In this episode we sit down with the dynamic duo Mike and Bryan Yates of Yates Desygn. If you know them, you already know you’re in for sharp wit, bold vision, and unapologetic honesty. If you don’t know them yet—trust me, you’ll want to.
We talk about the turning points that pushed them to expand, how they designed a workspace that actually sells their vision to clients, and why natural light and thoughtful details matter more than most people think.
Here’s a taste of what we dive into:
- How they scaled from a 500 sq. ft. shared office to a 3,500 sq. ft. experiential studio that doubles as a design showcase.
- The real talk about vendor relationships, trust, and why saying no to the wrong clients is sometimes the best “yes” for your business.
- The messy, human side of growth—losing team members, rethinking operations, and what it really takes to build morale after setbacks.
- How creating their own projects (and even eating the cost of mistakes) has shaped the way they guide clients through the emotional rollercoaster of design.
You’ll hear practical ways to think about vendor relationships, managing the emotional side of projects, and setting clear expectations with clients so trust becomes the foundation of every design. And, of course, we touch on their upcoming Kips Bay Show House project and how giving back fuels their creativity.
