How we designed Mel Robbins' Podcast Studio

This isn't a story about how we chose colors, materials and furniture to completely dream up a podcast studio for one of our clients, Mel Robbins. This is the story of HOW it all happened. How a web design agency found themselves taking on an interior design ask for one of their biggest clients.

Let's start at the beginning.

We started working with Mel and her team after we were introduced by her photographer and our longtime friend, Jenny Moloney. It turned out, Mel and I had more things in common - for instance, at the time she was living in the same small town in MA that I grew up in (what are the chances!?) and was cousins with another close childhood friend of mine. Therefore, there was already an immediate sense of comfort and familiarity with Mel. Though, let's be honest — that didn't get us the work. Our work, drive, confidence, passion and steadfastness won us the work.

Regardless, the first project we teamed up with Mel on was her book cover design for The High 5 Habit. Behind the scenes, we'd been working together for months, starting to rethink her branding, art directed her photoshoot, and were in the early stages of creating her first website with Skye High. It was a fully immersed collaborative process.

After about a year of working together on the book, journal, podcast launch, first website, and SO much more, Mel texted me one day:

"Hey! I'd love to talk to you about a few projects we have going on."

Umm of COURSE! I immediately hopped on the phone with her where she asked me point blank if we'd design her podcast studio for her newly built home in VT. The room was a blank canvas and desperately needed help.

Had I ever designed a studio space? No. Did I have any idea what I was doing by saying yes? No. None! Did that stop me? Absolutely not.

I knew I had resources and if I needed help, I could find it. I also knew this was an opportunity I had to take. Not just because it was Mel asking for it, but because doing this kind of project could be great for our business. It could show other clients that we're more than just a branding and web agency. It could lead to more offices, or houses, or ANYTHING! The point is - it might scare you, but if there's interest, don't say no, say yes and figure it out afterwards.

So what did I do?

Step 1. I researched my ass off.

I pulled tons of inspiration and created mood boards. I thought about what I know about Mel but also what I thought would look good as a video background. I didn't want it to feel cluttered or too home-like, but I also didn't want it to feel generic or boring. I wanted it to feel like Mel.

Step 2. I sold my ideas

To do this, I mocked up the space in Photoshop to show what it COULD look like. Clients have a hard time with mood boards because it still forces them to imagine the space. However, bringing it into Photoshop allowed me to mock it up so it looked so realistic Mel wouldn't have to 'imagine', she could SEE it. It made selling the idea that much easier.

Step 3. I proved what I'm capable of, yet again

With clients like Mel, we can't get lazy or complacent. We have to constantly prove why they're working with us over another agency and what our value is. Many times, that'll simply be to do the job they've originally hired you to do, but it can also require pushing outside your comfort zone and taking on new asks that seem scary or intimidating.