ABOUT THE MIDWEST DESIGN RETREAT
WHAT IS THE MIDWEST DESIGN RETREAT
The Midwest Design Retreat is a meticulously curated three-day event designed to help interior designers elevate their businesses. 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
- Wellness
WHAT YOU GET WITH YOUR INVESTMENT
- Workshop experience at the hip Hewing Hotel in Minneapolis, MN
- Meals, drinks and snacks during workshop hours
- Hotel stay for 2 nights
- Insightful and informative sessions with our expert speakers
- Open Q&A with our speakers
- Breakout sessions
- Course workbook
- Thoughtful, curated goodies
- A community atmosphere and the chance to build your network
The Midwest Design Retreat is a three-day immersive experience tailored for the vibrant interior design community. Founded by Jennifer Davis, this retreat features renowned celebrity designers, leading business coaches, and industry leaders who offer valuable knowledge, practical strategies, and actionable guidance through focused business development sessions and hands-on implementation
EVENT SCHEDULE
Day 1
Monday, May 5th
1:00 pm Socialize with Sips & Snacks
1:30 pm Speaker Introductions
1:45 pm Session One
3:00 pm Session Two
4:15 pm Break Out Group Sessions
6:30 pm Welcome Dinner at Visual Comfort
Day 2
Tuesday, May 6
Breakfast
9:00 am Session Three
10:30 am Session Four
12:00 pm Lunch
1:00 pm Design Presentation Breakout
2:30 pm Session Five
3:45 pm Session Six
6:30 pm Cocktail Hour, followed by Dinner
Day 3
Wednesday, May 7
Breakfast
9:00 am Session Seven
10:30 am Session Eight
12:00 pm Lunch
1:00 pm Session Nine
2:00 pm Interactive Q&A Breakout
4:30 pm Farewell
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.
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.