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 designers find themselves stuck in residential work—not because it’s their passion, but because it was the most accessible way to start. Yet making the leap into commercial interior design can feel overwhelming when you’re unsure about business operations, contracts, or the technology skills needed to compete.

In this episode, Marcy Sagel shares her journey from residential to commercial design, emphasizing the importance of understanding business operations and leveraging new technologies like Revit to stay ahead. She breaks down the realities of running a design firm, the challenges of transitioning into commercial projects, and the strategies that helped her thrive in a constantly evolving industry. You’ll also hear how she builds strong client relationships, fosters collaboration, and creates her training program, Designer Bank, to help designers sharpen their technical skills.

🎧 Tune in now and learn how to build the commercial design career you’ve been dreaming about.

Featured Guest

Marcy Sagel is the founder and principal of MSA Interiors, a nationally recognized commercial interior design firm specializing in multifamily housing, student housing, senior living, affordable housing, and other complex projects. With over 25 years of experience, she has not only led large-scale design projects but also advised manufacturers in developing product lines to meet evolving market demands. A thought leader and speaker, Marcy blends creativity with business acumen and continues to shape the future of commercial interiors.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

✔️ Why the residential to commercial transition is challenging and how to make it smoother

✔️ The importance of understanding business operations, contracts, and financials as a design entrepreneur

✔️ How to adapt quickly to new technologies like Revit and Enscape to stay relevant

✔️ The differences between working with residential clients and large-scale developer teams

✔️ How commercial materials and finishes have evolved to allow for high-end, residential-inspired looks

✔️ Strategies to diversify your revenue streams so your firm can withstand economic downturns

✔️ How mentorship, peer groups, and continuous learning fuel long-term business growth

Read the Blog >>> >>> Smart Way to Transition From Residential to Commercial Design

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

2:32 Marcy’s Journey From Residential to Commercial Design

6:41 Starting Her Own Design Firm and the Lessons Learned in Business Operations

9:07 Why Every Designer Must Know Their Numbers and Margins

12:27 The Power of Mentorship and Entrepreneurial Peer Groups

13:50 Transitioning From Cad to Revit and Why Designers Must Adapt

16:46 Designer Bank: Online Training Modules for Designers

22:59 How to Navigate Commercial Design Projects

30:20 How to Future-Proof Your Design Business