31. From Designer to Owner-Builder: Lessons Learned on the Job with Stephanie Ferrara

In this episode, Camilla sits down with Stephanie Ferrara, founder of Laidback Lee Design, to explore how she built a growing design studio while renovating her own family home as an owner-builder and raising two young daughters. Steph shares how a Covid job cut sparked her leap into business, what she’s learned from flipping character homes, and how stepping onto site as a woman and now a builder has reshaped her confidence and communication.Together, they unpack the realities of running a design studio in the thick of motherhood, delegation, renovation setbacks, and the mindset shifts that help Steph stay grounded through it all.In this episode, we explore:• How Steph launched Laidback Lee Design and grew it into a five-person studio• The emotional and practical realities of motherhood while running a design practice• What it’s really like to be an owner-builder and manage a full renovation• The mindset shifts required to delegate, hire, and step back from doing everything yourself• Timeless design vs personality-driven design and how Steph navigates both• Why slowing down, working with your capacity, and trusting your path matters in business and in lifeWhether you’re an interior designer, owner-builder, renovator, creative parent, or someone who loves hearing the unfiltered stories behind design careers, this conversation is grounding, generous, and full of the permission so many of us need.Follow Laidback Lee Design:Business Instagram: instagram.com/laidbacklee_design Business Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@laidbackleedesignReno diaries for personal project: https://www.instagram.com/finalmente_renodiary/Follow Unfolded:Website: https://www.unfolded.com.au/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unfolded_00:00:00 – Introduction & Background00:01:30 – Introducing Stephanie Ferrara00:02:21 – Stephanie’s Path to Founding Laidback Lee Design00:04:06 – Starting a Business During Major Life Changes00:07:09 – Stephanie’s Renovation & Flip Experiences00:08:16 – Upcoming Renovation Plans00:11:04 – Key Challenges in Project Management00:12:05 – Building the Laidback Lee Design Team00:13:49 – Delegation, Confidence & Scaling00:15:19 – Stephanie’s Evolving Role00:17:01 – Stepping Into the Builder Role00:17:36 – White Card & Owner-Builder Certification00:20:41 – Motivation & Women’s Empowerment00:22:30 – Balancing Work, Life & Motherhood00:30:24 – Adapting to Client Personalities00:32:43 – Clear Communication with Clients00:34:32 – Navigating Delays & Project Challenges00:35:00 – Confidence in Client Relationships00:37:48 – Vulnerability in Life & Business00:43:18 – Postpartum Impact on Work & Identity* Interior design* Australian designer* Creative entrepreneur* Design studio* Renovation* Owner-builder* Residential interiors* Heritage renovation* Studio leadership* Creative motherhood* Women in design* Client communication* Design inspiration* Small business growth* Authentic design process