5 Lessons I'm Taking Into 2026
what designing homes and building a business has taught me this year
As cliche as it is, I think it’s nice to look back at the end of the year on everything that’s happened (both the good and the bad) as a reminder of what you learned and as a way to get some momentum going into the new year. This year was a year of much growth as a team. We had so many amazing projects and worked with the best clients and I learned so much from all of it - so here’s a little recap of some of the most important lessons that I’m taking into 2026.
#1 clients are everything
We installed our Lexington Square project early this year. It’s one of those projects that came together particularly well and the whole team felt like it was one of our best projects yet. While we were installing the home the client mentioned to us that during the design process there were a few things we selected that they were unsure about (unbeknownst to us), but she said they decided to trust our vision and now that they see it all together they love the selections and understand why we chose them and are so glad they chose to trust us.
That level of trust made the project feel incredibly rewarding, and I really think it’s part of what led to such a great outcome. Who you choose to work with can make such a difference in the day-to-day and often when you work with amazing clientele (kind and trusting, good people) it leads to referrals who are just as amazing. I am so grateful for those referrals - and all of the clients we’ve worked with this year.
#2 every home needs one room that’s meant for relaxation
I love when clients specify that they want a room that will inspire a better way of living. Typically we discuss how each room needs to serve multiple purposes and be “hard-working” but every once in a while, it’s really refreshing to design a space that’s simply meant to be enjoyed. Somewhere to slow down and just “be”.
Our Oak Hill Drive sunroom was exactly that. The homeowners already had rooms for watching tv, eating, exercising, but this room created a new intention in the home - one that wasn’t tied to productivity or function, just living. It doesn’t have to be an entire room, either. This space can be just a small corner of a room (not everyone has the space for an extra room altogether). But what I love about this type of space is that it feels so intentional and a dedication to living life beautifully.
#3 patience—good things take time
This is something I feel like I relearn every year, but it’s come up even more lately as we’ve been working on new products for W.D.C. Home. There is so much that goes into the process behind the scenes, especially because I am not okay with leaving anything in our collection at the “good enough” phase. We know that our products are an investment, so we’re always trying to ensure they are the best they can be - adjusting prices while keeping the quality, refining details to get the look and function just right, and trying to create the best experience for our customers.
It has been really fulfilling to create something beautiful that doesn’t have to keep being recreated. With client design work every project is different and we are creating something unique to the client (which I do love) but never really gets easier. Our product line is different and has allowed us to spend more time on one specific product, but once we perfect it, it’s done and it can live in more people’s homes. Even after many sales, every order that comes through means so much to me because you are trusting us with an investment for your home and that makes all of the patience and hard work pay off.
#4 importance of community
I have learned so much and been really inspired by our Substack community this year. The generosity of strangers to share experiences and information with each other is incredibly heartwarming to me. The chat has been so active and it’s amazing to see how much you all step up and help each other, whether that’s sharing advice, sources, or just offering encouragement. Seeing that kind of openness has been a good reminder to me of how important it is to speak up and share what we know. A small tip or bit of experience can save someone else so much time (and money). We see all of the conversations and questions in the chat and even though we can’t respond to them all, they have pushed us to create content that’s more useful and feels thoughtful rather than just following trends and I’m really grateful for that.
#5 it’s a team effort
I get asked a lot about what it’s really like to run a business and grow a team, and honestly, it’s something that’s taken a lot of time to figure out. We’ve spent years working, training, and refining our processes so the team works well together - so that things feel smooth not only in our office, but for our clients too. This year it feels like it has gelled in a way that feels like the time, effort, books read, podcasts listened to, hard conversations had, and mistakes made have really started to pay off.
I’m 13 years in, running a small business, and I’ve definitely learned that no amount of leadership and systems will make up for a team that is not united in purpose and trust in each other. Additionally, no matter how hard I try, if our firm is not a good fit for one of us, it just won’t work in the long run.
I have worked with the best in the business and am so grateful for everyone I’ve had the honor to work alongside. I’m so happy that we have found each other in this creative world both together and for some eventually apart but ultimately supporting and cheering each other on, and I am forever grateful for what my co-workers have brought to W Design Collective and my life.
As I look ahead to the new year, I feel grateful more than anything, for clients who trust us, a team who shows up with care and creativity every day, and a community that continues to inspire and challenge us. So excited for what 2026 has in store!