174: Hannah Oravec | Building a Passion-Based Business Model

Welcome to another episode of Design Biz Survival Guide! Today we welcome Hannah Oravec, founder of Lawless Design—a New England-based residential and boutique commercial interior design studio focused on wellness and sustainability. In this episode, Hannah shares her design journey and the process of launching her own design business. We discuss her perspective on commercial and residential design and her strategy for qualifying projects that best align with her business model and personal design approach. We also dive into the value of expanding your professional circle, and Hannah shares her top networking tips for creative introverts. Show Highlights: Business Beginnings: Hannah's journey from commercial design to launching her own studio. Finding Your Niche: How wellness and sustainability became central to Lawless Design's mission. Networking for Introverts: Hannah's tips for creative professionals to make meaningful connections. Team Growth: The lessons learned from hiring and building a supportive design team. Infusing Joy: How to incorporate passion projects into your business model. Notable Quotes: "Design should be personal. We're not just giving you a cookie-cutter design; it's about how our clients live in their homes and what makes them feel good." "I'm very upfront when interviewing clients—I'm not the designer for everyone, and that's okay. There's a designer out there for everyone." "Make sure there is an aspect or component of your business that truly brings you joy. You're the business owner; you have the ability to make joy part of your business." Supporting Resources: Learn More About Lawless Design: Visit the Website Follow Lawless Design on Instagram: @lawless_design Book Recommendation: How to Win Friends and Influence People Register for The UK Business of Interiors Community Summit: Event Information Sponsor Links: A big thank you to our sponsors: Design Manager – A comprehensive project management and accounting platform tailored for interior design professionals. Daniel House Club – Simplifying the business of design with exclusive trade pricing, concierge service, and commission opportunities. Follow and Review: We'd love for you to follow us if you haven't yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We'd love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select "Ratings and Reviews" and "Write a Review," then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second, and it helps spread the word about the podcast.