The Retreat That Redefines What’s Possible for Your Design Business.

The Midwest Design Retreat is an exclusive, three-day, all-inclusive event crafted for interior designers who want more—more clarity, more confidence, more growth. Hosted by Jennifer Davis of Davis Interiors at the historic Hewing Hotel in Minneapolis, MN, this intimate gathering blends tailored business training, creative inspiration, and curated networking.

With sessions led by celebrated designers, industry experts, and leading business coaches, you’ll leave with a personalized roadmap, a powerful network, and renewed inspiration to scale your business with purpose.

An Immersive Experience Where Creativity Meets Business Growth

Escape the day-to-day and immerse yourself in an environment designed to fuel your growth. The Midwest Design Retreat—hosted by Jennifer Davis of Davis Interiors—combines high-level business strategy, creative inspiration, and intentional networking in one unforgettable experience.

With engaging sessions led by well-known designers and industry coaches, attendees will gain valuable insights on topics crucial to their success, such as:

  • Pricing for profitability
  • Creating and maintaining vendor and trade partnerships
  • Client experience
  • Implementing efficient systems and processes
  • PR and Marketing
  • Brand strategy
  • Successful relationships with Builders

What Makes the Midwest Design Retreat Different?

Unlike other workshops that follow a preset curriculum, our sessions are built around you.

Before the event, we invite every attendee to submit their specific challenges and questions so our expert speakers can tailor the content for maximum impact.

This means every conversation, breakout session, and presentation is directly relevant to the growth of your business.

Other standout differences:

  • Curated, High-Value Sessions: Learn from renowned celebrity designers, business coaches, and industry leaders.
  • Hands-On Breakouts: Move from learning to implementation so you leave with actionable steps—not just ideas.
  • Unforgettable Evenings: Network over elegant dinner parties that feel more like a celebration than a business event.
  • A Historic Setting: The Hewing Hotel’s warm, character-rich atmosphere enhances the experience, making learning feel inspiring and elevated.

Your All-Inclusive Investment

We’ve taken care of every detail so you can fully focus on learning, connection, and transformation:

  • All meals, drinks, and snacks during workshop hours
  • Access to every keynote, panel, and breakout session
  • Open Q&A with our expert speakers
  • Thoughtfully curated attendee gifts
  • A supportive community atmosphere that fosters lifelong industry connections
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Designed for the Interior Designer Who Wants More

This retreat is for the designer who’s ready to:

  • Price for profitability without second-guessing their worth.
  • Build lasting vendor and trade relationships that drive repeat business.
  • Refine their client experience to attract better projects.
  • Implement efficient systems and processes that save time and money.
  • Leverage PR and marketing to position themselves as the go-to in their market.
  • Strengthen relationships with builders for higher-value collaborations.
  • Align their brand strategy with their vision for growth.
  • Prioritize wellness while scaling their success.

What You Can Expect

  • 1. Not Another Cookie-Cutter Workshop

    Every element of the retreat is tailored to the real challenges and goals of our attendees—because we ask you what you need before you arrive.

  • 2. Elite Industry Access

    Learn from celebrated designers, powerhouse business coaches, and industry leaders sharing their real-world expertise.

  • 3. Hands On Learning

    Move beyond passive listening and apply what you learn in guided breakout sessions designed for real-time implementation, problem-solving, and personalized feedback—so you leave with strategies you’ve already put into practice.

  • 4. Unforgettable Experience

    The event takes place at the beautiful Hewing Hotel, enhancing the overall experience with its rich history and charm.

Meet The 2026 Speakers

This is your chance to learn from some of the most influential leaders in the design industry. Our speakers will provide authentic and candid advice, sharing their knowledge and experiences to help you elevate your business. You'll have exclusive access to them during sessions, meals, and Q&A opportunities. Don't miss this invaluable chance to grow and connect!

Melissa Oholendt

OHO Interiors

Melissa Oholendt found her passion for interior design in her youth; buying shelter magazines with her allowance from picking strawberries in the backyard and painting her bedroom that perfect shade of navy blue. However, after beginning her interior design college education in 2001, it took more than 15 years, a fast paced career for a distressed debt hedge fund in Minneapolis and a decade long entrepreneurial career in photography, for Melissa to step into her purpose in 2019, where Oho Interiors began.

Melissa has been quoted in the Wall Street Journal, Architectural Digest, LivingEtc, Domino Magazine, Rue Magazine, Business of Home, Homes & Gardens and more. You can also find her on a few podcasts such as Consider the Wildflowers and Bus Bench Babes with more coming in 2025. In 2024, Melissa launched a shop in collaboration with the luxury brand, Perigold, was named a Top 40 Expert on the prestigious platform The Expert and was a keynote speaker at The Haven Workshop in Sonoma, California.

Kate O'Hara

O'Hara Interiors

Kate O’Hara is the CEO and Creative Director of O’Hara Interiors, an acclaimed interior design firm with studios in Minneapolis, Austin, and Dallas. Known for bringing their Lake's Region perspective to an international clientele, O’Hara Interiors has been featured in publications such as Architectural Digest, Elle Decor, and Artful Living. Kate's expertise in design and business strategy has led to recognition as a top CEO by the Austin Business Journal and a reputation as a sought-after voice in the interior design community.

Allison Hay

Communications Strategist & Writer

With a career rooted in top design-focused PR agencies in New York City, Allison has led communications strategies for industry-leading brands such as 1stDibs, Kohler, Arteriors, Serena & Lily, The Shade Store, and York Wallcoverings. She specializes in developing robust communications strategies for showroom openings, anniversaries, and licensed designer collections and partnerships—having launched programs with Leanne Ford, Amber Lewis, Barry Dixon, Jay Jeffers, Celerie Kemble, Workshop/APD, and more.

Her work spans a wide range of product categories—from wallcoverings to smart home solutions—and includes deep experience across the art, fashion, and lifestyle spaces. A passionate storyteller and creative strategist, Allison is known for crafting scalable, impactful ideas that resonate with the right audiences.

Katie Kath

Jkath Design Build + Reinvent

Katie Kath is the CEO and Creative Director for Jkath Design Build + Reinvent. Specializing in high end renovations with custom interiors while leaning on their cabinet shop to deliver beautifully crafted cabinetry for all their client work has created a niche market for their firm in the Midwest, with a waiting list for future work. Jkath is celebrating over 15 years in business, more than 100 completed renovation projects with a niche in historic homes. An expanded team of 10, that includes an interior design studio, custom cabinetry shop with a retail bathroom vanity collection, and project management of construction field crews.


Katie aligns herself with fellow women owned businesses in the Twin Cities community as a facilitator for The Business Women's Circle, and a 10+ year member of the Women’s President Organization.  These organizations create a space that connects, builds communities, and creates experiences for women to grow.

Desi Creswell

Interior Design Life & Business Coach

Desi Creswell is a Master Certified Life and Business Coach who helps interior designers build thriving businesses without the stress and overwhelm. An award-winning interior designer herself, Desi worked for world-renowned design and architecture firms prior to establishing her own practice. After experiencing burnout from an endless to-do list and the competing interests of work and home, she was determined to find solutions for creating success that is truly self-defined.

Using her Designed to Thrive methodology Desi blends mindset tools, actionable strategies, and industry-specific expertise to support her clients with topics such as time management, emotional resilience, leadership, goal setting, and more.  

Desi is the host of the top ranked podcast,The Interior Design Business CEOand has been featured in publications such asBusiness of Home,Designers TodayandA Well Designed Business: The Power Talk Friday Experts, Volume 2

Jennifer Davis

davis interiors

Jennifer Davis has 30 years of diverse industry experience in sales, marketing, distribution, and design. Five years ago, she launched Davis Interiors full-time. Jennifer is committed to creating joy through exceptional client experiences, transformational design, and meaningful relationships. Her passion for her work is evident in every project. This drive to help others and create impactful experiences led her to establish the Midwest Design Retreat.

Thank You To Our Sponsors

This 2025 event was made possible by: Houzz Pro, Visual Comfort, All Inc., and Intersource by Stark.