What Makes a Space Iconic? | June Reese | NAACP Image Awards Nominee & Interior Designer

What does it take to be iconic? In this episode, Kara talks with June Reese, NAACP Image Awards nominee, interior designer, and author of Iconic Home: Interiors, Advice, and Stories from 50 Amazing Black Designers. They dig into what it means to lead with authenticity, why representation in design matters, and how June is building both a personal brand and a movement. June shares the origin story of Iconic Home, what it's really like to grow a design business with your partner, and how she's creating opportunities for the next generation of Black interior designers. This episode covers creativity, entrepreneurship, community leadership, and why Pinterest might be your most powerful design tool. (00:00:01) – Leading With Authenticity as a Black Interior Designer (00:02:15) – The Mission Behind Iconic Home and Representation in Design (00:05:30) – How June Reese Started Her Interior Design Business (00:07:15) – Building a Design Career and Finding Mentors at High Point Market (00:10:20) – Educating Interior Design Clients and Finding Your Style (00:12:50) – Houston’s Creative Scene and Running a Design Business With a Partner (00:17:30) – Community, Mentorship, and Supporting Emerging Designers (00:21:00) – Scaling a Design Business and Expanding Her Platform (00:25:10) – Writing Iconic Home and Uplifting Black Interior Designers (00:28:30) – Mental Health, Burnout, and Creating From a Place of Truth (00:30:45) – Powerful Ladies Reflections: Defining Power on Your Own Terms (00:33:00) – Honoring Your Body Through Rest, Ritual, and Intuition (00:35:15) – Grief, Spirituality, and the Energy of Design (00:36:50) – How to Support June Reese and Black Interior Designers Inc. The Powerful Ladies podcast, hosted by business coach and strategist Kara Duffy features candid conversations with entrepreneurs, creatives, athletes, chefs, writers, scientists, and more. Every Wednesday, new episodes explore what it means to lead with purpose, create with intention, and define success on your own terms. Whether you're growing a business, changing careers, or asking bigger questions, these stories remind you: you're not alone, and you're more powerful than you think. Explore more at thepowerfulladies.com and karaduffy.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices