveindesign/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/thriveindesign/

🎓 Register for the next Thrive in Design live training: https://training.thriveindesign.co/

📘 Get your copy of "The Ultimate Guide to A&D Sales": https://www.thriveindesign.co/brand-reps

📚Enroll in the School of Strategy by Thrive In Design:

https://www.thriveindesign.co/school

Beauty has always spoken to us—but today, its voice is louder, clearer, and more essential than ever. As the language of design evolves, we are beginning to understand that beauty is not just a visual luxury but a biological necessity. Hardwired into our DNA, aesthetic experiences shape how we feel, think, and heal. From the calming repetition of patterns to the nurturing presence of natural elements, design has the power to transform our spaces into sanctuaries of wellness.

In today’s episode, we’re joined by Mike Peterson to explore how neuroaesthetics and biophilia are reshaping design to support human health and well-being. Mike is a true pioneer at the intersection of design, science, and wellness. With nearly a decade as a publisher at LUX magazine, he helped catapult the brand to international recognition, building deep connections across luxury design firms, design centers, and the broader interior design community.

Now, as the founder of Science in Design, Mike leads a powerful movement that educates designers on how their work directly impacts human health. He is also a sought-after keynote speaker, sharing his message on some of the industry’s most prestigious stages—from High Point Market and the Dallas Market Center to ADAC, ASID, and IFDA events. His message is simple but profound: Design isn’t just about how a space looks—it’s about how it makes us feel, function, and thrive.

🎧 Tune in now!

• [00:01] Introduction and a bit about our guest, Mike Peterson
• [02:24] How Don Ruggles inspired Mike’s shift from marketing to design
• [04:30] Applications of neuroaesthetics and biophilia in interior design
• [06:41] Metrics for measuring beauty’s impact in built environments
• [09:08] Understanding beauty and its power in neuroaesthetics
• [10:44] How neuroaesthetics and biophilia integrate in design
• [14:58] How Science in Design educates designers to promote beauty and health
• [18:27] The extended mind: how environment influences human experience
• [19:46] Success stories from designers applying health-focused design
• [22:33] What interior product companies need to know about neuroaesthetics
• [26:46] About the Science in Design Summit and its impact
• [28:24] Mike’s final thoughts and the future of neuroaesthetics
• [30:26] Wrap-up and end of the show

• “Beauty is the foundation of neuroaesthetics; beauty is a fundamental need to our physical being.”
• “The need for beauty is not an elective or passive interest; it’s a compulsion.”
• “Architects and designers have a greater ability to improve public health than health professionals.” — Dr. Claudia Miller

• Beauty, Neuroscience and Architecture by Donald Ruggles Link »
• Built Beautiful documentary by Donald Ruggles Link »
• Cognitive Architecture by Ann Sussman Link »
• Constructing Health by Tye Farrow Link »
• Mind in Architecture by Sarah Robinson Link »

Connect with Mike Peterson:

• Website: scienceindesign.com
• LinkedIn: @mike-peterson
• Email: mike@scienceindesign.com

Learn more about Thrive In Design:

• Website: thriveindesign.co
• Instagram: @thriveindesign
• Facebook: Thrive In Design
• LinkedIn: Thrive In Design

🎓 Register for the next Thrive in Design live training: https://training.thriveindesign.co/

📘 Get your copy of "The Ultimate Guide to A&D Sales": https://www.thriveindesign.co/brand-reps

From the buzz of innovation to the quiet power of intentional design, NeoCon 2025 revealed a future where design, human connection, and technology converge. The conversation is no longer just about products—it’s about how environments shape behavior, how data informs design, and how workplaces can foster both safety and creativity. This year’s show spotlighted a growing emphasis on “placefulness”—the emotional and functional resonance of space—and the critical role it plays in organizational culture. As workplaces digitize and hybrid models evolve, the most forward-thinking brands are designing not just for productivity, but for presence, trust, and transformation.

In today’s episode, we’re joined by Melissa Marsh to help us unpack the major themes and insights that emerged from this year’s NeoCon 2025 show. We explore key takeaways around workplace design in a post-hybrid world and the deeper shifts happening in change management and organizational culture. Melissa is the founder and executive director of PLASTARC and a visionary in workplace strategy, change management, and the future of work. Melissa has been at the forefront of reshaping how we think about space, connection, and experience.

Ready to Tune in Now!

Key Highlights from the Episode:

[00:01] Introduction and what's for you in today’s show

[02:50] What's coming up this summer at Thrive In Design

[06:57] What Melissa found as a vibe at NeoCon in product design

[11:04] Using AI for real-time data processing to change the workplace experience

[16:34] The evolving intersection of design and technology

[20:31] Innovations that stood out to Melissa at NeoCon—and why

[26:53] What “placefulness” means and how it showed up at NeoCon

[30:27] Urban transformation: Digitization of the city

[32:16] Cool vs warm colors: Melissa’s NeoCon favorite bag

[34:38] Wrap-up and end of the show

• “In order to do our best work, we need to feel safe in a place.”

• “Feeling safe with using AI comes down to transparency and giving people control over the tools they use.”

• “Be careful of assuming that the digital solution is the sustainable solution.

Connect with Melissa Marsh:

• Website: https://plastarc.com/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissaemarsh/

• Website: thriveindesign.co
• Instagram: @thriveindesign
• Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/thriveindesign/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/thriveindesign/

🎓 Register for the next Thrive in Design live training: https://training.thriveindesign.co/

📘 Get your copy of "The Ultimate Guide to A&D Sales": https://www.thriveindesign.co/brand-reps

📚Enroll in the School of Strategy by Thrive In Design:

https://www.thriveindesign.co/school