From Self-Taught Designer to Industry Educator with Jameelah Watkins-Mallett

In this episode, Nicole sits down with Jameelah Watkins- Mallett, founder of The Case Collective and co-founder of Lauren Wesley Designs, to talk about what it really looks like to build a design business from the ground up.Jameelah shares her journey from being a self-taught creative and young entrepreneur to leading a design firm and now educating other designers on how to run profitable, sustainable businesses. From early lessons in the beauty industry to navigating the challenges of COVID, difficult projects, and the realities of scaling, this conversation is a candid look at the evolution of a creative career.They discuss the gaps in the interior design industry, why so many designers struggle on the business side, and how Jameelah turned those challenges into a platform that’s helping others build with more structure, clarity, and intention.If you’re a designer, business owner, or creative navigating growth, this episode offers both perspective and practical insight on what it takes to move from doing the work to leading it.