What it Takes Podcast Ep 3: From Face Painting to 7-Figure Design Business CEO ft Shany Kaufman

From Face Painting to 7-Figure Design Business CEO featuring Shany KaufmanHow does someone go from painting faces at kids’ parties to running a multi-million-dollar interior design firm?In this episode of the What It Takes podcast, host Tuli Kraus sits down with Shany Kaufman, the powerhouse CEO and mother of eight behind ICO Design Group.Shany shares her incredible, non-traditional journey into the world of design, revealing how one unexpected café project turned into a thriving 13-year business. Together, they talked about the raw realities of entrepreneurship, the power of grit over formal education, and the mindset that turns ordinary beginnings into extraordinary success.This is an inspiring, down-to-earth conversation for anyone who’s ever dreamed of starting from scratch and building something remarkable.💡 In This Episode, We Discuss:◼️ How a simple branding project for a café unexpectedly launched Shany’s career in interior design! Despite having zero prior experience…◼️ Her creative journey from face painting to building a seven-figure business and discovering her true calling◼️ Why Shany believes grit and genuine care matter more than a polished résumé or prestigious degree◼️ Practical advice for aspiring designers, project managers, and procurement specialists on breaking into the industry with no experience◼️ Her “Be a Nudge” philosophy, the power of ambitious persistence to get noticed and land your dream job◼️ How Shany hires based on grit over skill and her unique bathroom design test for candidates◼️ The real behind-the-scenes of business ownership, client management, and leading a creative team◼️ Shany’s pro design hacks you can try at home: dark walls make rooms feel bigger, “reverse crown” molding elevates ceilings, and why your laundry room deserves more love than your kitchen⏱️ Timestamps00:00 From Face Painting to 7-Figure CEO: Meet Shany Kaufman2:25 The Accidental Empire: How a Café Launched a Design Career6:24 Building a Brand from Scratch: Grit, Garbage Dumps & $8K Offices9:09 The Secret Sauce: Blending Interior Design with Powerful Branding11:45 How to Break Into Interior Design (With No Experience)15:36 Sponsor: Blackbird Recruiting & Everyone Needs a Video16:21 The #1 Trait That Gets You Hired (It’s Not What You Think)19:48 Hiring Secrets: Why Grit Beats a Perfect Résumé Every Time25:24 The Rollercoaster Reality of Being a Business Owner30:32 3 Pro Design Hacks to Instantly Transform Your Home🔗 Connect with Shany Kaufman Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ico.design/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shany-kaufman-683b4a78/🔗 Connect with Tuli KrausX (Twitter): https://x.com/TuliKraus Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blackbird.recruiting/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tuli-kraus/