PODCAST: Enhancing Business Growth in the Design Industry

The Root Of It All, With Tree Ryde

Distraction Detox: Enhancing Business Growth in the Design Industry S3E1

We are thrilled to kick off Season 3 with an insightful episode featuring Erika MacKay, a renowned workspace wellness expert and advocate. As a registered Interior Designer and the founder and CEO of Niche for Design, Erika brings a wealth of knowledge on creating environments that help us feel and perform at our best.

In this episode, Erika, along with Tree Ryde, dives deep into the importance of workspace wellness, hybrid offices, and flexible coworking environments. Learn how to enhance your business growth by optimizing your physical office spaces to boost productivity and well-being.

About Erika MacKay: Erika is a registered Interior Designer, a member of the International WELL Building Standard Faculty, and a part-time faculty member at Conestoga College. She is dedicated to growing her team at Niche for Design and expanding their impact on workspace wellness. Erika’s expertise in work environments and space planning makes her a sought-after speaker and consultant. She passionately believes that the spaces we inhabit greatly affect our health and well-being, and she strives to create workspaces that support these aspects.

Tune in now to discover how you can detox distractions and propel your business growth through effective design strategies. Don’t miss out on these valuable insights!

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Modern coworking space for small business teams with shared lounge and private meeting rooms

Custom Coworking: How Small Teams are Creating Big Impact with Shared Workspaces

By Erika MacKay • June 9, 2025
Design a shared office your team will love. Discover coworking ideas for small businesses, clinics, and hybrid teams that value connection and flexibility.
Your Guide to Opening a New Salon, Café, or Retail Shop: Costs, Permits & Design Tips

Your Guide to Opening a New Salon, Café, or Retail Shop: Costs, Permits & Design Tips

By Erika MacKay • March 25, 2025
Whether you're launching a new business or expanding an existing one, there’s a lot to think about—believe me, I get it. As a business owner myself and someone who has guided dozens of entrepreneurs through the space planning process, I’ve noticed a few common (and costly) things that often get overlooked. In the excitement of opening a new location, it’s easy to underestimate timelines, renovation costs, and the permitting process. After countless conversations around these very challenges, I decided to put together this blog to share some insights. While every project and location is unique, my goal is to give you a helpful starting point—especially when it comes to budgeting, permits, and designing a space that truly reflects your brand and keeps customers coming back.

How to help prospective buyers or tenants visualize the potential in a commercial listing

By Erika MacKay • October 20, 2024
In the competitive world of commercial real estate, visualizing potential uses of a property can make all the difference in securing a lease or sale. For realtors, landlords, and property managers, presenting a space in its best light is crucial. However, empty spaces often leave prospects struggling to see their potential. This is where 3D renderings and 2D space planning come into play, offering a cost-effective solution to marketing available commercial properties.

Overcoming Common Challenges in Restaurant and Retail Franchising Through Smart Interior Design

By Erika MacKay • September 17, 2024
Expanding and maintaining a restaurant or retail franchise presents a unique set of challenges. From ensuring brand consistency to navigating franchise approvals, franchise owners often face complex issues that can be mitigated with the right interior design strategies. This article explores these challenges and explains how effective interior design solutions can help franchises navigate growth.

The Importance of Face-to-Face Relationship Building in the Workplace

By Erika MacKay • August 8, 2024
In today's increasingly hybrid work environment, the importance of face-to-face relationship building cannot be overstated. While remote work offers flexibility and convenience, in-person interactions are crucial for mentorship, networking, and creative collaboration. Employees rarely express a desire to avoid their colleagues entirely; rather, they seek purposeful, enjoyable, and supportive office visits. The key to fostering these interactions lies in creating a workspace that meets their needs and exceeds the comforts of home.

Could You be Wasting Money on Your Office Space?

By Erika MacKay • August 8, 2024
Optimizing your office space is crucial, especially in a hybrid work environment. Here are some signs that you might be wasting money on your office space, along with actionable steps to address them:

Optimizing Multi-Location Office Spaces

By Erika MacKay • June 26, 2024
According to a recent study by workspace platform provider Robin, 75% of companies are planning to reduce their office footprint in 2024. This is primarily due to economic challenges and underutilization of space. A strategic approach to this change can positively impact your bottom line, team engagement, and overall workplace culture.

How to Improve Office Space Utilization

By Erika MacKay • June 18, 2024
Strategic Hybrid Policy Framework informs a "Right-Sized" Office and Optimal ROI.

Your Guide to creating an Optimized Hybrid Workspace

By Erika MacKay • May 30, 2024
Why Optimize Your Workspace?

Unlocking the Future of Workspaces: The Power of Free Address

By Erika MacKay • March 20, 2024
In the ever-evolving landscape of work, one thing has become crystal clear: the optimal office is no longer a one-size-fits-all solution. As companies adapt to a new era of remote and hybrid work, the way we think about office spaces is undergoing a profound transformation. It's time to break free from the constraints of the past and explore alternative ways for our space to support how we work. One of the most exciting alternatives is free-address workspaces. This activity-based design approach provides a robust array of options and supports freedom of choice- a consistent preference identified in workplace research.