Episode 83: What Designers Get Wrong About Trends and How to Spec for the Long Term with Stacy Garcia

Your clients are not “behind.” They are just living in a different timeline than the product world. In this episode of DesignDash, we sit down with Stacy Garcia, a globally recognized designer, trend forecaster, and entrepreneur whose work quietly shapes what your clients will want next, often before they even know how to describe it. And what I love about this conversation is that it’s not a “here are the trends, go copy them” kind of episode. It’s a real talk, business-meets-design conversation about how to think like a professional when trends are moving fast, budgets are real, and your client is looking at a Pinterest board that’s already six months late. We also talk about: The myth of “freedom” when you start a business, and what freedom actually looks like over time Imposter syndrome, even when you do have experience, and why formal training is helpful but not a dealbreaker Why having a supportive tribe matters more than you think (and how to find one if you don’t have one nearby) Stacy’s decision-making style as a worst-case-scenario planner, and why that can be a superpower in business The real reason trends matter for residential designers, especially when you’re specifying kitchens, baths, hard surfaces, and anything your client will live with for a decade How hospitality influences residential design, even when clients don’t realize that’s what they’re craving Why saying yes to everything creates chaos (for you and your team), and how discernment becomes the new growth strategy The “no diva rule,” the power of saying no, and why the right client shows up faster when you stop filling your calendar with the wrong ones By the end, you’ll walk away with a clearer way to think about trends, a smarter way to protect your time, and a reminder that your value isn’t just your taste. It’s your ability to see what a space can become before anyone else can. If you’ve ever had to talk a client off the ledge of demoing the one thing they should keep, or if you’ve ever said yes to a project and immediately felt the stress hit your chest, this one is for you. Hit play. Then tell us. Where do you need more discernment right now, in your design decisions, or in your business? Check out our website too: https://designdash.com/ Follow us on socials: https://www.instagram.com/designdasher/ https://www.tiktok.com/@designdasher https://www.facebook.com/DesignDasher