In this episode, Ana sits down with twin sisters Rachel McNeil (Director of Design, L&M Office Furniture) and Emily Hill (Interior Designer, Taggart Architects) to talk about their parallel journeys in the interior design industry — from growing up creatively inclined to building successful commercial design careers on opposite sides of the industry.
In this episode we discuss:
Growing up creative – How Rachel and Emily knew from a young age they wanted to pursue design, and the childhood moments that hinted at where they’d each end up.
Finding their path in college – Attending Harding University, discovering their strengths in commercial design, and the professors who shaped them.
Entering the workforce in 2013 – Navigating a tough job market post-recession, landing first jobs, and the side hustle (Coaches’ Daughters calligraphy & signs) that kept them connected when they were nine hours apart.
Different sides of the same industry – Rachel’s path through furniture dealerships and Emily’s journey from a Haworth dealership to an A&D firm, and how those experiences built skills neither expected.
Advice for students and emerging professionals:
Keep an open mind — your first job won’t always be your last or your best fit
Don’t wait to reach out to professionals; shadow days and internships are invaluable
Get involved in ASID early — it sets you apart in interviews
Sales reps are a major networking resource, even if you don’t plan to stay in your current market
Collaborating as sisters – Working on award-winning projects together including ASU Newport Campus and the SAU Tech Fire Training Academy dormitory; how their complementary tools (CET + Revit) streamline the A&D and furniture dealership relationship.
Being moms in the industry – Setting boundaries, managing two full-time jobs, and finding employers who support family-first flexibility.
Projects they’re most proud of:
Emily: The Dr. Marian G. Lacey K–8 Academy — a six-year project that won the ASID Ovation Award for Best Commercial Design
Rachel: Recurring work with Practice Plus clinics and Simmons Bank, plus a gold award-winning family clinic in North Little Rock; the Searcy library project with Tony Wyre
Design Impacts is a podcast by the South Central Chapter of ASID — elevating, celebrating, and educating our design community.
If you have questions, comments, or want to get involved with the chapter — locally, regionally, or nationally — please reach out. Your voice shapes the chapter!
