From design school burnout to leading luxury renovations—Tam turned her unconventional path into a powerhouse career. Now, she’s sharing the bold strategies that helped her succeed, so you can do the same.
My Degree Got Me $15/hour. My Grit Built a Career
I’m Tam Nguyen—an author, mentor, and former interior designer with over 16 years of hands-on experience in the design-build world.
Like many aspiring designers, I started with big dreams and a formal degree that cost over $100,000… and landed me a $15/hour job at a design firm. It didn’t take long to realize that the traditional path wasn’t the one that would unlock real freedom or income.
So, I pivoted. I walked onto job sites, volunteered under seasoned construction superintendents—unpaid—and soaked up every lesson I could.
What I discovered? Real-world experience trumps fancy diplomas. And the industry? It’s craving designers who understand both beauty and buildability.