Brigette Romanek on Scaling a Creative Business, Celebrity Clients & her new Book Livable Luxury

03/06/25 • 46 min

Brigette Romanek is an acclaimed interior designer and the founder of Romanek Design Studio. In this episode, Brigette shares her journey from a self-taught design enthusiast to one of the most sought-after interior designers, working with A-list clients like Gwyneth Paltrow, Beyoncé, Jay-Z, and Christian Bale.

Since launching her studio in 2018, Brigette has been consistently recognized on Architectural Digest’s AD100 and First Dibs 50 lists. She was named an Elle Decor Titan in 2024. In this conversation, she opens up about building a successful creative business, trusting her instincts over formal training, balancing luxury with functionality, and staying resilient in an ever-evolving industry.

Brigette is also the author of the bestselling book Livable Luxe, which showcases her signature design approach: beautiful, livable spaces that support and inspire. Whether you're an aspiring designer, an entrepreneur, or simply someone who loves stunning interiors, this episode is packed with wisdom, creativity, and business-savvy insights you won’t want to miss.

Timestamps:

[00:00] Introduction

[03:52] Exposure to global design through travel

[05:36] Trusting instinct over formal training

[06:01] Challenging traditional design rules

[07:11] Blending luxury with functionality

[08:52] Creating spaces that feel lived in

[09:30] Making client visions a reality

[10:21] Customizing designs for each project

[11:19] Writing the book Livable Luxe

[12:57] The power of storytelling in design

[14:07] Walking as a form of creative reset

[15:21] Finding inspiration in everyday life

[16:43] Breaking from routine to spark ideas

[17:15] Scaling a design studio without losing quality

[18:45] Lessons learned from business growth

[20:14] Building a strong team for success

[21:31] The importance of setting clear boundaries

[22:49] Navigating client expectations

[23:16] Encouraging team input and creativity

[24:42] Balancing leadership with artistic freedom

[25:06] Creating a supportive studio culture

[26:07] Learning from early business mistakes

[28:28] Expanding into product lines

[30:46] Bringing in experts to support business growth

[31:55] The importance of delegation

[34:00] Common challenges for new designers

[35:23] How Brigette's biggest client collaborations happened

[36:45] Working with high-profile clients

[37:39] The creative freedom clients give her

[38:47] Overcoming setbacks as an entrepreneur

[39:35] Staying resilient in a competitive industry

[40:36] The power of believing in yourself

[42:03] Advice for self-taught designers

Resources Mentioned:

Livable Luxe by Brigette Romanek | Book

Romanek Design Studio | Website

Follow Nancy Twine:

Instagram: @nancytwine

www.nancytwine.com

Follow Makers Mindset:

Instagram: @makersmindsetspace

TikTok: @themakersmindset

Timestamps:

[00:00] Introduction

[03:52] Exposure to global design through travel

[05:36] Trusting instinct over formal training

[06:01] Challenging traditional design rules

[07:11] Blending luxury with functionality

[08:52] Creating spaces that feel lived in

[09:30] Making client visions a reality

[10:21] Customizing designs for each project

[11:19] Writing the book Livable Luxe

[12:57] The power of storytelling in design

[14:07] Walking as a form of creative reset

[15:21] Finding inspiration in everyday life

[16:43] Breaking from routine to spark ideas

[17:15] Scaling a design studio without losing quality

[18:45] Lessons learned from business growth

[20:14] Building a strong team for success

[21:31] The importance of setting clear boundaries

[22:49] Navigating client expectations

[23:16] Encouraging team input and creativity

[24:42] Balancing leadership with artistic freedom

[25:06] Creating a supportive studio culture

[26:07] Learning from early business mistakes

[28:28] Expanding into product lines

[30:46] Bringing in experts to support business growth

[31:55] The importance of delegation

[34:00] Common challenges for new designers

[35:23] How Brigette's biggest client collaborations happened

[36:45] Working with high-profile clients

[37:39] The creative freedom clients give her

[38:47] Overcoming setbacks as an entrepreneur

[39:35] Staying resilient in a competitive industry

[40:36] The power of believing in yourself

[42:03] Advice for self-taught designers

Resources Mentioned:

Livable Luxe by Brigette Romanek | Book

Romanek Design Studio | Website

Follow Nancy Twine:

Instagram: @nancytwine

www.nancytwine.com

Follow Makers Mindset:

Instagram: @makersmindsetspace

TikTok: @themakersmindset

Previous Episode

The Business of Beauty: How Shani Darden Built a Multi-Million Dollar Brand

Shani Darden, the founder of Shani Darden Skincare, has built a name as Hollywood’s go-to skincare expert. She is trusted by stars like Jessica Alba, Chrissy Teigen, and Kelly Rowland for her results-driven approach. After training under a top dermatologist, she developed her own formulations, launching her flagship studio in Beverly Hills in 2019 and securing a coveted spot at Sephora in 2020.

In this episode, Shani talks about how she went from mixing masks in her childhood home to creating one of the most sought-after skincare brands. She opens up about navigating the beauty industry, building a brand without a roadmap, and staying hands-on with clients while scaling a business. You’ll hear her insights on effective product development, the power of social media, and the strategies she learned over her career.

Timestamps:

[00:00] Introduction

[04:08] Creating Retinol Reform and entering the skincare industry

[05:14] Transitioning from service-based work to product development

[06:27] Challenges in launching a skincare brand

[07:35] The importance of trial and error in product creation

[08:42] How Sephora became a major retail partner

[09:56] The role of packaging and refining the brand

[10:45] Building a team that aligns with brand values

[11:33] Why hiring slow is crucial for long-term success

[12:18] Social media’s impact on personal branding

[13:09] How client feedback shapes product development

[14:21] The challenges of balancing retail deadlines with product quality

[15:37] Tips for building an engaged online community

[16:42] Overcoming self-consciousness in social media marketing

[17:15] Experimenting with content strategies for better engagement

[18:29] Finding balance between content creation and business operations

[19:45] Adjusting to entrepreneurship and leadership roles

[20:56] The importance of mentorship and learning from mistakes

[21:33] Rapid-fire business and skincare advice

[22:12] Common skincare mistakes and how to avoid them

Resources Mentioned:

Retinol Reform | Website

Sephora | Website

Shani Darden Skincare | Website

Follow Nancy Twine:

Instagram: @nancytwine

www.nancytwine.com

Follow Makers Mindset:

Instagram: @makersmindsetspace

TikTok: @themakersmindset

Next Episode

How Fabletics is Winning Retail with AI & Membership Models – Meera Bhatia

Meera Bhatia’s career is a masterclass in transformation, bridging the worlds of technology and retail. She started at Microsoft, Expedia, and LinkedIn, where data and innovation were king. But instead of staying in the tech lane, she saw something others didn’t: the power of technology to reshape the retail landscape.

Now, as the Chief Operating Officer of Fabletics and President of TechStyleOS, Meera is rewriting the rules of fashion commerce. She doesn’t just oversee growth, technology, and supply chain operations—she orchestrates them, weaving AI, data, and personalization into an omnichannel experience that keeps millions of members engaged. In an industry where trends come and go, she’s building a model designed to last. Her approach is simple but powerful: Meet the customers where they are, innovate fearlessly, and always stay ahead of the curve.

Meera’s leadership includes roles at Stella & Dot and Savage x Fenty, where she merged consumer insights with digital strategy. She lives in Los Angeles, where she balances the intensity of scaling brands with embracing wellness and staying active.

Timestamps:

[00:00] Introduction

[01:17] Meera’s transition from tech to retail

[02:41] The role of technology in modern retail

[04:03] Understanding customer needs through data

[05:26] How Fabletics’ membership model drives engagement

[06:48] Challenges and benefits of a subscription-based business

[08:14] Why personalization is crucial in e-commerce

[09:37] Leveraging AI for better customer experiences

[11:02] How businesses can start small with AI

[12:29] The importance of an omnichannel retail strategy

[13:53] The role of physical stores in digital-first brands