Designing with Heart: Michelle Rohrer-Lauer on Collaboration, Gratitude & Building a Meaningful Business

In Episode 40 of the PowerHouse SMART® Cool Collabs Podcast, Wendy Cohen welcomes dear friend and respected interior designer Michelle Rohrer-Lauer, Principal of Michelle’s Interiors, for a heartfelt conversation centered around mentorship, teamwork, gratitude, sustainability, and the human side of design.Michelle shares her inspiring journey from being encouraged by her artist aunt to pursue interior design, to launching and growing multiple successful businesses — including a specialty nursery design showroom, The Stork Room, before evolving into full-service residential and light commercial interiors.Throughout the episode, Michelle reflects on the profound impact mentors had on her career, the importance of building strong teams, and why collaboration — not competition — creates lasting success within the luxury design and construction industry.Wendy and Michelle also explore:• The power of mentorship and learning from others• Building a business through trusted teams and relationships• Why listening deeply to clients matters• The importance of sustainability and indoor air quality• How networking and mastermind groups helped shape Michelle’s leadership• Designing homes that truly support lifestyle and wellbeing• Gratitude, loss, and living a meaningful life centered around people and connectionMichelle’s warmth, wisdom, and collaborative spirit shine throughout this inspiring conversation, reminding us that beautiful design is ultimately about caring deeply for people and creating environments that support how they live, feel, and connect.Where to Find Michelle Rohrer-Lauer:Email: [email protected]: 847.223.2660Michelle’s Interiors Studio Address: 518 Barron Boulevard Grayslake, IL 60030Michelle’s Interiors Website: https://www.michellesinteriors.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michellesinteriors/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/michellesinteriorsdesigngroup/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michellerohrerlauer/Michelle’s Interiors LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/michelles-interiors/Houzz: https://www.houzz.com/pro/dreamypie/michelle-s-interiorsHGTV: https://www.hgtv.com/profiles/professionals/Michelle-Rohrer-LauerAbout the PowerHouse Cool Collabs Podcast:The PowerHouse Cool Collabs podcast, hosted by PowerHouse CEO Wendy Cohen, highlights inspiring leaders in luxury design, building, development, and real estate who exemplify gratitude and give back to humanity. Each episode features stories of success, philanthropy, and groundbreaking collaborations that are making a positive impact on communities and the industry as a whole.Where to find the Host: PowerHouse Companies:Visit PowerHouse Companies Website: www.powerhouse-co.comPodcast on the Website: https://www.powerhouse-co.com/podcastPodcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ERf8rk0auNk&t=4sPodcast on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7LTIH1m5yc3ajMSp2n0UM2Podcast on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-powerhouse-cool-collabs/id1792238056PowerHouse SMART Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/powerhousesmart/PowerHouse SMART Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/powerhousesmart/Wendy Cohen LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/powerhouserecruiting/