From Nebraska to Boot Barn HQ: Tara Miller on Design, Business, and Branding

Follow @Bouldygroundedpocast or@kylieepperson Kylie Epperson talks with interior designer Tara Miller, founder of Heartland Interior Design, about building a commercial and residential firm in Nebraska that now has national and international projects. Tara shares her path through UNL's interior design program, graduating into the 2013 recession, learning sales as an architectural/design rep, and eventually going full-time in her own firm as client work grew. They discuss entrepreneurship realities like backend operations, hiring support (like bookkeeping), sticking with business long-term, and why social media and founder-led branding matter today. Tara also расскаunts how an Instagram connection led to designing Boot Barn's corporate headquarters, including a fast timeline and material-themed floors (stone, leather, iron, timber).   00:00 Welcome to Boldly Grounded 00:48 Meet Tara Miller 02:05 Design Passion and Roots 04:32 Tubing Nebraska Style 08:06 Why Start a Business 09:03 Interior Design School Path 11:47 Early Career and Pay Reality 14:10 Bootstrapping the Firm 20:51 Entrepreneur Strengths Mindset 24:27 Social Media as Sales 25:16 Social Media Burnout 26:20 Founder Led Branding 29:15 Follow to Grow 31:04 Internet Overload 33:15 Dopamine and Mental Health 35:52 Postpartum Reality Check 39:19 Boot Barn Design Story 47:45 Designing by Materials 50:52 Where to Find Tara 51:56 Closing Message