Nine years ago, what started as a quick, casual phone call between two designer friends became the catalyst for something much bigger than either of us could have imagined. I reached out to Heather, asking if I could add a few of my client orders to one of her existing accounts – hoping to help her meet the minimum for wholesale pricing. It was just a question that I threw out there to her —but it worked, and sparked a much larger idea.
Soon after, we joined forces with two other designers, pooling our vendor accounts and resources and building on the initial idea. Together, we created what would become the foundation of a designer buying group—one that prioritized collaboration, transparency, and mutual benefit. We knew that by working together, we could all gain access to better pricing, meet vendor minimums, and ultimately increase our profit margins while offering more competitive pricing to our clients. We all said “why didn’t we think of this before!?”
What began as four designers helping each other has grown, under Heather’s incredible leadership, into a powerhouse group of over 500 interior designers. This collective buying power has transformed the way many of us do business. As an original founding member, Account Holder, and buyer from other accounts, I’m proud to have been a part of TDC since the beginning —contributing to a system that supports fellow designers in growing their businesses and thriving in a competitive industry.
But more than anything, I’m proud of Heather and the entire community that has grown from that one conversation. What we’ve built together isn’t just about savings or logistics—it’s about supporting one another, sharing resources, and lifting each other up in an industry that can often feel isolating. Here’s to 9 years of growth, collaboration, and collective success—and to all that lies ahead.
Writer: Elizabeth Guest
