150 | Building a Design Business From the Ground Up With Caron Woolsey

Do you ever wonder if it’s really possible to switch careers and succeed in interior design—even without a design degree?

In this 150th episode, I chat with Caron Woolsey, a self-taught designer who left her job in oil and gas to follow her love for design. What started as decorating her own home turned into a growing business, CW Interiors, with a strong and creative team behind it.

Caron shares how she faced fear, built confidence, and turned a passion project into a full-time career. She gives helpful tips on knowing when it’s time to hire, how to build a strong team, and what to look for in new designers.

If you're not sure whether you can make interior design your real job, Caron’s story will inspire you to take that first brave step even if you're scared.

🎧 You don’t need a degree to get started—just courage, creativity, and a willingness to learn. Listen now to get the boost you need to start your own design journey.

Featured Guest:

⁠Caron Woolsey⁠ is the founder of ⁠CW Interiors⁠, a design studio based in The Woodlands, Texas. After a 16-year career in the oil and gas industry, she discovered her true passion for interior design while building her own home. What began as a creative hobby soon grew into a thriving business. Today, Caron leads a talented team and partners with homeowners, builders, and developers to create timeless, storytelling homes across The Woodlands, Houston, and Conroe areas.

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

📌 Get real talk on starting without a design degree

📌 Learn powerful lessons on growing a team the right way

📌 Be empowered, especially the non-traditional design professionals, to take the first step

Check out the show notes >>> Building a Design Business From the Ground Up

NEXT STEPS:

🎯 Join the My Design Mentor to kickstart a successful career in interior design!

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

02:59 Caron’s Career Path to Design

04:38 Taking the Leap Into Business

05:24 Early Business Struggles

07:10 Learning Without a Mentor

08:28 Team Growth and Dynamic

10:04 When and How to Start Hiring

13:11 What She Looks for in a Hire

14:47 Balancing Business and Creativity

16:34 Establishing Mission and Values

19:34 Team Communication

21:42 With Degree vs Without Degree When Hiring

22:29 Advice for Aspiring Designers