204 | From 779 Doors to HGTV: How to Build a Thriving Interior Design Career With Corey Damen Jenkins

What does it really take to build a successful interior design business when no one is opening doors for you?

If you've ever wondered whether you're talented enough, questioned your career transition, or felt discouraged because clients aren't calling, this conversation is one I want you to slow down and absorb. Too many aspiring interior designers believe success comes from luck, connections, or overnight visibility. Corey Damen Jenkins proves the opposite. His story reminds us that meaningful careers are built through relentless persistence, business discipline, and the courage to keep showing up—even when every door seems to close.

In this episode, I sit down with internationally acclaimed interior designer Corey Damen Jenkins, who shares his journey behind his remarkable success. From leaving the automotive industry after the Great Recession to knocking on 779 doors before landing his first major client, Corey shares the mindset shifts, business lessons, and mentorship philosophy that helped him build one of the most respected brands in interior design.

Whether you're navigating a career transition, building your client acquisition strategy, or wondering how AI will shape the future of our profession, this conversation will encourage you to build your career with confidence while choosing collaboration over competition.

Featured Guest

Corey Damen Jenkins is an internationally acclaimed interior designer, bestselling author, MasterClass instructor, television personality, and mentor. His work has been featured by Architectural Digest, House Beautiful, ELLE Decor, Vanity Fair, The New York Times, and numerous leading design publications. He is the author of Design Remix and Design Reimagined, creator of the Design Reimagined YouTube series, and has developed celebrated brand partnerships spanning furniture, textiles, wallcoverings, and lighting. Corey is widely recognized not only for his colorful, timeless interiors but also for his passion for mentoring the next generation of interior designers.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

✳️ Why relentless grit outperforms natural talent.

✳️ Turning career setbacks into business opportunities.

✳️ Protecting your mindset from discouraging voices.

✳️ Building business acumen beyond creative skills.

✳️ Why mentorship strengthens the entire design community.

Read the Blog >>> 5 Principles That Turned Rejection Into a Profitable Interior Design Career

NEXT STEPS:

🎯 Join My Design Mentor and start creating a design career you truly love.

👉https://my-design-mentor.mn.co

Check out our Designer's Playlist!

*️ Start Your Interior Design Journey

*️ From Newbie to Confident Designer

*️ Switching Gears to Interior Design

Grab your freebies:

📺 Watch this free webinar, "From Passion to Profit," and learn the 5 Money Moves to start your interior design business right

📌 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 and Guest Bio

3:15 Corey’s Passion for Interior Design

5:55 Studying Architecture and Early Career Decisions

11:08 Finding the First Client

15:15 The Grit Required for Entrepreneurship

18:06 Learning Business Without Mentorship

20:56 Why Giving Back Matters

23:05 AI, Industry Standards, and Protecting the Design Profession

26:16 Running a Global Design Brand

30:07 Staying Motivated After Achieving Success

31:54 Design Remix and Design Reimagined

35:05 Advice for New Interior Designers