If you’re looking for some inspiration to kick off your new year, here are five business books that have truly shaped my thinking, along with a bit more about why each one is worth your time. These are the ones that I refer back to over and over again.

Media outlets love holiday stories because they resonate with readers and provide a sense of nostalgia and inspiration. And while these stories publish in November or December, editors usually plan them a year or more in advance for print. It can also be more challenging for editors to find great spaces decorated for Christmas, so the competition is much less for these types of stories.

Let's talk about marketing your interior design business—you know, that thing you're supposed to be amazing at because you have "an eye" for design, but somehow it always ends up at the bottom of your to-do list, right underneath "organize fabric samples by color" and "actually post to Instagram today."

Expert opinion quotes matter more than you think. Let’s break down why generic quotes get cut, and what actually makes editors come back for more.

Wondering if now is the right time to hire PR?
If you’ve just wrapped a dream project, launched something new, or landed a book deal, the answer might be obvious. But what if things are a little quieter? How do you know if the timing—and the investment—makes sense?

Before we got really good at landing design panel spots for our clients, we were doing it all wrong. We used to think an impressive bio and a list of accolades were enough to get designers invited to speak. We’d fire off emails and wait for the offers to roll in... and they didn’t.

But over time, we figured it out. And now we help clients land meaningful, high-visibility speaking opportunities that position them as true industry thought leaders.

Here’s what we’ve learned (the hard way):