19 Hours 2026 Recap: Preparing for the Next Wave

What Is 19 Hours? 

Now in its seventh year, 19 Hours is a virtual conference designed to help interior design professionals strengthen the business side of their firms. Co-hosted by Studio Designer and Mydoma, the event brings together industry leaders for two days of practical conversations focused on profitability, operations, technology, client experience, and sustainable growth. 

Created in 2020 during a period of major industry change, 19 Hours has evolved into an annual opportunity for designers to step back, learn from peers, and make more intentional decisions about the future of their businesses. 

This year’s theme, “Preparing for the Next Wave,” explored how designers can adapt to shifting client expectations, rising costs, AI-driven tools, and new business models while building firms that remain profitable, resilient, and manageable.

Opening Keynote: Run It Like a Business—The Only Strategy That Survives Every Wave

Speaker: LuAnn Nigara, A Well-Designed Business

LuAnn Nigara opened 19 Hours 2026 with a reminder that while trends, technology, and economic conditions will continue to change, strong businesses are built on fundamentals. Rather than chasing every new opportunity, she encouraged designers to focus on creating profitable, systemized, and resilient firms that can adapt to any challenge. 

Core Message: A strong business foundation—not the latest trend—is what allows firms to thrive through change. 

Key Takeaways: 

• Master the five core areas of business: operations, finance, sales, marketing, and leadership. 
• Prioritize profitability and understand your numbers to create stability and growth. 
• Build systems and processes that support consistency and confident decision-making. 
• Embrace AI as a tool for efficiency, while recognizing that creativity and expertise remain your greatest assets. 

Power Quote: “The only true safeguard against any wave—whether it’s AI, COVID, or an economic downturn—is a solid business foundation.” – LuAnn Nigara 

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Show Up & Close: Body Language Secrets That Win Clients 

Speakers: Nancy Quinn & Lesley Myrick, Profit Insiders Coaching

Nancy Quinn and Lesley Myrick explored the often-overlooked role body language plays in building trust, confidence, and client relationships. They shared practical techniques designers can use to strengthen their presence in meetings, networking events, and sales conversations—demonstrating how small nonverbal cues can have a major impact on client perception and decision-making. 

Core Message: Clients often decide whether to trust and hire you before you finish speaking. Your body language can reinforce—or undermine—the expertise you’re trying to communicate. 

Key Takeaways: 

• Confidence starts before the conversation—use “power poses” to reduce stress and improve presence. 
• Visible hands, intentional gestures, and strong eye contact are powerful trust-builders. 
• Body positioning matters: face clients directly, stay engaged, and avoid signals that suggest distraction or discomfort. 
• Small habits, like thoughtful nodding and active listening, help clients feel heard and understood. 

Power Quote: “Most communication is not about your words. Your warmth and competence are read through your body language long before you speak.” – Nancy Quinn

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The Power of Professional Community 

Speakers:  
Amy Devine, Auer Design Hause
Nikki Levy, Nikki Levy Interiors
Margie Kaercher, Hearth and Honey Homes

Amy Devine (ASID), Nikki Levy (Interior Design Community), and Margie Kaercher (IDS Tampa) explored how professional organizations help designers build stronger businesses through connection, mentorship, and shared knowledge. While technology and AI continue to reshape the industry, the panel emphasized that relationships, collaboration, and community remain essential for long-term success.  

Core Message: Professional community is more than networking—it’s a strategic investment in your business, growth, and career.  

Key Takeaways: 

• Professional community is a business strategy, not just networking.  
• Active participation creates more value than membership alone.  
• Industry groups provide trusted support, resources, and real-world business advice.  
• Human connection remains a competitive advantage in an increasingly digital and AI-driven industry.  

Power Quote: 
“Membership doesn’t create value—participation does. The people who get the most out of professional organizations are the ones who show up, engage, and build relationships.” – Margie Kaercher 

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Product Procurement in the AI Era

Speaker: Karie Kelly, Studio Designer | Mydoma

Karie Kelly explored how AI is reshaping product sourcing and procurement for interior designers. Rather than focusing on AI as a replacement for expertise, she emphasized its role as a sourcing partner—helping designers spend less time searching, tracking, and managing data so they can spend more time designing. The session highlighted the importance of using AI tools built on trusted, trade-specific data to improve accuracy, efficiency, and client confidence. 

Core Message: AI is most valuable when it enhances your expertise, streamlines procurement, and helps you make faster, more informed decisions—without sacrificing accuracy or trust. 

Key Takeaways: 

• AI should act as a sourcing partner, not just a search engine. 
• Accurate, trade-specific data is more important than speed alone. 
• Reducing procurement and administrative work creates more time for design. 
• The best AI tools amplify expertise and client trust—they don’t replace it. 

Power Quote: “The sources designers trust most are the showrooms, brands, and relationships they’ve built over time. The opportunity is finding a way to scale that trust.” – Karie Kelly 

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The Lean Design Firm: Smaller Teams, Bigger Impact 

Speakers: 
Wendy Woloshchuk, DETAILS Interiors
Jennifer Tampasis, Jennifer Lynn Interiors
Marsha Sefcik, Business Consultant and Designer
& Moderator LuAnn Nigara 

This candid panel challenged the idea that success in interior design requires constant growth, bigger teams, and larger offices. Through their own experiences, Wendy Woloshchuk, Jennifer Tampasis, and Marsha Sefcik shared how they have intentionally built smaller, highly profitable firms that support both their businesses and their personal lives. Moderated by LuAnn Nigara, the conversation focused on defining success on your own terms and building a business that aligns with your goals, values, and lifestyle. 

Core Message: Bigger is not always better. A lean, well-run business can deliver strong profits, exceptional client experiences, and a more balanced life when built with intention. 

Key Takeaways: 

• Success should be defined by your goals, not industry expectations. 
• Strong systems, boundaries, and accountability are essential regardless of firm size. 
• Knowing your numbers is critical to building a profitable business. 
• Small firms can be highly agile, profitable, and sustainable when operated intentionally. 

Power Quote: 

“If your business is giving you what you want financially, creatively, and personally, then small can be a very smart strategy.” – LuAnn Nigara 

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Exploring Specialized Revenue Streams 

Speakers: 
Stacy McCarthy, Stacy McCarthy Design
Shannon Ggem, Shannon Ggem Design
Sharon L. Sherman, Thyme & Place Design &
Katye McGregor Bennett, KMB Communications

This interactive session gave attendees the opportunity to explore three emerging specialty areas within interior design: wellness-focused environments, design after disaster, and sustainable design. Through breakout discussions led by industry experts, participants learned how these niche services can create new revenue opportunities, strengthen client relationships, and help differentiate their firms in a competitive market. 

Core Message: Some of the most valuable growth opportunities aren’t found by expanding your team—they’re found by expanding your expertise. Specialized services allow designers to meet evolving client needs while creating new paths for revenue and business growth. 

Key Takeaways: 

• Wellness, restoration, and sustainability are growing areas of opportunity for design firms. 
• Specialized expertise can strengthen client relationships and create premium service offerings. 
• Many designers already provide niche value—they simply need to position and communicate it more clearly. 
• Emerging service areas can help diversify revenue while differentiating your business in the marketplace. 
• The best niche offerings solve real client problems while aligning with your interests and expertise. 

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Pricing Today, Planning Tomorrow

Speakers: 
Claire Jefford, Claire Jefford Inc.
Jeanne K. Chung, Cozy Stylish Chic
& Ray Chung, Cozy Stylish Chic

This discussion-based session focused on two of the most important drivers of business success: pricing and profitability. After a brief introduction, attendees chose between two breakout conversations designed to help designers navigate today’s financial realities while preparing for the future. The session emphasized that staying profitable requires both confidence in your pricing and a willingness to adapt your business as the industry evolves. 

Core Message: Profitability doesn’t happen by accident. Designers who understand their numbers, price intentionally, and adapt to changing market conditions are better positioned for long-term success. 

Breakout Discussions: 

Charge Smarter, Earn More: Pricing Strategies for Growth & Stability 
Led by Claire Jefford, this discussion explored pricing models, common revenue leaks, and strategies designers can use to create more consistent and sustainable profitability. 

The Next Wave of Design: Staying Relevant, Profitable, and Future-Ready 
Led by Jeanne and Ray Chung, this conversation focused on navigating rising costs, changing client expectations, technology, and evolving business models while maintaining profitability and long-term growth. 

Key Takeaways: 

• Strong pricing strategies are essential for sustainable growth and profitability. 
• Regularly evaluating your business model helps you stay competitive and future-ready. 
• Rising costs require proactive planning, communication, and financial discipline. 
• Understanding where revenue leaks occur can improve profitability and cash flow. 
• Successful firms evolve their processes and pricing as the industry changes. 

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Closing Keynote: What They Experience 

Speaker: Kate O’Hara, The Lakehouse Group 

In the closing keynote of 19 Hours 2026, Kate O’Hara challenged designers to look beyond the experience they intend to create and focus on the experience clients actually have. Through stories from both the hospitality and design industries, she illustrated how trust is built—or lost—in the small moments throughout a project. Kate emphasized that the most successful firms don’t just deliver beautiful design; they intentionally create systems and processes that make clients feel understood, supported, and cared for at every stage of the journey. 

Core Message: The gap between what you think you’re delivering and what your clients are actually experiencing may be the single biggest opportunity for growth in your business. 

Key Takeaways: 

• The client experience begins long before the final reveal and extends through every interaction. 
• Clear expectations and consistent communication build trust throughout the project. 
• Personalization is most effective when supported by intentional systems and processes. 
• Regular feedback helps uncover and close gaps between intention and experience. 

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Key Themes Across the Event 

Several key messages emerged throughout the 2026 19 Hours Virtual Conference.  

Build the Business First: Strong systems, profitability, and leadership create the foundation for every future opportunity. 

Use AI Intentionally: The best technology amplifies expertise, saves time, and strengthens decision-making. 

Define Success on Your Terms: Growth isn’t always about getting bigger—it’s about building a business that supports your goals. 

Relationships Still Win: Community, trust, and human connection remain powerful differentiators. 

Client Experience Matters Most: Every process, interaction, and decision shapes how clients perceive your value. 

Watch the Sessions On-Demand  

🎥 Missed a session or want to rewatch your favorites?  
Recordings of all 2026 sessions are available on-demand.  
👉 Watch the full event here