Highlights from my podcast interview with interior designer and mentor – Katrina Lumsden

I recently had the opportunity to sit down with my mentor, Katrina Lumsden, for her podcast She Designed A Life She Loves – a platform dedicated to helping women step into their potential and design a life they truly love. Our conversation was more than just a business update; it was a reflection on my journey while working with Katrina, and what happens when mentorship and vision collide to spark transformation across interiors, business, and life itself.

The Power of Mentorship

When I first began working with Katrina, I had enthusiasm, ideas, and a clear passion for holiday homes, but I definitely didn’t have a roadmap. Katrina brought more than just business acumen; she brought lived experience, a unique background in holiday home interiors, and the confidence and clarity that comes from walking the path herself.

Her guidance challenged me to:

Embrace vision work that made me completely clear on the life I wanted to live;

Build a business that strategically supports that lifestyle;

Find the confidence to step forward without fear of failure or embarrassment;

Slow down, trust the process, and stop rushing timelines that weren’t meant to be rushed;

And above all else, treat myself with the same care and respect I want my work to embody.

From Scattered Ideas to a Niche Brand

On the practical side, Katrina helped me see that my diverse professional background was not a hurdle, but my unique advantage. By blending interiors, marketing, and PR, I could create a niche offering in the holiday home space that set me apart.

Together, we narrowed down my business ideas into a focused brand with niche services and a strong style. That clarity has allowed me to not only grow an additional line of income for me and my family, but also build a sustainable business model — one that supports family travel, contributes to our investment property, and funds future interior design projects.

A Mentor Who Embodies Her Message

Katrina is not only a mentor to women and business owners like me; she is a living example of what she teaches. With her own interior design background and successful business deeply rooted in the holiday home space, she is currently renovating a beachfront holiday home of her own – one of her dreams come true. Her philosophy is simple but powerful: when you align your vision, your values, and your daily actions, you can design both a business and a life you love.

The Full Story

This podcast episode truly captures an honest story of transformation: a mentor and mentee working together to turn passion into purpose, and purpose into a thriving business and lifestyle.

To hear the full conversation, listen here.