Business of Architecture Podcast

Growing a Global Design Studio Through Leadership, Talent, and Intention | EP691

June 15, 2026·49 min
Episode Description from the Publisher

End chaos in your firm—300+ peers use this framework. Free video here: https://www.businessofarchitecture.com/framework In this episode, Rion Willard talks with interior designer Sally O'Connor about how she grew Hesellic Design from a solo start into a small global studio. She shares how a TV job opened the door to luxury homes and how she moved forward without formal training. You'll hear hints of the quiet actions that drew in her first major clients. Sally also talks about the moment her workload broke the old way of working. She describes learning to hand off control, building a tight-knit team, and stepping into the role of creative leader. She then touches on the studio's move into Dubai and Los Angeles, and how journaling and visualising guide her biggest moves. The simple shift that helped her stop clinging to every task. The "vision exercise" she used before her first Dubai project. How one early hire quietly set the tone for her culture. To learn more about Sally, visit her website: https://www.hesellicdesign.com

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