Скачать или смотреть From Designer to Owner-Builder: Lessons Learned on the Job with Stephanie Ferrara

In this episode, Camilla sits down with Stephanie Ferrara, founder of Laidback Lee Design, to explore how she built a growing design studio while renovating her own family home as an owner-builder and raising two young daughters. Steph shares how a Covid job cut sparked her leap into business, what she’s learned from flipping character homes, and how stepping onto site as a woman and now a builder has reshaped her confidence and communication.

Together, they unpack the realities of running a design studio in the thick of motherhood, delegation, renovation setbacks, and the mindset shifts that help Steph stay grounded through it all.

In this episode, we explore:

• How Steph launched Laidback Lee Design and grew it into a five-person studio
• The emotional and practical realities of motherhood while running a design practice
• What it’s really like to be an owner-builder and manage a full renovation
• The mindset shifts required to delegate, hire, and step back from doing everything yourself
• Timeless design vs personality-driven design and how Steph navigates both
• Why slowing down, working with your capacity, and trusting your path matters in business and in life

Whether you’re an interior designer, owner-builder, renovator, creative parent, or someone who loves hearing the unfiltered stories behind design careers, this conversation is grounding, generous, and full of the permission so many of us need.

Follow Laidback Lee Design:
Business Instagram: instagram.com/laidbacklee_design
Business Tiktok:   / laidbackleedesign  
Reno diaries for personal project:   / finalmente_renodiary  

Follow Unfolded:
Website: https://www.unfolded.com.au/
Instagram:   / unfolded_  

00:00:00 – Introduction & Background
00:01:30 – Introducing Stephanie Ferrara
00:02:21 – Stephanie’s Path to Founding Laidback Lee Design
00:04:06 – Starting a Business During Major Life Changes
00:07:09 – Stephanie’s Renovation & Flip Experiences
00:08:16 – Upcoming Renovation Plans
00:11:04 – Key Challenges in Project Management
00:12:05 – Building the Laidback Lee Design Team
00:13:49 – Delegation, Confidence & Scaling
00:15:19 – Stephanie’s Evolving Role
00:17:01 – Stepping Into the Builder Role
00:17:36 – White Card & Owner-Builder Certification
00:20:41 – Motivation & Women’s Empowerment
00:22:30 – Balancing Work, Life & Motherhood
00:30:24 – Adapting to Client Personalities
00:32:43 – Clear Communication with Clients
00:34:32 – Navigating Delays & Project Challenges
00:35:00 – Confidence in Client Relationships
00:37:48 – Vulnerability in Life & Business
00:43:18 – Postpartum Impact on Work & Identity

Interior design
Australian designer
Creative entrepreneur
Design studio
Renovation
Owner-builder
Residential interiors
Heritage renovation
Studio leadership
Creative motherhood
Women in design
Client communication
Design inspiration
Small business growth
Authentic design process