Design & Entrepreneurship
HAY, REBECCA Rebecca Hay: Designer, Business Coach, Podcaster and Mother WRITTEN BY ESTELLE ZENTIL
Candid and warm, interior designer Hay is the host of the Resilient by Design podcast and offers online courses for interior design professionals
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ith a passion for turning a house into a home through a design esthetic that is approachable and classic, designer Rebecca Hay candidly shares why she chooses to focus on collaboration over competition, her love for podcasting (one perk: no makeup and hairstyle required) and her honest advice to other 16
CITY LIFE MAGAZINE
Dec/Jan 2021/22
working parents struggling with worklife balance. Q: Why have you made it your mission to disrupt the traditional elitism and secrecy that have been cornerstones of the interior design industry? A: I firmly believe the world is a better place without elitism and secrecy.
Q: Can you tell us about your podcast Resilient by Design? What do you love most about the podcast space? A: I started my podcast, Resilient by Design, in the middle of the pandemic. My jobs had slowed almost to a halt, and it was something I had always wanted to do, but didn’t have the time. I love to give back and share with the community. As it turns out, the podcast was the best thing that came out of the pandemic for me. It’s such a great opportunity to talk with a variety of experts from around the world. It’s such an incredible platform for sharing knowledge and building community. I also truly love that with a podcast, you don’t have to do your hair and makeup — LOL. It’s really about the contact and the words and the personality. There’s no judging a book by the cover, because you can’t see who’s on the other end. Q: Why do you think it’s important to focus on collaboration over competition? A: There’s an expression I love, but I www.mycitylife.ca
PHOTO BY STEFANIE NEVES
When I started in this industry, I found it very intimidating not only because I was young and new at the craft, but also because the Toronto design scene was such a tight and very exclusive community. It was common for people to keep their trades to themselves. It was somewhat unheard of to ask another designer to share their resources. It only contributes to the feeling that it’s survival of the fittest, and every person for themself. I do not believe this will breed the most creative result, nor does it build up a community that needs to share information, so that we can become stronger.