In this episode of the Blueprints Podcast, Isabelle sits down with Heather Rivera, owner and founder of Wallflower Designs and lead designer at Carpet Studio Flooring America in Okemos, Michigan. Heather shares her unconventional journey from owning an auditing firm to becoming a sought-after interior designer, explaining how her natural eye for color, love of sourcing beautiful pieces, and willingness to experiment shaped her creative career.

The conversation dives deep into what true design really means, why biophilic design and bringing nature into the home creates calmer, more personal spaces, and why great design takes time, intention, and trust. Heather and Isabelle discuss the importance of living in a space before making major changes, avoiding rushed decisions, and creating a neutral “white box” when starting a remodel to better understand your home’s architecture and flow.

If you’re looking for real-world insight into design trends, flooring selection, remodeling decisions, and how to create a home that actually reflects who you are, this episode delivers practical advice and fresh perspective from two passionate industry professionals.

In this episode of The Blueprints Podcast, Isabelle and Michael deep dive into one of the most important topics in business today: how to build a strong, healthy, growth-oriented company culture.

Together, they unpack what “culture” really means inside a remodeling and construction company, why it starts with the entrepreneur, and how personal growth directly shapes the team’s success. Michael shares the lessons he learned scaling Custom Built from a handful of people to a 40-person design–build firm.

Whether you're a remodeling contractor, business owner, construction leader, or entrepreneur, this conversation is packed with actionable insights on building a team that grows together, supports each other, and makes a meaningful impact on families — both inside and outside the company.

In this episode, Isabelle and Michael talk about why right now is the perfect time to build a career in the construction and trades industry.

From a nationwide housing shortage to the mass retirement of baby boomers, the demand for skilled trades—like carpentry, plumbing, electrical work, and HVAC—has never been higher. Michael and Isabelle unpack the reasons behind the skilled labor gap, what that means for future builders, and how schools, parents, and communities can help inspire the next generation of tradespeople.