If you're an aspiring interior designer, career changer, or established designer trying to grow a sustainable business, you may feel pressure to know everything before you begin. You may also believe that growth means taking on more projects, hiring more people, or becoming the person who can handle every detail of every project.
But Annie Obermann’s journey with Forge and Bow offers a different perspective. Annie and her husband and business partner, Jordan Obermann, didn't start with formal design training or a perfectly structured business plan. They learned through renovating their own homes, working with partners, making mistakes, and eventually building a boutique design-build firm known for thoughtful residential renovation, craftsmanship, and high-end design. This year, Forge and Bow is celebrating its 10th anniversary.
In this episode, I talk with Annie about what happens when you are brave enough to start before you know everything—and humble enough to recognize when you need better systems, experienced team members, and outside support. We explore client experience, project management, team communication, hiring, professional development, branding, delegation, and how to build an interior design career that supports both your professional and personal life.
Featured Guest
Annie Obermann co-leads Forge and Bow, a Colorado-based boutique design-build firm, with her husband and business partner, Jordan Obermann. Together, they have transformed the residential landscape of Northern Colorado through timeless, warm, nostalgic design paired with expert craftsmanship. Annie brings expertise in interior architecture, while Jordan contributes a strong spatial and visionary perspective. Their work includes historic renovations and custom new builds, with a focus on creating cohesive, functional, and elegant homes that reflect each client's unique story. Forge and Bow is celebrating its 10th anniversary and is known for thoughtful problem-solving, meticulous attention to detail, and a commitment to quality.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode
✳️ How courage can launch your interior design career
✳️ Why sustainable growth requires strong business processes
✳️ How team communication improves the client experience
✳️ Why competency matters when hiring design professionals
✳️ How delegation creates more freedom and business growth
Read the Blog >>> 6 Proven Strategies on Building a Sustainable Interior Design Business
NEXT STEPS:
🎯 Join My Design Mentor and start creating a design career you truly love.
👉https://my-design-mentor.mn.co
Check out our Designer's Playlist!
*️ Start Your Interior Design Journey
*️ From Newbie to Confident Designer
*️ Switching Gears to Interior Design
Grab your freebies:
📺 Watch this free webinar, "From Passion to Profit," and learn the 5 Money Moves to start your interior design business right
📌 Your Roadmap to a Career in Interior Design
🎨 3 Things I Wish I had known when I Started my Career
Connect With Me:
📧 Email: podcast@rwarddesign.com
🔆 Instagram: @rwarddesign
🌎 Website atrwarddesign.com
Thanks for listening! I hope this helps you discover if interior design is the career for you. See you next week...
Timestamps
0:00 Introduction and Guest Bio
2:57 Annie’s Unconventional Path Into Interior Design
5:09 How HGTV Helped Shape Forge and Bow
7:20 The Story Behind the Forge and Bow Name
8:41 Building a Team and Processes
10:49 Connecting Systems With Client Experience
12:44 Building Strong Team Communication
14:55 Competency Versus Personality When Hiring
19:09 Creating a Culture of Constant Learning
20:30 Future Goals and Business Strategy
24:18 Advice for Aspiring Designers
