About Us
With a focus on empowering small business operators, we aim to provide valuable insights into design processes, whilst demystifying industry secrets and encouraging balance and wellness.
Our mission
Connection
We want to create a powerful design community. When we're connected, we become better people. Join our community.
Sharing
We are connecting with the best in the industry, and sharing their experience, knowledge and passion. Our Masterclasses give you unprecedented access into the minds of some of our most influential industry leaders.
Empowerment
We have a strong focus on positivity, support and kindness. Our Coaching sessions enable you to uncover the blocks that are holding you back, and gently guide you to an exciting future.
Goal Setting
We know that through powerful goal setting, we achieve great outcomes. Through our Coaching, we are nurturing the dreams of our design future.
Learning
In our Design Lab sessions we provide tips and tools for designers to be unstoppable and live a big life. Our Retreats and International Excursions provide designers with the opportunity to grow and experience the wonders of the world.
Practices we foster
Our People
Andrew Mitchell
Founding Director
Andrew is the director of MR. MITCHELL, a successful interior design practice based in Melbourne and Byron Bay. He has previously taught at Mercer School of Interior Design and was contracted to set up systems and processes for a national interior design company with more than 90 designers.
Over the years of his business, Andrew has experienced many highs and lows and made many mistakes. As a sole operator, there were often times of feeling isolated, so much so that he was driven to the edge of quitting. However, it is those very mistakes that are now the foundation of the successful systems and processes that have guided his business to considerable success.
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Jillian Hood
Operations Manager
Jillian has over 15 years experience in the interior design industry and throughout her career, she has pursued her passion for business, marketing, communications and events.
She has held varied roles in the interior design industry including Interior Designer and Decorator, wholesale showroom management, General Manager of Mercer School of Interior Design and most recently as Publisher of the Architectural and Design Division, Niche Media where she managed the IDEA Awards, Australian Design Review (ADR), Inside and Architectural Review magazines.
Jillian understands the challenges that face our design community having run her own interior design business for 10 years. As Operations Manager at The Design Coach she assists Andrew with business development, marketing/communications, events and the efficient running of TDC.
David Whiting
Brand Manager
David has over 18 years of graphic design, marketing and advertising experience. He has developed and implemented visual identities for a wide range of iconic retail businesses.
David comes with a high level of experience executing design solutions due to his time spent in multi-national advertising agencies.
To further support his interest and passion for creating immersive environments, he has recently finished a qualification in Interior Design and is working on high end hospitality projects for BAR Studio.
Alix Helps
Sydney Operations Manager
Alix is the creative force behind Alix Helps Interiors, a thriving Interior Design and Decoration Studio on Sydney's North Shore. Prior to pursuing her creative path, Alix amassed 18 years of experience crafting training programs to bring about customer service excellence in global blue-chip businesses.
Throughout the growth of her design business, Alix has drawn on her natural capacity as a gatherer of people to build a strong network amongst the design community. She brings a passion, enthusiasm and exceptional customer experience focus to all her projects.
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Louise Walker
Developmental Coach
Louise has spent the past decade working as a developmental coach, facilitating the inner freedom of her clients through identifying what’s been holding them back.
Her style of intentionally disruptive coaching empowers her clients, encouraging a new awareness in their behaviour – reframing un-resourceful thinking and shifting old patterns in the process.
Prior to pursuing her path as a coach and facilitator, Louise spent many years in the experiential marketing world. Her role was to design and activate events to elicit emotional connections between brands and their target consumers. She’s created events, stunts and road shows for many businesses such as Google, Nintendo, 3 mobile and Abbotts Village Bakery.
James Lambrou
Business Development Coach
With 18+ years working in the faculty of interior design & architecture both as a creative and in business and team management, James would like to think that he is not only very fortunate, but also a little unique in what he brings to the industry.
James is lucky to have worn a variety of hats in his career, revealing an ability to engage and embrace diverse business opportunities and the responsibility that each demanded.
He has undertaken roles including Business Development Director, Commercial Director, Associate Principal and Practice Director. These broad experiences have offered James the chance to develop a skill-set that is truly multidisciplinary.
Currently, James leads in the business growth of the Unios brand across Victoria, Tasmania and the ACT, driving new business from the Architecture Interiors and Lighting Designers sector.
About Andrew
Our Masterclass Community
Become a TDC Member - It's free
Who can become a member?
Architects, Decorators, Graphic Designers, Interior Designers, Interior Stylists, Landscape Designers, Students of Design, Textile Designers
What do you get?
- Book tickets to our Classes & Events
- Access our free member events through our Social Club
- Place a deposit for our Retreats
- Monthly free member coaching