Tim Smith is the Principal of Wynn-Smith Landscape Architecture Inc in Poway, California outside of San Diego.  In 2014 he is the President elect of the San Diego chapter of ASLA. We discuss the value of professional organizations such as ASLA, AIA and ASID and how they benefit the members and the profession. Tim’s firm does a wider variety of project types than most smaller companies so we discuss the reasons behind that strategy and how that has served him in over 20 years of business. Tim also teaches Landscape Architecture and related classes part time for San Diego Mesa Community College.

Denise Maloney is an Interior Designer in San Francisco, California. She owns her own residentially focused firm, Denise Maloney Interior Design. Denise originally studied Economics/ Business in college. Shortly after graduation she looked for something she felt a stronger connection to and found Interior Architecture & Design. After working on Hospitality and residential projects early in her career, she decided to focus on residential projects when she started her own firm. Her firm uses furniture design to create a deeper level of personalization for her clients. In our conversation we explore collaborating with Architects, branding your business, using a business coach, theory vs. doing, how relationships play such a big roll in our businesses, and a number of other interesting subjects. Enjoy!

Richard Joaquin is an Assoiciate Designer with Jeff Wortham & Associates. He received his BS degree in Landscape Architecture from Cal Poly State University in San Luis Obispo, California. In this conversation we discuss what it’s like to come out of college during the Great Recession and start your career. We also discuss what he learned in school versus what he has learned working in a design firm, what it’s like to work and go to school, getting licensed as a professional and increasing your value as a designer in the marketplace. This was my opportunity to share the path of a design pro early in their working life. It’s an important time in the career path of any designer. Enjoy!

Benita Goldblatt is an Interior Designer in Orlando, Florida. She is also a partner in an online store that sells interior accessories some of which she designs. She currently splits her time between high-end residential design and running her online business. In our conversation we discuss the need to balance the desire to be creative with the need to make a profit, why she started and online store with her best friend, the big benefits of an internship, using ‘Color Stories’ to help customers choose accessories, and how she finds success in her business life.