211: Eddie Mickenberg | Observe & Absorb

Today we welcome Eddie Mickenberg, owner and principal designer of his namesake design studio based in Los Angeles, California. In this episode Eddie shares his journey from design school directly into the luxury design market and the countless lessons he learned before launching his own design business. We also discuss Eddie's strategy for keeping his business model small and nimble, allowing him to stay in his zone of creative genius and Eddie shares his perspective on comparison, community, and courage. SHOW HIGHLIGHTS Eddie shares how moving from San Diego to Los Angeles at 19 to attend design school became the start of his interior design journey. He reflects on interning and working in luxury design showrooms and firms, where he learned to "observe and absorb" both the good and the bad. Rick and Eddie discuss the many different ways a design business can be structured and why there is no one-size-fits-all model for success. Eddie explains why he intentionally keeps his business small and nimble, outsourcing as needed so he can stay focused on design and client experience. He opens up about getting comfortable with discomfort, taking calculated risks, and betting on himself when he fully launched his business in 2020. Eddie talks through his approach to pricing, contracts, client communication, and protecting his time while building trust from the very beginning. He shares why courage is his secret to survival and why fear is often part of building a creative business that lasts. Eddie also speaks candidly about representation in the industry and why inspiring the next generation of designers, especially minority designers, matters so much to him. NOTABLE QUOTES "I was able to observe and absorb all of the day-to-day nuances that go on in interior design firms and also luxury showrooms and I took so much out of it, the good and the bad." "Uncomfortable is the place I live in." "We're scared but we still do it." "The secret to survival, in my opinion, is just courage." SUPPORTING RESOURCES Eddie Mickenberg's Website: https://www.eddiemickenberg.com/ Eddie Mickenberg on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eddiemickenberg/ SPONSOR LINKS Design Manager / Design Spec: https://designspec.com/survivalguide Design Biz Retreat and the Business of Interiors UK Summit: https://designbizsurvivalguide.com/retreats-for-interior-designers/