logo
episode-header-image
May 2025
30m 17s

138 | Expert’s Insights on Transitioning...

Rebecca Ward, CID | Interior Designer, Interior Design Mentor, Designers Coach
About this episode

Have you ever wondered if it’s too late to pursue your dream of becoming an interior designer?

In this episode, you’ll meet Alison Geise, a former dietitian and law school grad who took the scenic route to interior design and built a thriving business doing what she loves. If you’re thinking about switching careers, Alison’s story will show you it’s possible.

Alison shares how her love for decorating turned into a full-time career, even after years in completely different fields. She talks about the steps she took to learn design, how she filled the gap in business knowledge, and why her unique life experience now sets her apart in the industry.

Whether you’re just starting or thinking of a fresh start, this episode is packed with helpful tips for making your move into design the smart way.

Ready to turn your passion into a profession? Tune in now, take notes, and explore how second chances can lead to stunning design careers.

Featured Guest:

⁠Alison Giese⁠ is the visionary founder and principal designer of ⁠Alison Giese Interiors⁠, an esteemed, boutique interior design firm based in San Antonio, Texas.

She has cultivated a reputation for seamlessly blending sophisticated elements with unparalleled finishes, resulting in homes that are visually stunning and deeply reflective of her client's distinct stories.

Alison's journey into interior design is as unique as her creations. After a diverse career as a registered dietitian and law school graduate, a transformative move overseas ignited her passion for design, prompting her to pursue a certificate in interior decorating. Drawing inspiration from her travels and rich experiences, she creates interiors that embody a refined sense of place and character.

Why you’ve got to check out today’s episode:

  • Learn actionable tips on how to start your design career without a design degree
  • Discover business and creative tips for designers so you can work smarter and stay creative
  • Get inspired by a real career change and pursue your passion for design

Check out the show notes >>> Expert’s Insights on Transitioning to Interior Design Career With Alison Giese

NEXT STEPS:

Grab your freebies:

Connect With Me:

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

(01:45) Alison's Journey into Interior Design

(05:26) Balancing Law School and Design Passion

(07:22) Design Education and Business Learning Gaps

(09:34) The Interior Design Business Launch Pad

(11:11) Alison's Design Philosophy

(14:25) Diversifying Revenue Streams

(16:39) On Starting Her Design Career Solo

(19:28) Favorite Project: The Unicorn

(21:34) Balancing Creativity and Business

(25:49) Tools and Software for Business Efficiency

(27:04) Advice to Aspiring Designers

Up next
Oct 6
159 | From Dreaming to Designing Series #1: How to Identify Your Design Niche
Wondering why your message isn’t reaching anyone? It is because you’re trying to appeal to everyone. Many interior designers run into this problem when they haven’t defined their niche.With so many designers out there, those who specialize tend to stand out, get more referrals, a ... Show More
15m 55s
Sep 29
158 | The Smart Way to Transition From Residential to Commercial Design With Marcy Sagel
“Residential was never my preference. I landed here because I graduated right as the pandemic hit, and the entire industry stalled—except residential.”Or maybe you’ve caught yourself saying, “I’m bored with residential and want to switch to commercial projects.”Many interior desi ... Show More
33m 27s
Sep 22
157 | Sneak Peek Inside Sacramento Thrive Retreat for Interior Designers
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, re ... Show More
33m 26s
Recommended Episodes
Mar 2024
100 Strategies to Grow Your Design Business with Chris Do
It's a milestone worth celebrating! The Profitable Graphic Designer Podcast is proud to announce its 100th episode! Over the past 100 episodes, we've had the privilege of hosting some of the sharpest minds in the creative industry. Our guests have shared their experiences ... Show More
1h 5m
Nov 2023
83 How to Become a Fully Booked Graphic Designer with Shay (Bucketlist Bombshells)
Welcome back to another exciting episode of The Profitable Graphic Designer podcast. In this insightful conversation, I had the pleasure of sitting down with the incredible Shay, founder of Bucketlist Bombshells, to uncover the secrets behind getting booked out 3, 6, and even 12 ... Show More
1 h
Apr 2024
102 Running a Small Design Agency with Kristy Campbell (Pink Pony Creative)
Get ready to explore the vibrant world of design entrepreneurship with Kristy Campbell, the innovative force behind Pink Pony Creative. In this episode of The Profitable Graphic Designer Podcast, we uncover Kristy's journey from a solo designer to leading a successful design ... Show More
51m 59s
Apr 2025
157 What Separates $3K Designers from $10K+ Designers
Most designers stay stuck at $3K projects because they’re pricing wrong, targeting the wrong clients, and positioning themselves as just another freelancer. The difference between a $3K designer and a $10K designer isn’t design skills. It’s how they run their business. In this ep ... Show More
22m 17s
Sep 30
The Courage to Create with Jeremy Slagle | EP 180
What does it really take to show up confidently as a designer?In this episode of The Profitable Graphic Designer Podcast, I’m talking with Jeremy Slagle, the founder of Slagle Design. With decades of experience, Jeremy shares what it means to have the courage to create, how he bu ... Show More
50m 51s
Apr 2025
How to Bulletproof Your Graphic Design Career Before Disaster Strikes & It’s Too Late
What happens to your creative career when life hits hard? Graphic designers are taught how to build brands, craft visuals, and make things look amazing. But no one teaches us how to survive when life punches us in the face.Whether it’s grief, family emergencies, burnout, or just ... Show More
34m 34s
Mar 2024
97 Building Your Design Agency Dream Team
In this episode of The Profitable Graphic Designer Podcast, we talk about expanding your design business and building your dream team. From feeling swamped with administrative tasks to struggling to attract top-notch clients, we've all been there. If you've heard my other ... Show More
32m 37s
Sep 1
134- Part 4: Let's Talk Profit Strategies, Follow the Profits, Not all Projects are Sexy
Send us a textWelcome to the grand finale of our four-part Profitable Design Series with Laura Thornton!In this essential episode, Laura helps you shift from just designing beautiful spaces to designing a truly profitable business. Learn why reviewing your numbers regularly is mo ... Show More
13m 1s
Feb 2025
Graphic Design Business Lessons by Andy Warhol. Turning Your Creativity Into Cash!
Graphic designers are taught to create, not sell—and that’s exactly why so many talented designers stay broke. The harsh reality? Talent alone won’t make you successful.The industry is full of insanely skilled designers who struggle to make ends meet while less talented ones cash ... Show More
44m 27s
Sep 29
Julie Wainwright: Getting Real Real About Building a Billion-Dollar Business
Julie Wainwright is the visionary founder and past CEO of The RealReal, the luxury resale giant that disrupted the fashion industry and redefined what it means to build a billion-dollar brand. In her new book, Time to Get Real: How I Built a Billion Dollar Business that Rocked th ... Show More
1h 16m