About the Conference
Curated: The Business of Design was created for interior designers who want to build stronger, more profitable businesses without losing the creativity that brought them into the industry.
This one-day immersive conference brings together some of the most respected voices in design, operations, branding, construction management, and entrepreneurship to share real-world strategies that help designers lead with confidence and grow with intention.
Whether you're refining a mature business or looking to avoid costly mistakes early in your career, Curated offers actionable education, meaningful conversations, and unparalleled access to industry leaders who have successfully navigated the challenges of building a thriving design firm.
Join us for a day of keynote presentations, panel discussions, networking, and candid conversations designed to equip you with the tools, systems, and mindset needed to elevate your business and your impact.
Because great design deserves a great business behind it.
About the Host
Set in the heart of the Upstate, Greenville has quickly become one of the Southeast’s most vibrant and fast-growing destinations, known for its walkable downtown, creative energy, and thriving community of entrepreneurs and designers. With its inspiring backdrop, Greenville provides the perfect setting for meaningful connection, innovation, and business growth.
At the center of this experience is SL2 Designer Services, a premier trade-only interior design showroom serving the Upstate and Southeast regions. Led by CEO Stephanie Swander Leap, SL2 has become a trusted leader for designers seeking resources, inspiration, and industry connections. With years of experience in the design world, Stephanie’s vision for this conference was born out of a desire to help others elevate their businesses while fostering a deeper community within the interior design industry.
Curated: The Business of Design was created as an extension of that vision—a space where designers are equipped with practical tools, strengthened in leadership, and connected to a network of peers who are shaping the future of the industry.
Meet The Speakers
LuAnn Nigara
Ready to ignite the full potential of your entrepreneurial spirit? Join industry expert LuAnn Nigara as she delivers, in her trademark high energy style, the Ten Non-Negotiables that every top-performing entrepreneur follows. This talk distills years of entrepreneurial wisdom into actionable insights that will drive you to refine your purpose, optimize your operations, and elevate your leadership.
To support designers in evolving their business path, LuAnn shares the ten essential non-negotiables followed by all thriving entrepreneurs, drawing on her extensive leadership experience for the Curated community.
With 30 years of experience managing construction projects, Renee Biery understands what it takes to lead with confidence, collaborate effectively with contractors, and advocate for clients while keeping projects profitable and running smoothly. Her career has been built at the intersection of design and construction, with expertise spanning not only the creative side of design, but also the management, strategy, and financial oversight required to execute successful projects.
Whether working with seasoned designers refining their construction management process or those stepping into renovations for the first time, Renee helps designers streamline their approach, avoid costly missteps, and confidently lead on the job site — all while continuing to focus on what they do best: designing.
Renee Biery
Running a successful design firm requires far more than great taste. In this session, Kate O’Hara will break down the systems, structure, and financial mindset needed to operate a design business like a true CEO. From streamlining operations and refining processes to understanding profitability and building a sustainable firm, this conversation is designed to help interior designers move from reactive business owners to confident leaders.
Whether you’re building your team, tightening up workflows, or ready to gain better control of your numbers, this session will provide practical insight you can immediately apply to your business. Kate O’Hara joins Curated to talk CEO mindset, operations, and financials — because building a beautiful business requires more than beautiful design. This session is for the designer ready to lead with clarity, structure, and confidence.
Kate O’Hara
Cheryl Luckett
Cheryl Luckett is an award-winning interior designer, speaker, and creative entrepreneur known for her vibrant, layered interiors and approachable perspective on luxury living. As the founder of Dwell by Cheryl Interiors, she has built a nationally recognized brand rooted in bold design, thoughtful storytelling, and authentic connection. Cheryl is also known for her appearances on television and for inspiring designers to create businesses that reflect both their creativity and their values.
Cheryl Luckett joins the Curated stage to share her perspective on building a recognizable and authentic design brand. Known for her vibrant interiors and approachable luxury aesthetic, Cheryl has expanded her business through national licensing partnerships and brand collaborations while staying deeply rooted in authenticity and personal connection.
Deb Mitchell
Marketing your design firm shouldn’t feel like throwing content at the wall and hoping something sticks. In this session, attendees will learn how to clarify their messaging, define what truly sets their firm apart, and create intentional visibility that attracts the right clients — all without feeling like they have to become full-time marketers to grow a successful business.
Deb Mitchell is joining the Curated stage to teach designers how to clearly communicate their value, refine their brand messaging, and attract the right clients with intention — without losing themselves trying to “keep up” with marketing.