The business retreat for Interior Designers
Empower the Designer
Join our retreat
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Nashville, TN Sept 28-30, 2026
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Join our retreat 〰️ Nashville, TN Sept 28-30, 2026 〰️
Who We Are
Empower the Designer is built for interior designers at the point where the work is coming in, the business is established, but the systems behind it haven’t caught up yet.
You’re juggling clients, managing a team or collaborators, tracking finances, and making daily decisions that all seem to land on your desk, no matter how experienced you are.
This retreat exists to help you step out of that cycle. It’s a focused, three-day environment designed to give you the clarity and structure most design businesses never slow down long enough to build.
Exciting news!
What to Expect at Our 2026 Retreat
In 2026, Empower the Designer will focus on the work that actually moves your business forward. Over three days, you’ll streamline your operations, strengthen your financial systems, and build a realistic growth plan you can implement immediately. You’ll be guided by experts who understand design businesses and supported by a small group of designers who share the same goals.
“I realized my studio was losing money from constant project changes and messy timelines. I left with a clear plan to tighten contracts and run projects smoother.”
Testimonials
— Event Participant: 2025
Empower the Designer 2026 Third Annual Retreat
September 28 – September 30, 2026 Hotel Noelle, Nashville
Hosted at the historic Hotel Noelle in the heart of Nashville, Empower the Designer is an intensive business summit curated for established principals ready to move beyond inspiration and into the mechanics of high-level scaling. Over three days, we move past the "invisible friction" of daily operations and into the pivotal decisions that shape a world-class studio.
From predictive hiring data and creative compensation to legal infrastructure and the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS), every session is designed to help you step out of the day-to-day and master the systems that move your firm forward.
The Next Evolution of Design Leadership Consider this the "Master Layout" for your firm's future. We have packed more in-depth operational knowledge, invited a powerhouse collective of experts, and created a curriculum that dives deeper into financial and structural scaling than ever before.
The event officially kicks off with registration and a welcome lunch at 12:00 PM on Monday, September 28, 2026. Our official programming will conclude at 12:00 PM on Wednesday, September 30th. Optional networking and local Nashville experiences will be available for those staying through Wednesday evening.
Without exception, Empower the Designer tickets are non-refundable but may be transferred to another guest within your firm or industry. Empower the Designer and its hosts are not responsible for securing ticket transfers. Early Bird discounts must be applied at the time of purchase and cannot be combined with the Duo Bundle or other offers.
Attendance is strictly limited to 65 seats to ensure intimate, high-level access.
Hotel rooms are not included in the ticket price, but after purchase, you will receive an exclusive link to book a room at Hotel Noelle at our discounted group rate.
Bring your right hand, whether that is a business partner, COO, or lead designer. The Duo Bundle includes two full-access tickets at a preferred rate, allowing you to build your studio's internal strategy together. Strengthen your alignment while building your external network.
Hotel rooms are not included in the ticket price, but after purchase, you will receive an exclusive link to book a room at Hotel Noelle at our discounted group rate.
Take a look at how we do it
Taking control of your business future starts in 2026
Over three days, we tackled real studio problems like project timelines, pricing, vendor coordination, and profit visibility. The format was hands-on, with small-group sessions and direct feedback from experts who understand how design businesses operate. The result: attendees left with specific fixes, clearer systems, and a plan to make 2026 feel more manageable and more profitable.
01
Clear pricing & contracts
02
Streamlined project systems
03
A real growth plan
Taking control of your business future starts in Nashville, TN, September 28 - 30, 2026
The best speakers in the industry
Wendy Estela
Founder of Estela Law and Designed Counsel™
Jonathan Gulley
Executive Advisor and Strategy Consultant
Bria Hammel
CEO & Creative Director
More strategy. More systems. More success. Your 2026 retreat starts here.
Empower the Designer
The business retreat for Interior Designers.
Meet the Founder
Julia Nikishina
New Age Financial Consulting (NAFC) is an independent, woman-owned and operated, full-service accounting and financial management firm that exclusively serves the interior design industry.
NAFC offers a comprehensive suite of services, including accounting, payroll and benefits management, HR support/management, budgeting, cash flow planning, financial reporting, retirement and insurance planning, and tax advisory services and return preparation. Acting as a true virtual Chief Financial Officer and extension of design studios, NAFC builds long-lasting client relationships grounded in trust, integrity, and confidentiality.
‘Empower the Designer’ was created with the intention of making the interior design world more accessible, bringing leaders together and providing valuable business advice.
Be part of the Empower the Designer community
2024 Retreat Memory
2025 Retreat Memory
Empower the Designer is a community for interior designers who want to grow their businesses with more clarity.
It’s built on real connection, shared experience, and practical learning. When designers come together with industry experts, we create a space where studios can grow stronger, smarter, and more confidently, while staying true to the work we love.